James 5:18 kjv
And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.
James 5:18 nkjv
And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.
James 5:18 niv
Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
James 5:18 esv
Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.
James 5:18 nlt
Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.
James 5 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jas 5:16 | The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. | Efficacy of righteous prayer |
| 1 Ki 17:1 | "As the Lord, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there shall be neither dew nor rain these years, except by my word." | Elijah's prophesied drought |
| 1 Ki 18:1 | And after many days the word of the Lord came to Elijah, in the third year, saying, "Go, show yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the earth." | God's timing and promise of rain |
| 1 Ki 18:41-45 | Elijah went up to the top of Carmel. And he bowed himself down on the earth and put his face between his knees. [...] the sky grew black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. | Elijah's persistent prayer for rain |
| Ps 107:35-37 | He turns a wilderness into pools of water and dry ground into springs... And there he sows fields and plants vineyards and gets a fruitful yield. | God's provision and making earth fruitful |
| Lev 26:3-4 | "If you walk in my statutes... then I will give you your rains in their season, and the land shall yield its increase..." | Blessing of rain linked to obedience |
| Deut 11:13-14 | "If you will diligently obey my commandments... I will give the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the later rain..." | Conditional promise of rain |
| Job 5:10 | For he gives rain on the earth and sends waters on the fields; | God's sovereignty over rain |
| Ps 147:8 | He covers the heavens with clouds; he prepares rain for the earth; he makes grass grow on the hills. | God provides natural growth |
| Matt 7:7-8 | "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you." | General principle of answered prayer |
| Luke 18:1-8 | The parable of the persistent widow teaches that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. | Persistence in prayer |
| Phil 4:6 | Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. | Call to pray in all circumstances |
| John 15:7 | If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. | Prayer connected to abiding in Christ |
| 1 Jn 5:14-15 | And this is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. | Asking according to God's will |
| Prov 10:22 | The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and he adds no sorrow with it. | God's blessing leads to prosperity |
| Isa 55:10-11 | "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there... so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty..." | God's word like rain, fulfilling its purpose |
| Zech 10:1 | Ask rain from the Lord in the season of the spring rain, from the Lord who makes the storm clouds... | Call to pray specifically for rain |
| Jer 5:24 | Nor do they say in their hearts, 'Let us fear the Lord our God, who gives the rain in its season, the autumn rain and the spring rain, who keeps for us the appointed weeks of the harvest.' | God is the source of seasonal rains |
| Acts 14:17 | "Yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness." | God's general provision for humanity |
| Ps 65:9-13 | You visit the earth and water it; you greatly enrich it... you prepare their grain... | God's watering of the earth brings abundance |
| Ps 145:15-16 | The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food in due season. You open your hand; you satisfy the desire of every living thing. | God's comprehensive provision |
| Isa 30:23 | And he will give rain for the seed that you sow in the ground, and bread, the produce of the ground, will be rich and plump. | Future blessing of ample harvest |
| Hag 1:10-11 | Therefore the heavens above you have withheld the dew, and the earth has withheld its produce. And I have called for a drought on the land and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the oil, on what the ground brings forth, on man and beast, and on all their labors. | God's withholding of rain due to disobedience |
| Mal 3:10 | "Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need." | God's promise to open heavens for obedience |
James 5 verses
James 5 18 Meaning
James 5:18 presents a concise account of Elijah's second prayer related to rain, emphasizing God's responsive nature to fervent prayer. After previously praying for a drought, Elijah then prayed for rain, and God miraculously sent rain, which resulted in the earth yielding its produce, signifying God's direct intervention in nature to provide sustenance and blessing following sincere petition. The verse serves as a powerful example of the efficacy of a righteous person's prayer.
James 5 18 Context
James 5:18 concludes a section (James 5:13-18) specifically focused on the importance and efficacy of prayer in the Christian life. Beginning with instruction on prayer for the suffering, the cheerful, and the sick, James transitions to the role of confession of sins and prayer for healing among believers (v. 16). This naturally leads to the assertion that "The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working" (v. 16b). To powerfully illustrate this truth, James presents the example of Elijah. Verse 17 states that Elijah was "a man with a nature like ours," countering any thought that his spiritual power was beyond the reach of ordinary believers. It then recounts Elijah's prayer for drought. Verse 18 then narrates the conclusion of Elijah's saga in 1 Kings 18, where, after three and a half years of drought, he prays again for rain. This sequence in James emphasizes persistence in prayer and God's faithfulness in responding to His righteous servants, not just in spectacular miracles, but in bringing about necessary provisions and blessings, whether withholding or granting natural elements.
