Job Chapter 37 · Verse 3
He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth.
Original Language Analysis
תַּֽחַת
H8478
תַּֽחַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
1 of 8
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 8
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַשָּׁמַ֥יִם
under the whole heaven
H8064
הַשָּׁמַ֥יִם
under the whole heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
3 of 8
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
יִשְׁרֵ֑הוּ
He directeth
H3474
יִשְׁרֵ֑הוּ
He directeth
Strong's:
H3474
Word #:
4 of 8
to be straight or even; figuratively, to be (causatively, to make) right, pleasant, prosperous
וְ֝אוֹר֗וֹ
and his lightning
H216
וְ֝אוֹר֗וֹ
and his lightning
Strong's:
H216
Word #:
5 of 8
illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 8
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Job 38:13That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it?Matthew 24:27For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.Isaiah 11:12And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
Historical Context
Ancient peoples feared lightning as uncontrollable divine wrath. Greek mythology attributed it to Zeus's weapon; Canaanite religion to Baal's arrows. Elihu's theology is radically different—the one true God directs each lightning strike according to His purposes under all heaven. This universal sovereignty (not limited to Israel's territory) prepares for God's self-revelation as Creator and Sustainer of all cosmos. The language anticipates God's questions to Job: 'Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are?' (38:35).
Questions for Reflection
- How does knowing that God 'directs' even lightning bolts affect your understanding of His detailed providence in your circumstances?
- What's the relationship between God's governance over nature's most powerful forces and His care for individual human lives?
- In what ways does Elihu's description of directed lightning prepare Job (and us) to submit to God's comprehensive sovereignty?
Analysis & Commentary
He directeth it under the whole heaven, and his lightning unto the ends of the earth—God's governance extends to lightning's path. Tachat kol-hashamayim yishrehu (תַּחַת כָּל־הַשָּׁמַיִם יִשְׁרֵהוּ, under all the heavens He directs it) uses yashar (יָשַׁר), meaning to make straight, level, or direct. The pronoun 'it' refers to God's voice/thunder from v. 2, but also to the lightning bolt itself—God aims each flash with precision. Tachat kol-hashamayim (under all the heavens) encompasses creation's entire expanse.
Ve'oro al-kanfot ha'aretz (וְאוֹרוֹ עַל־כַּנְפוֹת הָאָרֶץ, and His light to the wings/edges of the earth) personifies lightning as God's or (אוֹר, light), striking to kanfot (כַּנְפוֹת, wings/extremities/corners) of the earth. The word kanfot can mean literal wings or metaphorical edges—lightning reaches earth's furthest boundaries. This echoes Job 28:24, where God 'looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven.' What God sees, He governs. Lightning appears random and dangerous, yet follows divine direction. Jesus later teaches that God's providence extends even to sparrows (Matthew 10:29)—if lightning's path is directed, how much more individual lives?