He fills His hands with lightningThis phrase emphasizes God's sovereign control over nature. In the ancient Near Eastern context, lightning was often associated with divine power and judgment. The imagery of God filling His hands with lightning suggests His authority and ability to wield natural forces at His will. This can be connected to other biblical passages such as
Psalm 18:14, where God sends out His arrows and scatters the enemies, and
Zechariah 9:14, where God is depicted as appearing over His people with lightning. The control over lightning also reflects God's omnipotence, a theme prevalent throughout the Book of Job, as Job and his friends grapple with understanding God's power and justice.
and commands it to strike its mark
This part of the verse highlights God's precision and intentionality in His actions. The idea that God commands lightning to strike its mark underscores His meticulous governance over creation. This can be related toIsaiah 55:11, where God's word is described as accomplishing what He desires and achieving the purpose for which He sent it. The concept of divine command and fulfillment is also seen in the New Testament, where Jesus, as the Word made flesh, fulfills the prophecies and purposes of God (John 1:1-14). The precision of God's command over lightning can be seen as a type of Christ's authority over nature, as demonstrated in the Gospels when Jesus calms the storm (Mark 4:39), showing His divine power and control.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
ElihuA young man who speaks to Job and his friends, offering a perspective on God's justice and power. Elihu's speeches are found in
Job 32-37.
2.
JobA righteous man who suffers immense trials and seeks understanding of his suffering.
3.
GodThe Almighty Creator, whose power and wisdom are beyond human comprehension. In this verse, His control over nature is emphasized.
4.
LightningA natural phenomenon used metaphorically to illustrate God's power and precision in executing His will.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty Over NatureThis verse illustrates God's absolute control over the natural world. Just as He commands the lightning, He governs all aspects of creation with precision and purpose.
Divine Precision and PurposeThe imagery of God commanding lightning to strike its mark reminds us that nothing in creation is random. God's actions are intentional and purposeful, even when we do not understand them.
Trust in God's PowerRecognizing God's power over nature should lead us to trust Him in our lives. If He can direct lightning, He can certainly guide our paths and circumstances.
God's Justice and JudgmentLightning, often associated with judgment, serves as a reminder of God's justice. He will execute His will with accuracy, ensuring that justice is served.
Humility Before God's WisdomElihu's speech encourages humility, acknowledging that God's ways and thoughts are higher than ours. We should approach Him with reverence and awe.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Job 36:32?
2.How does Job 36:32 illustrate God's control over creation and nature?
3.What can we learn about God's power from "commands it to strike its mark"?
4.How does Job 36:32 connect with God's sovereignty in Genesis 1:1?
5.How can we trust God's guidance in our lives, as shown in Job 36:32?
6.How should understanding God's control in Job 36:32 affect our daily decisions?
7.What does Job 36:32 reveal about God's control over nature and the universe?
8.How does Job 36:32 challenge our understanding of divine intervention in human affairs?
9.In what ways does Job 36:32 illustrate God's power and authority?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 36?
11.What does the Bible say about the Angel of Death?
12.In Job 36:31-33, how does the idea that God uses storms for both judgment and provision reconcile with natural disasters that indiscriminately affect believers and unbelievers alike?
13.How does Job 28:25's statement about God 'weighing the wind' square with earlier biblical passages that treat weather as solely divine intervention?
14.Job 1:16-19 - Are there natural or scientific explanations for the rapid succession of disasters that befell Job, or is this account purely symbolic?What Does Job 36:32 Mean
He fills His hands• The verse opens with God’s personal involvement: “In His hand are the depths of the earth” (Psalm 95:4).
• Hands picture both intimacy and capability; He does not delegate power blindly.
•Isaiah 40:12 reminds us He “measured the waters in the hollow of His hand”; every detail of creation rests securely there.
• Because His hands hold creation, they also hold His people—“No one can snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28).
• Job’s sufferings are framed by this truth: the same hands that formed the universe are overseeing every event in Job’s life.
with lightning• Lightning is raw, breathtaking energy. God equips Himself with it just as effortlessly as we pick up a tool.
• “He unleashes His lightning beneath the whole heaven” (Job 37:3), showing its global reach.
•Psalm 135:7 says He “makes lightning for the rain,” tying bolts of fire to refreshing showers and hinting at both judgment and blessing.
•Zechariah 9:14 likens His arrow to lightning, underscoring suddenness and precision.
and commands it• Lightning does not roam randomly; it moves at His word.
• God asks Job, “Can you send forth lightning bolts so that they go and say to you, ‘Here we are’?” (Job 38:35). The implied answer is no—only God can.
• Even the weather obeys: “powerful wind fulfilling His word” (Psalm 148:8).
• When Jesus calmed the sea, His authority over creation was on full display (Mark 4:39), echoing the same command power noted here.
to strike its mark• Every flash has a destination picked by God. Nothing is accidental.
• “His thunder announces the coming storm” (Job 37:2-13), directing rain for “punishment or for His land or for mercy.” The strike always serves a purpose.
• “The voice of the LORD strikes with flames of fire” (Psalm 29:7); His voice and His lightning are equally precise.
• Like His word that “will accomplish what I please” (Isaiah 55:11), lightning fulfills a targeted mission—judgment, warning, cleansing, or awe.
summaryJob 36:32 paints a vivid portrait of God’s absolute sovereignty: He personally takes lightning in hand, wields it as He wills, and never misses His intended target. The verse reassures believers that the same God who governs the fiercest forces of nature is faithfully, intentionally guiding every detail of our lives.
(32)
With clouds.--The word here rendered "clouds" really means
hands,and there seems to be no good reason why it should be otherwise understood. The verse will then read, "He covereth the lightning with His hands, and giveth it a charge that it strike the mark;" or, according to some, "giveth it a charge against the assailant." The figure is that of a man hurling a stone or bolt, and taking aim; and a very fine one the image is. The Authorised Version cannot be right with its five inserted words.
Verse 32. -
With clouds he covereth the light; rather,
he covereth both his hands with light,
i.e. with the lightning. So Vul was represented in Assyrian and Zeus in Greek mythology, as filling their hands with thunderbolts, and hurling them upon their foes in their wrath. And commandeth it not to shine, etc. This rendering is wholly indefensible. Translate,
And layeth command upon it that it strike the mark (compare the Revised Version).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
He fillsכִּסָּה־(kis·sāh-)Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3680:To plump, fill up hollows, to coverHis handsכַּפַּ֥יִם(kap·pa·yim)Noun - fd
Strong's 3709:Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a panwith lightningא֑וֹר(’ō·wr)Noun - common singular
Strong's 216:Illumination, luminaryand commandsוַיְצַ֖ו(way·ṣaw)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6680:To lay charge (upon), give charge (to), command, orderitעָלֶ֣יהָ(‘ā·le·hā)Preposition | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstto strike its mark.בְמַפְגִּֽיעַ׃(ḇə·map̄·gî·a‘)Preposition-b | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6293:To impinge, by accident, violence, by importunity
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OT Poetry: Job 36:32 He covers his hands with the lightning (Jb) 
