Job 37:21 Now no one can look at the sun, bright as it is in the skies after the wind has swept them clean.

◄ Job 37:21 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
Now no one can look at the sun, bright as it is in the skies after the wind has swept them clean.

English Standard Version
“And now no one looks on the light when it is bright in the skies, when the wind has passed and cleared them.

New American Standard Bible
"Now men do not see the light which is bright in the skies; But the wind has passed and cleared them.

King James Bible
And now men see not the bright light which is in the clouds: but the wind passeth, and cleanseth them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Now men cannot even look at the sun when it is in the skies, after a wind has swept through and cleared them away.

International Standard Version
"So then, the sun is too bright to gaze at, is it not? The sky is swept clean by the wind that blows, is it not?

American Standard Version
And now men see not the light which is bright in the skies; But the wind passeth, and cleareth them.

Douay-Rheims Bible
But now they see not the light : the air on a sudden shall be thickened into clouds, and the wind shall pass and drive them away.

Darby Bible Translation
And now men see not the light as it gleameth, it is hidden in the skies. But the wind passeth by and cleareth them.

Young's Literal Translation
And now, they have not seen the light, Bright it is in the clouds, And the wind hath passed by and cleanseth them.

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

37:21-24 Elihu concludes his discourse with some great sayings concerning the glory of God. Light always is, but is not always to be seen. When clouds come between, the sun is darkened in the clear day. The light of God's favour shines ever towards his faithful servants, though it be not always seen. Sins are clouds, and often hinder us from seeing that bright light which is in the face of God. Also, as to those thick clouds of sorrow which often darken our minds, the Lord hath a wind which passes and clears them away. What is that wind? It is his Holy Spirit. As the wind dispels and sweeps away the clouds which are gathered in the air, so the Spirit of God clears our souls from the clouds and fogs of ignorance and unbelief, of sin and lust. From all these clouds the Holy Spirit of God frees us in the work of regeneration. And from all the clouds which trouble our consciences, the Holy Spirit sets us free in the work of consolation. Now that God is about to speak, Elihu delivers a few words, as the sum of all his discourse. With God is terrible majesty. Sooner or later all men shall fear him.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

21. cleanseth—that is, cleareth the air of clouds. When the "bright light" of the sun, previously not seen through "clouds," suddenly shines out from behind them, owing to the wind clearing them away, the effect is dazzling to the eye; so if God's majesty, now hidden, were suddenly revealed in all its brightness, it would spread darkness over Job's eyes, anxious as he is for it (compare, see on [544]Job 37:19) [Umbreit]. It is because now man sees not the bright sunlight (God's dazzling majesty), owing to the intervening "clouds" (Job 26:9), that they dare to wish to "speak" before God (Job 37:20). Prelude to God's appearance (Job 38:1). The words also hold true in a sense not intended by Elihu, but perhaps included by the Holy Ghost. Job and other sufferers cannot see the light of God's countenance through the clouds of trial: but the wind will soon clear them off, and God shall appear again: let them but wait patiently, for He still shines, though for a time they see Him not (see on [545]Job 37:23).