James 5 18 Word analysis
- Then (καὶ πάλιν - kai palin): Connects this action directly to the preceding events of Elijah's prayer and the mention of his "ordinary" human nature. Kai signifies a direct consequence or continuation. Palin means "again," indicating a renewed action, highlighting persistence.
- he prayed (προσηύξατο - prosēuxato): This is an aorist middle indicative form of proseuchomai, meaning "he prayed" or "he earnestly prayed." It signifies a definitive act of prayer. The term denotes communication with God, often with an attitude of supplication and reverence.
- again (πάλιν - palin): Repetition of the idea of praying again, underscoring the renewed action, patience, and perseverance required in seeking God's intervention, just as Elijah did (seven times in 1 Kings 18).
- and the heaven (καὶ ὁ οὐρανός - kai ho ouranos): Identifies the source of the rain as heaven, directly linking it to divine control. In biblical thought, rain comes directly from God as a blessing or a judgment.
- gave rain (ἔδωκεν ὑετόν - edōken hyeton): Edōken (from didōmi) means "gave" or "granted," indicating a volitional act by heaven (i.e., God). Hyeton refers to "rain" in its general sense, but in this context, it specifies the divinely sent moisture ending the drought.
- and the earth (καὶ ἡ γῆ - kai hē gē): The immediate beneficiary and recipient of God's blessing. This signifies the direct and visible impact of the answered prayer on the natural world.
- produced its fruit (ἐβλάστησεν τὸν καρπὸν αὐτῆς - eblastēsen ton karpon autēs):
- eblastēsen (from blastanō): "caused to sprout," "brought forth," or "produced." It implies growth and vegetation. This is the direct, intended outcome of the rain, demonstrating restoration and provision.
- ton karpon autēs: "its fruit" or "its produce." This refers to the harvest, crops, or general vegetation. It represents the fullness of the blessing, the tangible result of God's restoration.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- Then he prayed again: This phrase underscores continuity with previous prayer and highlights perseverance. It points to Elijah's human nature yet persistent faith. This "prayed again" aligns with 1 Kings 18:42-43 where Elijah sends his servant seven times, indicating sustained effort in prayer, not just a single utterance.
- and the heaven gave rain: This emphasizes divine agency. God directly controls natural phenomena. It wasn't coincidence but a direct answer to prayer, illustrating God's sovereign power over creation. This contrasts with Baal worship, which claimed control over rain.
- and the earth produced its fruit: This demonstrates the tangible, beneficial outcome of God's answer. The restoration of natural order, provision for life, and a renewed harvest are the ultimate signs of God's blessing. This isn't just about the rain falling, but its effect, proving the prayer's comprehensive power.
James 5 18 Bonus section
The narrative of Elijah's prayer is drawn from 1 Kings 17-18, where Elijah not only prayed for the rain to cease but later, after a significant drought and a confrontation with the prophets of Baal, prayed earnestly for the rain to return. James, by consolidating these events into the succinct "prayed again" (verse 18) and showing the immediate effect, underlines the continuity of Elijah's character as one of persistent faith. This example powerfully teaches that the righteous individual does not just pray once but perseveres in prayer, aligning with Christ's own teachings on persistent prayer (e.g., the parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18:1-8). The "fruit" mentioned can also be seen as an allusion to the spiritual fruit of righteousness and God's abundant blessing in all areas of life, both physical and spiritual. This connection emphasizes that God's answers to prayer are holistic, extending to all aspects of our existence.
James 5 18 Commentary
James 5:18 powerfully reinforces the teaching that the fervent, persistent prayer of a righteous person yields mighty results. By recounting Elijah's successful prayer for rain—after an equally potent prayer for drought—James highlights the transformative power accessible to all believers, as Elijah was a man "just like us." This passage emphasizes that prayer is not merely a pious act but an instrument through which God acts in the physical world. The sequence of "prayed again," "heaven gave rain," and "earth produced its fruit" demonstrates God's immediate and effective response, bringing forth life and provision where there was barrenness. It reminds us that prayer affects not only our spiritual lives but also the very fabric of creation, affirming God's active involvement in the world through His people's petitions. It is a call to faith, patience, and perseverance, assuring believers that God hears and responds to the sincere cry of His children, ultimately restoring what was lost and providing for His people.