Deuteronomy 32:2 — Word Study
WLCיַעֲרֹ֤ף כַּמָּטָר֙ לִקְחִ֔י תִּזַּ֥ל כַּטַּ֖ל אִמְרָתִ֑י כִּשְׂעִירִ֣ם עֲלֵי־ דֶ֔שֶׁא וְכִרְבִיבִ֖ים עֲלֵי־ עֵֽשֶׂב׃
BSALet my teachingleqach [instruction, divine guidance] fallʻâraph▸ like rainmâṭar [dropping gently from above] and my speechʼimrâh [words, utterances] settlenâzal▸ like dewṭal [silent, refreshing moisture] like gentle rainsâʻîyr△ [soft, nourishing showers] onʻal new grassdesheʼ [fresh, tender growth] like showersrâbîyb [abundant, life-giving downpours] onʻal tender plantsʻeseb [young, vulnerable vegetation]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| יַעֲרֹ֤ף | may it drop | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person masculine singular |
| כַּמָּטָר֙ | like the rain | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| לִקְחִ֔י | teaching my | Noun common masculine singular construct, suffix |
| תִּזַּ֥ל | may it distil | Verb, Qal, imperfect third person feminine singular |
| כַּטַּ֖ל | like the dew | Preposition, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| אִמְרָתִ֑י | speech my | Noun common feminine singular construct, suffix |
| כִּשְׂעִירִ֣ם | like showers of rain | Preposition, noun common masculine plural absolute |
| עֲלֵי־ | on | Preposition |
| דֶ֔שֶׁא | grass | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וְכִרְבִיבִ֖ים | and like copious showers | Conjunction, preposition, noun common masculine plural absolute |
| עֲלֵי־ | on | Preposition |
| עֵֽשֶׂב׃ | vegetation | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | Let my teaching fall like rain and my speech settle like dew, like gentle rain on new grass, like showers on tender plants. |
| KJV | My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: |
| ASV | My doctrine shall drop as the rain; My speech shall distil as the dew, As the small rain upon the tender grass, And as the showers upon the herb. |
| YLT | Drop as rain doth My doctrine; Flow as dew doth My sayings; As storms on the tender grass, And as showers on the herb, |
| WEB | My doctrine will drop as the rain. My speech will condense as the dew, as the misty rain on the tender grass, as the showers on the herb. |
| BBE | My teaching is dropping like rain, coming down like dew on the fields; like rain on the young grass and showers on the garden plants: |
All translations agree on the core imagery of teaching and speech likened to rain and dew.
The structure is built around two main clauses, each with similes that enhance the poetic imagery.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbעָרַף
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 12 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Deuteronomy 32:2
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Song of Mosesgenerated
Deuteronomy 32:2 is part of a song attributed to Moses, where he calls upon the heavens and the earth to witness his words. The song serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the importance of adhering to His teachings. It emphasizes the nurturing quality of divine instruction, likening it to rain and dew that sustain life.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Samuel 23:4 | is like the light of the morning at sunrise of a cloudless dawn, the glistening after the rain on the sprouting grass of the earth.’ |
| 2 | Job 29:22–23 | After my words, they spoke no more; my speech settled on them like dew. |
| 3 | Psalm 72:6 | May he be like rain that falls on freshly cut grass, like spring showers that water the earth. |
| 4 | Isaiah 55:10–11 | For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, |
| 5 | Hosea 6:4 | What shall I do with you, O Ephraim ? What shall I do with you, O Judah? For your loyalty is like a morning mist, like the early dew that vanishes. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 10 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — יַעֲרֹ֤ף, ya.'a.Rofgenerated
The verb עָרַף (araph) means 'to drop' or 'to drip', indicating a gentle falling, much like rain. In this context, it conveys the idea of teaching that falls softly and continuously, nurturing those who receive it.
The imperfect form indicates a desire or a wish, suggesting that Moses hopes for his teaching to have a lasting, beneficial effect, much like rain that nourishes the earth.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
All translations agree that this verse conveys the idea of teaching and speech being likened to rain and dew, emphasizing their refreshing qualities.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The verse contains two main verbs: יַעֲרֹ֤ף (may it drop) and תִּזַּ֥ל (may it distil), each governing their respective phrases. The structure emphasizes the parallelism between teaching and natural phenomena.
