SEV Biblia, Chapter 10:1
¶ Pedid al SEÑOR lluvia en la sazón de la lluvia tardía. El SEÑOR hará relámpagos, y os dará lluvia abundante, y hierba en el campo a cada uno.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Zechariah 10:1
Verse 1. Ask ye of the Lord rain] Rain in the due seasons-1. To impregnate the seed when sown; and 2. To fill the ear near the time of harvest-was so essential to the fertility of the land, and the well-being of the people, that it stands well among the chief of God's mercies and the promise of it here shows that God designs to ensure the prosperity promised, by using those means by which it was promoted.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 1. Ask ye of the Lord rain in the time of the latter rain , etc.] There was the former and the latter rain, of which (see Hosea 6:3 Joel 2:23). The former rain was in autumn, a little before or about seed time; the latter was in the spring, and a little before harvest, which is here referred to. So Hesiod calls those rains the autumnal and vernal rains; and between these two rains there was seldom any more. Jerom says f225 that he never saw in the eastern countries, especially in Judea, any rain at the end of the month of June, or in July; and now, at Aleppo, a little more northerly, for three or four months after May, they have scarce so much as any dew upon the ground, as Pemble on the place observes. So Dr. Shaw says f226 , little or no rain falls in this climate (of Algiers and Tunis), during the summer season; and in most parts of the Sahara, particularly in the Jereede, they have seldom any rain at all. It was likewise the same in the holy land, ( Proverbs 26:1) where rain is accounted an unusual thing in “harvest”, ( 2 Samuel 21:10) where it is also mentioned, “from harvest till rain dropped on them”; i.e. their rainy season fell out, as in Barbary, in the autumnal and winter months. “The first rains (he observes) fall here some years in September, in others a month later; after which the Arabs break up their ground, in order to sow wheat, and plant beans: this commonly falls out about the middle of October.” If the latter rains fall as usual in the middle of April, (in the holy land we find they were a month sooner, ( Joel 2:23).) the crop is reckoned secure; the harvest coming on in the latter end of May, or in the beginning of June, according to the heat and quality of the preceding seasons: wherefore, since there was so little rain fell in these countries, and particularly in Judea; if these former and latter rains failed, a scarcity followed; for, for want of the former rain, the earth was hard, and not easily ploughed up; and for want of the latter the grain withered away in the blade, and did not ear, at least did not produce ears plump and good; so that these rains were great temporal blessings, and to be asked for, as they were by the Jews, when they were wanted; and for which they appointed fasts f227 , and were emblems of spiritual blessings here designed; for rain here is not to be literally understood, but mystically and spiritually; and designs either the love and favour of God, and the comfortable discoveries of it; see ( Proverbs 16:15 19:12) which may be compared to rain in its original; it is from above, from on high, it comes from heaven; it is not owing to anything in man, but to the will of God; and is distinguishing, as rain falls on one city, and not on another; in its objects, undeserving persons, as rain is sent on the just and unjust; in its manner of communication, it tarries not for the will and works of men; it comes at times in great abundance, and the discoveries of it are to be asked for; in its effects, it softens and melts the heart into evangelical repentance; it cools and extinguishes the flaming wrath of a fiery law in the conscience; it refreshes and revives the drooping spirit, and makes the barren soul fruitful: or the blessings of grace in general may be meant; these are from above, depend on the will of God; are to be sought after, and asked for; are free grace gifts; are given largely and plentifully, and make fruitful: or the coming of Christ in the flesh in particular is intended; (see Hosea 6:3) who came down from heaven; is a free gift of God to men, was sought after, and greatly desired, and to be desired, by the Old Testament saints, and very grateful to such when he came. This may also be applied to his spiritual coming in his power and kingdom in the latter day, which is to be earnestly wished and prayed for, ( Psalm 72:7,8,16) or else the Gospel may be designed; (see Deuteronomy 32:2) ( Isaiah 55:10,11) this is of God, and from above; comes and falls upon the sons of men, according to divine direction; softens hard hearts, when it becomes effectual; comforts the souls of God’s people; is a blessing to be desired, and asked for; and will be enjoyed in great plenty in the latter day: [so] the Lord shall make bright clouds ; by which may be meant the ministers of the Gospel, who are of God’s making, and not man’s: these may be compared to “clouds” for their number, especially as they will be in the latter day; and for their moving to and fro, to communicate spiritual knowledge: and to “bright” ones, such as from whence lightning springs, thunderclouds, full of water; (the same word is used for lightning, ( Job 38:25);) because full of Gospel truths, and because of that clear light they diffuse to others: and give them showers of rain : productive, under a divine influence, of large conversions among Jews and Gentiles: to everyone grass in the field : on whom these showers fall with efficacy, and a divine blessing; everyone of these have a spiritual knowledge of Christ, faith in him, repentance towards God, food and fulness of it; and are filled with the fruits of righteousness, or good works, to the glory of God; (see Isaiah 55:10). The Targum is, “that he may give to them (the children of men) corn to eat, and grass to the beasts in the field;” taking the words literally.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-5 - Spiritual blessings had been promised under figurative allusions to earthly plenty. Seasonable rain is a great mercy, which we may ask of God when there is most need of it, and we may look for it to come. We must in our prayers ask for mercies in their proper time. The Lor would make bright clouds, and give showers of rain. This may be a exhortation to seek the influences of the Holy Spirit, in faith and by prayer, through which the blessings held forth in the promises ar obtained and enjoyed. The prophet shows the folly of making addresse to idols, as their fathers had done. The Lord visited the remnant of his flock in mercy, and was about to renew their courage and strengt for conflict and victory. Every creature is to us what God makes it to be. Every one raised to support the nation, as a corner-stone does the building, or to unite those that differ, as nails join the differen timbers, must come from the Lord; and those employed to overcome their enemies, must have strength and success from him. This may be applie to Christ; to him we must look to raise up persons to unite, support and defend his people. He never will say, Seek ye me in vain.
Original Hebrew
שׁאלו 7592 מיהוה 3069 מטר 4306 בעת 6256 מלקושׁ 4456 יהוה 3069 עשׂה 6213 חזיזים 2385 ומטר 4306 גשׁם 1653 יתן 5414 להם 1992 לאישׁ 376 עשׂב 6212 בשׂדה׃ 7704
