מָטַר (ma.tar)
ma.tar
rain
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 36 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun matar refers to the essential rainfall that sustains life in the ancient Near East. It appears thirty-six times in the Hebrew Bible, with significant occurrences in Job and Deuteronomy. Unlike a sudden shower or storm, matar describes the steady, necessary precipitation required for agriculture and survival.
Its theological weight is evident in how it functions as a primary symbol of divine blessing and covenant faithfulness. In Deuteronomy 11:14, God promises to provide "your rain" in its season, linking agricultural prosperity directly to obedience. Conversely, the withholding of matar serves as a severe consequence for disobedience, as seen in the curses of Deuteronomy 28:23-24 where the sky becomes bronze and the ground iron.
The sources distinguish matar from other terms for precipitation, such as geshem, which often denotes a heavy shower or storm. This distinction highlights that matar is specifically the gentle, life-giving rain expected by farmers. Translators consistently render it simply as "rain," capturing its role as both a natural phenomenon and a tangible sign of God’s provision in the land.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word matar refers to the steady, life-giving rain essential for survival in the ancient Near East. Unlike sudden storms, this gentle precipitation sustained crops and communities. In Scripture, it stands as a primary symbol of God’s faithful provision. When Deuteronomy promises rain in its season, it links agricultural prosperity directly to divine care and covenant faithfulness.
This imagery offers comfort in our own seasons of need. Just as farmers waited for the early and latter rains, we can trust that God provides what is necessary for our spiritual growth. The withholding of rain served as a serious consequence for disobedience, highlighting how seriously God takes our relationship with Him. Yet, the promise remains that He hears prayer and restores blessing.
Reflecting on matar reminds us that life itself depends on God’s generosity. Whether in times of plenty or drought, His word drops like rain, nourishing those who listen. This steady provision invites us to rest in His sovereignty, knowing that He sustains both the land and our souls with reliable care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 36 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- rain15×
- for the/ rain5×
- and/ rain4×
- [the] rain of4×
- like the/ rain2×
- to/ [the] rain of1×
- the/ rain1×
- like/ rain1×
- from/ rain1×
- and/ rain of1×
- and/ like <the>/ rain1×
- and/ from/ [the] rain1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מָטָר֙3×
- מָטָ֖ר3×
- מָטָ֔ר2×
- מָטָ֑ר2×
- מְטַֽר\־2×
- לַ/מָּטָר֙2×
- לַ/מָּטָ֣ר2×
- וּ/מָטָ֖ר2×
- וּ/מָטָ֑ר2×
- מָטָֽר\׃1×
- מָטָ֥ר1×
- מָטָ֣ר1×
Key Verses
-
Deuteronomy 11:14
that I will give the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, your new wine, and your oil.
This verse establishes rain as a tangible sign of God's blessing tied directly to obedience, promising both early and latter rains for harvest.
-
I Samuel 12:18
So Samuel called to Yahweh, and Yahweh sent thunder and rain that day. Then all the people greatly feared Yahweh and Samuel.
Samuel calls for thunder and rain during wheat harvest to prove God’s power and the people’s guilt in rejecting His kingship.
-
Job 38:28
Does the rain have a father? Or who fathers the drops of dew?
God uses this rhetorical question to highlight His absolute sovereignty over natural phenomena, challenging human understanding of creation's origins.
-
Deuteronomy 28:12
Yahweh will open to you his good treasure in the sky, to give the rain of your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You will lend to many nations, and you will not borrow.
Here rain is described as part of God’s good treasure, blessing the work of hands and enabling economic independence among nations.