Joel 2:23
"Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

Be glad then, ye children of Zion,.... The people of the Jews, and especially the spiritual and believing part of them; such as were born again, that were born of Zion, and born in Zion, and brought up by her, and in her; the children of that Zion or Jerusalem that is the mother of us all; and who were looking for the Messiah, and to whom it would be good news and glad tidings to hear of his coming, Zac 9:9 ; and rejoice in the Lord your God; not in any creature or creature enjoyment, but in the Lord. The Targum is, "in the Word of the Lord your God;'' in Christ the essential Word; see Phi 3:3 ; though rather Jehovah the Father, the giver and sender of Christ, is here meant, because of what follows; and who is to be rejoiced in by his people, not as an absolute God, but as in Christ, and as their covenant God and Father in him; who has chosen them for himself, and is their portion and inheritance; which are reasons sufficient why they should rejoice in him, and others follow: for he hath given

you the former rain moderately; or rather, "for he hath given you the teacher of righteousness" (g); to which agrees the Targum, "for he hath returned to you your teacher in righteousness;'' and so Jarchi paraphrases the words, and interprets them of the prophets in general, "your prophets that teach you to return unto me, that I may justify you;'' and R. Japhet says that signifies a prophet that should teach them in the way of righteousness; not Isaiah, as Grotius; but the King Messiah as Abarbinel interprets it; who is the teacher sent from God, and given by him, as his presence with him, and the miracles done by him, sufficiently prove, Joh 3:2 ; for which he was abundantly qualified, being the omniscient God, and the Son of God that lay in the bosom of his Father; is the Wisdom of God, as Mediator; had the Spirit of wisdom on him, and the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hid in him; and who is able to make his teachings effectual, and to qualify others for such work. This office he performed personally on earth, both in a doctrinal way, and by way of example; and now executes it by his Spirit, and by his ministers: and a "teacher of righteousness" he may be truly said to be; since he not only taught the Gospel, the word of righteousness in general; but in particular directed men to seek in the first place the righteousness of God, which is no other than his own; and pronounced those happy that hungered after it: he declared he came to fulfil all righteousness, even the law for righteousness; and taught men to believe in him for it, and to live righteously and godly. Aben Ezra observes, that the phrase is the same with "the sun of righteousness", Mal 4:2 ; which is said of Christ the author of righteousness, who is our righteousness made so by imputation, the Lord our righteousness: or, as here, "a teacher unto, or for righteousness" (h), all which is matter of joy and gladness; see Isa 61:10 ; and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month; alluding to the two seasons of the year in which rain was given to the Jews; the former rain fell in Marchesvan, which answers to our September and, October, part of each, at their seedtime; and the latter in Nisan, the first month of their ecclesiastical year, and answers to part of March and April, and fell some time before their harvest; and these former and latter rains now fall about the same time. So Dr. Shaw (i) observes, that "the first rains in these countries (Syria, Phoenicia, and the Holy Land) usually fall about the beginning of November; the latter sometimes in the middle, sometimes toward the end, of April:'' and elsewhere he says (k), "in Barbary the first rains fall some years in September, in others a month later; the latter rains usually fall in the middle of April:'' and the same traveller relates (l), that "upon the coast (of Egypt) from Alexandria, all along to Damiata and Tineh, they have their former and latter rains as in Barbary and the Holy Land.'' This rain spiritually designs the doctrine of the Gospel, which is sometimes compared to rain, Deu 32:2 ; because as rain it comes from God, descends from heaven, is a divine gift, both as to the ministry and experience of it; it tarries not for man, neither for his desires nor deserts; falls according to divine direction, sometimes here, and sometimes there; is a great blessing, and brings many with it, revives, refreshes, and makes fruitful. Jerom interprets these two rains of the first receiving of doctrine, and of a more perfect knowledge of it; as also of the two Testaments, the Old and New: but it may be better interpreted of the preaching of the Gospel by John the Baptist, and by Christ; or by Christ, and then by his apostles; or of the first and second ministration of apostles, first to the Jews, then to the Gentiles; or of the coming of Christ in the flesh, for the same word is used here as in the former clause, and of his spiritual coming in the latter day, both which are compared to rain, Hos 6:3 . (g) "doctorem justitiae", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Munster. (h) "Doctorem ad justitiam", Tigurine version, Mercerus, Castalio, Drusius, Cocceius, Burkius. (i) Travels, tom. 2. par. 2. c. 1. p. 335. Ed. 2. (k) Ib. tom. 1. part 3. sect. 2. p. 137. (l) Ib. tom. 2. part 2. c. 2. sect. 3. p. 377.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (16 words)

