King James Version

What Does Job 37:13 Mean?

Job 37:13 in the King James Version says “He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy. correction: Heb. a rod” — study this verse from Job chapter 37 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy. correction: Heb. a rod”

Job 37:13 · KJV

Context

11

Also by watering he wearieth the thick cloud: he scattereth his bright cloud: his: Heb. the cloud of his light

12

And it is turned round about by his counsels: that they may do whatsoever he commandeth them upon the face of the world in the earth.

13

He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy. correction: Heb. a rod

14

Hearken unto this, O Job: stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.

15

Dost thou know when God disposed them, and caused the light of his cloud to shine?

Read Job 37 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy (im-le-shevet im-le-'artso im-le-hesed yamtsi'ehu, אִם־לְשֵׁבֶט אִם־לְאַרְצוֹ אִם־לְחֶסֶד יַמְצִאֵהוּ)—God sends weather with three distinct purposes: shevet (שֵׁבֶט, 'rod' or 'correction'), provision for artso ('His land'), or hesed (חֶסֶד, 'covenant loyalty/mercy'). The tripartite structure is masterful: same phenomenon (rain/storm), radically different intentions.

This verse is key to theodicy: suffering is not random. Rain may discipline rebels (correction), sustain crops (provision), or demonstrate undeserved grace (mercy). The same storm can simultaneously accomplish all three for different recipients. Elihu challenges Job to discern which purpose God intends, anticipating Jesus's question: 'Do you think those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell were worse sinners?' (Luke 13:4).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient agricultural societies understood rain's ambiguity: too little meant drought and famine; too much meant flood and destruction. Elihu theologically interprets this variability as purposeful divine speech—God communicates different messages through the same meteorological vocabulary.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you discern whether your current hardship is God's correction, provision for future growth, or undeserved mercy?
  2. Why might God use the same tool (suffering/storms) for opposite purposes in different people's lives?
  3. What does it mean that mercy (<em>hesed</em>) is listed alongside correction and provision—how is grace 'caused to come'?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
אִם1 of 7
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

לְשֵׁ֥בֶט2 of 7

“whether for correction”

H7626

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

אִם3 of 7
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

לְאַרְצ֑וֹ4 of 7

“or for his land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אִם5 of 7
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

לְ֝חֶ֗סֶד6 of 7

“or for mercy”

H2617

kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty

יַמְצִאֵֽהוּ׃7 of 7

“He causeth it to come”

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Job. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Job 37:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Job 37:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 18:45Job 38:26-271 Samuel 12:18-19Job 36:31Job 37:6Ezra 10:9

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