A rain-storm, in biblical terms, is a meteorological event characterized by the heavy fall of rain, often accompanied by strong winds and thunder. In the Bible, rain-storms are frequently depicted as manifestations of God's power and sovereignty over nature. They serve as both blessings and instruments of judgment, depending on the context.

Biblical Significance

1. Blessing and Provision: Rain-storms are often seen as a blessing from God, essential for agricultural prosperity and sustenance. In the arid climate of the ancient Near East, rain was crucial for survival. The Bible frequently associates rain with God's provision and faithfulness. In Deuteronomy 11:14 , God promises, "I will provide rain for your land in season, the autumn and spring rains, that you may gather your grain, new wine, and oil."

2. Judgment and Correction: Conversely, rain-storms can also symbolize divine judgment. The most notable example is the Great Flood in Genesis, where God uses a catastrophic rain-storm to cleanse the earth of its wickedness. Genesis 7:12 states, "And the rain fell upon the earth for forty days and forty nights." This event underscores the theme of divine retribution and the seriousness of sin.

3. Symbol of God's Power: Rain-storms are a testament to God's omnipotence. In Job 37:5-6 , it is written, "God thunders wondrously with His voice; He does great things we cannot comprehend. For He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’" This passage highlights God's control over the natural world, demonstrating His ability to command the elements.

4. Prophetic Imagery: Prophets often used rain-storms as metaphors for spiritual truths. 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." Here, rain symbolizes the efficacy and purposefulness of God's word.

5. Covenantal Promises: Rain-storms are also tied to God's covenantal promises. In Leviticus 26:4 , God assures His people, "I will give you rains in their season, and the land shall yield its produce, and the trees of the field shall bear their fruit." This promise is contingent upon Israel's obedience, linking rain to the covenant relationship between God and His people.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near East, rain was a critical factor in determining the success of crops and, by extension, the survival of communities. The dependence on rain for agriculture made it a potent symbol in biblical literature. The Israelites, like their neighbors, understood rain as a direct blessing from God, contrasting with the pagan belief in multiple deities controlling different aspects of nature.

Theological Implications

Rain-storms in the Bible serve as reminders of God's intimate involvement in the world. They illustrate His role as both sustainer and judge, emphasizing the dual nature of His interactions with humanity. The biblical portrayal of rain-storms encourages believers to recognize God's authority over creation and to trust in His provision and justice.3655a. ombros -- a rainstorm
... ombros. 3655b . a rainstorm. Transliteration: ombros Short Definition: shower.
Word Origin a prim. word Definition a rainstorm NASB Word Usage shower (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3655a.htm - 5k

3655. ombros -- a rainstorm
... a rainstorm. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: ombros Phonetic Spelling:
(om'-bros) Short Definition: a violent rain Definition: a violent rain ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3655.htm - 5k

1999. hamullah -- perhaps rainstorm, a rushing or roaring sound
... perhaps rainstorm, a rushing or roaring sound. Transliteration: hamullah or hamullah
Phonetic Spelling: (ham-ool-law') Short Definition: tumult. ...
/hebrew/1999.htm - 6k

2230. zerem -- a flood of rain, rainstorm, downpour
... 2229, 2230. zerem. 2231 . a flood of rain, rainstorm, downpour. Transliteration:
zerem Phonetic Spelling: (zeh'-rem) Short Definition: storm. ...
/hebrew/2230.htm - 6k

The Memphite Empire
... of the Account of the Survey, pp.226- 228, Mr. Holland describes a sudden rainstorm
or "sell" on December 3, 1867, which drowned thirty persons, destroyed ...
/.../chapter iithe memphite empire.htm

Death to Lawful Things is the Way Out into a Life of Surrender.
... their grasp grows more elastic"loosening somewhat in the daytime, but keeping the
power of contracting, able to close in again during a rainstorm, or when ...
/.../trotter/parables of the cross/death to lawful things is.htm

Second Greek Form.
... 2. On one of the days, there being a rainstorm, He went out of the house where His
mother was, and played on the ground where the waters were flowing. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the gospel of thomas/second greek form .htm

On Deck
... day. I read a story the other day of a young student who was overtaken
by a rainstorm, and borrowed an umbrella of a lawyer. He ...
/.../chidley/fifty-two story talks to boys and girls/on deck.htm

The Revised Missionary Motto.
... But they were few, and young, and unknown. And the task was stupendous. The
rain-storm of a Sabbath afternoon drove them to the shelter of a hay-stack. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/the revised missionary motto.htm

The Church and the Kingdom of Christ.
... turns and windings, but constant manifestations of the presence of him who sits
at the helm of the ship and directs it through rain, storm, and sunshine to the ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 65 the church and.htm

Bossuet -- the Funeral Sermon on the Death of the Grande Conde
... But a severe rainstorm serves to add to our difficulties and discouragements, so
that we have at the same time to contend with not only the highest courage and ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/bossuet the funeral sermon.htm

Prayers Answered
... boy. He had come in a pelting rain-storm, and part of the newspaper had
become torn, and disclosed the blue, unsuspected hat box. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the wonders of prayer/prayers answered.htm

Rain-storm (1 Occurrence)
Rain-storm. Rains, Rain-storm. Rainy . Multi-Version Concordance
Rain-storm (1 Occurrence). Job 37:6 For he says to ...
/r/rain-storm.htm - 6k

Rains (16 Occurrences)

/r/rains.htm - 10k

Untempered (5 Occurrences)
... to truth, while, in fact, they are flimsy, unreliable prophecies, resembling the
walls described above, which can be broken down by a push or a heavy rainstorm...
/u/untempered.htm - 9k

Geshem (5 Occurrences)
... ge'-shem (geshem, gashmu; Gesam, "rainstorm"): An Arabian, probably chief of an
Arabian tribe that had either settled in Southern Palestine during the exile ...
/g/geshem.htm - 9k

Wet (25 Occurrences)
... bit of wet earth. (BBE). Job 37:6 For he says to the snow, Make the earth
wet; and to the rain-storm, Come down. (BBE). Job 38:14 ...
/w/wet.htm - 15k

Rainy (3 Occurrences)

/r/rainy.htm - 7k

Downpour (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Downpour (4 Occurrences). Job 37:6 For he says to the
snow, Make the earth wet; and to the rain-storm, Come down. (See NAS NIV). ...
/d/downpour.htm - 7k

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