H1121 בֵּן
Definition:

25+;ֵ˜בּןֿEzekiel 18:10; constructבֵּןGenesis 49:22(twice in verse);בֶּןֿGenesis 5:32+;בֶּןEsther 2:5;Nehemiah 6:18, & with prefixGenesis 17:17;Numbers 8:25;1 Chronicles 27:23; 2Chronicles 25:5; 31:16 25+;ֵ˜בּןֿEzekiel 18:10; constructבֵּןGenesis 49:22(twice in verse);בֶּןֿGenesis 5:32+;בֶּןEsther 2:5;Nehemiah 6:18, & with prefixGenesis 17:17;Numbers 8:25;1 Chronicles 27:23; 2Chronicles 25:5; 31:16

Possible Meanings:
  • son (semantic_range)
  • son (semantic_range)
  • children (semantic_range)
  • youth (semantic_range)
  • young men (semantic_range)
H6726 צִיּוֹן
Definition:

7+;צִיּוֺ֫נָהJeremiah 4:6; — stronghold (of Jebusiteas),׳מְצֻדַת צcaptured by David, and made his residence2 Samuel 5:7=1 Chronicles 11:5(both +הִיא עִיר דָּוִד), on southern part of east hill of Jeru 7+;צִיּוֺ֫נָהJeremiah 4:6; — stronghold (of Jebusiteas),׳מְצֻדַת צcaptured by David, and made his residence2 Samuel 5:7=1 Chronicles 11:5(both +הִיא עִיר דָּוִד), on southern part of east hill of Jeru

Possible Meanings:
  • Ṣiyyôn (semantic_range)
  • Zion (semantic_range)
H1523 גִּיל
Definition:

19;Imperfectיָגִיל,תָּגִילPsalm 21:24t. (Psalm 21:2 Ktיגיל, Qrיָ֫גֶלwith retracted tone);יָגֵל,תָּגֵלPsalm 13:611t.,וַיָּגֶלPsalm 16:9,אָגִילָה,נָגִילָהPsalm 9:155t.,יָגִילוּPsalm 13:55t.,יְגִילוּןPsa 19;Imperfectיָגִיל,תָּגִילPsalm 21:24t. (Psalm 21:2 Ktיגיל, Qrיָ֫גֶלwith retracted tone);יָגֵל,תָּגֵלPsalm 13:611t.,וַיָּגֶלPsalm 16:9,אָגִילָה,נָגִילָהPsalm 9:155t.,יָגִילוּPsalm 13:55t.,יְגִילוּןPsa

Possible Meanings:
  • circle (semantic_range)
  • age (semantic_range)
H8055 שָׂמַח
Definition:

9;וְשָׂמֵ֑חַconsecutiveProverbs 29:6; 3feminine singularשָׂמֵ֑חָהEsther 8:15; 2masculine singularוְשָׂמַחְתָּ֫Deuteronomy 12:18+; 3 masculine pluralשָׂמֵ֑חוּNehemiah 12:43, etc.;ImperfectיִשְׂמַחIsaia 9;וְשָׂמֵ֑חַconsecutiveProverbs 29:6; 3feminine singularשָׂמֵ֑חָהEsther 8:15; 2masculine singularוְשָׂמַחְתָּ֫Deuteronomy 12:18+; 3 masculine pluralשָׂמֵ֑חוּNehemiah 12:43, etc.;ImperfectיִשְׂמַחIsaia

