Job 36:31
For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance.
Original Language Analysis
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 7
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יָדִ֣ין
For by them judgeth
H1777
יָדִ֣ין
For by them judgeth
Strong's:
H1777
Word #:
3 of 7
to rule; by implication to judge (as umpire); also to strive (as at law)
עַמִּ֑ים
he the people
H5971
עַמִּ֑ים
he the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
4 of 7
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
Cross References
Acts 14:17Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.Psalms 136:25Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.Job 37:13He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.
Historical Context
Ancient covenant theology explicitly linked weather to obedience. Leviticus 26:3-4 promises rain and crops for obedience; vv. 18-20 threaten drought for disobedience. Deuteronomy 28:12, 23-24 repeats this covenant structure. Prophets interpreted drought as divine judgment (Jeremiah 14:1-9, Haggai 1:10-11). Jesus and NT writers shift focus from national-temporal blessings to spiritual-eternal (Matthew 6:19-33, Philippians 4:11-13). Yet natural disasters still display God's sovereignty, calling to repentance (Luke 13:1-5, Revelation 16:8-9).
Questions for Reflection
- How do we understand God's use of natural phenomena for both blessing and judgment?
- What is the relationship between God's providential care and His judicial activity?
- How does the gospel transform our interpretation of natural disasters and blessings?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
For by them judgeth he the people (כִּי־בָם יָדִין עַמִּים, ki-vam yadin ammim)—The phrase "by them" likely refers to meteorological phenomena (rain, lightning, clouds) as instruments of divine judgment. The verb din (דִּין, "to judge, govern") has both judicial and providential senses. The phrase he giveth meat in abundance (יִתֶּן־אֹכֶל לְמַכְבִּיר, yitten-okhel lemakvir) uses okhel (אֹכֶל, food) and kabiyr (כַּבִּיר, abundant, mighty). Weather serves both judgment (withholding rain, sending destructive storms) and blessing (providing rain for crops).
This dual nature of divine providence—blessing and judgment—appears throughout Scripture. Deuteronomy 11:13-17 promises rain for obedience, drought for disobedience. Amos 4:7-9 describes God withholding rain as judgment. Yet Matthew 5:45 emphasizes indiscriminate provision: rain on just and unjust. The tension resolves eschatologically: common grace now provides for all, but final judgment separates (Matthew 25:31-46). The gospel reveals ultimate judgment fell on Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21), ensuring believers receive only providential care, never condemnation (Romans 8:1).