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Deuteronomy 11:14

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 11:14 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “that I will give the rain of your land in its season, the former rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy grain, and thy new wine, and thine oil.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

that I will give the rain of your land in its season, the former rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy grain, and thy new wine, and thine oil.
Deuteronomy 11:14 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 11

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11but the land, whither ye go over to possess it, is a land of hills and valleys, [and] drinketh water of the rain of heaven,
12a land which Jehovah thy God careth for: the eyes of Jehovah thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.
13And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love Jehovah your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul,
14that I will give the rain of your land in its season, the former rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy grain, and thy new wine, and thine oil.
15And I will give grass in thy fields for thy cattle, and thou shalt eat and be full.
16Take heed to yourselves, lest your heart be deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;
17and the anger of Jehovah be kindled against you, and he shut up the heavens, so that there shall be no rain, and the land shall not yield its fruit; and ye perish quickly from off the good land which Jehovah giveth you.
← Deuteronomy 11:13Deuteronomy 11:15 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, etc.] Such a quantity of it as the land required, a sufficiency of it to make it fruitful, and that in proper time: the first rain and the latter rain; the former rain in Marchesvan, the latter rain in Nisan, as the Targum of Jonathan; the first fell about our October, which was at or quickly after seedtime, to water the seed that it might take root, and grow and spring up; and the latter fell about March, a little before harvest, to ripen the corn, and swell and plump the ears of it, and make them yield more and better; (see Gill on “<290223>Joel 2:23”), that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil; which were…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“the first rain and the latter rain--The early rain commenced in autumn, that is, chiefly during the months of September and October, while the latter rain fell in the spring of the year, that is, during the months of March and April. It is true that occasional showers fell all the winter; but, at the autumnal and vernal seasons, they were more frequent, copious, and important; for the early rain was necessary, after a hot and protracted summer, to prepare the soil for receiving the seed; and the latter rain, which shortly preceded the harvest, was of the greatest use in invigorating the languishing powers of vegetation (Jer 5:24; Joe 2:23; Amo 4:7; Jam 5:7).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The first rain and the latter rain - The former is the proper term for the autumn rain, falling about the time of sowing, and which may be named “the former,” as occurring in the early part of the Hebrew civil year, namely, in October and November. The other word is applied to the spring rain, which falls in March and April, because it fits the earth for the ingathering of harvest. Between these two wet periods, and except them, there was little or no rain in Canaan. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The ruin of your land - Which is, proper to your land, not common to Egypt, where, as all authors agree, there is little rain. The first rain fell in seed time, to make the corn spring, the other a little before harvest, to ripen it. Deuteronomy 11:15”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Deu 28:12; Lev 26:4; Job 5:10, Job 5:11, Job 37:11-13; Psa 65:9-13; Jer 14:22; Eze 34:26; Joe 2:22, Joe 2:23; Jam 5:7 Deuteronomy 11:15”
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Related study paths

Read Deuteronomy 11 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification