34 Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee? 35 Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are? 36 Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart? 37 Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay [1] the bottles of heaven, 38 When the dust groweth [2] into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together?

Other Translations of Job 38:34-38

New International Version

34 "Can you raise your voice to the clouds and cover yourself with a flood of water? 35 Do you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, 'Here we are'? 36 Who gives the ibis wisdomThat is, wisdom about the flooding of the Nileor gives the rooster understanding?That is, understanding of when to crow; the meaning of the Hebrew for this verse is uncertain. 37 Who has the wisdom to count the clouds? Who can tip over the water jars of the heavens 38 when the dust becomes hard and the clods of earth stick together?

English Standard Version

34 "Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, that a flood of waters may cover you? 35 Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go and say to you, 'Here we are'? 36 Who has put wisdom in the inward partsOr in the ibis or given understanding to the mind?Or rooster 37 Who can number the clouds by wisdom? Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens, 38 when the dust runs into a mass and the clods stick fast together?

The Message

34 "Can you get the attention of the clouds, and commission a shower of rain? 35 Can you take charge of the lightning bolts and have them report to you for orders? What Do You Have to Say for Yourself? 36 "Who do you think gave weather-wisdom to the ibis, and storm-savvy to the rooster? 37 Does anyone know enough to number all the clouds or tip over the rain barrels of heaven 38 When the earth is cracked and dry, the ground baked hard as a brick?

New King James Version

34 "Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, That an abundance of water may cover you? 35 Can you send out lightnings, that they may go, And say to you, 'Here we are!'? 36 Who has put wisdom in the mind? Or who has given understanding to the heart? 37 Who can number the clouds by wisdom? Or who can pour out the bottles of heaven, 38 When the dust hardens in clumps, And the clods cling together?

New Living Translation

34 "Can you shout to the clouds and make it rain? 35 Can you make lightning appear and cause it to strike as you direct? 36 Who gives intuition to the heart and instinct to the mind? 37 Who is wise enough to count all the clouds? Who can tilt the water jars of heaven 38 when the parched ground is dry and the soil has hardened into clods?

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 38:34-38

Commentary on Job 38:25-41

(Read Job 38:25-41)

Hitherto God had put questions to Job to show him his ignorance; now God shows his weakness. As it is but little that he knows, he ought not to arraign the Divine counsels; it is but little he can do, therefore he ought not to oppose the ways of Providence. See the all-sufficiency of the Divine Providence; it has wherewithal to satisfy the desire of every living thing. And he that takes care of the young ravens, certainly will not be wanting to his people. This being but one instance of the Divine compassion out of many, gives us occasion to think how much good our God does, every day, beyond what we are aware of. Every view we take of his infinite perfections, should remind us of his right to our love, the evil of sinning against him, and our need of his mercy and salvation.