Dew
Summary
The moisture condensing on cool surfaces at night, essential for agriculture in Palestine where summer rains are absent, and used figuratively for divine blessing.
☩Importance in Palestine
In Palestine, where no rain falls from April to October, heavy dews are essential for vegetation. The dews are especially copious near the coast and in the highlands. Plants are watered and refreshed by this nightly moisture during the long dry season. The withdrawal of dew was considered a severe judgment, as in Elijah's drought.
☩Figurative Uses
Dew symbolizes divine blessing, refreshment, and abundance. God's people are 'as dew from the Lord,' bringing blessing to the nations. Moses compared his teaching to dew that settles gently on tender herbs. Dew also represents resurrection—'thy dead men shall live... for thy dew is as the dew of herbs.' Conversely, Absalom's supporters were likened to dew falling on David to overwhelm him.
Related Verses36 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Dew," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. II (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Dew," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).