Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Significance:Raining, in the biblical context, refers to the precipitation of water from the sky, a natural phenomenon that holds significant theological and symbolic meaning throughout the Scriptures. Rain is often depicted as a blessing from God, essential for life, agriculture, and prosperity. It is also used metaphorically to describe God's provision, judgment, and the outpouring of His Spirit.
Biblical References:1.
Provision and Blessing: Rain is frequently associated with God's provision and blessing. 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 verse highlights rain as a divine gift necessary for agricultural success and sustenance.
2.
Judgment and Discipline: Conversely, the withholding of rain is often depicted as a form of divine judgment or discipline. In
1 Kings 17:1, Elijah declares, "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 judgment against the idolatry of Israel under King Ahab's rule.
3.
Covenant Faithfulness: Rain is also tied to the covenant relationship between God and His people. In
Leviticus 26:3-4, God promises, "If you walk in My statutes and keep My commandments and carry them out, then I will give you rains in their season, so that the land will yield its produce, and the trees of the field will bear their fruit." Here, rain is contingent upon Israel's faithfulness to God's commandments.
4.
Symbol of God's Word and Spirit: Rain is used metaphorically to describe the effectiveness of God's word and the outpouring of His Spirit.
Isaiah 55:10-11 states, "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 illustrates the life-giving and transformative power of God's word.
5.
End Times and Restoration: In eschatological contexts, rain symbolizes restoration and divine favor.
Joel 2:23 proclaims, "Be glad, O children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God, for He has given you the autumn rains for your vindication. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before." This promise of rain signifies God's restoration and blessing upon His people in the last days.
Theological Implications:Rain, as depicted in the Bible, serves as a tangible reminder of God's sovereignty, faithfulness, and care for His creation. It underscores the dependence of humanity on divine provision and the importance of obedience to God's commands. The imagery of rain also points to the spiritual nourishment and renewal that comes from God's word and Spirit, emphasizing the holistic nature of God's interaction with His people.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Rain.
Strong's Hebrew
4208. mazzaloth -- constellations, perhaps signs of the zodiac... planet. Apparently from nazal in the sense of
raining; a constellation, ie Zodiacal
sign (perhaps as affecting the weather) -- planet. Compare mazzarah.
...Library
Psalm LXVII.
... That is the rain, this the fruit. Therefore there is rendered as it were
fruit to God the Husbandman,raining upon and tilling us....
Answers to Prayer.
... time. Suddenly it ceasedraining; and, looking about them, they saw that
the lake was perfectly quiet"not a ripple could be seen....
Go in Peace
... been a work of the Spirit of God upon that woman's heart, turning her from her sin
to her Saviour; but when she stood at our Master's feet,raining tears of...
But we must Follow Our Preacher, who Can Only Turn Away with...
... ourselves to be in? That tears wereraining on this crust of earth in that
far-off time, exactly as they are to-day? Yes, indeed, it...
Jesus, Son of God.
... As it was winter, possiblyraining, and certainly cold, Jesus walked about in Solomon's
Porch, where at all events He was under cover and had some shelter....
Early Manifestations of the Son of God, as Recorded in the Old...
... administering judgment, throwing down the haughty tower, and dividing the tongues,
punishing the whole world by the violence of waters,raining upon Sodom and...
Lot's Flight from Sodom.
... These cities were named Sodom and Gomorrah. Their inhabitants were very wicked,
so God destroyed their cities byraining brimstone and fire upon them....
The Difference Between Union and Rapture. What Rapture Is. The...
... is so abundant that, were it not that the ground refuses to receive it, we might
suppose that the cloud of His great Majesty is hereraining down upon us on...
The Old Gravestone
... S' a little further on, and underneath it 'Martha,' but it is impossible to make
out any more, and that you can only read after if has beenraining, or when we...
On the Arrival of the Egyptians.
... who have come from Egypt; for they have come here eagerly, having overcome illwill
by zeal, from that Egypt which is enriched by the River,raining out of the...
Thesaurus
Raining (10 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Raining (10 Occurrences).
... Genesis 19:24 Then the Lord sent
fire and flaming smoke
raining down from heaven on Sodom and Gomorrah.
...Ice (20 Occurrences)
... on the earth. (BBE). 2 Samuel 22:13 Before his shining light his dark clouds
went past,raining ice and coals of fire. (BBE). Job 6...
Ice-drops (7 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 13:11 Say to those who put whitewash on it, There will be an overflowing
shower; and you, O ice-drops, will comeraining down; and it will be broken in...
Storm-wind (19 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 13:11 Say to those who put whitewash on it, There will be an overflowing
shower; and you, O ice-drops, will comeraining down; and it will be broken in...
Lightning (49 Occurrences)
... for them. (See NAS). 2 Samuel 22:13 Before his shining light his dark clouds
went past,raining ice and coals of fire. (See NIV). 2...
Rains (16 Occurrences)
Shining (115 Occurrences)
... the peoples. (BBE). 2 Samuel 22:13 Before his shining light his dark clouds
went past,raining ice and coals of fire. (BBE). 2 Samuel...
Uncommonly (1 Occurrence)
... Acts 28:2 And the simple people living there were uncommonly kind to us, for they
made a fire for us, and took us in, because it wasraining and cold. (BBE)....
Overthrew (17 Occurrences)
... good trees; they went on driving Moab before them till only in Kir-hareseth were
there any Moabites; and the fighting-men went round the townraining stones on...
Resources
Can / Should we interpret the Bible as literal? | GotQuestions.orgIs hell literally a place of fire and brimstone? | GotQuestions.orgIs the Bible true? | GotQuestions.orgRaining: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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