ὑετός (huetos)
huetos
rain
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 6 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun huetos refers simply to rain, a natural phenomenon essential for life. In the New Testament, it appears in only six verses, yet its presence carries significant weight. The word is derived from the verb hyo, meaning "to rain," establishing a direct link between the action and the result.
Its usage highlights both divine provision and divine power. In Acts 14:17 and 28:3, it serves as evidence of God’s kindness to all nations, providing food and joy through seasonal rains. James 5:7 and 5:18 connect huetos with patience and prayer, showing how the early church viewed waiting for rain as a model for spiritual endurance. Revelation 11:6 demonstrates its theological depth by describing John the Baptist-like authority to shut up the sky, recalling Elijah’s miracles.
Translators consistently render huetos as "rain," preserving its straightforward meaning. The word does not carry metaphorical layers beyond its physical reality; instead, it anchors spiritual lessons in observable nature. Whether illustrating God’s general benevolence or specific prophetic power, huetos remains a concrete term for the water that falls from heaven.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Rain is one of the simplest gifts we receive, yet it carries a profound message about God’s care for us. In Acts 14:17, the apostle Paul points to seasonal rains as evidence that God does not leave humanity without witness. He gave these rains to fill our hearts with food and gladness. This reminds us that even in ordinary moments, like watching the weather change, we are experiencing His kindness.
The Bible also uses rain to teach us about patience and prayer. James 5:7 compares waiting for the Lord’s return to a farmer waiting for early and late rains. Just as the farmer cannot force the harvest, we learn to trust God’s timing in our own lives. When we feel stuck or uncertain, this image offers comfort. We are not alone in our wait; we are part of a larger story where God provides what is needed.
Even in Revelation 11:6, rain becomes a sign of spiritual authority and divine power. This shows that nature itself responds to God’s will. Whether it brings life or signals judgment, rain remains a concrete reminder of who holds all things together. We can look at the sky with hope, knowing that the same God who controls the rains also cares for our daily needs.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 6 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- rain5×
- rains1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ὑετὸν4×
- ὑετὸς1×
- ὑετοὺς1×
Key Verses
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Acts 14:17
Yet he didn’t leave himself without witness, in that he did good and gave you rains from the sky and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”
This verse connects rain directly to God's general kindness and provision of food, showing His care for all nations.
-
James 5:7
Be patient therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient over it, until it receives the early and late rain.
Here, the farmer’s wait for rain serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual patience while awaiting the Lord's return.
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Revelation of John 11:6
These have the power to shut up the sky, that it may not rain during the days of their prophecy. They have power over the waters, to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire.
The power to shut up the sky highlights divine authority over nature, echoing prophetic miracles and God's sovereignty.