By the breath of God ice is given

Elihu speaks of the cold north wind as if it were God's breath. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God's breath makes ice" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor and rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-activepassive)

frozen like metal

Elihu compares the hardness of ice to the hardness of metal. Alternate translation: "frozen, as hard as metal" (See: rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-simile)