The use of similes throughout the verse enhances its poetic quality, with phrases like כַּמָּטָר֙ (like the rain) and כַּטַּ֖ל (like the dew) creating vivid imagery.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates יַעֲרֹ֤ף as προσδοκάσθω, which suggests a more anticipatory tone, as if the teaching is to be awaited or expected. This choice may reflect a different nuance in understanding the nature of divine instruction.
The Greek word for rain, ὑετὸς, reinforces the idea of nourishment and blessing associated with God's teaching.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Deuteronomy 32:2 uses the imagery of rain and dew to describe how Moses wants his teaching and speech to nourish the people. Just as rain and dew are essential for growth, so too is divine teaching vital for spiritual life.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
Moses refers to divine instruction or guidance, which is meant to nurture and sustain the people of Israel.
Rain and dew are vital for growth and life, symbolizing how teaching provides spiritual nourishment.
It emphasizes that God's teachings are meant to refresh and sustain His people, much like rain and dew do for the earth.
The imagery teaches us the importance of receiving and valuing divine instruction as essential for our spiritual growth.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced teaching that nourishes my spiritual life?
- How can I be more receptive to divine instruction in my daily life?
- What does it mean for me to share teachings that are refreshing and nurturing to others?
- How can I apply the imagery of rain and dew to my understanding of God's word?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early Church Fathers referenced this verse to discuss the nature of divine teaching and its impact on the faithful.
Therefore let us seek in the Scriptures what is “the rain” which is given only to the saints and concerning which “it is commanded to the clouds that they do not pour their rain” upon the unjust.Early Church Fathers on Deuteronomy 32 →
Behold the nature of the rain which is given only to the just and denied to sinners. Therefore the rain is the Word of God. Only the just are prepared to receive it.Early Church Fathers on Deuteronomy 32 →
All of us wish to have refreshing waters in our gardens. If there are no waters in them, we draw them from the sea with great effort in order to provide vegetables for our bodies.Early Church Fathers on Deuteronomy 32 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Deuteronomy 32:2 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleMy doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew,.... Which some, as Aben Ezra, take to be a prayer or wish, that the doctrine spoken by him might fall upon men like rain and dew
Read John Gill on Deuteronomy 32 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryMy doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: My doctrine shall drop ... The language may justly be
Read Robert Jamieson on Deuteronomy 32 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleLook what effect rain and dew have upon herbs and grass, which they make fresh and fragrant and growing, the same effect I may justly expect and hope that my discourse will have upon your hearts, i.e. to make them soft and pliable and fruitful. Or this may be a prayer, Let my doctrine drop, &c. Oh that it might do so, that my discourse might not be lost upon you, but be profitable to you! the future tense of the indicative mood being put for the imperative mood, as is usual.
Read Matthew Poole on Deuteronomy 32 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsDeuteronomy 32:2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:Ver. 2. My doctrine.] Heb., My taking or winning doctrine: according to that in Proverbs 11:30. "He that winneth" (Heb., taketh) "souls" - as fowlers do birds - "is wise." Shall drop as the rain.] Drop; not dash: and as the rain, not as the storm, or as the spout, as they call it at sea. Evangelizatum, non maledictum missus es, said Oecolampadins to Farellus, an excellent, but a too earnest preacher. And such a one, say some, was Mr Perkins in his younger time, able almost to make his hearers’ hearts fall down, and their hairs to…
Read John Trapp on Deuteronomy 32 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(2) My doctrine.—Or, my learning, that which I receive—a not very common, but beautiful expression in the Hebrew. Everything that comes down from the “Father of lights” is handed on by one heavenly messenger to another, until it falls upon the heart of man, in just that form in which he can best receive it. The Son of God says,” My doctrine is not Mine, but His that sent Me.” “I speak that which I have seen with my Father.” Of the Holy Spirit He says, “He shall receive of Mine and shall show it unto you.” The apostles speak “in words which the Holy Ghost teacheth.” The parallels of the verse appear to be these:—My learning shall drop as the rain; My speech shall distil as the dew, as the…
