Job 5:10
Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields:
Original Language Analysis
הַנֹּתֵ֣ן
Who giveth
H5414
הַנֹּתֵ֣ן
Who giveth
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 10
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
3 of 10
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פְּנֵ֥י
upon
H6440
פְּנֵ֥י
upon
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
4 of 10
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וְשֹׁ֥לֵֽחַ
and sendeth
H7971
וְשֹׁ֥לֵֽחַ
and sendeth
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
6 of 10
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
מַ֝יִם
waters
H4325
מַ֝יִם
waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
7 of 10
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 10
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
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 147:8Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.Jeremiah 14:22Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O LORD our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things.Jeremiah 5:24Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest.
Historical Context
Rain was crucial for ancient Near Eastern agricultural societies, often interpreted as divine favor while drought indicated divine displeasure. Eliphaz reflects this common theological framework.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Jesus's teaching that God sends rain on the just and unjust challenge simple retribution theology?
- What does God's common grace teach us about the relationship between righteousness and earthly blessing?
Analysis & Commentary
Eliphaz continues: 'Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields.' Rain represents God's providential care and blessing (Deuteronomy 11:14). Eliphaz uses creation theology to support his retribution theology—if God sends rain (blessing) faithfully, He must also send drought (curse) for sin. This assumes a mechanistic relationship between righteousness and prosperity that Jesus explicitly denies (Matthew 5:45). God's providence is gracious, not merely retributive.