Job 5:10

KJV

Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields:

KJV (with Strong's)

Who giveth {H5414} rain {H4306} upon {H6440} the earth {H776}, and sendeth {H7971} waters {H4325} upon {H6440} the fields {H2351}:

Complete Jewish Bible

He gives rain to the earth, pours water down on the fields.

Berean Standard Bible

He gives rain to the earth and sends water upon the fields.

American Standard Version

Who giveth rain upon the earth, And sendeth waters upon the fields;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 5:10, a declaration by Eliphaz the Temanite, serves as a profound poetic affirmation of God's absolute control, benevolent provision, and active sovereignty over the natural world. Within the broader context of Eliphaz's counsel to Job, this verse highlights a foundational truth: God is the singular source of life-sustaining rain and water, demonstrating His meticulous care and indispensable role in sustaining all creation, even amidst human suffering and theological debate.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Job 5:10 is strategically placed within Eliphaz's first discourse to Job, specifically within a section (Job 5:8-16) where he elaborates on God's mighty and just works. Eliphaz, one of Job's three friends, attempts to explain Job's profound suffering through the lens of conventional retribution theology: God punishes the wicked and blesses the righteous. In chapters 4 and 5, Eliphaz recounts a revelatory vision (Job 4:12-21) to underscore his assertion that no mortal can be truly righteous before God, and thus, suffering is inevitably a consequence of sin. Verse 10, therefore, functions as a powerful illustration of God's immense power and benevolent care, particularly as it contrasts with His judgment on the proud and wicked. Eliphaz implicitly suggests that Job's plight is due to unconfessed sin, and this verse, by highlighting God's undeniable power over nature, is part of his rhetorical strategy to persuade Job to confess and seek restoration from this all-powerful, yet just, deity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, especially in the arid and semi-arid regions characteristic of the land of Uz (likely encompassing parts of Edom or northern Arabia), rain was not merely a meteorological event but the very essence of life, sustenance, and economic stability. Agricultural cycles and the survival of both humans and livestock were entirely dependent on the timely arrival of seasonal rains. Drought was synonymous with famine, widespread death, and national catastrophe. Consequently, the control over rain was universally attributed to the supreme deity, making it the most tangible and undeniable demonstration of divine power and provision. For Eliphaz and his contemporaries, God's ability to "give rain" and "send waters" was the ultimate evidence of His sovereignty, His active involvement in the created order, and His capacity to bless or curse. This deep, existential dependency on meteorological patterns profoundly shaped their worldview, religious practices, and understanding of divine justice and cosmic order.
* **Key Themes:** Job 5:10 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Job and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it emphatically underscores **Divine Providence and Sovereignty**, unequivocally declaring God as the sole giver of rain and water. This highlights His ultimate authority and control over all natural processes essential for life and agriculture, emphasizing humanity's utter dependence on His gracious provision for daily sustenance. Secondly, it touches upon **God's Universal Care**, as the statement itself points to God's general benevolence in sustaining the earth. While Eliphaz's immediate application might be limited to God blessing the righteous, the provision of rain falls universally, nourishing all life, a concept echoed later in the New Testament where Jesus speaks of God sending rain on both the just and the unjust in [Matthew 5:45](/matthew/5-45 "Matthew 5:45 - God Sends Rain on the Just and Unjust"). Lastly, the imagery vividly illustrates **Humanity's Dependence on God**, fostering a sense of humility and gratitude for the Creator's ongoing sustenance, reminding us that our most basic needs are met by a power greater than ourselves, as also seen in [Psalm 147:8](/psalms/147-8 "Psalm 147:8 - God Covers the Heavens with Clouds and Provides Rain").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **giveth (Hebrew, _nâthan'_):** This is derived from the Hebrew root H5414, meaning "to give," "to put," or "to place." In this context, the verb emphasizes an ongoing, continuous action, portraying God not as a distant creator who merely initiated the natural order, but as an active, present, and perpetual provider. This highlights His sustained involvement and benevolent disposition towards His creation, constantly dispensing life-sustaining resources.
* **rain (Hebrew, _mâṭar'_):** This noun (H4306) specifically refers to "rain," particularly the "early" or "latter" rains that were critically important for agriculture in the ancient Near East. It is distinct from other general terms for water, emphasizing the specific meteorological phenomenon that brings life to the land. Its mention here underscores the direct and indispensable nature of God's provision for societies heavily reliant on farming.
* **sendeth (Hebrew, _shâlach'_):** This is derived from the Hebrew root H7971, meaning "to send away, for, or out," "to dispatch," or "to stretch out." Similar to "giveth," the form used here denotes a continuous and intentional act. It conveys the idea of God actively dispatching or directing the waters to specific locations, implying precision, purpose, and sovereign control over the elements, rather than a passive or random occurrence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Who giveth rain upon the earth":** This initial clause unequivocally establishes God as the ultimate and sole source of rain. The act of "giving" implies a deliberate, generous, and sovereign dispensing of this vital resource, underscoring divine intentionality. "Upon the earth" signifies the universal scope of this provision, covering the broad expanse of the world, not limited to a specific region or people. This highlights God's comprehensive care for all creation and His foundational role in sustaining life on a global scale.
* **"and sendeth waters upon the fields":** This second clause reiterates and specifies the provision introduced in the first. "Sendeth" emphasizes God's active direction and precise control, ensuring that the water reaches where it is most needed for cultivation. "Upon the fields" narrows the focus from the general "earth" to the specific agricultural lands, highlighting the direct impact of God's provision on human sustenance and livelihood. The use of "waters" (plural) can refer to various forms of moisture, including rain, dew, or even the general life-giving moisture that nourishes the land, underscoring the abundance and varied nature of God's provision.

