Drought
Summary
Severe lack of rainfall causing crop failure and famine, used in Scripture both as divine judgment and as a symbol of spiritual barrenness.
☩As Divine Judgment
Drought was a threatened punishment for covenant unfaithfulness: 'Thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron.' Elijah's three-and-a-half-year drought demonstrated God's power over Baal, the supposed rain god. The prophets announced that drought would attend Israel's rebellion against the Lord.
☩Figurative Usage
Drought represents spiritual barrenness and divine displeasure. Haggai declared that because the people neglected God's house, heaven withheld dew and earth withheld fruit. Conversely, restored blessing is pictured as abundant rain: 'I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground.'
Related Verses18 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Drought," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. II (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Drought," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).