Job 36:31
Job 36:31 in Multiple Translations
For by these He judges the nations and provides food in abundance.
For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance.
For by these he judgeth the peoples; He giveth food in abundance.
For by these he gives food to the peoples, and bread in full measure.
By these actions he rules the people, he provides abundant food.
For thereby hee iudgeth the people, and giueth meate abundantly.
For by them He doth judge peoples, He giveth food in abundance.
For by these he judges the people. He gives food in abundance.
For by them he judgeth the people; he giveth food in abundance.
For by these he judgeth people, and giveth food to many mortals.
By providing plenty of rain for us, he enables us to have abundant food.
Berean Amplified Bible — Job 36:31
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Job 36:31 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כִּי
בָ֭/ם
יָדִ֣ין
עַמִּ֑ים
יִֽתֶּן
אֹ֥כֶל
לְ/מַכְבִּֽיר
כִּי
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
בָ֭/ם
Prep | Suff
יָדִ֣ין
dîyn
H1777
to judge
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
עַמִּ֑ים
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
N-mp
יִֽתֶּן
nâthan
H5414
to give
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
אֹ֥כֶל
ʼôkel
H400
food
N-ms
לְ/מַכְבִּֽיר
makbîyr
H4342
to increase
Prep | V-Hiphil
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Job 36:31
כִּי
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
בָ֭/ם
""
Prep | Suff
יָדִ֣ין
dîyn
H1777
"to judge"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To judge or plead a cause is the meaning of this Hebrew word, used to describe acting as a judge or governing.
Definition: 1) to judge, contend, plead 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to act as judge, minister judgment 1a2) to plead a cause 1a3) to execute judgment, requite, vindicate 1a4) to govern 1a5) to contend, strive 1b) (Niphal) to be at strife, quarrel Aramaic equivalent: din (דִּין "to judge" H1778)
Usage: Occurs in 24 OT verses. KJV: (come) with a straight course. See also: Genesis 6:3; Psalms 72:2; Psalms 7:9.
עַמִּ֑ים
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
N-mp
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
יִֽתֶּן
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
אֹ֥כֶל
ʼôkel
H400
"food"
N-ms
This Hebrew word refers to food or a meal, including cereal, meat, and other supplies. It is used in stories about everyday life, like eating and sharing meals.
Definition: 1) food 1a) cereal 1b) meat 2) food supply 3) meal, dinner
Usage: Occurs in 41 OT verses. KJV: eating, food, meal(-time), meat, prey, victuals. See also: Genesis 14:11; Deuteronomy 2:28; Psalms 78:18.
לְ/מַכְבִּֽיר
makbîyr
H4342
"to increase"
Prep | V-Hiphil
This word means to have plenty of something, like an abundance of food or resources. It is used in the Bible to describe a time of prosperity or wealth. The KJV translates it as abundance.
Definition: 1) (Hiphil) to be in abundance 1a) abundance (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: abundance. See also: Job 36:31.
Study Notes — Job 36:31
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Job 36:31 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Job 36:31
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 36:31
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 36:31
- Trapp's Commentary on Job 36:31
- Ellicott's Commentary on Job 36:31
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 36:31
- Cambridge Bible on Job 36:31
- Barnes' Notes on Job 36:31
- Whedon's Commentary on Job 36:31
- Sermons on Job 36:31
Context — Elihu Describes God’s Power
29Furthermore, who can understand how the clouds spread out, how the thunder roars from His pavilion?
30See how He scatters His lightning around Him and covers the depths of the sea.
31For by these He judges the nations and provides food in abundance.
