By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen fast.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The "breath of God" here isn't just a gentle breeze; it's a powerful, life-altering force that can freeze vast bodies of water into solid ice, transforming flowing expanses into unmoving, solid masses. It highlights that even the most seemingly passive natural processes, like frost forming, are direct, potent actions of God's will and power.
By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen fast.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Elihu is in the midst of a passionate speech, trying to get Job to see God's immense power and sovereignty, especially through the awesome and sometimes frightening phenomena of nature. He’s just described God’s thunderous voice and flashing lightning, and now he’s shifting to the quiet, powerful work of cold, illustrating how God commands even the freezing of vast bodies of water. This isn't just weather talk; it’s Elihu’s argument that if God controls such forces, Job's limited human experience doesn't give him the right to question divine justice.
When you think of God's 'breath,' what comes to mind? Is it just a poetic image, or is there something more powerful at play?
Elihu uses the imagery of God's 'breath' to describe the powerful, invisible forces that shape our world. This isn't just a gentle sigh; it's the divine will and power that brings about dramatic natural phenomena.
What happens when a vast expanse of water is suddenly locked in place? It speaks volumes about control and immensity.
The phrase 'the broad waters are straitened' describes the dramatic effect of freezing. What was once fluid and expansive is now confined, compressed, and held firm.
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Understand the original words
neshamah · Hebrew Noun
The life-giving or sustaining power of God, often represented as His Spirit (Ruach) that sustains the created order and effects His will in the heavens and earth.
qerach · Hebrew Noun
The freezing of water, representing the absolute sovereignty of God over the physical elements and His ability to alter the state of the creation by a word or command.
This Psalm explicitly links God's word to the freezing of water, echoing Job 37:10's idea that God's 'breath' (will or command) causes ice.
Genesis 1:2The 'spirit of God moving over the waters' in creation suggests God's active presence and power over the watery elements, a theme paralleled in the control over freezing waters seen in Job.
Job 38:29This verse directly follows Job 37 and asks Job about the origin of ice, highlighting the mystery and divine origin of such natural phenomena that Job 37:10 asserts.
Psalm 33:6This passage states that the heavens were made by God's 'word' and all their host by the 'breath of his mouth,' directly equating God's breath with His creative power, just as Job does with ice formation.
cambridgeJob 37:10: "By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened."
10 . By the breath of God frost ] Rather, ice . The wind is the breath of God as the thunder is His voice. This cold breath gives ice.
pulpitJob 37:10: "By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened."
Verse 10. - By the breath of God frost is given (comp. Psalm 147:16-18). "The breath of God," which is a metaphor for the will of God, causes alike both frost and thaw. And the breadth of the waters is straitened; or, congealed. A broad expanse of water is suddenly turned by frost into a stiff and solid mass.
The "breath of God" here isn't just a gentle breeze; it's a powerful, life-altering force that can freeze vast bodies of water into solid ice, transforming flowing expanses into unmoving, solid masses. It highlights that even the most seemingly passive natural processes, like frost forming, are direct, potent actions of God's will and power.
Elihu is in the midst of a passionate speech, trying to get Job to see God's immense power and sovereignty, especially through the awesome and sometimes frightening phenomena of nature. He’s just described God’s thunderous voice and flashing lightning, and now he’s shifting to the quiet, powerful work of cold, illustrating how God commands even the freezing of vast bodies of water. This isn't just weather talk; it’s Elihu’s argument that if God controls such forces, Job's limited human experience doesn't give him the right to question divine justice.
Elihu is in the midst of a passionate speech, trying to get Job to see God's immense power and sovereignty, especially through the awesome and sometimes frightening phenomena of nature. He’s just described God’s thunderous voice and flashing lightning, and now he’s shifting to the quiet, powerful work of cold, illustrating how God commands even the freezing of vast bodies of water. This isn't just weather talk; it’s Elihu’s argument that if God controls such forces, Job's limited human experience doesn't give him the right to question divine justice.
"By the breath of God ice is given, and the broad waters are frozen fast." — The "breath of God" here isn't just a gentle breeze; it's a powerful, life-altering force that can freeze vast bodies of water into solid ice, transforming flowing expanses into unmoving, solid masse…
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Last reviewed October 2026