Dew is a natural phenomenon frequently mentioned in the Bible, symbolizing divine blessing, favor, and sustenance. In the arid climate of the ancient Near East, dew was a crucial source of moisture for vegetation, especially during the dry seasons when rain was scarce. Its presence was often seen as a sign of God's provision and care for His creation.

Biblical References and Symbolism

1. Divine Blessing and Favor: Dew is often associated with God's blessing. In Genesis 27:28, Isaac blesses Jacob, saying, "May God give to you the dew of heaven and the richness of the earth—an abundance of grain and new wine." Here, dew symbolizes prosperity and divine favor, indicating a life of abundance and fertility.

2. Sustenance and Provision: Dew is depicted as a source of sustenance. In Deuteronomy 33:28, Moses speaks of Israel's security and prosperity, saying, "So Israel dwells securely, the fountain of Jacob alone, in a land of grain and new wine, where the heavens drop dew." This imagery underscores the idea of God's provision and the sustenance He provides to His people.

3. Renewal and Refreshment: Dew is also a symbol of renewal and refreshment. In Hosea 14:5, God promises to restore Israel, saying, "I will be like the dew to Israel; he will blossom like the lily and take root like the cedars of Lebanon." Here, dew represents the refreshing and life-giving presence of God, bringing renewal and growth to His people.

4. Dependence on God: The reliance on dew for agricultural success in biblical times serves as a metaphor for dependence on God. In Zechariah 8:12, the prophet speaks of a future time of blessing, "For the seed will be prosperous: the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its increase, and the heavens will give their dew." This passage highlights the dependence on divine provision for prosperity and success.

5. Judgment and Withholding of Blessing: Conversely, the absence of dew can signify judgment or the withholding of blessing. In Haggai 1:10-11, God explains the consequences of Israel's disobedience: "Therefore, because of you, the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth has withheld its crops. I have summoned a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the oil, and whatever the ground yields, on man and beast, and on all the labor of your hands." The withholding of dew here serves as a divine response to the people's neglect of God's house.

Cultural and Agricultural Context

In the ancient Near East, dew was a critical component of the agricultural cycle. The dry summer months made rain scarce, and dew provided the necessary moisture for crops to survive. This reliance on dew for agricultural success is reflected in the biblical text, where it is often mentioned in conjunction with rain as a source of life and fertility.

Theological Implications

The frequent mention of dew in the Bible underscores the theme of God's providence and the dependence of humanity on His provision. Dew serves as a reminder of God's continual care and the blessings He bestows upon His creation. It also highlights the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God, as His blessings are often contingent upon the faithfulness of His people.Dew

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 133:3; Hosea 14:5) while its speedy evanescence typifies the transient goodness of the hypocrite. (Hosea 6:4; 13:3)

Dew

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, Genesis 27:28 De 33:28 1 Kings 17:1 Job 29:19 Haggai 1:10 Zechariah 8:12. The dew furnishes the sacred penmen with many beautiful allusions, De 32:2 2Sa 17:12 Psalm 110:3 Proverbs 19:12 Hosea 14:5 Micah 5:7.

"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 (Genesis 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 in a gracious rain of mist on every thirsty blade. In the morning the fog thus created rests like a sea over the plains, and far up the sides of the hills, which raise their heads above it like so many islands. At sunrise, however, the scene speedily changes. By the kindling light the mist is transformed into vast snow-white clouds, which presently break into separate masses and rise up the mountain-sides, to disappear in the blue above, dissipated by the increasing heat. These are `the morning clouds and the early dew that go away' of which Hosea (6:4; 13:3) speaks so touchingly" (Geikie's The Holy Land, etc., i., p. 72). Dew is a source of great fertility (Genesis 27:28; Deuteronomy 33:13; Zechariah 8:12), and its withdrawal is regarded as a curse from God (2 Samuel 1:21; 1 Kings 17:1). It is the symbol of a multitude (2 Samuel 17:12; Psalm 110:3); and from its refreshing influence it is an emblem of brotherly love and harmony (Psalm 133:3), and of rich spiritual blessings (Hosea 14:5). 1. (n.) Moisture from the atmosphere condensed by cool bodies upon their surfaces, particularly at night.

2. (n.) Figuratively, anything which falls lightly and in a refreshing manner.

3. (n.) An emblem of morning, or fresh vigor.

4. (v. t.) To wet with dew or as with dew; to bedew; to moisten; as with dew.

5. (a. & n.) Same as Due, or Duty.

DEW

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 pitcher, so dew forms on rocks, grass and trees.