32He fills His hands with lightning and commands it to strike its mark. 33The thunder declares His presence; even the cattle regard the rising storm.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 136:25 | He gives food to every creature. His loving devotion endures forever. |
| 2 | Acts 14:17 | Yet He has not left Himself without testimony to His goodness: He gives you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.” |
| 3 | Job 37:13 | Whether for punishment or for His land, He accomplishes this in His loving devotion. |
| 4 | Psalms 104:13–15 | He waters the mountains from His chambers; the earth is satisfied by the fruit of His works. He makes the grass grow for the livestock and provides crops for man to cultivate, bringing forth food from the earth: wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil that makes his face to shine, and bread that sustains his heart. |
| 5 | Job 38:26–27 | to bring rain on a barren land, on a desert where no man lives, to satisfy the parched wasteland and make it sprout with tender grass? |
| 6 | Psalms 104:27–28 | All creatures look to You to give them their food in due season. When You give it to them, they gather it up; when You open Your hand, they are satisfied with good things. |
| 7 | Psalms 65:9–13 | You attend to the earth and water it; with abundance You enrich it. The streams of God are full of water, for You prepare our grain by providing for the earth. You soak its furrows and level its ridges; You soften it with showers and bless its growth. You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your paths overflow with plenty. The pastures of the wilderness overflow; the hills are robed with joy. The pastures are clothed with flocks, and the valleys are decked with grain. They shout in triumph; indeed, they sing. |
| 8 | Joshua 10:11 | As they fled before Israel along the descent from Beth-horon to Azekah, the LORD cast down on them large hailstones from the sky, and more of them were killed by the hailstones than by the swords of the Israelites. |
| 9 | 1 Samuel 7:10 | As the Philistines drew near to fight against Israel, Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering. But that day the LORD thundered loudly against the Philistines and threw them into such confusion that they fled before Israel. |
| 10 | 1 Samuel 12:18 | So Samuel called to the LORD, and on that day the LORD sent thunder and rain. As a result, all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel. |
Job 36:31 Summary
This verse tells us that God shows His power and authority over the world through the amazing things He does in nature, like making it rain and thunder. He uses these things to help people and nations know that He is in charge, and to provide for their needs, just like He promises in Matthew 6:26 and Psalm 104:14. By looking at the natural world, we can see God's power and care, and we can trust that He is always working for our good. This reminds us of what Jeremiah 29:11 says, that God has plans to prosper us and give us hope for the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that God judges the nations by the natural phenomena described in Job 36:31?
This verse suggests that God's power and authority are displayed through His control over the weather and natural events, which in turn demonstrate His ability to judge and govern the nations, as seen in Psalm 67:4 and Jeremiah 25:31.
How does God provide food in abundance through the natural events described in this verse?
The abundance of food is likely related to the cycles of nature, such as the rain and lightning that facilitate crop growth, as mentioned in Deuteronomy 11:14 and Joel 2:23-24.
Is this verse saying that God only judges the nations through natural disasters?
No, this verse is not exhaustive, and God's judgment can take many forms, as seen in Romans 1:18-32 and Revelation 20:11-15, but it highlights one way in which His power and authority are displayed.
What is the relationship between God's judgment and His provision in this verse?
The verse suggests that God's judgment and provision are intertwined, as His power and authority are displayed through both the natural events that bring judgment and those that bring abundance, as seen in Isaiah 45:7 and Matthew 5:45.
Reflection Questions
- How do I respond to God's display of power and authority in the natural world, and what does this reveal about my understanding of His character?
- In what ways have I experienced God's provision in my life, and how can I cultivate a greater sense of gratitude and trust in His care?
- What does this verse teach me about God's sovereignty over the nations, and how should this inform my prayers and actions?
- How can I balance the seemingly paradoxical ideas of God's judgment and provision, and what does this say about the complexity of His nature?
Gill's Exposition on Job 36:31
For by them judgeth he the people,.... That is, by the clouds; which the Lord uses both in a way of judgment, as expressed in this clause; and in a way of mercy, as in the following; by these, and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Job 36:31
For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Job 36:31
By thunder and lightning he manifests his displeasure and executes his judgments against ungodly people or countries. He giveth meat in abundance; or, and (which conjunction is oft understood) he giveth meat, &c., i.e. by the selfsame clouds he punisheth wicked men by thunder and lightning, and provideth for others by those plentiful showers which accompany them.
Trapp's Commentary on Job 36:31
Job 36:31 For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance.Ver. 31. For by them judgeth he the people] i.e. By rain and drought in excess or defect, he punisheth people at his pleasure; whom oh how easily could he affamish by denying them a harvest or two! in granting whereof he giveth testimony of his bounty, Job 14:17. He giveth meat in abundance] sc. By sending moderate showers fattening the earth; whereunto also the preaching of the Word is fitly compared, Isaiah 55:10-11, which those that drink not in and fructify, Deuteronomy 32:2, are accursed, Hebrews 6:8.