Possible Meanings:
  • glad (semantic_range)
  • joyful (semantic_range)
  • merry (semantic_range)
H3068 יְהוָֹה
Definition:

7;Leviticus 24:11יהוהwas regarded as anomen ineffabile(see Philode Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529), called by the Jewsהַשֵּׁםand by the Samaritansשׁימא. The pronunciationJehovahwas unknown until 1520, when 7;Leviticus 24:11יהוהwas regarded as anomen ineffabile(see Philode Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529), called by the Jewsהַשֵּׁםand by the Samaritansשׁימא. The pronunciationJehovahwas unknown until 1520, when

Possible Meanings:
  • Yahweh (semantic_range)
  • the one bringing into being (semantic_range)
  • life-giver (semantic_range)
H0430 אֱלהִים
Definition:

33; on number of occurrences ofאֵל,אֱלוֺהַּ,אֱלֹהִיםcompare also Nesl. c,)1pluralin number.a.rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power 33; on number of occurrences ofאֵל,אֱלוֺהַּ,אֱלֹהִיםcompare also Nesl. c,)1pluralin number.a.rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power

Possible Meanings:
  • divine ones (semantic_range)
  • angels (semantic_range)
  • gods (semantic_range)
H3588 כִּי
Definition:

Phoenicianכ. Probably from the same demonstrative basis found inhere, and in certain pronouns, as Aramaicדֵּךְthis(WSG 110 f.); perhaps also ultimately akin withthat, in order that, andthen, enclitic, Phoenicianכ. Probably from the same demonstrative basis found inhere, and in certain pronouns, as Aramaicדֵּךְthis(WSG 110 f.); perhaps also ultimately akin withthat, in order that, andthen, enclitic,

Possible Meanings:
  • for (semantic_range)
  • when (semantic_range)
  • when (semantic_range)
H5414 נָתַן
Definition:

19 + often; Old Hebrewנתןיֿהוproper name, masculine Lzb327; Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew; Phoenicianיתן,נתןin proper nameמתנת, etc., Lzb292; Lzb327; AssyriannadânuDlHWB 450(rarelyittanIdib.488); Zinj 19 + often; Old Hebrewנתןיֿהוproper name, masculine Lzb327; Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew; Phoenicianיתן,נתןin proper nameמתנת, etc., Lzb292; Lzb327; AssyriannadânuDlHWB 450(rarelyittanIdib.488); Zinj

Possible Meanings:
  • give (semantic_range)
H0853 אֵת
Definition:

33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34: 33,אֹתָ֑ךְ,אֹתָ֑כָהExodus 29:35, feminineאֹתָךְ;אֹתוֺetc.; 2 pluralאֶתְכֶם, once˜אוֺתְכֶםJoshua 23:15; 3masculine plural regularlyאֹתָם, rarelyאֶתְהֶםGenesis 32:1;Exodus 18:20;Numbers 21:3;Ezekiel 34:

Possible Meanings:
  • sign (semantic_range)
H4175 מוֹרֶה
Definition:

Fromyarah; an archer; also teacher or teaching; also the early rain (seeyowreh) -- (early) rain.see HEBREWyarahsee HEBREWyowrehBrown-Driver-BriggsI.מוֺרֶהnoun masculinePsalm 84:7(early) rain(compareיו Fromyarah; an archer; also teacher or teaching; also the early rain (seeyowreh) -- (early) rain.see HEBREWyarahsee HEBREWyowrehBrown-Driver-BriggsI.מוֺרֶהnoun masculinePsalm 84:7(early) rain(compareיו

Possible Meanings:
  • razor (semantic_range)
H6666 צְדָקָה
Definition:

6+81 t.; constructצִדְקַתDeuteronomy 33:21+5 t.; suffixצִדְקָתִיGenesis 30:33+, etc.; pluralצְדָקוֺתIsaiah 33:15+3t.; constructצִדְקוֺתJudges 5:11+; suffixצִדְקֹתֶיךָDaniel 9:16, etc.; —1righteousness 6+81 t.; constructצִדְקַתDeuteronomy 33:21+5 t.; suffixצִדְקָתִיGenesis 30:33+, etc.; pluralצְדָקוֺתIsaiah 33:15+3t.; constructצִדְקוֺתJudges 5:11+; suffixצִדְקֹתֶיךָDaniel 9:16, etc.; —1righteousness