2. Value of Dew in Palestine:

In Palestine it does not rain from April to October, and were it not for the dew in summer all vegetation would perish. Dew and rain are equally important. If there is no rain the winter grass and harvests fail; if no dew, the late crops dry up and there is no fruit. Failure of either of these gifts of Nature would cause great want and hardship, but the failure of both would cause famine and death. Even on the edge of the great Syrian desert in Anti-Lebanon, beyond Jordan and in Sinai, a considerable vegetation of a certain kind flourishes in the summer, although there is not a drop of rain for six months. The dews are so heavy that the plants and trees are literally soaked with water at night, and they absorb sufficient moisture to more than supply the loss due to evaporation in the day. It is more surprising to one who has not seen it before to find a flourishing vineyard practically in the desert itself. Some of the small animals of the desert, such as the jerboa, seem to have no water supply except the dew. The dew forms most heavily on good conductors of heat, such as metals and stones, because they radiate their heat faster and cool the air around them. The wetting of Gideon's fleece (Judges 6:38) is an indication of the amount of dew formed, and the same phenomenon might be observed any clear night in summer in Palestine

3. Importance to Israel:

Dew was a present necessity to the people of Israel as it is today to the people of the same lands, so Yahweh says, "I will be as the dew unto Israel" (Hosea 14:5). Dew and rain are of equal importance and are spoken of together in 1 Kings 17:1. It was especially valued by the children of Israel in the desert, for it supplied the manna for their sustenance (Exodus 16:13 Numbers 11:9).

4. Symbol of Blessing:

Isaac in blessing Jacob asked that the "dew of heaven" (Genesis 27:28) may be granted to him; that these things which make for fertility and prosperity may be his portion. "The remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many peoples as dew from Yahweh" (Micah 5:7), as a means of blessing to the nations. "Blessed of Yahweh for. dew" (Deuteronomy 33:13).

5. Symbol of Refreshment:

Dew is the means of refreshing and reinvigorating all vegetation. Many Scripture references carry out this idea. The song of Moses says, "My speech shall distill as the dew" (Deuteronomy 32:2). "A cloud of dew" (Isaiah 18:4) refreshes the harvesters. "My head is filled with dew" (Songs 5:2). "Like the dew of Hermon" (Psalm 133:3). "Thou hast the dew of thy youth" (Psalm 110:3). "Thy dew is as the dew of herbs" (Isaiah 26:19). Job said of the time of his prosperity, "The dew lieth all night upon my branch" (Job 29:19).

Other figures use dew as the symbol of stealth, of that which comes up unawares (2 Samuel 17:12), and of inconstancy (Hosea 6:4; Hosea 13:3). God's knowledge covers the whole realm of the phenomena of Nature which are mysteries to man (Job 38:28 Proverbs 3:20).

Alfred H. Joy

2919. tal -- night mist, dew
... 2918, 2919. tal. 2920 . night mist, dew. Transliteration: tal Phonetic
Spelling: (tal) Short Definition: dew. Word Origin from an ...
/hebrew/2919.htm - 5k

2920. tal -- dew
... dew. Transliteration: tal Phonetic Spelling: (tal) Short Definition: dew. Word Origin
(Aramaic) corresponding to tal Definition dew NASB Word Usage dew (5). dew ...
/hebrew/2920.htm - 6k

37. Abital -- "my father is (the) dew," a wife of David
... 36, 37. Abital. 38 . "my father is (the) dew," a wife of David. Transliteration:
Abital Phonetic Spelling: (ab-ee-tal') Short Definition: Abital. ...
/hebrew/37.htm - 6k

2537. Chamutal -- perhaps "my husband's father is the dew," mother ...
... perhaps "my husband's father is the dew," mother of two kings of Judah. Transliteration:
Chamutal Phonetic Spelling: (kham-oo-tal') Short Definition: Hamutal. ...
/hebrew/2537.htm - 6k

7447a. rasis -- a drop (of dew)
... rasis. 7447b . a drop (of dew). Transliteration: rasis Short Definition: damp.
Word Origin from rasas Definition a drop (of dew) NASB Word Usage damp (1). ...
/hebrew/7447a.htm - 5k

7447. raciyc -- a drop (of dew)
... 7446, 7447. raciyc. 7447a . a drop (of dew). Transliteration: raciyc Phonetic
Spelling: (raw-sees') Short Definition: breach. breach, drop ...
/hebrew/7447.htm - 5k

