Job 37:12
New International Version
At his direction they swirl around over the face of the whole earth to do whatever he commands them.

New Living Translation
The clouds churn about at his direction. They do whatever he commands throughout the earth.

English Standard Version
They turn around and around by his guidance, to accomplish all that he commands them on the face of the habitable world.

Berean Standard Bible
They swirl about, whirling at His direction, accomplishing all that He commands over the face of all the earth.

King James Bible
And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth.

New King James Version
And they swirl about, being turned by His guidance, That they may do whatever He commands them On the face of the whole earth.

New American Standard Bible
“It changes direction, turning around by His guidance, That it may do whatever He commands it On the face of the inhabited earth.

NASB 1995
“It changes direction, turning around by His guidance, That it may do whatever He commands it On the face of the inhabited earth.

NASB 1977
“And it changes direction, turning around by His guidance, That it may do whatever He commands it On the face of the inhabited earth.

Legacy Standard Bible
It changes direction, turning around by His guidance, That it may do whatever He commands it On the face of the inhabited earth.

Amplified Bible
“Its direction is turned around by His guidance, That it may do whatever He commands it On the face of the inhabited earth.

Christian Standard Bible
They swirl about, turning round and round at his direction, accomplishing everything he commands them over the surface of the inhabited world.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
They swirl about, turning round and round at His direction, accomplishing everything He commands them over the surface of the inhabited world.

American Standard Version
And it is turned round about by his guidance, That they may do whatsoever he commandeth them Upon the face of the habitable world,

Contemporary English Version
traveling across the sky

English Revised Version
And it is turned round about by his guidance, that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the habitable world.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He guides the clouds as they churn round and round over the face of the inhabited earth to do everything he orders them.

Good News Translation
as they move at God's will. They do all that God commands, everywhere throughout the world.

International Standard Version
It whirls about in circles at his direction to accomplish all that he commands throughout the surface of the entire world,

Majority Standard Bible
They swirl about, whirling at His direction, accomplishing all that He commands over the face of all the earth.

NET Bible
The clouds go round in circles, wheeling about according to his plans, to carry out all that he commands them over the face of the whole inhabited world.

New Heart English Bible
It is turned around by his guidance, that they may do whatever he commands them on the surface of the habitable world,

Webster's Bible Translation
And it is turned around by his counsels: that they may do whatever he commandeth them upon the face of the world on the earth.

World English Bible
It is turned around by his guidance, that they may do whatever he commands them on the surface of the habitable world,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it is turning itself around by His counsels, "" For their doing all He commands them, "" On the face of the habitable earth.

Young's Literal Translation
And it is turning itself round by His counsels, For their doing all He commandeth them, On the face of the habitable earth.

Smith's Literal Translation
Being turned by his guidance to their doing all that he commanded them upon the face of the habitable globe of the earth.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Which go round about, whithersoever the will of him that governeth them shall lead them, to whatsoever he shall command them upon the face of the whole earth :

Catholic Public Domain Version
It shines all around, wherever the will of him that governs them will lead, to anywhere he will command, over the whole face of the earth,

New American Bible
He it is who changes their rounds, according to his plans, to do all that he commands them across the inhabited world.

New Revised Standard Version
They turn round and round by his guidance, to accomplish all that he commands them on the face of the habitable world.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And they turn round about by his counsels, that they may do whatever he commands them upon the face of his habitable earth.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And it turns around and it returns to perform counsel, everything that he commands them on the face of the world of his Earth
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And they are turned round about by His guidance, That they may do whatsoever He commandeth them Upon the face of the habitable world:

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he will carry round the encircling clouds by his governance, to perform their works: whatsoever he shall command them,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elihu Proclaims God's Majesty
11He loads the clouds with moisture; He scatters His lightning through them. 12They swirl about, whirling at His direction, accomplishing all that He commands over the face of all the earth. 13Whether for punishment or for His land, He accomplishes this in His loving devotion.…

Cross References
Psalm 147:15-18
He sends forth His command to the earth; His word runs swiftly. / He spreads the snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes; / He casts forth His hail like pebbles. Who can withstand His icy blast? ...

Jeremiah 10:13
When He thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He generates the lightning with the rain and brings forth the wind from His storehouses.

Psalm 135:7
He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He generates the lightning with the rain and brings forth the wind from His storehouses.

Isaiah 55:10-11
For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, / so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.

Proverbs 30:4
Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in His hands? Who has bound up the waters in His cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is the name of His Son—surely you know!

Ecclesiastes 1:6
The wind blows southward, then turns northward; round and round it swirls, ever returning on its course.

Genesis 8:1
But God remembered Noah and all the animals and livestock that were with him in the ark. And God sent a wind over the earth, and the waters began to subside.

Psalm 104:3-4
laying the beams of His chambers in the waters above, making the clouds His chariot, walking on the wings of the wind. / He makes the winds His messengers, flames of fire His servants.

Isaiah 40:12
Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or marked off the heavens with the span of his hand? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket, or weighed the mountains on a scale and the hills with a balance?

Amos 4:13
For behold, He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind and reveals His thoughts to man, who turns the dawn to darkness and strides on the heights of the earth—the LORD, the God of Hosts, is His name.”

