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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.comFausset Bible Dictionary: Rain
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(See PALESTINE; Climate.) Matar. Geshem, "violent rain" or generically "the early and latter rain" (; ). Yoreh, "the early rain of autumn"; malkosh, "the latter rain of spring" (; ; ; ; ). Rebibim, from rab "many," from the multitude of drops; "showers" (). Zerem, "violent rain," "hailstorm" (). Sagrir only in . As compared with Egypt, Palestine was a land of rain (-11), but for six months no rain falls so that "rain in harvest" and "thunder" were marvelous phenomena, and out of time and place (; -18). The early rain begins gradually, the latter end of October or beginning of November. Generally from the W. or S.W. (); the wind then changes to the N. or E. At no period in the winter, from the end of October to the end of March, does rain entirely cease. In January and February snow falls, but lies only a short time.
"The early rain" means the first autumnal showers which prepare the arid soil for the seed; "the latter rain" the later spring showers, especially in March, which Bring forward the crop toward harvest (; ). Showers fall occasionally in April and May. God claims as His peculiar prerogative the sending or withholding of rain, which He made dependent on the obedience or disobedience of Israel (-5; ; -15; -24; ; ; ). "The latter rain in the first (month)" in means in the month when first it is needed; or else, as Vulgate and Septuagint, "as at the first" (compare ; ; ); or in Nisan or Abib, the Passover month, the first, namely, the end of March and beginning of April. The departure of winter was marked by the cessation of rain (-13). Rain is the beautiful image of the Spirit's refreshing influences in Messiah's kingdom (; ; ).