What Does Job 36:31 Mean?

For by them judgeth he the people (כִּי־בָם יָדִין עַמִּים, ki-vam yadin ammim)—The phrase "by them" likely refers to meteorological phenomena (rain, lightning, clouds) as instruments of divine judgment. The verb din (דִּין, "to judge, govern") has both judicial and providential senses. The phrase he giveth meat in abundance (יִתֶּן־אֹכֶל לְמַכְבִּיר, yitten-okhel lemakvir) uses okhel (אֹכֶל, food) and kabiyr (כַּבִּיר, abundant, mighty). Weather serves both judgment (withholding rain, sending destructive storms) and blessing (providing rain for crops).

This dual nature of divine providence—blessing and judgment—appears throughout Scripture. Deuteronomy 11:13-17 promises rain for obedience, drought for disobedience. Amos 4:7-9 describes God withholding rain as judgment. Yet Matthew 5:45 emphasizes indiscriminate provision: rain on just and unjust. The tension resolves eschatologically: common grace now provides for all, but final judgment separates (Matthew 25:31-46). The gospel reveals ultimate judgment fell on Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21), ensuring believers receive only providential care, never condemnation (Romans 8:1).