Job 37:16
New International Version
Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge?

New Living Translation
Do you understand how he moves the clouds with wonderful perfection and skill?

English Standard Version
Do you know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge,

Berean Standard Bible
Do you understand how the clouds float, those wonders of Him who is perfect in knowledge?

King James Bible
Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?

New King James Version
Do you know how the clouds are balanced, Those wondrous works of Him who is perfect in knowledge?

New American Standard Bible
“Do you know about the hovering of the clouds, The wonders of One who is perfect in knowledge,

NASB 1995
“Do you know about the layers of the thick clouds, The wonders of one perfect in knowledge,

NASB 1977
“Do you know about the layers of the thick clouds, The wonders of one perfect in knowledge,

Legacy Standard Bible
Do you know about the layers of the thick clouds, The wonders of one perfect in knowledge,

Amplified Bible
“Do you know about the layers of thick clouds [and how they are balanced and poised in the heavens], The wonderful works of Him who is perfect in knowledge,

Christian Standard Bible
Do you understand how the clouds float, those wonderful works of him who has perfect knowledge?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Do you understand how the clouds float, those wonderful works of Him who has perfect knowledge?

American Standard Version
Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, The wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?

Contemporary English Version
of God who knows all things? Or how he hangs the clouds in empty space?

English Revised Version
Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Do you know how the clouds drift (these are the miracles of the one who knows everything),

Good News Translation
Do you know how clouds float in the sky, the work of God's amazing skill?

International Standard Version
Do you understand his wondrous work of balancing the clouds, the one whose knowledge is perfect,

Majority Standard Bible
Do you understand how the clouds float, those wonders of Him who is perfect in knowledge?

NET Bible
Do you know about the balancing of the clouds, that wondrous activity of him who is perfect in knowledge?

New Heart English Bible
Do you know the workings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?

Webster's Bible Translation
Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?

World English Bible
Do you know the workings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Do you know the balancings of a cloud? The wonders of the Perfect in knowledge?

Young's Literal Translation
Dost thou know the balancings of a cloud? The wonders of the Perfect in knowledge?

Smith's Literal Translation
Shalt thou know upon the poisings of the cloud, the wonders of the complete of knowledges?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Knowest thou the great paths of the clouds, and the perfect knowledges?

Catholic Public Domain Version
Do you know the great paths of the clouds, and the perfect sciences?

New American Bible
Do you know how the clouds are banked, the marvels of him who is perfect in knowledge?

New Revised Standard Version
Do you know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of the one whose knowledge is perfect,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Do you know the balancing of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Do you know the going forth of clouds and the wonders of him who is without defect in knowledge?
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, The wondrous works of Him who is perfect in knowledge?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he knows the divisions of the clouds, and the signal overthrows of the ungodly.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Elihu Proclaims God's Majesty
15Do you know how God dispatches the clouds or makes the lightning flash? 16Do you understand how the clouds float, those wonders of Him who is perfect in knowledge? 17You whose clothes get hot when the land lies hushed under the south wind,…

Cross References
Isaiah 40:28
Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary; His understanding is beyond searching out.

Psalm 147:5
Great is our Lord, and mighty in power; His understanding has no limit.

Proverbs 3:19-20
The LORD founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding. / By His knowledge the watery depths were broken open, and the clouds dripped with dew.

Jeremiah 10:12-13
The LORD made the earth by His power; He established the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding. / 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.

Romans 11:33
O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments, and untraceable His ways!

Colossians 2:2-3
that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, / in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

1 Corinthians 1:25
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength.

Psalm 104:24
How many are Your works, O LORD! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures.

Isaiah 55:8-9
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. / “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.

Daniel 2:20-22
and declared: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him. / He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. / He reveals the deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.

Ecclesiastes 3:11
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men, yet they cannot fathom the work that God has done from beginning to end.

Psalm 139:6
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

1 Timothy 1:17
Now to the King eternal, immortal, and invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Ephesians 3:9-10
and to illuminate for everyone the stewardship of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. / His purpose was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,

Proverbs 8:22-31
The LORD created me as His first course, before His works of old. / From everlasting I was established, from the beginning, before the earth began. / When there were no watery depths, I was brought forth, when no springs were overflowing with water. ...


Treasury of Scripture

Do you know the balancing of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?

the balancings

Job 26:8
He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them.

Job 36:29
Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle?

Psalm 104:2,3
Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: …

perfect

Job 36:4
For truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.

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

Psalm 147:5
Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.

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Job 37
1. God is to be feared because of his great works
15. His wisdom is unsearchable in them














Do you understand
This phrase challenges the listener's comprehension and invites introspection. In the Hebrew text, the word used here is "יָדַע" (yada), which means to know or understand deeply. It suggests a profound, intimate knowledge that goes beyond mere intellectual assent. The rhetorical question implies human limitations in understanding divine mysteries, encouraging humility and reverence before God's omniscience.

how the clouds float
The imagery of clouds floating is both poetic and scientific. The Hebrew word for clouds, "עָבִים" (avim), often symbolizes the divine presence and majesty in the Old Testament. In ancient times, clouds were seen as carriers of God's messages and blessings, such as rain. The floating of clouds, a natural phenomenon, underscores the complexity and order of God's creation, which remains beyond full human comprehension.

those wonders
"Wonders" in Hebrew is "נִפְלָאוֹת" (niflaot), referring to things that are extraordinary or miraculous. This term is frequently used in the Bible to describe God's mighty acts and creation. The wonders of God are meant to inspire awe and worship, reminding believers of His power and creativity. The verse invites reflection on the miraculous nature of everyday phenomena, urging believers to see God's hand in all aspects of life.

of Him who is perfect in knowledge
This phrase attributes absolute knowledge to God, using the Hebrew word "תְּמִים" (tamim), meaning perfect or complete. It emphasizes God's omniscience, contrasting human limitations with divine perfection. The acknowledgment of God's perfect knowledge serves as a foundation for trust and faith, encouraging believers to rely on His wisdom rather than their own understanding. It reassures that God's plans and purposes are flawless, even when they are beyond human grasp.

(16) The balancings of the clouds.--How they are poised and suspended in the sky. "Ye clouds, that far above me float and pause."--Coleridge.

Verse 16. - Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds? i.e. "how they are poised and suspended in the sky" (Stanley Loathes). The wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge (comp. Job 36:5).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Do you understand
הֲ֭תֵדַע (hă·ṯê·ḏa‘)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3045: To know

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

the clouds
עָ֑ב (‘āḇ)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 5645: An envelope, darkness, a, cloud, a copse

float,
מִפְלְשֵׂי־ (mip̄·lə·śê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 4657: A swaying, poising

those wonders
מִ֝פְלְא֗וֹת (mip̄·lə·’ō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 4652: A wondrous work

of Him who is perfect
תְּמִ֣ים (tə·mîm)
Adjective - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8549: Entire, integrity, truth

in knowledge?
דֵּעִֽים׃ (dê·‘îm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1843: Knowledge, opinion


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OT Poetry: Job 37:16 Do you know the workings (Jb)
Job 37:15
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