Job 36:27

For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof:

For he maketh small {H1639} the drops {H5198} of water {H4325}: they pour down {H2212} rain {H4306} according to the vapour {H108} thereof:

"He makes the droplets of water, which condense into rain from his mist.

For He draws up drops of water which distill the rain from the mist,

For he draweth up the drops of water, Which distil in rain from his vapor,

Job 36:27 is part of Elihu's extended discourse, where he defends God's justice and wisdom against Job's complaints. Here, Elihu points to God's magnificent control over the natural world, specifically the intricate process of the water cycle, as evidence of His immense power and perfect design.

Context

This verse comes within a larger section (Job 36:24-33) where Elihu exalts God's majesty, particularly His control over storms, clouds, and rain. He urges Job and the onlookers to consider the wonders of God's creation, which are beyond human comprehension. Elihu uses natural phenomena to illustrate God's unsearchable greatness and His just governance of the world, implying that if God manages such complex systems perfectly, He can also manage human affairs righteously. It serves as a prelude to God's direct intervention in Job 38, where God Himself questions Job about the foundations of creation.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty over Nature: The verse highlights God's absolute and meticulous control over the weather, from the smallest atmospheric processes to the life-giving rain. This demonstrates His supreme authority over all creation.
  • God's Wisdom in Creation: The precise mechanism described – water rising as vapor, forming small drops, and then falling as rain – reveals an intricate, intelligent design. It underscores God's profound wisdom in engineering systems that sustain life on Earth. This divine wisdom is often celebrated throughout Scripture, such as in Proverbs 3:19, which states the Lord by wisdom founded the earth.
  • God's Provision: Rain is essential for agriculture and sustaining life. By controlling its release, God demonstrates His role as the ultimate Provider, ensuring the Earth receives what it needs.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof" describes the core elements of the hydrological cycle. The "vapour thereof" refers to the process of evaporation, where water rises into the atmosphere. "He maketh small the drops of water" refers to condensation, where this vapor cools and forms tiny droplets, which then coalesce to "pour down rain" (precipitation). This ancient text, through Elihu's inspired words, remarkably articulates an understanding of the water cycle that was not fully scientifically detailed until much later, attributing its precise operation directly to God's active hand. This implies a profound insight into natural processes, viewed through a theological lens where God is the orchestrator of all things, including the early conditions of the earth before rain.

Practical Application

Job 36:27 invites us to pause and reflect on the everyday wonders of God's creation. In a world often taken for granted, this verse reminds us:

  • To Cultivate Awe: Even the seemingly simple act of rain falling is a testament to God's meticulous design and ongoing involvement in the world. It encourages us to see God's hand in all natural phenomena.
  • To Trust God's Provision: Just as God faithfully orchestrates the water cycle to provide for the earth, we can trust Him to provide for our needs. His power and wisdom are unfailing.
  • To Embrace Humility: Faced with the complexity of God's creation, we are reminded of our own limitations and the vastness of divine knowledge. This fosters humility and reverence for the Creator.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 147:8

    Who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains.

  • Job 38:25

    ¶ Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder;

  • Job 38:28

    Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?

  • Job 5:9

    Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number:

  • Psalms 65:9

    Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, [which] is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.

  • Psalms 65:13

    The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.

  • Psalms 148:8

    Fire, and hail; snow, and vapour; stormy wind fulfilling his word:

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