37:12 The clouds 1 go round in circles,
wheeling about according to his plans,
to carry out 2 all that he commands them
over the face of the whole inhabited world.
37:13 Whether it is for punishment 3 for his land,
or whether it is for mercy,
he causes it to find its mark. 4
1 tn The words “the clouds” are supplied from v. 11; the sentence itself actually starts: “and it goes round,” referring to the cloud.
2 tn Heb “that it may do.”
3 tn Heb “rod,” i.e., a rod used for punishment.
4 tn This is interpretive; Heb “he makes find it.” The lightning could be what is intended here, for it finds its mark. But R. Gordis (Job, 429) suggests man is the subject – let him find what it is for, i.e., the fate appropriate for him.