מָטַר

mâṭar /maw-tar'/ Ask about this word
Roota primitive root
Meaningto rain
KJV usage(cause to) rain (upon).
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word mâṭar, represented by H4305, is a primitive root meaning to rain or to cause to rain (upon). It appears 17 times across 14 unique verses in the Bible. The word is used to describe not only literal precipitation but also the act of God supernaturally sending down objects from heaven, whether for judgment or for provision.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H4305 is used to illustrate God's direct and sovereign action. Before life grew on the earth, the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth Genesis 2:5. It is frequently a tool of divine judgment, as when the LORD rained brimstone H1614 and fire H784 on Sodom and Gomorrah Genesis 19:24, or when He rained hail H1259 upon Egypt Exodus 9:23. Conversely, it signifies God's miraculous provision, such as His promise to rain bread H3899 from heaven for the Israelites Exodus 16:4. This power is also shown as a targeted act, as when God caused it to rain on one city but not another Amos 4:7.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words expand upon the concept of things being sent from above:

  • H4306 mâṭar (rain): This is the noun form directly related to the verb. God commands the clouds H5645 that they rain H4305 no rain H4306 upon a desolate vineyard Isaiah 5:6.
  • H1259 bârâd (hail): This is frequently what God "rains" down in judgment. During the plagues, the LORD rained H4305 hail upon the land of Egypt Exodus 9:23.
  • H3899 lechem (bread): This highlights the use of H4305 for provision. God promised Moses, "Behold, I will rain H4305 bread from heaven for you" Exodus 16:4.
  • H1614 gophrîyth (brimstone): Paired with fire, this is another substance "rained" down as a sign of catastrophic judgment upon the wicked H7563 Psalms 11:6.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H4305 is significant and often demonstrates God's direct intervention.

  • Divine Judgment: H4305 is often a verb of divine retribution. God "rains" not just water but also instruments of destruction like snares H6341, fire H784, brimstone H1614, and hail H1259 upon the wicked (Psalms 11:6, Genesis 19:24, Exodus 9:23).
  • Miraculous Provision: The word also describes God's power to provide supernaturally. He rained down manna H4478 upon the Israelites to eat Psalms 78:24, and also rained flesh H7607 upon them like dust H6083 Psalms 78:27.
  • Sovereign Control: The act of causing to rain demonstrates God's absolute authority over creation and circumstance. He can command clouds not to rain Isaiah 5:6, send rain on a specific piece of land while withholding it from another Amos 4:7, and even cause it to rain on the wilderness where no person is Job 38:26.

Summary

In summary, H4305 is far more than a simple meteorological term. It is a powerful verb that scripture uses to depict God's direct intervention in the world. Whether providing bread H3899 from heaven or unleashing judgment with fire H784 and hail H1259, this term consistently portrays a God who actively and sovereignly controls the forces of nature and the fate of humanity.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 17 occurrences, inflected in 9 grammatical forms.

  • Hiphil Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 3×
  • Hiphil Participle Singular Masculine Absolute 3×
  • Hiphil Imperfect 1st Singular common gender 2×
  • Hiphil Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 2×
  • Hiphil Infinitive Construct 2×
  • Hiphil Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 2×
  • Hiphil Consecutive Perfect 1st Singular common gender 1×
  • Hiphil Imperfect 2nd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Niphal Imperfect 3rd Singular Feminine 1×
Singular
One.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Infinitive
The verb as a noun — "to do".
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Niphal
Simple passive or reflexive of the Qal.
Hiphil
The causative stem — the subject causes the action.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Consecutive Perfect
Perfect with vav — continues a sequence into the future.
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).
Construct
Bound to a following noun — "the X of…".

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 14 verses across 7 books. Most frequent in Genesis (3 verses).

3
Genesis
3
Exodus
2
Job
3
Psalms
1
Isaiah
1
Ezekiel
1
Amos

Verse Explorer

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