Ellicott's Commentary on Job 36:31
(31) For by them—i.e., these roots of the sea, these drops of water, these rain-clouds. “He judgeth peoples” by withholding them, or “giveth meat in abundance” by sending rain on the earth; or He may use them in excess, to chastise nations by inundations and the like. The change from roots of the sea to bottom of the sea in the Authorised Version has obscured the meaning of “them” in the next verse, unless, indeed, we understand it generally, by these things.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Job 36:31
Verse 31. By them judgeth he the people] He makes storms, tempests, winds, hurricanes, tornadoes, thunder and lightning, drought and inundation, the instruments of his justice, to punish rebellious nations. He giveth meat in abundance.] Though by these he punishes offenders, yet through the same, as instruments, he provides for the wants of men and animals in general. Storms, tempests, and hurricanes, agitate the lower regions of the atmosphere, disperse noxious vapours, and thus render it fit for respiration; and without these it would soon become a stagnant, putrid, and deadly mass, in which neither animals could live, nor vegetables thrive. And by dews, rains, snows, frosts, winds, cold, and heat, he fructifies the earth, and causes it to bring forth abundantly, so that every thing living is filled with plenteousness. Some critics translate this latter clause thus: - He passeth sentence amain. I cannot see this meaning in the original words. Not one of the versions has so understood them; nor does this translation, supposing even that the Hebrew would bear it, give so fine and so elegant an idea as that of the common version. I always feel reluctant to give a sense in any case that is not supported in some of its parts by any of the ancient versions, and more especially when it is contrary to the whole of them; and still more particularly when opposed to the Arabic, which in the Book of Job, containing so many Arabisms, I consider to be of very great importance.
Cambridge Bible on Job 36:31
31. For by them judgeth he the people] Rather, the peoples. He judges the peoples by the lightning and the rain cloud. By the one He “scatters” and “discomfits” His enemies (Psalms 18:14), and by the other He watereth the earth and makes it fruitful (Isaiah 55:10).
Barnes' Notes on Job 36:31
For by them judgeth he the people - By means of the clouds, the rain, the dew, the tempest, and the thunderbolt. The idea seems to be, that he makes use of all these to execute his purposes on mankind.
Whedon's Commentary on Job 36:31
31. By them (the lightning and the cloud) He ruleth the nations. The verse is parenthetical. The lightning is his sceptre, the fertilizing cloud his storehouse of food. With the one he smites, with the other he blesses.
Sermons on Job 36:31
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Man's Misconceptions of the Works of God. by Horatius Bonar | Horatius Bonar emphasizes that God's governance and judgment over nations are evident through natural phenomena, which serve as His voice and means of communication with humanity. |
|
Be Sure by Bill McLeod | In this sermon, the speaker begins by sharing a conversation he had with someone who had committed a serious crime but claimed to have found salvation. The speaker emphasizes that |
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Acts 14_pt1 by Bill Gallatin | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the message of grace and redemption. He highlights that God loves His people and desires to show Himself faithful. The preacher also discuss |
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The Character of God by Timothy Dwight | Timothy Dwight preaches on the story of Job, a righteous man who faced immense suffering and accusations from his friends. Despite his trials, Job maintained his integrity and even |
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Four Voices: Part 1 by Warren Wiersbe | Warren Wiersbe preaches on the importance of discernment in a noisy world filled with conflicting voices, emphasizing the need for truth amidst propaganda. He highlights the four v |
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Exposition on Psalm 104 by St. Augustine | St. Augustine preaches about the importance of praising and serving the Lord with humility and fear, acknowledging that all good things come from God. He emphasizes the need for re |
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Luke 12:22-34. Christ Warns His Disciples Against Worldly Carefulness. by Favell Lee Mortimer | Favell Lee Mortimer preaches about the dangers of covetousness and the importance of trusting in God's provision, highlighting how both the rich and the poor can fall into the trap |