Possible Meanings:
  • right doing (semantic_range)
H3381 יָרַד
Definition:

18+;יְרַדJudges 5:13(twice in verse) (but readיָרַדorיֵרֵד);רַדJudges 19:11(readיָרַד), etc.;ImperfectיֵרֵדGenesis 42:38+;וַיֵּ֫רֶדGenesis 11:5+;וַיֵּרַ֑ד2 Samuel 22:102t.; 3 feminine singularתֵּ֫רֶד 18+;יְרַדJudges 5:13(twice in verse) (but readיָרַדorיֵרֵד);רַדJudges 19:11(readיָרַד), etc.;ImperfectיֵרֵדGenesis 42:38+;וַיֵּ֫רֶדGenesis 11:5+;וַיֵּרַ֑ד2 Samuel 22:102t.; 3 feminine singularתֵּ֫רֶד

Possible Meanings:
  • come (semantic_range)
  • go down (semantic_range)
  • descend (semantic_range)
  • come (semantic_range)
  • go down (semantic_range)
H1653 גֶּשֶׁם
Definition:

12rain, shower(Late Hebrewid., connected with above √ dubious) — absolute׳גGenesis 7:12+;גָּ֑שֶׁם1 Kings 18:41+; constructגֶּשֶׁםJob 37:6(twice in verse) +; pluralגְּשָׁמִיםEzekiel 10:9,13; constructג 12rain, shower(Late Hebrewid., connected with above √ dubious) — absolute׳גGenesis 7:12+;גָּ֑שֶׁם1 Kings 18:41+; constructגֶּשֶׁםJob 37:6(twice in verse) +; pluralגְּשָׁמִיםEzekiel 10:9,13; constructג

Possible Meanings:
  • body (semantic_range)
H4175 מוֹרֶה
Definition:

Fromyarah; an archer; also teacher or teaching; also the early rain (seeyowreh) -- (early) rain.see HEBREWyarahsee HEBREWyowrehBrown-Driver-BriggsI.מוֺרֶהnoun masculinePsalm 84:7(early) rain(compareיו Fromyarah; an archer; also teacher or teaching; also the early rain (seeyowreh) -- (early) rain.see HEBREWyarahsee HEBREWyowrehBrown-Driver-BriggsI.מוֺרֶהnoun masculinePsalm 84:7(early) rain(compareיו

Possible Meanings:
  • razor (semantic_range)
H4456 מַלְקוֹשׁ
Definition:

3latter-rain, spring-rain(i.e. showers of March-April; important, as strengthening and maturing crops);׳מHosea 6:37t.; — related toגֶּשֶׁםas particular to General, opposed toיוֺרֶה(former rain, q. v.) 3latter-rain, spring-rain(i.e. showers of March-April; important, as strengthening and maturing crops);׳מHosea 6:37t.; — related toגֶּשֶׁםas particular to General, opposed toיוֺרֶה(former rain, q. v.)

H7223 רִאשׁוֹן
Definition:

19+,שֹׁן- -Exodus 12:15+,רִישׁוֺןJob 8:8, constructרִאשׁוֺןJob 15:7Qr (Ktראישוןand so always Manuscript Sam. Pentateuch, see Köii. 1, 225 n); feminineרִאשֹׁנָהJudges 20:37+ (Joshua 21:10 Ktראישנהsee a 19+,שֹׁן- -Exodus 12:15+,רִישׁוֺןJob 8:8, constructרִאשׁוֺןJob 15:7Qr (Ktראישוןand so always Manuscript Sam. Pentateuch, see Köii. 1, 225 n); feminineרִאשֹׁנָהJudges 20:37+ (Joshua 21:10 Ktראישנהsee a

Possible Meanings:
  • former (semantic_range)
  • first (semantic_range)
  • chief (semantic_range)

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