Ver. 14. The first rain, and the latter rain— There is in these verses a remarkable change in the person, which is very common in Scripture, and frequently very expressive. See Dr. Lowth's Praelec. Poet. prael. 15:—In Judea and the neighbouring countries, they seldom have rain, but at two seasons, about the autumnal and vernal equinoxes, called the former and the latter rain: the one fell out about the time of sowing the seed in November, and served to prepare the ground, and to make the grain take root in the earth; and the other, when the corn was well grown up, towards earing-time, about the middle of April, to make the ears full and plump for harvest. "It is an observation at or near Jerusalem," says Dr. Shaw, "that, provided a moderate quantity of snow falls in the beginning of February, whereby the fountains are made to overflow, a little afterwards there is a prospect of a fruitful and plentiful year; the inhabitants making, upon these occasions, the like rejoicings with the Egyptians upon the cutting of the Nile; but in the summer season these countries are rarely refreshed with rain. See Psalms 4:7. 1 Samuel 12:17." Travels, p. 335. Respecting the fertility of the land of Canaan, we refer to the same place, and to the Univ. Hist. vol. 3: b. 1 Chronicles 7 and Maundrell's journey from Aleppo, page 65. See also 2 Samuel 24.
Related Commentaries of Deuteronomy 11:14
Deuteronomy 11:14
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.