7902. shekabah -- (act of) lying, a layer
... copulation, seed. From shakab; a lying down (of dew, or for the sexual act) -- X
carnally, copulation, X lay, seed. see HEBREW shakab. 7901, 7902. ...
/hebrew/7902.htm - 6k

The Dew and the Plants
... HOSEA THE DEW AND THE PLANTS. 'I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall
grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.6 ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the dew and the plants.htm

'A Dew from the Lord'
... MICAH 'A DEW FROM THE LORD'. ... 'The remnant of Jacob shall be as a dew from the Lord
in the midst of many nations.' What made Israel 'as a dew'? ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/a dew from the lord.htm

June 11. "Thou Hast the Dew of Thy Youth" (Ps. cx. 3).
... JUNE 11. "Thou hast the dew of thy youth" (Ps. cx. 3). "Thou hast the
dew of thy youth" (Psalm 110:3). Oh, that you might get ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /june 11 thou hast the.htm

Then, after all These Things, the Heavens Will not Give their Dew. ...
... Piece XXVII. Then, after all these things, the heavens will not give their
dew? Then, after all these things, the heavens will ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/piece xxvii then after all.htm

Fresh Supplies of Power.
... FRESH SUPPLIES OF POWER. "As the Dew.". There is another very ... Every night
the life-giving dew is distilled. The moisture rises during ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on power/fresh supplies of power.htm

Gideon's Fleece. Judg 6:37-40
... And claims the glory as his own. The dew which first the fleece had filled,. ... To Israel
thus the heavenly dew. Of saving truth was long restrained; ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 23 gideons fleece judg.htm

Gideon's Fleece
... 'Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece
only ... God makes the fleece wet with dew, while all the threshing-floor is dry. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/gideons fleece.htm

St. Ambrose Returns to the Story of the Widow of Sarepta...
... 17. So that his person does not seem to us of small account, who by his word moistened
the dry earth with the dew of heaven, and unlocked the closed heavens ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter iii st ambrose returns.htm

Communion Again Broken --Restoration
... Open to Me, My sister, My love, My dove, My undefiled: For My head is filled with
dew,. ... My head is filled with dew,. My locks with the drops of the night. ...
/.../taylor/union and communion/section iv communion again brokenrestoration.htm

The Choice of Gideon was a Figure of Our Lord's Incarnation, The
... If Thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, O Lord, as Thou hast said, behold I will
put a fleece of wool on the threshing-floor, and if there shall be dew on the ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/the choice of gideon was.htm

Dew (35 Occurrences)
... "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. ...
/d/dew.htm - 26k

Fleece (6 Occurrences)
... The miracle of Gideon's fleece (Judges 6:37-40) consisted in the dew having fallen
at one time on the fleece without any on the floor, and at another time in ...
/f/fleece.htm - 9k

Drenched (11 Occurrences)
... awake; it is the sound of my loved one at the door, saying, Be open to me, my sister,
my love, my dove, my very beautiful one; my head is wet with dew, and my ...
/d/drenched.htm - 10k

Frost (9 Occurrences)
... 3. (vi) Frozen dew; -- called also hoarfrost or white frost. 4. (vi) Coldness
or insensibility; severity or rigidity of character. ...
/f/frost.htm - 14k

Wet (25 Occurrences)
... awake; it is the sound of my loved one at the door, saying, Be open to me, my sister,
my love, my dove, my very beautiful one; my head is wet with dew, and my ...
/w/wet.htm - 15k

Drought (20 Occurrences)
... (see DEW.). ... Judges 6:40 And God doth so on that night, and there is drought on the
fleece alone, and on all the earth there hath been dew. (YLT). ...
/d/drought.htm - 13k

Roots (31 Occurrences)
... Job 29:19 My root shall be spread out to the waters, and the dew shall lie all night
upon my branch; (See RSV NIV). ... Hosea 14:5 I will be like the dew to Israel. ...
/r/roots.htm - 16k

Drops (27 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Exodus 16:14 And when the dew was gone, on the face of the earth was a
small round thing, like small drops of ice on the earth. (BBE). ...
/d/drops.htm - 14k

Wool (34 Occurrences)
... Judges 6:37 behold, I will put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor; if there
be dew on the fleece only, and it be dry on all the ground, then shall I know ...
/w/wool.htm - 21k

Mist (17 Occurrences)
... 18:4 For this is what the Lord has said to me: I will be quiet, watching from my
place; like the clear heat when the sun is shining, like a mist of dew in the ...
/m/mist.htm - 12k

What is the significance of Mount Hermon in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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Dew: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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