37:4 After that a voice roars;
he thunders with an exalted voice,
and he does not hold back his lightning bolts 1
when his voice is heard.
39:24 In excitement and impatience it consumes the ground; 2
it cannot stand still 3 when the trumpet is blown.
1 tn The verb simply has the pronominal suffix, “them.” The idea must be that when God brings in all the thunderings he does not hold back his lightning bolts either.
2 tn “Swallow the ground” is a metaphor for the horse’s running. Gray renders the line: “quivering and excited he dashes into the fray.”
3 tn The use of אָמַן (’aman) in the Hiphil in this place is unique. Such a form would normally mean “to believe.” But its basic etymological meaning comes through here. The verb means “to be firm; to be reliable; to be dependable.” The causative here would mean “to make firm” or “to stand firm.”