Read Charles John Ellicott on Deuteronomy 32 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 2. My doctrine] לקחי likchi, from לקח lakach, to take, carry away; to attract or gain over the heart by eloquence or persuasive speech. Hence the Septuagint translate the word αποφθεγμα, an apophthegm, a sententious and weighty saying, for the regulation of the moral conduct such, properly, are the sayings in this inimitable ode. Shall drop as the rain] It shall come drop by drop as the shower, beginning slowly and distinctly, but increasing more and more till the plenitude of righteousness is poured down, and the whole canon of Divine revelation completed. My speech shall distil as the dew] אמרתי imrathi; my familiar, friendly, and affectionate speeches shall descend gently and…
Read AdamClarke on Deuteronomy 32 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges2. My doctrine] Lit. my taking, what I have received and take to men, my message; cp. St Paul 1 Corinthians 11:23, ἐγὼγὰρπαρέλαβονἀπὸτοῦκυρίουὃκαὶπαρέδωκαὑμῖν. Or alternatively, what I have apprehended or learned; so commonly in the Wisdom literature for instruction or learning, Proverbs 1:5; Proverbs 4:2; Proverbs 9:9 (cp. Isaiah 29:24), but also for apprehensibleness, persuasiveness, Proverbs 16:21; Proverbs 16:23. My speech] Sam., LXX, Syr. prefix and. small rain] Heb. se.ξrξm, only here (therefore Lag. emends to resξsξm rain-drops or fine rain, Son 5:2). Translate mist. The word may be connected with se‘ar, hair (Ar. sha‘ir, ‘to be hairy’), as the Scot. haar and Lincolnshire harr =…
Read Cambridge on Deuteronomy 32 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible2. My doctrine shall drop as the rain — This may be rendered, Let my doctrine drop as the rain, And my words fall as the dew.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Deuteronomy 32 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
Let my teaching fall like rain and my speech settle like dew, like gentle rain on new grass, like showers on tender plants.
My doctrine will drop as the rain. My speech will condense as the dew, as the misty rain on the tender grass, as the showers on the herb.
Let my teaching fall like rain and my speech settle like dew, like gentle rain on new grass, like showers on tender plants.
My teaching will drop like the rain, my sayings will drip like the dew, as rain drops upon the grass, and showers upon new growth.
Tyndale line
My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:
My doctrine shall drop as the rain; My speech shall distil as the dew, As the small rain upon the tender grass, And as the showers upon the herb.
My doctrine shall drop as the rain, My speech shall distil as the dew; As the small rain upon the tender grass, And as the showers upon the herb:
My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distill as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:
My doctrine shall drop as the raine, and my speach shall stil as the dew, as the showre vpon the herbes, and as the great raine vpon the grasse.
Strictly literal
My doctrine shall drop as rain, My speech flow down as dew, As small rain upon the tender herb, And as showers on the grass.
Drop as rain doth My doctrine; Flow as dew doth My sayings; As storms on the tender grass, And as showers on the herb,
My doctrine drops as rain; My sayings flow as dew; As storms on the tender grass, || And as showers on the herb,
My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as heavy rains upon the grass, and as showers upon herbs.
Let my teaching drop down like the rain, let my speech distill like the dew, like the gentle rain on the tender grass, and like the showers on the plants.
From the Latin
Let my doctrine gather as the rain, let my speech distil as the dew, as a shower upon the herb, and as drops upon the grass.
Simplified
May my teaching fall gently like the rain; may my words drop lightly like the dew, like soft rain on new grass, like spring showers on growing plants.
My teaching is dropping like rain, coming down like dew on the fields; like rain on the young grass and showers on the garden plants:
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text is largely consistent with the Septuagint, with 11 of the 12 words matching. The Samaritan Pentateuch differs in three words, using תאזל (go), אמירתי (word), and שׂעירים (shower of rain). The Dead Sea Scrolls show some restoration but maintain the overall message.
יַעֲרֹ֤ף כַּמָּטָר֙ לִקְחִ֔י תִּזַּ֥ל כַּטַּ֖ל אִמְרָתִ֑י כִּשְׂעִירִ֣ם עֲלֵי־ דֶ֔שֶׁא וְכִרְבִיבִ֖ים עֲלֵי־ עֵֽשֶׂב׃
11 of the 12 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
יערף כמטר לקחי ותאזל כטל אמירתי כשׂעירים עלי דשׁא וכרביבים עלי עשׂב
3 words differ from the Masoretic Text: תאזל (go), אמירתי (word), שׂעירים (shower of rain)
[יערף] [כמטר] לקח׳י [תזל] [כטל] אמרת׳י [כשעירם] [עלי] [דשא] [וכרביבים] עלי עשב
2 words on the leather — 2 partly restored, 8 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Deuteronomy 32:2
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
עָרַף (araph) is a primitive root meaning to drip or drop. The entries indicate it primarily conveys the idea of something that drips or trickles, particularly in the Qal form. There are no significant disagreements among the lexicons regarding its meaning.
