Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Job 37:8

Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places.

8. their places ] Their coverts or lairs. The reference is to the hibernation of the animals, or to their retreat into their coverts for shelter from the snow and rains.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Then the beasts go into dens – In the winter. This fact appears to have been early observed, that in the season of cold the wild animals withdrew into caves, and that many of them became torpid. This fact Elihu adverts to as an illustration of the wisdom and greatness of God. The proof of his superintending care was seen in the fact that they withdrew from the cold in which they would perish, and that provision is made for their continuance in life at a time when they cannot obtain the food by which they ordinarily subsist. In that torpid and inactive state, they need little food, and remain often for months with almost no nourishment.

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Then, in great rains or deep snows, the beasts go into dens for shelter and comfort.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

8. remainrest in their lairs.It is beautifully ordered that during the cold, when they could notobtain food, many lie torpid, a state wherein they need no food. Thedesolation of the fields, at God’s bidding, is poetically graphic.

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Then the beasts go into dens,…. When snow and rains are on the earth in great abundance, then the wild beasts of the field, not being able to prowl about, betake themselves to dens; where they lie in wait, lurking for any prey that may pass by, from whence they spring and seize it;

and remain in their places; until the snow and rains are finished. As for other beasts, Olaus Magnus m observes, that when such large snows fall, that trees are covered with them, and the tender branches bend under the weight of them, they will come and abide under them, as in shady places, in great security, sheltered from the cold wind. The former may put us in mind of great personages, comparable to beasts of prey for their savageness and cruelty, who, when the day of God’s wrath and vengeance is come, will flee to rocks and mountains, dens and caverns, there to hide themselves from it; Re 6:15.

m Ut supra. (De Ritu Gent. Septentr. l. 19. c. 15.)

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

(8) Then the beasts go into dens.And not man only, but the beasts likewise, have to take refuge in their dens and coverts.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

8. The world is thus left to man alone in the presence of God. (Canon Cook.)

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

(8) Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places. (9) Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north. (10) By the breath of God frost is given: and the breadth of the waters is straitened. (11) Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud: (12) And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth. (13) He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.

Here are the same traces of GOD’S power pointed to, in the effect and operation of winds, and their constant ministration, by his appointment. All which, were our minds not dullness itself, would unceasingly lead us to the contemplation of GOD. Perhaps there is not a subject so general among all ranks and orders of people, as that of weather. It becomes the usual subject as we pass the street, or in the house; what a fine day, or what a rainy day; it is today. But how seldom do we hear serious observations added to the conversation, how gracious the LORD is in the appointment. Reader, let you and I never converse on the weather without connecting with it our humble and devout acknowledgment of Him and his mercy, in the different appointments of the weather, who gathereth the winds (as the wise man expresseth it) in his fists, and hath bounded the waters in his garment. Pro 30:4 . And, in a more spiritual sense, let the winds of the north, and the south, here spoken of, lead our minds to the recollection of the divine breathing of the HOLY GHOST, concerning whose gracious operations upon the hearts of his people, the Redeemer calls for the manifestation of his blessed office, in desiring the north wind, and the south wind, to blow upon the garden, which is the church of JESUS, that the spices may flow; and that then the Church’s beloved, even JESUS himself, will come into his garden, and eat of his pleasant fruits. Son 4:16 .

Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

Job 37:8 Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places.

Ver. 8. Then the beasts go into dens ] In rainy and snowy weather, the very wild beasts (as lively and lusty as they are, whence also they have their name in the original) are glad to take harbour, and there to hold them till the storm be over.