Job 38:28

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

Hath {H3426} the rain {H4306} a father {H1}? or who hath begotten {H3205} the drops {H96} of dew {H2919}?

Does the rain have a father? Who is the father of dewdrops?

Does the rain have a father? Who has begotten the drops of dew?

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

Commentary

Job 38:28 is part of God's powerful discourse to Job from the whirlwind, challenging Job's understanding and highlighting divine wisdom and omnipotence. In this verse, God rhetorically asks, "Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?" Through these questions, God underscores that the origin and precise formation of even common natural phenomena like rain and dew are beyond human comprehension and control, pointing instead to a singular, divine source.

Context

This verse is found at the beginning of God's first response to Job (chapters 38-41), after Job and his friends have exhausted their arguments about the nature of suffering and divine justice. God's speech serves to humble Job by revealing the vastness of His creation and the intricate workings of the cosmos, which are entirely under His sovereign hand. God does not address Job's specific suffering directly but rather establishes His unquestionable authority and wisdom, far beyond Job's capacity to grasp. This divine interrogation begins with a challenge to Job's knowledge of the earth's foundations (Job 38:4) and extends to the mysteries of weather, light, and the animal kingdom.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Omnipotence: The primary theme is God's absolute control over all aspects of creation, including meteorological processes. Rain and dew, essential for life in arid regions, are depicted as having God alone as their "father" or originator, emphasizing His active role in sustaining the world.
  • Human Ignorance and Humility: By asking questions Job cannot answer, God demonstrates the profound limitations of human understanding compared to divine wisdom. It's a call for humility, reminding humanity of its place before the Creator.
  • The Mystery of Creation: Even seemingly simple and everyday occurrences like rainfall and dew formation are presented as profound mysteries, testifying to the intricate and unfathomable wisdom of God.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "father" ('av) in this context signifies the ultimate source or originator. Similarly, "begotten" (from the Hebrew verb yalad) means to bring forth or cause to be. Both terms emphasize divine causation and creation, suggesting that rain and dew do not arise by chance or by any other power, but are specifically brought into existence by God's will and design. This highlights God's personal involvement in the natural world, rather than a deistic detachment.

Practical Application

Job 38:28 invites believers to cultivate a deeper sense of awe and wonder at the natural world, recognizing it as a testament to God's incredible power and meticulous design. It encourages humility, reminding us that there are countless aspects of God's creation and His ways that remain beyond our full comprehension. This verse can be a source of comfort, knowing that the same God who orchestrates the rain and dew is intimately involved in sustaining all life and governs all circumstances. It calls us to trust in His wisdom and sovereignty, even when we do not understand His plans, much like Job ultimately did (Job 42:2). We are encouraged to reflect on how God prepares rain for the earth, demonstrating His continuous care for His creation.

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Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 14:22 (8 votes)

    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 (5 votes)

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

  • Job 29:19 (4 votes)

    My root [was] spread out by the waters, and the dew lay all night upon my branch.

  • 1 Kings 17:1 (4 votes)

    ¶ And Elijah the Tishbite, [who was] of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, [As] the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.

  • Proverbs 3:20 (4 votes)

    By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

  • 1 Samuel 12:17 (4 votes)

    [Is it] not wheat harvest to day? I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain; that ye may perceive and see that your wickedness [is] great, which ye have done in the sight of the LORD, in asking you a king.

  • 1 Samuel 12:18 (4 votes)

    So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.