[עָרַף] vb. drip, drop
base
H6201 [עָרַף] drip, drop
6201 `araph aw-raf'
a primitive root; to droop; hence, to drip:--drop (down).
עָרַף (a.raph) — to drop.
1) to drop, drip
1a) (Qal) to drop, trickle
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singularHVqi3ms
מָטַר (matar) means 'rain' in Hebrew. It is derived from the root word מָטַר (H4305), which also relates to rain. The entries consistently define it simply as rain, with no significant disagreement among the lexicons.
H4306 מָטַר rain
4306 matar maw-tawr'
from 4305; rain:--rain.
see HEBREW for 04305
מָטַר (ma.tar) — rain.
rain
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
ran (maTar, Arabic (?), maTar, "rain" geshem, "heavy rain" moreh, "early rain," yoreh, "former rain," malqosh, "latter rain"; brecho, huetos):
1. Water-Supply in Egypt and Palestine:
In Egypt there is little or no rainfall, the water for vegetation being supplied in great abundance by the river Nile; but in Syria and Palestine there are no large rivers, and the people have to depend entirely on the fall of rain for water for themselves, their animals and their fields. The children of Israel when in Egypt were promised by Yahweh a land which "drinketh water of the rain of heaven" (De 11:11). Springs and fountains are found in most of the valleys, but the flow of the springs depends directly on the fall of rain or snow in the mountains.
2. Importance of Rain in Season:
Rain
There are three Hebrew words used to denote the rains of different seasons, (1.) Yoreh (Hos. 6:3), or moreh (Joel 2:23), denoting the former or the early rain. (2.) Melqosh, the “latter rain” (Prov. 16:15). (3.) Geshem, the winter rain, “the rains.” The heavy winter rain is mentioned in Gen. 7:12; Ezra 10:9; Cant. 2:11. The “early” or “former” rains commence in autumn in the latter part of October or beginning of November (Deut. 11:14; Joel 2:23; comp.
In the Bible "early rain" signifies the rain of the autumn, (11:14) and "latter rain" the rain of spring. (Proverbs 16:1,5) For six months in the year, from May to October, no rain falls, the whole land becomes dry, parched and brown. The autumnal rains are eagerly looked for, to prepare the earth for the reception of the seed. These, the early rains, commence about the latter end of October continuing through November and December. January and February are the coldest months, and snow falls, sometimes to the depth of a foot or more, at Jerusalem, but it does not lie long; it is very seldom seen along the coast and in the low plains. Rain continues to fall more or less during the month of March it is very rare in April. Robinson observes that there are not, at the present day, "any particular periods of rain or succession of showers…
In Scripture the "early" and the "latter" rain of Palestine is spoken of, De 11:14 Ho 6:3. The former falls in the latter part of October, the seed-time of Palestine; and the weather then continues variable, with more or less rain the whole winter, until after the latter or spring rain in April. Afterwards, the weather becomes serene, and the crops ripen. The wheat harvest takes place in May; by the middle of August, the fruits are gathered in; and from that time to the coming of the first or October rains, prevail the scorching heats and droughts of summer. Nothing can more expressively represent spiritual blessings than copious showers of rain after this trying season is past, De 32:2
לֶ֫קַח (leqach) refers to learning or teaching, encompassing both the act of instruction and the content taught. It implies something received, whether as personal insight or as a doctrine. The term can also carry a negative connotation, suggesting persuasion or inveiglement. The entries collectively highlight its use in contexts of education and influence.
לֶ֫קַח n.m. learning, teaching (concrete; prob. what is received)
instruction, subjective, as personal acquirement
teaching, obj., as thing taught; also = teaching-power, persuasiveness
base
H3948 לֶ֫קַח learning, teaching (concrete; prob. what is received) . instruction, subjective, as personal acquirement
. teaching, obj., as thing taught; also = teaching-power, persuasiveness
3948 leqach leh'-kakh
from 3947; properly, something received, i.e. (mentally)
instruction (whether on the part of the teacher or hearer);
also (in an active and sinister sense)
inveiglement:--doctrine, learning, fair speech.
see HEBREW for 03947
לֶ֫קַח (le.qach) — teaching.
