To cause it to rain on the earth, [where] no man [is; on] the wilderness, wherein [there is] no man;
To cause it to rain {H4305} on the earth {H776}, where no man {H376} is; on the wilderness {H4057}, wherein there is no man {H120};
causing it to rain where no one is, in a desert without anyone there,
to bring rain on a barren land, on a desert where no man lives,
To cause it to rain on a land where no man is; On the wilderness, wherein there is no man;
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Jeremiah 14:22
Are 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]. -
Psalms 107:35
He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings. -
Hebrews 6:7
For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: -
Hebrews 6:8
But that which beareth thorns and briers [is] rejected, and [is] nigh unto cursing; whose end [is] to be burned. -
Isaiah 43:19
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, [and] rivers in the desert. -
Isaiah 43:20
The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, [and] rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen. -
Psalms 104:10
¶ He sendeth the springs into the valleys, [which] run among the hills.
Context
This powerful verse is part of God's direct address to Job from the whirlwind, found in Job chapters 38-41. After enduring immense suffering and questioning God's justice and wisdom, Job receives no easy answers but a profound demonstration of divine power and knowledge. God challenges Job's limited understanding by posing a series of rhetorical questions about the natural world, a realm far beyond human comprehension or control. Verse 26 highlights God's sovereign control over even the most remote parts of creation, contrasting sharply with Job's human-centric view of the world.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "To cause it to rain" translates the Hebrew verb לְהַמְטִיר (lehamṭir), which is a Hiphil infinitive construct from the root מָטַר (matar), meaning "to rain." The Hiphil stem is causative, strongly emphasizing God's direct and active agency in initiating and bringing about the rain. It is not a passive natural process but a direct act of divine will. The repetition of "no man" (לֹא־אִישׁ, lo-ish) further stresses the complete absence of human involvement or benefit, underscoring God's independent and comprehensive care for His creation.
Practical Application
This verse offers profound lessons for contemporary believers: