Then there comes a roaring sound;This phrase captures the awe-inspiring power of God's voice, often depicted in Scripture as a mighty sound. In the context of Job, this roaring sound can be likened to the natural phenomena that demonstrate God's sovereignty and power over creation. The imagery of roaring is consistent with other biblical passages, such as
Psalm 29:3-9, where the voice of the Lord is described as powerful and full of majesty, breaking cedars and shaking the wilderness. This sound signifies God's presence and His active involvement in the world.
He thunders with His majestic voice.
The thunderous voice of God is a recurring theme in the Bible, symbolizing His authority and the fear it instills in humanity. InExodus 19:16-19, God's voice is associated with thunder and lightning on Mount Sinai, emphasizing His holiness and the seriousness of His covenant with Israel. The majesty of God's voice reflects His divine nature, commanding respect and reverence. This thunderous voice is also a reminder of God's ultimate control over the universe, as seen in the natural order and the weather patterns He governs.
He does not restrain the lightning when His voice resounds.
This phrase highlights God's unrestrained power and the immediacy of His actions. The lightning, often seen as a symbol of divine judgment or revelation, is not held back when God speaks. This can be connected to the plagues in Egypt, where lightning and thunder were part of God's judgment against Pharaoh (Exodus 9:23-24). The unrestrained nature of the lightning signifies that God's will is accomplished without hindrance. In a broader theological sense, this can be seen as a type of Christ, who is the ultimate revelation of God, coming into the world with power and authority, as seen in the New Testament (Hebrews 1:1-3).
Persons / Places / Events
1.
JobThe central figure in the Book of Job, a man of great faith who undergoes severe trials and suffering.
2.
ElihuThe speaker in this passage, a younger friend of Job who offers his perspective on Job's suffering and God's majesty.
3.
GodThe Almighty, whose power and majesty are being described through the natural phenomena of thunder and lightning.
4.
Thunder and LightningNatural events used metaphorically to describe the power and majesty of God's voice and actions.
Teaching Points
The Majesty of God's VoiceGod's voice is powerful and majestic, commanding respect and awe. Just as thunder and lightning capture our attention, so should the voice of God in our lives.
God's Sovereignty in CreationThe natural world reflects God's sovereignty and power. Recognizing His control over creation can deepen our trust in His plans and purposes.
Listening to God's VoiceJust as thunder demands our attention, we should be attentive to God's voice in our lives, seeking to understand His will and direction.
The Fear of the LordThe imagery of thunder and lightning evokes a sense of reverence and fear of the Lord, reminding us of His holiness and our need to approach Him with humility.
God's Unrestrained PowerThe passage highlights that God does not restrain His power. This can be a source of comfort, knowing that His power is at work for His purposes, even when we do not fully understand them.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Job 37:4?
2.How does Job 37:4 illustrate God's power and authority in our lives?
3.What can we learn about God's voice from "He thunders with His majestic voice"?
4.How does Job 37:4 connect to God's sovereignty in Psalm 29:3-4?
5.How should recognizing God's power in Job 37:4 impact our daily decisions?
6.In what ways can we trust God's timing as seen in Job 37:4?
7.How does Job 37:4 illustrate God's power and authority over nature?
8.What is the significance of God's voice being described as thunder in Job 37:4?
9.How does Job 37:4 fit into the broader context of the Book of Job?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Job 37?
11.Does Job 37:14-15's portrayal of God controlling weather conflict with biblical passages that emphasize human free will over divine intervention?
12.In Job 37:3-5, how can thunder and lightning be described as God's direct voice when science explains them as natural phenomena?
13.Why does Revelation 4:5's portrayal of thunder and lightning around God's throne seem inconsistent with other Bible passages describing a serene heavenly realm?
14.Psalm 29:3 refers to God's voice thundering over the waters; how does this align with modern meteorological explanations of storms and thunder?What Does Job 37:4 Mean
Then there comes a roaring sound• Elihu pictures the first rumble of a storm rolling over the horizon, a cue that God is drawing near.
• Scripture consistently links thunder to the audible presence of the Lord—“The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders” (Psalm 29:3-4).
• At Sinai the same “roaring” announced His covenant (Exodus 19:16); Jeremiah said the Lord “roars from on high” when He judges (Jeremiah 25:30).