1) learning, teaching, insight
1a) instruction (obj)
1b) teaching (thing taught)
1b1) teaching-power
1b2) persuasiveness
N-ms | Suff — Noun common masculine singular construct · suffixHNcmsc/Sp1bs
נָזַל (nazal) is a Hebrew verb meaning to flow or trickle. It encompasses various forms of flowing, including distilling and shedding liquid. The term appears in both the Qal and Hiphil stems, indicating both a simple action of flowing and causing something to flow. The poetic usage suggests a rich imagery associated with water and movement.
[נָזַל] vb. flow, trickle, drop, distil (poet.)
Qal
flow
distil
Hiph. cause to flow
base
H5140 [נָזַל] flow, trickle, drop, distil (poet.)
5140 nazal naw-zal'
a primitive root; to drip, or shed by trickling:--distil,
drop, flood, (cause to) flow(-ing), gush out, melt, pour
(down), running water, stream.
נָזַל (na.zal) — to flow.
1) to flow, distil, flow forth or down, trickle, drop
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to flow
1a1a) streams, floods (participle)
1a2) to distil
1b) (Hiphil) to cause to flow
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person feminine singularHVqi3fs
dis-til': Only found twice in the English Bible (De 32:2; Job 36:27), in both cases in its original meaning of "to fall in drops," as dew or rain (derived through French from Latin de, "down," stillo, "to drop"). It does not occur in its later technical sense, for the process we call distilllation was not known in ancient times.
טַל (tal) refers to 'dew' or 'night-mist' in Hebrew. It is derived from a root that suggests a covering over vegetation. The term is consistent across entries, with no significant disagreement noted among lexicographers.
טַל n.m. night-mist, dew
base
H2919 טַל night-mist, dew
2919 tal tal
from 2926; dew (as covering vegetation):--dew.
see HEBREW for 02926
טַל (tal) — dew.
dew, night mist
Aramaic equivalent: tal (טַל "dew" H2920)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular absoluteHRd/Ncmsa
du (Tal; drosos).
1. Formation of Dew:
Two things are necessary for the formation of dew, moisture and cold. In moist countries there is less dew because the change in temperature between day and night is too small. In the deserts where the change in temperature between day and night is sometimes as much as 40 degrees F., there is seldom dew because of lack of moisture in the atmosphere. Palestine is fortunate in being near the sea, so that there is always a large percentage of water vapor in the air. The skies are clear, and hence, there is rapid radiation beginning immediately after sunset, which cools the land and the air until the moisture is condensed and settles on cool objects. Air at a low temperature is not capable of holding as much water vapor in suspension as warm air. The ice pitcher furnishes an example of the formation of dew. Just as the drops of water form on the cool…
Dew
“There is no dew properly so called in Palestine, for there is no moisture in the hot summer air to be chilled into dew-drops by the coldness of the night. From May till October rain is unknown, the sun shining with unclouded brightness day after day. The heat becomes intense, the ground hard, and vegetation would perish but for the moist west winds that come each night from the sea. The bright skies cause the heat of the day to radiate very quickly into space, so that the nights are as cold as the day is the reverse, a peculiarity of climate from which poor Jacob suffered thousands of years ago (Gen. 31:40). To this coldness of the night air the indispensable watering of all plant-life is due. The winds, loaded with moisture, are robbed of it as they pass over the land, the cold air condensing it into drops of water, which fall…
This in the summer is so copious in Palestine that it supplies to some extent the absence of rain and becomes important to the agriculturist. Thus it is coupled in the divine blessing with rain, or mentioned as a prime source of fertility, (Genesis 27:28; 33:13; Zechariah 8:12) and its withdrawal is attributed to a curse. (2 Samuel 1:21; 1 Kings 17:1; Haggai 1:10) It becomes a leading object in prophetic imagery by reason of its penetrating moisture without the apparent effort of rain, (32:2; Job 29:19; Psalms…
The dews in Palestine and some other oriental countries are very copious, and serve very greatly to sustain and promote vegetation in seasons when little or no rain falls. Maundrell tells us that the tents of his company, when pitched on Tabor and Hermon, "were as wet with dew as if it had rained on them all night," Jud 6:38 So 5:2. Dew was especially heavy near the mountains, and just before and after the rainy season. It was prized as a precious boon of Providence, Ge 27:28 De 33:28 1Ki 17:1 Job 29:19 Hag 1:10…
אִמְרָה (imrah) refers to an utterance, speech, or word, and can denote a word of God, including commands and promises. It also has a connotation of a threat, particularly in the context of divine judgment. The term is feminine and is derived from a related root, אֶמְרָה (emrah), which shares similar meanings.
ref
H565a אִמְרָה utternace, speech, word H565b אֶמְרָה id. [565a]
565 'imrah im-raw'
or memrah {em-raw'}; feminine of 561, and meaning the
same:--commandment, speech, word.
see HEBREW for 0561
אִמְרָה (im.rah) — word.
