Job 29:23

“And they waited for me as for the rain, etc.] The former rain, as appears by the following clause, which fell in autumn, about October, after seedtime, in order to nourish and cherish it, and bring it up; now as the husbandman waited for this, was in daily expectation of it, and greatly desired it, and longed for it; (see <590507>James 5:7); so the people waited for Job, for his coming into their public assemblies, whether civil or religious, and longed to hear him speak, for their counsel and instruction, for their comfort and direction in all things they stood in need of: and they opened their mouth wide [as] for the latter rain; which fell in the spring about March, in the time of…”

“Image of Job 29:22 continued. They waited for my salutary counsel, as the dry soil does for the refreshing rain. opened . . . mouth--panted for; Oriental image (Psa 119:131). The "early rain" is in autumn and onwards, while the seed is being sown. The "latter rain" is in March, and brings forward the harvest, which ripens in May or June. Between the early and latter rains, some rain falls, but not in such quantities as those rains. Between March and October no rain falls (Deu 11:14; Jam 5:7).”

“And they waited for me as for the rain - That is, as the dry and thirsty earth waits for the rain. This is a continuation of the beautiful image commenced in the previous verse, and conveys the idea that his counsel was as necessary in the assemblies of people as the rain was to give growth to the seed, and beauty to the landscape. And they opened their mouth wide - Expressive of earnest desire; compare Psalms 119:131 : “I opened my mouth and panted.” As for the latter rain - The early and the latter rains are frequently spoken of in the Scriptures, and in Palestine and the adjacent regions are both necessary to the harvest. The early, or autumnal rains, commence in the latter half of…”

“as for the rain: Psa 72:6 the latter rain: Hos 6:3; Zac 10:1 Job 29:24”