#### Literary Devices
Job 5:10 masterfully employs several literary devices to enhance its poetic and theological impact. **Parallelism** is prominently featured, specifically **synonymous parallelism**, where the second line ("and sendeth waters upon the fields") echoes and reinforces the meaning of the first line ("Who giveth rain upon the earth"). This repetition serves to intensify the declaration of God's singular role as provider and to emphasize the comprehensiveness of His control over life-sustaining moisture. The verse also utilizes **Merism**, a figure of speech in which two contrasting or complementary parts represent a complete whole. While "earth" and "fields" are not strictly contrasting, they work together to encompass the entirety of the land that benefits from God's provision, from the wild, uncultivated earth to the cultivated fields essential for human survival. Finally, the verse attributes active, intentional verbs ("giveth," "sendeth") to God, effectively **personifying** Him as the diligent and benevolent farmer or provider, intimately involved in the daily sustenance of His creation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 5:10, though spoken by Eliphaz with a flawed theological premise regarding Job's suffering, powerfully articulates a core biblical truth about God's active sovereignty and meticulous providence over creation. It aligns perfectly with the broader biblical witness that God is not merely a distant creator but an immanent sustainer, whose ongoing work ensures the very conditions for life. This verse highlights the fundamental dependence of all life, particularly human life and its agricultural endeavors, on God's gracious and consistent provision. It underscores that the natural cycles, often taken for granted, are direct manifestations of divine activity and care, reminding humanity of its humble place before the Creator and the need for gratitude for His sustaining hand.

* [Psalm 104:13](/psalms/104-13 "Psalm 104:13 - God Waters the Mountains from His Chambers")
* [Psalm 65:9-10](/psalms/65-9 "Psalm 65:9-10 - God Visits the Earth and Waters It")
* [Acts 14:17](/acts/14-17 "Acts 14:17 - God Gives Rain and Fruitful Seasons")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 5:10 serves as a timeless reminder of God's constant and essential role in sustaining not only the grand cosmic order but also the minute details of our daily existence. In a world increasingly reliant on technology and human ingenuity, it is easy to overlook the foundational dependence we have on the Creator for our most basic needs, such as food and water. This verse calls us to cultivate a profound sense of gratitude for every drop of rain, every harvest, and every breath, recognizing them as direct gifts from God's benevolent hand. It invites us to trust in His unwavering providence, knowing that the God who faithfully provides for the earth's needs will also provide for our deeper spiritual and physical needs, even amidst trials and uncertainties. Such recognition fosters humility and encourages us to live in alignment with the One who sustains all things, appreciating the intricate beauty and generosity of His creation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing God as the giver of rain and water impact your daily sense of gratitude and dependence?**
* **In what ways might we, in our modern context, tend to take God's provision for granted, and how can we cultivate a deeper appreciation for it?**
* **How does Eliphaz's accurate statement about God's provision, despite his flawed theology, challenge us to discern truth even in imperfect vessels or contexts?**

### FAQ
**How does Eliphaz's statement about God's provision of rain relate to his overall argument to Job?**

Answer: Eliphaz uses God's control over rain and nature in Job 5:10 as a powerful illustration of God's omnipotence and His meticulous involvement in the world. Within his argument, this demonstration of divine power is meant to support his underlying premise that God is just and punishes the wicked while rewarding the righteous. He implies that if God is so precise and powerful in providing for the earth, He is equally precise in His moral governance of humanity. Therefore, Job's suffering, in Eliphaz's view, must be a direct consequence of some hidden sin, and Job should humble himself before this powerful and just God to receive restoration. While Eliphaz's application of this truth to Job's situation is flawed and insensitive, the theological statement about God's provision itself is accurate and aligns with broader biblical teachings, such as those found in [Psalm 147:8](/psalms/147-8 "Psalm 147:8 - God Covers the Heavens with Clouds and Provides Rain") and [Matthew 5:45](/matthew/5-45 "Matthew 5:45 - God Sends Rain on the Just and Unjust").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Job 5:10 speaks of God's general providence in sustaining creation, its truth finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The New Testament reveals that it is through Christ that "all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible... all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together" ([Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16-17 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer")). Thus, the very rain that falls and the waters that nourish the fields are sustained and orchestrated by the Son, the living Word of God. Beyond physical sustenance, Christ offers a deeper, spiritual provision. He declared, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink" ([John 7:37](/john/7-37 "John 7:37 - Jesus Offers Living Water")), identifying Himself as the source of "living water" that quenches spiritual thirst eternally ([John 4:10](/john/4-10 "John 4:10 - Jesus Offers Living Water")). Just as God provides physical water for the earth, Christ provides the spiritual water of salvation and the Holy Spirit, nourishing our souls and bringing forth spiritual fruit. He is the ultimate fulfillment of God's benevolent provision, sustaining both creation and the redeemed with His life-giving presence and grace.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 14:17

Nevertheless 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.

Jeremiah 5:24

Neither 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.

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 147:8

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

Job 36:28

Which the clouds do drop [and] distil upon man abundantly.

Job 38:26

To cause it to rain on the earth, [where] no man [is; on] the wilderness, wherein [there is] no man;

Job 38:28

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