Deuteronomy 11:14
That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.
Original Language Analysis
וְנָֽתַתִּ֧י
That I will give
H5414
וְנָֽתַתִּ֧י
That I will give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 10
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
בְּעִתּ֖וֹ
in his due season
H6256
בְּעִתּ֖וֹ
in his due season
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
4 of 10
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
יוֹרֶ֣ה
the first rain
H3138
יוֹרֶ֣ה
the first rain
Strong's:
H3138
Word #:
5 of 10
sprinkling; hence, a sprinkling (or autumnal showers)
וּמַלְק֑וֹשׁ
and the latter rain
H4456
וּמַלְק֑וֹשׁ
and the latter rain
Strong's:
H4456
Word #:
6 of 10
the spring rain; figuratively, eloquence
וְאָֽסַפְתָּ֣
that thou mayest gather
H622
וְאָֽסַפְתָּ֣
that thou mayest gather
Strong's:
H622
Word #:
7 of 10
to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)
Cross References
James 5:7Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.Leviticus 26:4Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.Deuteronomy 28:12The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.Ezekiel 34:26And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.Jeremiah 14:22Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O LORD our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things.
Historical Context
Palestinian agriculture absolutely depended on seasonal rains. The agricultural year began with first rains (October-November) enabling fall plowing and grain sowing. Spring rains (March-April) brought final growth before dry summer harvest. Without either, crops failed and famine resulted. Prophets later used drought as metaphor for divine judgment (1 Kings 17; Jeremiah 14; Joel 1). James 5:7 uses this imagery for patient waiting for Christ's return.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing that all provision ultimately comes from God affect stewardship of resources?
- What is the New Testament equivalent of 'covenant blessing for obedience'—how does grace relate to consequences?
- How should Christians understand material prosperity in light of passages like this?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The promise 'I will give you the rain of your land in his due season' establishes the rain-obedience connection. God specifies 'the first rain and the latter rain'—the Hebrew yoreh (יוֹרֶה, autumn rain) softens ground for plowing and planting, while malkosh (מַלְקוֹשׁ, spring rain) swells grain before harvest. Both are essential for successful crops. The result: 'thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil'—the agricultural triad representing complete provision. This isn't prosperity theology but covenant theology: God blesses covenant faithfulness with what His people need.