Matthew 8:27
The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey Him!”

Mark 4:39-41
Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. “Silence!” He commanded. “Be still!” And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm. / “Why are you so afraid?” He asked. “Do you still have no faith?” / Overwhelmed with fear, they asked one another, “Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

Luke 8:25
“Where is your faith?” He asked. Frightened and amazed, they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him!”

John 3:8
The wind blows where it wishes. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

Acts 14:17
Yet He has not left Himself without testimony to His goodness: He gives you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.”


Treasury of Scripture

And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatever he commands them on the face of the world in the earth.

it

Psalm 65:9,10
Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it…

Psalm 104:24
O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches.

Jeremiah 14:22
Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O LORD our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things.

that

Psalm 148:8
Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:

James 5:17,18
Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months…

Revelation 11:6
These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will.

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Accomplish Changes Circuit Commandeth Commands Counsels Direction Earth Face Gives Goes Guidance Guiding Habitable Inhabited Itself Orders Round Surface Swirl Turn Turned Turning Way Whatever Whatsoever World
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Accomplish Changes Circuit Commandeth Commands Counsels Direction Earth Face Gives Goes Guidance Guiding Habitable Inhabited Itself Orders Round Surface Swirl Turn Turned Turning Way Whatever Whatsoever World
Job 37
1. God is to be feared because of his great works
15. His wisdom is unsearchable in them














It is directed
The phrase "it is directed" suggests a sense of divine orchestration and purpose. In the Hebrew text, the word used here is "yashar," which means to make straight or to direct. This implies that God is actively involved in guiding the natural elements, much like He guides the paths of human lives. Theologically, this reflects the belief in God's sovereignty and His ability to direct all things according to His will. Historically, this understanding would have been comforting to the ancient Israelites, who lived in a world where natural phenomena were often unpredictable and could be seen as manifestations of divine will.

by His guidance
The term "guidance" here is translated from the Hebrew word "tachbulah," which can also mean counsel or wisdom. This suggests that God's direction is not arbitrary but is based on His infinite wisdom and understanding. In the broader scriptural context, this aligns with the portrayal of God as the ultimate source of wisdom, as seen in books like Proverbs. The idea that God guides with wisdom provides assurance that His plans are for the ultimate good, even when they are beyond human comprehension.

that they may accomplish
The phrase "that they may accomplish" indicates purpose and intention. The Hebrew root "asah" means to do, make, or accomplish. This suggests that the natural elements are not random but are fulfilling a specific purpose ordained by God. This reflects the biblical theme that all creation is under God's command and serves His purposes, as seen in Psalms and other wisdom literature. It reassures believers that there is a divine purpose behind the workings of the world.

whatever He commands them
This phrase underscores the authority and power of God. The Hebrew word "tsavah" means to command or order, highlighting God's sovereign rule over creation. In the ancient Near Eastern context, kings and rulers were seen as having absolute authority, and this imagery is applied to God, emphasizing His ultimate control over all things. Scripturally, this is consistent with the portrayal of God as the King of the universe, whose commands are executed by all creation, as seen in the Psalms and prophetic literature.

on the face of the whole earth
The phrase "on the face of the whole earth" emphasizes the universality of God's dominion. The Hebrew word "paniym" means face or presence, suggesting that God's presence and authority extend over the entire earth. This reflects the biblical worldview that God is not a localized deity but the Creator and Sustainer of the entire world. Historically, this would have been a radical assertion in a polytheistic context, affirming the monotheistic belief in one God who reigns over all. This universal scope of God's command is a source of hope and assurance for believers, affirming that no part of creation is outside His care and control.

Verse 12. - And it is turned round about by his counsels, "It" (i.e. the cloud) is "turned round" (or directed in its course) "by his counsels," or under the guidance of his wisdom, and so conveys his rain whither he pleases. That they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth. There is no expressed antecedent to "they." Perhaps the showers are intended, or the atmospheric influences generally.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
They
וְה֤וּא (wə·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

swirl about,
מְסִבּ֨וֹת ׀ (mə·sib·bō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4524: That which surrounds or is round

turning round and round
מִתְהַפֵּ֣ךְ (miṯ·hap·pêḵ)
Verb - Hitpael - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 2015: To turn about, over, to change, overturn, return, pervert

at His direction,
בְּתַחְבּוּלֹתָ֣יו (bə·ṯaḥ·bū·lō·ṯāw)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8458: Steerage, guidance, a plan

accomplishing
לְפָעֳלָ֑ם (lə·p̄ā·‘o·lām)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6467: Doing, deed, work

all
כֹּ֖ל (kōl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

that
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

He commands
יְצַוֵּ֓ם ׀ (yə·ṣaw·wêm)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6680: To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, order

over
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the face
פְּנֵ֖י (pə·nê)
Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

of all
תֵבֵ֣ל (ṯê·ḇêl)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8398: The earth, the globe, its inhabitants, a particular land

the earth.
אָֽרְצָה׃ (’ā·rə·ṣāh)
Noun - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land


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OT Poetry: Job 37:12 It is turned around by his guidance (Jb)
Job 37:11
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