1) utterance, speech, word
1a) word of God (command and promise)
אֶמְרָה (im.rah) — threat.
threat (of judgement from God)
N-fs | Suff — Noun common feminine singular construct · suffixHNcfsc/Sp1bs
שְׂעִירִים (sa`iyr) refers to rain, specifically rain showers or raindrops. It is a plural noun and appears in Deuteronomy 32:2. The word is formed similarly to another Hebrew term, but the entries do not provide further details on its derivation.
שְׂעִירִים n.[m.]pl. rain(-drops);—Dt 32:2
ref
H8164 שְׂעִירִים, שָׂעִיר
8164 sa`iyr saw-eer'
formed the same as 8163; a shower (as tempestuous):--small
rain.
see HEBREW for 08163
שְׂעִירִים (sa.ir) — rain.
raindrops, rain showers
Prep | N-mp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural absoluteHR/Ncmpa
ran (maTar, Arabic (?), maTar, "rain" geshem, "heavy rain" moreh, "early rain," yoreh, "former rain," malqosh, "latter rain"; brecho, huetos):
1. Water-Supply in Egypt and Palestine:
In Egypt there is little or no rainfall, the water for vegetation being supplied in great abundance by the river Nile; but in Syria and Palestine there are no large rivers, and the people have to depend entirely on the fall of rain for water for themselves, their animals and their fields. The children of Israel when in Egypt were promised by Yahweh a land which "drinketh water of the rain of heaven" (De 11:11). Springs and fountains are found in most of the valleys, but the flow of the springs depends directly on the fall of rain or snow in the mountains.
2. Importance of Rain in Season:
Rain
There are three Hebrew words used to denote the rains of different seasons, (1.) Yoreh (Hos. 6:3), or moreh (Joel 2:23), denoting the former or the early rain. (2.) Melqosh, the “latter rain” (Prov. 16:15). (3.) Geshem, the winter rain, “the rains.” The heavy winter rain is mentioned in Gen. 7:12; Ezra 10:9; Cant. 2:11. The “early” or “former” rains commence in autumn in the latter part of October or beginning of November (Deut. 11:14; Joel 2:23; comp.
In the Bible "early rain" signifies the rain of the autumn, (11:14) and "latter rain" the rain of spring. (Proverbs 16:1,5) For six months in the year, from May to October, no rain falls, the whole land becomes dry, parched and brown. The autumnal rains are eagerly looked for, to prepare the earth for the reception of the seed. These, the early rains, commence about the latter end of October continuing through November and December. January and February are the coldest months, and snow falls, sometimes to the depth of a foot or more, at Jerusalem, but it does not lie long; it is very seldom seen along the coast and in the low plains. Rain continues to fall more or less during the month of March it is very rare in April. Robinson observes that there are not, at the present day, "any particular periods of rain or succession of showers…
In Scripture the "early" and the "latter" rain of Palestine is spoken of, De 11:14 Ho 6:3. The former falls in the latter part of October, the seed-time of Palestine; and the weather then continues variable, with more or less rain the whole winter, until after the latter or spring rain in April. Afterwards, the weather becomes serene, and the crops ripen. The wheat harvest takes place in May; by the middle of August, the fruits are gathered in; and from that time to the coming of the first or October rains, prevail the scorching heats and droughts of summer. Nothing can more expressively represent spiritual blessings than copious showers of rain after this trying season is past, De 32:2
The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
עַל, עָ֑ל
subst. height
As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against
Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed
—
of clothing, etc., which any one wears
With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears
. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
5921 `al al
properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the
singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a
particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always
in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great
variety of applications (as follow):--above, according
to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because
of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both
and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in
(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,
through(-out), to, touching, X with.
see HEBREW for 05920
עַל (al) — upon.
