He gives rain upon the earth: this line is parallel to the line that follows. The praise begins as in verse 9 with a participle, “Giving rain….” In Hebrew the rain is given to “the face of the earth.” Unlike the fertility gods who make it rain routinely, God’s gift of rain is always viewed as a miracle. See also Psalm 104.10-13; Jeremiah 10.12-13. In Jeremiah 14.22 it is neither the idols nor the heavens which “give the rain” but God alone. Earth should be understood in the widest sense and not limited to the land of Israel.

And sends water upon the fields: the matching expression is again in Hebrew “upon the face of the fields.” In characteristic fashion the poet moves line b to the more specific “fields” or “countryside.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, Wiliam. A Handbook on Job. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1992. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .