Rain
“Rain”
Summary
Rain in Palestine was essential for agriculture and life, falling seasonally between October and March, with Scripture distinguishing the "early rain" of autumn and "latter rain" of spring.
☩Climate and Seasons
Unlike Egypt, which depended on the Nile for irrigation, Palestine was a land dependent upon rain from heaven. For six months of the year, from May to October, no rain falls, and the land becomes dry, parched, and brown. The rainy season begins in late October or early November with the "early rains" that prepare the soil for sowing seed. January and February are the coldest months when snow occasionally falls, even in Jerusalem, though it does not lie long. Rain continues through March and is rare in April. The amount varies greatly by region, with western slopes receiving 25-40 inches annually, while eastern slopes receive only 8-20 inches.
☩Early and Latter Rains
Scripture distinguishes between the "early rain" (Hebrew yoreh) of autumn and the "latter rain" (Hebrew malkosh) of spring. The early rains, beginning in October-November, revived the parched soil and prepared it for sowing. The latter rains of spring, particularly in March, were essential for bringing the crops to maturity before harvest. Both are mentioned together in Deuteronomy 11:14, Jeremiah 5:24, Joel 2:23, and James 5:7. The absence of these rains meant crop failure and famine, while their arrival in due season was a sign of divine blessing.
☩Theological Significance
God claimed the sending or withholding of rain as His prerogative, making it contingent upon Israel's obedience. Leviticus 26:3-4 and Deuteronomy 11:13-14 promise rain as a reward for keeping God's commandments, while Deuteronomy 28:23-24 threatens drought as punishment for disobedience. Elijah's prayer stopped rain for three and a half years and then brought it again, demonstrating God's sovereignty over weather. Rain in Scripture also serves as a beautiful image of the Spirit's refreshing influences in Messiah's kingdom, as seen in Hosea 6:3, 2 Samuel 23:4, and Psalm 72:6.
Related Verses98 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Rain," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VIII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Rain," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 3.George Morrish, "Rain," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 4.James Orr (ed.), "Rain," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 5.James Hastings (ed.), "Rain," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
- 6.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Rain," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 7.Philip Schaff and Johann Herzog (ed.), "Rainolds, John," in The New Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of Religious Knowledge, vol. IX (Funk and Wagnalls, 1908–1914).