he gives rain on the earth and sends waters on the fields;
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "sends waters upon the fields" hints that God’s provision isn't just a general blessing; it’s specifically directed, even reaching those "out-places" outside of cities, suggesting a deeply personal and attentive care for every aspect of creation. This detail reminds us that God sees and waters even the parts of our lives we might consider overlooked or distant.
he gives rain on the earth and sends waters on the fields;
English Standard Version (ESV)
Eliphaz is beginning his argument by reminding Job of God's incredible power and care for creation, contrasting this with Job's current despair. He points to rain as a fundamental, life-giving act of God that sustains all the earth, implying that the same God who manages the weather is also sovereign over human affairs, even those that seem inexplicable or unjust. This sets the stage for Eliphaz's assertion that Job should trust God's hidden wisdom instead of questioning His actions.
In dry lands, rain isn't just weather; it's a lifeline. Eliphaz points to this everyday miracle as a profound sign of God's active care.
Eliphaz begins his argument to Job by highlighting a seemingly ordinary event: rain. But for those living in arid regions like the ancient Near East, rain was a spectacular display of God's power and goodness.
The Sky's Gift
Imagine months of relentless sun, the earth cracked and dry, and the sky a harsh, unyielding brass. In such a landscape, the arrival of rain felt miraculous, a gift from above that revitalized everything.
God's Impartial Goodness
This isn't just random weather. The text emphasizes that God gives rain. It’s a deliberate act, not dependent on human merit. This points to God's universal goodness, extending His provisions even to those who might not seem to deserve it, much like Jesus later taught that God sends rain on the just and the unjust.
It's not just about rain falling; it's about where it falls. God's provision is both vast and specific.
Eliphaz doesn't just mention rain in general; he specifies 'waters on the fields.' This points to a deeper level of divine providence – a targeted, intelligent distribution of life-sustaining moisture.
Beyond the Surface
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Commentators suggest 'fields' could refer to cultivated lands, plantations, or even open, uncultivated areas. Regardless of the specific interpretation, the point is that God's rain reaches where it's needed, nourishing the crops and the land that sustains life.
An Orderly Distribution
There's a wonder in how water hangs in the air and is distributed. God ensures that the rain doesn't just fall haphazardly but provides moisture to the 'ridges' and 'plats' of the cultivated ground. This careful distribution, especially when contrasted with the potential for drought, showcases God's deliberate and merciful actions in sustaining His creation.
This passage highlights God's direct control over the seasons and the rain, emphasizing His role in providing for His people through agriculture, much like Job 5:10 points to God's provision through rain.
Matthew 5:45Jesus states that God 'sends his rain on the just and on the unjust,' mirroring the universal generosity shown in Job 5:10 where God provides rain for all the earth and fields, regardless of individual merit.
Psalm 104:10This psalm praises God for sending springs into the valleys and watering the hills, echoing the sentiment of Job 5:10 that God is the source of the earth's water and sustenance.
Jeremiah 14:22This verse speaks to the inability of false gods to provide rain, contrasting with the true God's power and faithfulness in Job 5:10, who alone gives the life-sustaining rain.
Amos 4:7Amos describes God withholding rain as a form of judgment, underscoring the vital importance of rain for life and God's sovereign control over it, as celebrated in Job 5:10.
clarkeJob 5:10: "Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields:"
Who giveth rain upon the earth - The Chaldee gives this verse a fine turn: "Who gives rain on the face of the land of Israel, and sends waters on the face of the provinces of the people." Similar to our Lord's saying, which is expressed in the half of the compass: Your Father which is in heaven - Sendeth Rain on the Just and on the Unjust; Matthew 5:45 . Sendeth waters upon the fields - The term חצות chutsoth, whic…
pulpitJob 5:10: "Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields:"
Verse 10. - Who giveth rain upon the earth. To the dweller in the parched regions of South-Western Asia rain is the greatest of all blessings, and seems the greatest, of all marvels. When for months and months together the sun has blazed all day long out of a cloudless sky, when the heaven that is over his head has been brass, and the earth that is under him iron (Deuteronomy 28:33), a great despair comes upon him,…
The phrase "sends waters upon the fields" hints that God’s provision isn't just a general blessing; it’s specifically directed, even reaching those "out-places" outside of cities, suggesting a deeply personal and attentive care for every aspect of creation. This detail reminds us that God sees and waters even the parts of our lives we might consider overlooked or distant.
Eliphaz is beginning his argument by reminding Job of God's incredible power and care for creation, contrasting this with Job's current despair. He points to rain as a fundamental, life-giving act of God that sustains all the earth, implying that the same God who manages the weather is also sovereign over human affairs, even those that seem inexplicable or unjust. This sets the stage for Eliphaz's assertion that Job should trust God's hidden wisdom instead of questioning His actions.
Eliphaz is beginning his argument by reminding Job of God's incredible power and care for creation, contrasting this with Job's current despair. He points to rain as a fundamental, life-giving act of God that sustains all the earth, implying that the same God who manages the weather is also sovereign over human affairs, even those that seem inexplicable or unjust. This sets the stage for Eliphaz's assertion that Job should trust God's hidden wisdom instead of questioning His actions.
"he gives rain on the earth and sends waters on the fields;" — The phrase "sends waters upon the fields" hints that God’s provision isn't just a general blessing; it’s specifically directed, even reaching those "out-places" outside of cities, suggesting a deeply…
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Last reviewed October 2026