Zechariah 10:1
Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.
Original Language Analysis
שַׁאֲל֨וּ
Ask
H7592
שַׁאֲל֨וּ
Ask
Strong's:
H7592
Word #:
1 of 15
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
יְהוָ֖ה
so the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
so the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְּעֵ֣ת
in the time
H6256
בְּעֵ֣ת
in the time
Strong's:
H6256
Word #:
4 of 15
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
מַלְק֔וֹשׁ
of the latter rain
H4456
מַלְק֔וֹשׁ
of the latter rain
Strong's:
H4456
Word #:
5 of 15
the spring rain; figuratively, eloquence
יְהוָ֖ה
so the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
so the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
6 of 15
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עֹשֶׂ֣ה
shall make
H6213
עֹשֶׂ֣ה
shall make
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
7 of 15
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
יִתֵּ֣ן
and give
H5414
יִתֵּ֣ן
and give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
11 of 15
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Cross References
Isaiah 44:3For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:Isaiah 30:23Then shall he give the rain of thy seed, that thou shalt sow the ground withal; and bread of the increase of the earth, and it shall be fat and plenteous: in that day shall thy cattle feed in large pastures.Psalms 65:9Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.Deuteronomy 28:23And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron.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.Isaiah 5:6And I will lay it waste: it shall not be pruned, nor digged; but there shall come up briers and thorns: I will also command the clouds that they rain no rain upon it.Psalms 104:13He watereth the hills from his chambers: the earth is satisfied with the fruit of thy works.Proverbs 16:15In the light of the king's countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain.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.Jeremiah 10:13When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.
Historical Context
In agrarian ancient Israel, rainfall meant survival. Without the latter rains, crops failed and famine followed. Zechariah's audience, rebuilding post-exilic Jerusalem, needed assurance that God would bless their agricultural efforts. This verse counters any temptation to return to Canaanite fertility religion.
Questions for Reflection
- What modern equivalents of 'rain' (provision) do you need to actively ask God for rather than assuming as automatic?
- How does praying for daily needs reinforce dependence on God rather than self-sufficiency?
- What's the difference between treating God as cosmic vending machine versus covenant partner in prayer?
Analysis & Commentary
Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain (שַׁאֲלוּ מֵיְהוָה מָטָר בְּעֵת מַלְקוֹשׁ)—malkosh refers to spring rains (March-April) essential for harvest maturation, contrasted with yoreh (autumn/early rain). James 5:7 uses identical agricultural metaphor for patient endurance. Prayer for rain isn't mere pragmatism; it's covenant theology—acknowledging God as sovereign provider (Deuteronomy 11:13-14).
So the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain—chaziz (lightning/bright clouds) accompanies life-giving rain. To every one grass in the field (לְאִישׁ עֵשֶׂב בַּשָּׂדֶה)—individual provision, 'to each person,' emphasizes God's personal care. Unlike Baal fertility cults (which Israel continually apostatized toward), Yahweh alone controls weather and harvest. Prayer is required because covenant relationship, not magical manipulation, governs blessing.