Albert Barnes Commentary Job 5:10

"Who giveth rain upon the earth, And sendeth waters upon the fields;" — Job 5:10 (ASV)

Who giveth rain upon the earth—In the previous verse, Eliphaz had said, in general, that God does wonderful things—things which are suited to lead us to put our trust in him. In this and the following verses, he descends to particulars and specifies those things which show that God is worthy to be trusted. This statement continues to Job 5:16, and the general scope is that the agency of God is seen everywhere, and that his providential dealings are suited to impress people with elevated ideas of his justice and goodness.

Eliphaz begins with the rain, stating that the fact God sends it upon the earth was suited to lead people to trust in him. He means that while the sun, moon, and seasons have fixed times and are governed by settled laws, the rain seems to be sent directly by God and is provided at the most suitable times. It is wholly under his control and provides constant evidence of his benevolence.

Without it, every plant would dry up, and every animal on the earth would soon die. The word “earth” here probably refers to the cultivated part of the earth—the fields that are under tillage. Thus, Eichhorn renders it, Angebauten Feldern. On the interest which the phenomena of rain aroused in the ancient sages of Idumea, and the laws by which it is produced, see (Job 37:6, note; Job 37:15–16, note; Job 38:22–28, note).

And sendeth waters—That is, showers.

Upon the fields—Margin, “out-places.” Hebrew חוצוּת chûtsôt—out of doors, outside, abroad, meaning the fields outside of cities and towns. Eichhorn renders it, “the pastures,” auf Triften. The meaning is that the whole country is watered; and the fact that God gives rain in this manner is a reason why we should trust in him. It shows that he is a benevolent Being, since it contributes so essentially to human life and happiness, and since no other being but God can cause it.