מָטַר (ma.tar)
ma.tar
to rain
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 13 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb matar carries the straightforward meaning of raining or sending down precipitation. In its basic form, it describes the natural phenomenon of water falling from the sky, a vital element for life in the ancient Near East. The lexicon data indicates it appears thirteen times in Scripture, with notable usage in Genesis, Psalms, and Amos.
Its range extends beyond simple meteorology to include divine agency. In the Hiphil stem, the word often implies God actively sending rain or hail, framing weather events as direct acts of provision or judgment. For instance, in Amos, the withholding or sending of rain serves as a specific instrument of covenant accountability, linking agricultural outcomes directly to spiritual faithfulness.
This connection between sky and soil gives the word significant theological weight. It is not merely a description of climate but a symbol of blessing and obedience. When used in Psalms, it often celebrates God’s care for the earth, while in prophetic books like Amos, it becomes a tangible sign of divine attention to human conduct.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word matar simply means to rain, yet in Scripture it carries the weight of divine attention. In Genesis, the absence of rain marks a world waiting for life, while its arrival signals God’s provision. This verb reminds us that even the weather is not random; it is part of how God sustains creation and interacts with His people.
When rain falls, it can be a gift or a warning. In Amos, withheld rain calls people to examine their hearts, while in Psalms, rain celebrates God’s care for the earth. This duality invites us to see our daily needs—food, shelter, peace—as gifts from a Father who watches over both the sparrow and the soil.
Whether you are experiencing a season of plenty or one that feels dry, this word anchors your hope in God’s faithful character. He is the source of every good gift. Trusting Him means resting in His timing, knowing that He provides exactly what we need for our growth and holiness.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 13 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- and/ he rained down3×
- [am] about to rain down2×
- to/ send rain1×
- it was rained on1×
- it sent rain1×
- he will rain down1×
- he had caused rain1×
- he caused to rain1×
- from/ raining1×
- and/ he will send rain1×
- and/ I sent rain1×
- [am] about to bring rain1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וַ/יַּמְטֵ֬ר2×
- תִּמָּטֵ֔ר1×
- תַמְטִ֥יר1×
- מַמְטִיר֙1×
- מַמְטִ֥יר1×
- מַמְטִ֣יר1×
- מֵ/הַמְטִ֥יר1×
- לְ֭/הַמְטִיר1×
- יַמְטֵ֥ר1×
- וַ/יַּמְטֵ֧ר1×
- וְ/יַמְטֵ֥ר1×
- וְ/הִמְטַרְתִּי֙1×
Key Verses
-
Genesis 2:5
No plant of the field was yet in the earth, and no herb of the field had yet sprung up; for Yahweh God had not caused it to rain on the earth. There was not a man to till the ground,
This verse establishes rain as a prerequisite for life, showing God’s intentional design for the earth before humanity could cultivate it.
-
Amos 4:7
“I also have withheld the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest; and I caused it to rain on one city, and caused it not to rain on another city. One field was rained on, and the field where it didn’t rain withered.
Here rain becomes a tool of covenant accountability, where God withholds or directs precipitation to awaken spiritual awareness in Israel.
-
Psalms 78:24
He rained down manna on them to eat, and gave them food from the sky.
The verb describes the miraculous provision of manna, linking the physical act of raining with God’s sustaining grace for His people.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Hebrew word matar mean?
How is matar used differently in Genesis versus Amos?
Does matar only refer to physical rain?
Every Occurrence (13 verses across 6 books)
Genesis 3 verses
No plant of the field was yet in the earth, and no herb of the field had yet sprung up; for Yahweh God had not caused…
Genesis 7:4In seven days, I will cause it to rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights. I will destroy every living thing…
Genesis 19:24Then Yahweh rained on Sodom and on Gomorrah sulfur and fire from Yahweh out of the sky.