James 5:18

18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth yielded its crops.

James 5:18 Meaning and Commentary

James 5:18

And he prayed again
( 1 Kings 18:42 1 Kings 18:43 ) . Here also is no express mention of his prayer, but it may be concluded from his gestures; and so the Jewish interpreters understand these words, "Elijah went up to the top of Carmel", (llpthl) , "to pray, and he cast himself down upon the earth", (Mymvgh le llpthl) , "to pray for rain; and he put his face between his knees", (llpthw) , "and prayed, and said to his servant, go up now, look toward the sea"; and this he said while he was (wtlyptb) , "in his prayers" ^F9: and the effect of this his prayer was,

and the heaven gave rain;
see ( 1 Kings 18:45 ) .

And the earth brought forth her fruit:
which for the years past it had not; hence there was a sore famine in the land, ( 1 Kings 18:2 ) . Now the apostle chose to give this example, because it was a common thing for the Jews to ask for rain: we often read of such a doctor, that he prayed for rain, and it came; and of another, that he asked for the rains, and they descended ^F11: and his view is to observe, that the weakness and infirmities of the saints ought not to discourage them from prayer; and that they should be earnest and fervent in it, as was Elias, a man of like passions with themselves.

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FOOTNOTES:

F9 Jarchi, Kimchi, Ralbag, & Laniado in loc.
F11 T. Bab. Moed Katon, fol. 28. 1. & Taanith, fol. 19. 1. 23. 1. 24. 2. 25. 2. & Yoma, fol. 53. 2.

James 5:18 In-Context

16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.

17 Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.

18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth yielded its crops.

19 My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back,

20 consider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins.