Precipitation, in the context of the Bible, refers to the various forms of water, such as rain, snow, sleet, and hail, that fall from the sky to the earth. This natural phenomenon is frequently mentioned in the Scriptures, symbolizing God's provision, judgment, and the natural order He established.

Rain as a Blessing and Provision

Rain is often depicted as a blessing from God, essential for sustaining life and agriculture. In the arid climate of the ancient Near East, rain was crucial for the growth of crops and the survival of livestock. The Bible frequently associates rain with God's favor and provision. In Deuteronomy 11:14, God promises the Israelites, "I will provide rain for your land in season, the autumn and spring rains, that you may gather your grain, new wine, and oil." This verse highlights the dependence of the people on God's timing and generosity for their sustenance.

Rain as a Sign of Judgment

Conversely, the withholding of rain is often portrayed as a sign of divine judgment. In the Old Testament, droughts are depicted as consequences of the people's disobedience and idolatry. For instance, in 1 Kings 17:1, the prophet Elijah declares, "As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, before whom I stand, there will be neither dew nor rain in these years, except at my word." This drought served as a direct response to the apostasy of King Ahab and the nation of Israel.

Snow and Hail as Symbols of God's Power

Snow and hail are less frequently mentioned but are used to demonstrate God's power and majesty. In Job 37:6, it is written, "For He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the torrential rains, ‘Pour out a mighty downpour.’" This verse illustrates God's command over the elements, emphasizing His sovereignty over creation. Similarly, hail is often associated with God's judgment, as seen in the plagues of Egypt (Exodus 9:18-26), where hail was sent as a punishment upon Pharaoh and his people.

Spiritual Symbolism of Precipitation

Precipitation also carries spiritual symbolism in the Bible. Rain is often used metaphorically to describe the outpouring of God's Spirit and blessings. In Isaiah 55:10-11, the prophet compares God's word to rain and snow, saying, "As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is My word that goes out from My mouth." This passage underscores the life-giving and transformative power of God's word, much like the nourishing effect of rain on the earth.

Conclusion

Precipitation in the Bible serves as a multifaceted symbol of God's provision, judgment, and sovereignty. It reflects the dependence of humanity on divine grace for physical sustenance and spiritual nourishment. Through the imagery of rain, snow, and hail, the Scriptures convey profound truths about God's relationship with His creation and His people.1. (n.) The act of precipitating, or the state of being precipitated, or thrown headlong.

2. (n.) A falling, flowing, or rushing downward with violence and rapidity.

3. (n.) Great hurry; rash, tumultuous haste; impetuosity.

4. (n.) The act or process of precipitating from a solution.

PRECIPITATION

pre-sip-i-ta'-shun.

See PUNISHMENTS, III, (5).

Whether Precipitation is a Sin Included in Imprudence?
... OF IMPRUDENCE (SIX ARTICLES) Whether precipitation is a sin included in
imprudence? Objection 1: It would seem that precipitation ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether precipitation is a sin.htm

Whether Thoughtlessness is a Special Sin Included in Prudence?
... Now precipitation is due to a defect of counsel and therefore to a defect
of thought. Therefore precipitation is contained under ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether thoughtlessness is a special.htm

Whether Imprudence is a Special Sin?
... Thus, by defect of "counsel" to which {euboulia} (deliberating well) corresponds,
"precipitation" or "temerity" is a species of imprudence; by defect of ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether imprudence is a special.htm

Rejoicings of the victors.
... "Eusebius represents the victors at the precipitation of Maxentius and his attendants
into the Tiber, as saying, like Moses at the overthrow of the Egyptians ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/rejoicings of the victors.htm

Dragged on his Way
... began on July 4, 404, and its hardships nearly produced the effect so ardently desired
by the Empress and her priestly abettors"the precipitation of the ...
/.../chapter liii dragged on his.htm

Epistle xiv. To the Presbyters and Deacons Assembled at Rome.
... deacons also was not wanting the vigour of the priesthood; [2242] so that some,
too little mindful of discipline, and hasty, with a rash precipitation, who had ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle xiv to the presbyters.htm

Epistle ix. To the Clergy, Concerning Certain Presbyters who had ...
... Deacons," He Says, "Was Not Wanting the Vigour of the Priesthood, So that Some,
Too Little Mindful of Discipline, and Hasty with a Rash Precipitation, Who Had ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle ix to the clergy.htm

The Impending Judgment
... Place, and yet left one last brief opportunity for hasty flight, the persecutions
by which that catastrophe would be heralded, and the precipitation of the ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 13 8-16 the impending judgment.htm

Of the Worship of the True God, and of Innocency, and of The
... extinguish the force and vigour of the mind; and when they especially think that
they are alive, they are hastening with the greatest precipitation to death. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap i of the worship of.htm

Letter i. To the Bishop of Aquileia.
... of any rank who have been re-admitted from their alliance with the Pelagians and
the C??lestians into catholic communion with such precipitation that they were ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leo/writings of leo the great/letter i to the bishop.htm

Precipitation
... 4. (n.) The act or process of precipitating from a solution. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. PRECIPITATION. pre-sip-i-ta'-shun. See PUNISHMENTS, III, (5). ...
/p/precipitation.htm - 6k

Nazareth (29 Occurrences)
... The `brow of the hill', site of the attempted precipitation, is probably the northern
cliff: the traditional site has been shown since the middle ages at some ...
/n/nazareth.htm - 24k

Arabah (32 Occurrences)
... semi-glacial conditions extended beyond the glacial limits a considerable distance
into the lower latitudes, securing the increased precipitation and the ...
/a/arabah.htm - 33k

Lake (45 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A pigment formed by combining some coloring matter,
usually by precipitation, with a metallic oxide or earth, esp. ...
/l/lake.htm - 24k

Tree (245 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) Wood; timber. 6. (n.) A mass of crystals, aggregated in arborescent
forms, obtained by precipitation of a metal from solution. ...
/t/tree.htm - 75k

Rashly (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In a rash manner; with precipitation.
Multi-Version Concordance Rashly (6 Occurrences). Acts 19:36 ...
/r/rashly.htm - 8k

Precise (1 Occurrence)

/p/precise.htm - 7k

Precipice (3 Occurrences)

/p/precipice.htm - 7k

Siddim (3 Occurrences)
... In consequence of these encroachments, the equilibrium between precipitation and
evaporation could be maintained only by a rise in the water causing it to ...
/s/siddim.htm - 14k

Punishments (31 Occurrences)
... 18:6 parallel); (3) sawing asunder or crushing (2 Samuel 12:31 Hebrews 11:37);
(4) torturing (1 Chronicles 20:3 Hebrews 11:35); (5) precipitation (2 Chronicles ...
/p/punishments.htm - 36k

What does it mean that the Word of God will not return void? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about the ice age? | GotQuestions.org

Precipitation: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus