Job Chapter 36 · Verse 33
The noise thereof sheweth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour.
Original Language Analysis
יַגִּ֣יד
thereof sheweth
H5046
יַגִּ֣יד
thereof sheweth
Strong's:
H5046
Word #:
1 of 7
properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to
עָלָ֣יו
H5921
עָלָ֣יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 7
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
רֵע֑וֹ
The noise
H7452
רֵע֑וֹ
The noise
Strong's:
H7452
Word #:
3 of 7
a crash (of thunder), noise (of war), shout (of joy)
מִ֝קְנֶ֗ה
concerning it the cattle
H4735
מִ֝קְנֶ֗ה
concerning it the cattle
Strong's:
H4735
Word #:
4 of 7
something bought, i.e., property, but only live stock; abstractly, acquisition
אַ֣ף
H637
אַ֣ף
Strong's:
H637
Word #:
5 of 7
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
Historical Context
Ancient peoples interpreted natural phenomena as divine communication. Thunder was considered gods' voices across cultures. Israel's theology agreed—thunder is God's voice (Exodus 19:16, Job 37:2-5, Psalm 29)—but demythologized it: not capricious divine anger but covenant Lord's majestic presence. Animal behavior forecasting weather was common ancient observation (still valid: animals detect barometric pressure changes, earthquakes). Elihu's nature theology grounds in observation, interpreted theologically: creation reveals Creator's attributes and activity.
Questions for Reflection
- How does creation's testimony through natural phenomena point toward God's attributes?
- What is the relationship between general revelation (nature) and special revelation (Scripture, Christ)?
- How should we interpret dramatic natural phenomena (storms, earthquakes) theologically without superstition?
Analysis & Commentary
The noise thereof sheweth concerning it (יַגִּיד עָלָיו רֵעוֹ, yaggid alav re'o)—The verse is textually difficult. The noun rea (רֵעַ) can mean "friend, companion, thunder." Some translations: "its crashing declares His presence" (ESV). The phrase the cattle also concerning the vapour (מִקְנֶה אַף עַל־עוֹלֶה, miqneh aph al-oleh) is obscure. Possibly: even cattle sense approaching storms. Ancient observation noted animals' sensitivity to weather changes. Elihu's point: all creation responds to God's meteorological works—thunder proclaims His presence, animals sense atmospheric shifts.
Creation testifies to Creator (Psalm 19:1, "The heavens declare the glory of God"). Romans 1:20 argues God's invisible attributes are "clearly seen... by the things that are made." Thunder's voice symbolizes divine speech (Psalm 29:3-9, Revelation 4:5, 8:5). Jesus compared His return to lightning (Matthew 24:27). The gospel reveals God spoke ultimately through His Son (Hebrews 1:1-2), not merely thunder and natural phenomena. Yet creation's testimony continues, pointing toward Creator, sustaining general revelation until Christ's return brings perfect knowledge (1 Corinthians 13:12).