Lexical Summary yoreh: Early rain Original Word: יוֹרֶה Strong's Exhaustive Concordance first rain, former rain Active participle of yarah; sprinkling; hence, a sprinkling (or autumnal showers) -- first rain, former (rain). see HEBREW yarah NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originactive participle of yarah Definition the early rain NASB Translation autumn rain (1), early (1), rain* (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs יוֺרֶה noun [masculine] early rain, which falls in Palestine from the last of October until the first of December, opposed to מַלְקוֺשׁ: Deuteronomy 11:14; Jeremiah 5:24; Hosea 6:3 (where ᵑ0 makes ׳יו Participle, or Hiph`il Imperfect, but see We); compare also I. מוֺרֶה. See further RobBr i, 429 f. ChaplinPEF 1883, 8 ff. KleinZPV iv, 72 f. Topical Lexicon Agricultural Background In Israel’s Mediterranean climate the “early rain” arrived from late October through early December, softening sun-baked soil so that grain could germinate after sowing. Without it, wheat and barley withered before sprouting. Scripture regularly pairs this initial shower with the “latter rain,” presenting an ordained rhythm that sustained national life and underscored dependence on the LORD. Covenant Blessings and Obedience Deuteronomy 11:14 roots the early rain in covenant promise: “then I will provide rain for your land in season, the autumn rain and the spring rain, that you may gather your grain, new wine, and oil”. Timely showers are thus more than meteorological favors; they are tokens of divine approval that follow heartfelt obedience (Deuteronomy 11:13,17). Israel’s annual harvest became a living reminder that spiritual fidelity precedes material abundance. Warning Against Apostasy Jeremiah confronts a people who presume upon mercy: “They do not say in their hearts, ‘Let us fear the LORD our God who gives the rain in season, both the autumn rain and the spring rain’ ” (Jeremiah 5:24). When repentance is withheld, drought becomes discipline (Jeremiah 3:3; 1 Kings 8:35). The early rain therefore serves as a covenant barometer: its presence signals divine favor, its absence exposes moral decay. Symbol of Revival and Divine Faithfulness Hosea 6:3 transforms agricultural necessity into prophetic hope: “He will come to us like the rain, like the spring rains that water the earth.” As Israel turns back to God, the refreshing downpour depicts His sure, gentle restoration. Joel 2:23 and Zechariah 10:1 develop the motif further, portraying abundant rains as preludes to national renewal and eschatological blessing. Christological and Pneumatological Foreshadowing The New Testament retains the imagery. James 5:7 counsels believers to wait for the Lord “as the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth… for the early and latter rain.” Acts 2 links Joel’s promise to the Spirit outpoured at Pentecost, leading many to view the “early rain” as the Spirit’s foundational work inaugurating the Church, while the “latter rain” anticipates a final, end-time harvest before Christ’s return. Practical Ministry Implications 1. Dependence: Farmers could only prepare; God alone sent rain. Ministry planning must pair diligence with prayerful trust (1 Corinthians 3:6). Homiletical Suggestions • Use Deuteronomy 11:14 to connect obedience, stewardship, and blessing without lapsing into prosperity distortion. Summary The early rain (Hebrew יוֹרֶה) is more than a climatic event; it is a covenant sign, a prophetic emblem, and a ministry model. It testifies to God’s precise provision, His moral governance of nature, the promise of spiritual refreshing, and the certainty that the Lord who begins the harvest will bring it to glorious completion. Forms and Transliterations י֥וֹרֶה יֹורֶ֥ה יוֹרֶ֣ה יורה yō·w·reh yoReh yōwrehLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Deuteronomy 11:14 HEB: אַרְצְכֶ֛ם בְּעִתּ֖וֹ יוֹרֶ֣ה וּמַלְק֑וֹשׁ וְאָסַפְתָּ֣ NAS: in its season, the early and late KJV: in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, INT: your land season the early and late you may gather Jeremiah 5:24 Hosea 6:3 3 Occurrences |
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