prep
1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against
1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards
1b) above, beyond, over (of excess)
1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)
1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)
1e) over (of suspension or extension)
1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)
1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)
1h) to (as a dative)
[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.
conj
Prep — PrepositionHR
On
Light; the sun, (Gen. 41:45, 50), the great seat of sun-worship, called also Bethshemesh (Jer. 43:13) and Aven (Ezek. 30:17), stood on the east bank of the Nile, a few miles north of Memphis, and near Cairo, in the north-east. The Vulgate and the LXX. Versions have “Heliopolis” (“city of the sun”) instead of On in Genesis and of Aven in Ezekiel. The “city of destruction” Isaiah speaks of (19:18, marg. “of Heres;” Heb. ‘Ir-ha-heres, which some MSS. read Ir-ha-heres, i.e., “city of the sun”) may be the name given to On, the prophecy being that the time will come when that city which was known as the “city of the sun-god” shall become the “city of destruction” of the sun-god, i.e., when idolatry shall cease, and the worship…
(abode or city of the sun), a town of lower Egypt, called BETH-SHEMESH in (Jeremiah 43:13) On is better known under its Greek name Heliopolis. It was situated on the east side of the Pelusiac branch of the Nile, just below the point of the Delta, and about twenty miles northeast of Memphis. The chief object of worship at Heliopolis was the sun, whose temple, described by Strabo, is now only represented by the single beautiful obelisk, of red granite so feet 2 inches high above the pedestal which has stood for more than 4000 years, having been erected by Usirtesen, the second king of the twelfth dynasty. Heliopolis was anciently famous for its learning, and Eudoxus and Plato studied under its priests. The first mention of this place in the Bible is in the history of Joseph, to whom we read Pharaoh gave "to wife Asenath the daughter…
See HELIOPOLIS.
pain; force; iniquity
דֶּ֫שֶׁא (deshe') refers to grass or green vegetation, derived from a root meaning 'to sprout.' It encompasses terms like tender grass and young herbs. The word is noted in various contexts, emphasizing its connection to fresh plant life.
דֶּ֫שֶׁא n.m. grass
base
H1877 דֶּ֫שֶׁא grass
1877 deshe' deh'-sheh
from 1876; a sprout; by analogy, grass:--(tender) grass,
green, (tender)herb.
see HEBREW for 01876
דֶּ֫שֶׁא (de.she) — grass.
grass, new grass, green herb, vegetation, young
Aramaic equivalent: de.te (דֶּ֫תֶא "grass" H1883)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
gras:
(1) chatsir, from a root meaning "greenness"; compare Arabic Khudra, which includes grasses and green vegetables (1Ki 18:5; 2Ki 19:26; Job 40:15; Ps 104:14, etc.). Isa 15:6 is translated in the King James Version "have," the Revised Version (British and American) "grass"; Pr 27:25, English Versions of the Bible "hay," margin "Hebrew grass"; Nu 11:5 English Versions of the Bible translates "leeks." It is a term for herbage in general.
Grass
(1.) Heb. hatsir, ripe grass fit for mowing (1 Kings 18:5; Job 40:15; Ps. 104:14). As the herbage rapidly fades under the scorching sun, it is used as an image of the brevity of human life (Isa. 40:6, 7; Ps. 90:5). In Num. 11:5 this word is rendered “leeks.”
(2.) Heb. deshe’, green grass (Gen. 1:11, 12; Isa. 66:14; Deut. 32:2). “The sickly and forced blades of grass which spring up on the flat…
Sometimes means any green herbage, Isa 15:6, and sometimes the usual food of cattle, Ps 104:14. The quick growth of grass, its tenderness, and its rapid combustion when dry, have furnished the sacred writers with some of their most appropriate illustrations, Ps 90:5,6 92:7 103:15,16 Isa 40:6-8 51:12 Jas 1:10 1Pe 1:24. All sorts of grass and small shrubs are still used in Syria for fuel, on account of the scarcity of wood, Mt 6:28-30. Travelers in that country often see grass growing on the housetops, the roofs…
רְבִיבִים (rabiyb) refers to copious or heavy showers that promote fertility. It is derived from the root meaning rain, emphasizing the idea of accumulation. The term can also have a figurative sense related to prophetic influence.
רְבִיבִים n.m. pl. copious showers, causing fertility
base
H7241 רְבִיבִים copious showers, causing fertility
7241 rabiyb raw-beeb'
from 7231; a rain (as an accumulation of drops):--shower.
see HEBREW for 07231
רְבִיבִים (ra.viv) — shower.
