Deuteronomy 11:14

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.

That I will give {H5414} you the rain {H4306} of your land {H776} in his due season {H6256}, the first rain {H3138} and the latter rain {H4456}, that thou mayest gather {H622} in thy corn {H1715}, and thy wine {H8492}, and thine oil {H3323}.

then, [says ADONAI,] 'I will give your land its rain at the right seasons, including the early fall rains and the late spring rains; so that you can gather in your wheat, new wine and olive oil;

then I will provide rain for your land in season, the autumn and spring rains, that you may gather your grain, new wine, and oil.

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.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 11:14 is a pivotal verse within Moses' second discourse to the Israelites, delivered just before they entered the Promised Land. It articulates a crucial promise from God concerning the provision of rain, directly linking divine blessing to the nation's obedience to His commandments.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section (Deuteronomy 11:13-17) that outlines the blessings and curses associated with the Mosaic covenant. It follows the powerful exhortation to love and serve God wholeheartedly, echoing the principles laid out in the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4). Specifically, verse 14 presents the positive outcome of the condition set in Deuteronomy 11:13: "And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments... that I will give you the rain of your land in his due season..." This highlights God's imminent and practical involvement in the daily lives of His people in the agricultural land of Canaan.

Key Themes

  • Divine Provision: The verse emphasizes God's direct and active role in sustaining His people. He is the ultimate source of life-giving rain, crucial for the prosperity of an agrarian society. This underscores His sovereignty over creation and His intimate care for His covenant people.
  • Covenant Blessings: The promise of rain is a tangible blessing tied to Israel's faithfulness. It illustrates the principle that obedience to God brings forth material and spiritual prosperity, a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament.
  • Agricultural Dependence: It highlights the profound dependence of ancient Israel on seasonal rainfall. The "first rain" and "latter rain" were essential for successful harvests of "corn, and thy wine, and thine oil," which were the staple agricultural products.

Linguistic Insights

The terms "first rain" (Hebrew: yoreh or moreh) and "latter rain" (Hebrew: malqosh) are significant. The yoreh (early or autumn rain) typically fell in October-November, softening the ground for plowing and planting winter crops. The malqosh (latter or spring rain) fell in March-April, crucial for the ripening of the grains before the harvest season. The timing of these rains was critical; their absence or delay could lead to widespread famine. God's promise to give them "in his due season" speaks to His perfect timing and provision.

Related Scriptures

The concept of God providing rain as a blessing for obedience is echoed in other parts of the Old Testament. For instance, Leviticus 26:3-5 provides a similar list of agricultural blessings contingent on faithfulness. The prophetic books also refer to these rains, sometimes metaphorically, as signs of spiritual revival or God's restoration, as seen in Joel 2:23. The New Testament also uses the agricultural analogy, with James 5:7 referencing the farmer's patient waiting for the "early and latter rain" as a picture of patience for Christ's return.

Practical Application

While modern societies may not directly depend on seasonal rains for their immediate sustenance, the underlying principle of Deuteronomy 11:14 remains profoundly relevant. God is still the ultimate provider, and spiritual obedience continues to be linked with His blessings. This verse encourages believers to trust in God's faithfulness to meet their needs, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. It reminds us that seeking first God's kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33) positions us to receive His promised provision and care in every aspect of our lives, acknowledging that true prosperity comes from His hand.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • James 5:7

    Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

  • Leviticus 26:4

    Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.

  • Deuteronomy 28:12

    The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.

  • Ezekiel 34:26

    And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.

  • Jeremiah 14:22

    Are there [any] among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? [art] not thou he, O LORD our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these [things].

  • Joel 2:22

    Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.

  • 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].
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