• The literal storm reminds Job—and us—that God is not silent or distant; His power is tangible, unsettling, and impossible to ignore.
He thunders with His majestic voice• The rumble swells into a deafening crash: “The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded” (Psalm 18:13).
• Thunder is called “majestic” because it reveals God’s royal authority. When the Philistines threatened Israel, “the LORD thundered loudly… and threw them into panic” (1 Samuel 7:10).
• Elihu’s point: God’s rule is not theoretical. Every clap of thunder is a real-time proclamation that the King of the universe is speaking, commanding, and defending His glory.
• For Job, battered by loss and confusion, the message is clear—God’s sovereignty remains intact, and His voice still reaches human ears.
He does not restrain the lightning when His voice resounds• As the thunder peaks, flashes split the sky. “He fills His hands with lightning and commands it to strike its mark” (Job 36:32).
• God “does not restrain” the bolts; nothing limits the reach of His power.Psalm 77:18 notes the same pairing: “Your thunder resounded… the lightning lit up the world.”
• The unleashed lightning signals decisive action.Nahum 1:3 links storms to God’s justice; what He purposes, He performs.
• Job has wondered whether God sees or cares. The unrestrained lightning answers: the Lord is actively engaged, perfectly accurate, and never hesitant.
summaryJob 37:4 uses the escalating drama of a storm to spotlight God’s nearness, authority, and unstoppable power. The initial roar signals His approach, the majestic thunder proclaims His kingship, and the unrestrained lightning demonstrates that His will is carried out without delay. For every sufferer who, like Job, wrestles with unanswered questions, the verse invites renewed awe: the God who speaks through the storm is fully alive, fully in control, and fully committed to making His presence known.
(4)
After it a voice roareth--
i.e.,the thunderclap which follows the lightning-flash.
And he stayeth them not
(or will not stay them)
when his voice isheard.--What does this mean? We understand it, "Yet none can track them (
i.e., the thunder and the lightning) when His voice is heard. They travel in paths which none can explore. Vivid as the lightning is, who shall pursue its course?"
Verse 4. -
After it a voice roareth.
After the lightning-flash has been seen, the thunderclap comes. In their origin they are simultaneous; but, as light travels faster than sound, unless we are close to the flash, then is an interval, the thunder
following on the lightning
. He thundereth with the voice of his excellency (see the comment on ver. 2).
And he will not stay them when his voice is heard. The words are plain, but the meaning is obscure. What will not God stay? His lightnings? His thunderings? His rain? His hail? There is no obvious antecedent. And in what sense will he not "stay" them? Some explain, "He will not slacken their speed; "others, "He will not cause them to Cease."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Thenאַחֲרָ֤יו ׀(’a·ḥă·rāw)Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 310:The hind or following partthere comes a roaringיִשְׁאַג־(yiš·’aḡ-)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7580:To rumble, moansound;ק֗וֹל(qō·wl)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6963:A voice, soundHe thundersיַ֭רְעֵם(yar·‘êm)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Jussive - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7481:To tumble, be violently agitated, to crash, to irritatewith His majesticגְּאוֹנ֑וֹ(gə·’ō·w·nōw)Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1347:Arrogance, majesty, ornamentvoice.בְּק֣וֹל(bə·qō·wl)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6963:A voice, soundHe does notוְלֹ֥א(wə·lō)Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, norestrain [the lightning]יְ֝עַקְּבֵ֗ם(yə·‘aq·qə·ḇêm)Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6117:To follow at the heel, assail insidiously, circumvent, overreachwhenכִּֽי־(kî-)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctionHis voiceקוֹלֽוֹ׃(qō·w·lōw)Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6963:A voice, soundresounds.יִשָּׁמַ֥ע(yiš·šā·ma‘)Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8085:To hear intelligently
Links
Job 37:4 NIVJob 37:4 NLTJob 37:4 ESVJob 37:4 NASBJob 37:4 KJV
Job 37:4 BibleApps.comJob 37:4 Biblia ParalelaJob 37:4 Chinese BibleJob 37:4 French BibleJob 37:4 Catholic Bible
OT Poetry: Job 37:4 After it a voice roars (Jb) 