1) copious showers, heavy showers
1a) as bringing fertility
1b) of prophetic influence (fig)
Conj | Prep | N-mp — Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine plural absoluteHC/R/Ncmpa
The Hebrew word עַל (*al*) is a preposition meaning 'upon' and encompasses a wide range of meanings, including 'on account of,' 'beside,' 'above,' and 'against.' It can indicate physical placement, emotional burdens, or duties imposed on a person. The entries also note its use in idiomatic expressions and with verbs of motion. There is a mention of its function as a conjunction in certain contexts.
כִּי עַל כֵּן forasmuch as
base
עַל, עָ֑ל
subst. height
As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against
Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed
—
of clothing, etc., which any one wears
With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
H5921a עַל, עָ֑ל . As prep. upon, and hence on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against . Upon, of the substratum upon which an object in any way rests, or on which an action is performed . — . of clothing, etc., which any one wears
. With verbs of covering or protecting, even though the cover or veil be not over or above the thing covered, but around or before it
. Of what rests heavily upon a person, or is a burden to him
. Of a duty, payment, care, etc., imposed upon a person, or devolving on him
. על is used idiom. to give pathos to the expression of an emotion, by emphasizing the person who is its subject, and who, as it were, feels it acting upon him
. חָיָה עַל to live upon (as upon a foundation or support)
5921 `al al
properly, the same as 5920 used as a preposition (in the
singular or plural often with prefix, or as conjunction with a
particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always
in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great
variety of applications (as follow):--above, according
to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, X as, at, because
of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, X both
and, by (reason of), X had the charge of, concerning for, in
(that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-)on, over, than,
through(-out), to, touching, X with.
see HEBREW for 05920
עַל (al) — upon.
prep
1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against
1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards
1b) above, beyond, over (of excess)
1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence)
1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition)
1e) over (of suspension or extension)
1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity)
1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion)
1h) to (as a dative)
[כִּי] עַל [כֵּן] ([ki] al [ken]) — as.
conj
Prep — PrepositionHR
On
Light; the sun, (Gen. 41:45, 50), the great seat of sun-worship, called also Bethshemesh (Jer. 43:13) and Aven (Ezek. 30:17), stood on the east bank of the Nile, a few miles north of Memphis, and near Cairo, in the north-east. The Vulgate and the LXX. Versions have “Heliopolis” (“city of the sun”) instead of On in Genesis and of Aven in Ezekiel. The “city of destruction” Isaiah speaks of (19:18, marg. “of Heres;” Heb. ‘Ir-ha-heres, which some MSS. read Ir-ha-heres, i.e., “city of the sun”) may be the name given to On, the prophecy being that the time will come when that city which was known as the “city of the sun-god” shall become the “city of destruction” of the sun-god, i.e., when idolatry shall cease, and the worship…
(abode or city of the sun), a town of lower Egypt, called BETH-SHEMESH in (Jeremiah 43:13) On is better known under its Greek name Heliopolis. It was situated on the east side of the Pelusiac branch of the Nile, just below the point of the Delta, and about twenty miles northeast of Memphis. The chief object of worship at Heliopolis was the sun, whose temple, described by Strabo, is now only represented by the single beautiful obelisk, of red granite so feet 2 inches high above the pedestal which has stood for more than 4000 years, having been erected by Usirtesen, the second king of the twelfth dynasty. Heliopolis was anciently famous for its learning, and Eudoxus and Plato studied under its priests. The first mention of this place in the Bible is in the history of Joseph, to whom we read Pharaoh gave "to wife Asenath the daughter…
See HELIOPOLIS.
pain; force; iniquity
עֵ֫שֶׂב (‘eseb) refers to herbs, grass, or any tender green plants. The word is derived from a root meaning to glisten or be green. It encompasses vegetation in general, and its Aramaic equivalent is עֲשַׂב (‘asav), which also means grass.
עֵ֫שֶׂב n.m. herb, herbage
base
H6212 עֵ֫שֶׂב herb, herbage
6212 `eseb eh'seb
from an unused root meaning to glisten (or be green); grass
(or any tender shoot):--grass, herb.
עֵ֫שֶׂב (e.sev) — vegetation.
herb, herbage, grass, green plants
Aramaic equivalent: a.sav (עֲשַׂב "grass" H6211B)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa