Zechariah 10:1

¶ Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; [so] the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.

Ask {H7592} ye of the LORD {H3068} rain {H4306} in the time {H6256} of the latter rain {H4456}; so the LORD {H3068} shall make {H6213} bright clouds {H2385}, and give {H5414} them showers {H1653} of rain {H4306}, to every one {H376} grass {H6212} in the field {H7704}.

Ask ADONAI for rain in the spring, ADONAI who makes the rain clouds; and he will give them showers of rain, grass in the field to each one.

Ask the LORD for rain in springtime;the LORD makes the storm clouds,and He will give everyone showers of rainand crops in the field.

Ask ye of Jehovah rain in the time of the latter rain, even of Jehovah that maketh lightnings; and he will give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field.

Commentary

Commentary on Zechariah 10:1 (KJV)

Zechariah 10:1 serves as a powerful call to prayer and a declaration of God's exclusive ability to provide. It highlights the importance of seeking divine provision, especially in critical times, rather than relying on false sources or human efforts.

Context

The book of Zechariah was written during the post-exilic period, after the Jewish people had returned from Babylon to Judah. They were in the process of rebuilding the Temple and re-establishing their community. This was a time of both hope and hardship, marked by spiritual apathy, economic struggles, and the constant threat of surrounding nations. In this context, Zechariah's prophecies encouraged the people to turn to God, reminding them of His faithfulness and future plans for Israel. This verse specifically addresses their agricultural needs, which were vital for their survival and often dependent on timely rainfall.

Key Themes

  • Divine Dependence: The verse directly commands the people to "Ask ye of the LORD rain," emphasizing that God, not idols or human wisdom, is the sole source of blessing and provision. This counters any temptation to rely on pagan rain gods or false prophets.
  • Prayer for Provision: It underscores the necessity of prayer for both physical and spiritual needs. God desires His people to come to Him with their requests, demonstrating their trust and dependence. This aligns with Christ's teaching to "Ask, and it shall be given you."
  • The "Latter Rain": This refers to the essential spring rains in ancient Israel, which were crucial for the ripening of crops before harvest. Spiritually, the "latter rain" is often understood as a metaphor for a fresh outpouring of God's Spirit, bringing spiritual refreshing, revival, and fruitfulness, similar to the promises found in Joel 2:23.
  • God's Faithfulness: The promise that "the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to every one grass in the field" assures that God hears and responds to the sincere prayers of His people, providing abundantly for their needs.

Linguistic Insights

  • The phrase "latter rain" translates the Hebrew word malqosh (מַלְקוֹשׁ), referring to the vital late spring rains (April/May) that brought crops to maturity. Without it, the harvest would fail.
  • "Bright clouds" translates chazīzīm (חֲזִיזִים), which can mean flashes of lightning or thunderclouds, signifying the powerful and visible manifestation of God's presence and power in bringing the rain.

Practical Application

Zechariah 10:1 is a timeless reminder for believers today:

  • Pray for All Needs: Just as the Israelites needed physical rain, we should pray for all our needs—physical, emotional, and spiritual—recognizing that God is the ultimate provider.
  • Seek God First: In times of scarcity or challenge, our first recourse should be to seek the Lord, not to panic or turn to ungodly solutions.
  • Anticipate Spiritual Refreshing: The concept of the "latter rain" encourages us to pray for and expect spiritual revivals and fresh outpourings of the Holy Spirit in our churches and lives, leading to greater fruitfulness and growth.
  • Trust God's Sovereignty: Even when circumstances seem bleak, this verse assures us that God is sovereign over all creation and willing to provide for those who ask Him in faith.
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

  • Matthew 7:7

    Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

  • Matthew 7:8

    For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

  • Isaiah 44:3

    For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:

  • James 5:16

    Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

  • James 5:18

    And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

  • Psalms 65:9

    Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, [which] is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it.

  • Deuteronomy 28:23

    And thy heaven that [is] over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee [shall be] iron.
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