Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of rain in the Bible is multifaceted, symbolizing both God's provision and His judgment. Rain is often depicted as a blessing from God, essential for the sustenance of life, agriculture, and prosperity. Conversely, the absence of rain, or drought, is frequently portrayed as a sign of divine displeasure or judgment.
Provision and BlessingRain is a critical element in the agricultural society of ancient Israel, and its timely arrival is seen as a direct blessing from God. In
Deuteronomy 11:14, God promises the Israelites, "I will provide rain for your land in season, the autumn and spring rains, that you may gather your grain, new wine, and oil." This promise underscores the dependence of the people on God's provision for their daily needs and agricultural success.
In the Psalms, rain is celebrated as part of God's creative and sustaining power.
Psalm 65:9-10 states, "You attend to the earth and water it; with abundance You enrich it. The streams of God are full of water, for You prepare our grain by providing for the earth. You soak its furrows and level its ridges; You soften it with showers and bless its growth." Here, rain is depicted as a divine act of nurturing the earth, ensuring its fertility and productivity.
Judgment and DisciplineConversely, the withholding of rain is often a sign of God's judgment or a call to repentance. In
1 Kings 17:1, the prophet Elijah declares to King Ahab, "As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word." This drought serves as a divine judgment against the idolatry and wickedness of Israel under Ahab's reign.
The theme of rain as a tool of divine discipline is also evident in the covenantal warnings given to Israel. In
Deuteronomy 28:23-24, God warns, "The sky over your head will be bronze, and the earth beneath you iron. The LORD will turn the rain of your land into dust and powder; it will descend on you from the sky until you are destroyed." This imagery conveys the severity of divine judgment when the people turn away from God's commandments.
Symbolism and Spiritual LessonsRain also carries symbolic meanings in the Scriptures. It is often associated with spiritual refreshment and renewal. In
Isaiah 55:10-11, rain is likened to God's word: "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, so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it." This passage highlights the life-giving and transformative power of God's word, much like the nourishing effect of rain on the earth.
In the New Testament, rain is used metaphorically to describe God's impartial grace and goodness.
Matthew 5:45 states, "He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous." This verse emphasizes God's universal benevolence and the indiscriminate nature of His blessings.
ConclusionThroughout the Bible, rain serves as a powerful symbol of God's interaction with His creation, representing both His benevolence and His righteous judgment. It reminds believers of their dependence on God for physical sustenance and spiritual nourishment, encouraging a posture of gratitude and obedience.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Rain.
Greek
1026. brecho -- to send rain, to rain... Word Origin a prim. word Definition to send rain, to rain NASB Word Usage fall
(1), rain (2),
rained (1), sends rain (1), wet (2). send rain, wash.
...Strong's Hebrew
1656. goshem --rained upon... 1655, 1656. goshem. 1657 .
rained upon. Transliteration: goshem Phonetic
Spelling: (go'-shem) Short Definition: upon.
...rained upon
...4305. matar -- to rain
... Word Origin denominative verb from matar Definition to rain NASB Word Usage bring
rain (1), rain (5),rained (5),rained down (1), send (1), send rain (3...
1652. gasham -- to rain
... Definition: rain. Word Origin denominative verb from geshem Definition to rain
NASB Word Usage give rain (1),rained (1). cause to rain. A...
5413. nathak -- to pour forth, be poured out
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to pour forth, be poured out NASB Word Usage
emptied (2), melt (2), melted (3), pour (2), poured (11),rained (1)....
Library
Of the Mystical Feast of the Altar of the Lord. ...
... any one seeing that what is visible (for things which are invisible cannot be seen
nor comprehended by human eyes), should say, "Godrained down manna and...
That it is Effrontery to Impute the Present Troubles to Christ and...
... But when itrained earth, when itrained chalk, when itrained stones"not hailstones,
but real stones"this certainly was calculated to do serious damage....
Argument. --Moreover Also, from the Fact that He who was Seen of...
... might be no doubt but that it was He who was the guest of Abraham on the destruction
of the people of Sodom, it is declared: "Then the Lordrained upon Sodom...
The Prophets were Sent from one and the Same Father from whom the...
... was in the days of Lot, they did eat and drink, they bought and sold, they planted
and builded, until the time that Lot went out of Sodom; itrained fire from...
Creeds Published at Sirmium in Presence of the Emperor Constantius...
... If any one shall understand the words, "The Lordrained from the Lord," [364] not
in relation to the Father and the Son, but shall say that herained from...
Smitten in Vain
... there were yet three months to the harvest; and I caused it to rain upon one city,
and caused it not to rain upon another city; one piece wasrained upon, and...
By Evidence Gathered from Scripture the Unity of Father and Son is...
... The Lord thy God is one God;" [1714] moreover, in the same Testament it is written:
"The Lordrained from the Lord." [1715] The Lord, it is said, sent rain...
Whether by Penance one Sin Can be Pardoned Without Another?
... For it is written (Amos 4:7): "I caused it to rain upon one city, and caused it
not to rain upon another city; one piece wasrained upon: and the piece...
God who Appeared to Moses is Distinguished from God the Father.
... It is thus: The sun was risen on the earth, and Lot entered into Segor (Zoar); and
the Lordrained on Sodom sulphur and fire from the Lord out of heaven, and...
Psalm LXXII.
... For he asked a sign of the Lord, that a fleece laid on the floor should alone be
rained upon, and the floor should be dry; and again, the fleece alone should...
Thesaurus
Rained (11 Occurrences)...Rained (11 Occurrences). Luke 17:29 but in the day that Lot went out from Sodom,
it
rained fire and sulfur from the sky, and destroyed them all.
...Withholden (12 Occurrences)
... there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city,
and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece wasrained upon, and...
Raineth (5 Occurrences)
... While yet three months to harvest, And I have sent rain on one city, And on another
city I do not send rain, One portion israined on, And the portion on which...
Sulfur (14 Occurrences)
... Sulfur (14 Occurrences). Luke 17:29 but in the day that Lot went out from Sodom,
itrained fire and sulfur from the sky, and destroyed them all. (WEB NIV)....
Brimstone (14 Occurrences)
... Brimstone (14 Occurrences). Luke 17:29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom
itrained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all....
Whereupon (30 Occurrences)
... there were yet three months to the harvest: and I caused it to rain upon one city,
and caused it not to rain upon another city: one piece wasrained upon, and...
Rain (118 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) To fall or drop like water from the clouds; as, tearsrained from their
eyes. 5. (vt) To pour or shower down from above, like rain from the clouds....
Caused (468 Occurrences)
... Genesis 19:24 Then Jehovahrained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone
and fire from Jehovah out of heaven; (See JPS). Genesis...
Sodom (49 Occurrences)
... NIV). Luke 17:29 but in the day that Lot went out from Sodom, itrained
fire and sulfur from the sky, and destroyed them all. (WEB...
Resources
Had it ever rained before the Flood in Noah's day? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to “remember Lot's wife” in Luke 17:32? | GotQuestions.orgHow many times has God sent fire from heaven? | GotQuestions.orgRained: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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