Job 29:23

וְיִֽחֲל֣וּ כַמָּטָ֣ר לִ֑י וּ֝פִיהֶ֗ם פָּעֲר֥וּ לְמַלְקֽוֹשׁ
And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain.
Select a Hebrew word above to see its details.

וְ יִֽחֲל֣וּ
וְ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
יִֽחֲל֣וּ
Root word hope, waited, wait, hoped, tarry, …
Dictionary form: יָחַל · yaw-HAHL

Verb — Piel, Perfect (Qatal), third person plural intensive — "he really / thoroughly did" completed action — try "he ___ed" or "he has ___ed" the built-in subject is "they"

In the KJV here: and they waited
me hope ×3 do i hope ×2 hope ×2 i have hoped ×2 and he stayed ×1 and he tarried ×1 and they waited ×1 and waited ×1
More options
hope — Most versatile rendering; suits general expectation contexts.
wait — Emphasizes patient endurance while anticipating an outcome.
long for — Highlights emotional yearning; good for heartfelt, poetic passages.
trust — Stresses confidence in a person or God as the object.
expect — More neutral, cognitive tone; suits formal or prose contexts.
look to — Conveys directed, active reliance; natural in modern English idiom.

BDB3515 H3176

BDB3514 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB3516

[יָחַל] verb Niph`al wait; Pi`el await (compare Late Hebrew יִחוּל expectation); —

Niph`al Perfect 3 feminine singular נוֺחֲלָה Ezek 19:5 (yet see below); Imperfect וַיִּיָּ֫חֶל Gen 8:12 + 1Sam 13:18 Kt (see Dr; Qr Hiph`il וַיּוֺחֶל); — wait: Gen 8:12 and he waited yet seven days; so 1Sam 13:18 Kt; of Israel under figure of lioness, וַתֵּרֶא כִּי נוֺחֲלָה אָֽבְדָה תִּקְוָתָהּ Ezek 19:5 when she saw that her hope tarried, was lost (but dubious; Sm compare Aramaic be weak, whence perhaps sink down; Hi (perhaps after ᵐ5) כִּי נִדַּח לָהּ that he was thrust away from her; Co plausibly נוֺאֲלָה that she had acted foolishly). Pi`el Perfect 2 masculine singular suffix יִחַלְתָּ֑נִי Ps 119:49 1 singular יִחָ֑לְתִּי vPs 119:48 + 4 t. Ps 119 3 masculine plural יִחֲלוּ Job 29:23; Ezek 13:6 יִחֵ֑לּוּ Job 29:21 1 plural יִחַלְנוּ Ps 33:22 Imperfect יְיַחֵל Mic 5:6 אֲיַחֵל Job 6:11 + 3 t.; אֲיַחֲלָה Job 30:26 יְיַחֵ֑לוּ Isa 42:4 יְיַחֵלוּן Isa 51:5 Imperative יַחֵל Ps 130:7; Ps 131:3Participle מְיַחֵל Ps 69:4 מְיַחֲלִים Ps 31:25 + 2 t.; —
1. wait, tarry for, followed by לְ Mic 5:6 (of rain, || יְקַוֶּה); so Mic 1:12 according to We, who reads יִחֲלָה (Perfect) for חָלָה; absolute wait Job 14:14.
2. wait for = hope for, followed by לְ Isa 42:4; Job 29:21; Job 29:23; Job 30:25 (|| קִוֵּיתִי), Ps 31:25; Ps 33:18; Ps 33:22; Ps 69:4; Ps 119:43; Ps 119:74; Ps 119:81; Ps 119:114; Ps 119:147; Ps 147:11 followed by ל infinitive לְקַיֵּם דָּבָר ׳ויח Ezek 13:6 followed by אֶל Isa 51:5; Ps 130:7; Ps 131:3 absolute hope, Job 6:11; Job 13:15; Ps 71:14.
3. causative make to hope Ps 119:49 (suffix person). Hiph`il Perfect הוֺתַ֫לְתִּי Job 32:11, etc.; וְהוֺחַ֫לְתִּי (consecutive, see Hi De2 Dr§:§ 106, 119r) Job 32:16 Imperfect וַיּ֫וֺחֶל 1Sam 13:8 Qr; 2 masculine singular תּוֺחֵל 1Sam 10:8 אוֺחִיל 2Kgs 6:33; Lam 3:21; Lam 3:24 אוֺתִּ֫ילָה Jer 4:19 Qr (Kt אָחוּלָה), Mic 7:7 אֹחִילָה 2Sam 18:14 — wait, tarry, absolute (properly shew a waiting attitude): 1Sam 10:8 (followed by עַד בּוֺאִי), 1Sam 13:8 (Qr; compare Niph`al); 2Sam 18:14; Job 32:18; Jer 4:19 (but see חול); wait for, hope for (as Pi`el), followed by לְ 2Kgs 6:33; Mic 7:7; Lam 3:24; Job 32:11; Ps 38:16; Ps 42:6; Ps 42:12; Ps 43:5; Ps 130:5 (|| קִוִּיתִי); absolute hope, Lam 3:21.

hope, waited, wait, hoped, tarry, …
yāḥal
to wait; by implication, to be patient, hope
  • to wait, hope, expect
    • (Niphal) to wait
      • "(Piel)
      • to wait, await, tarry
        • "to wait for, hope for
      (Hiphil) to wait, tarry, wait for, hope for

כַ מָּטָ֣ר
כַ
Prefix — preposition like, as + "the" (the article is absorbed into the prefix)
מָּטָ֣ר
Root word rain, small, great
Dictionary form: מָטַר · maw-TAHR

כַ
Hidden "the" כַ = the preposition + the article הַ squeezed together: the "a" vowel under the prefix is the swallowed "the". Translate "like the ___".

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: for me as for the rain
rain ×12 the rain ×5 and rain ×2 for the rain ×2 with rain ×2 after rain ×1 and as rain ×1 and from rain ×1
More options
rain — Most natural, widely applicable rendering in any context.
rainfall — Prefer when emphasizing quantity or weather event.
downpour — Use for heavy, intense rain; conveys force.
shower — Suits lighter or brief rain; gentler register.
precipitation — Technical/scientific contexts; rarely fits biblical prose.
rainstorm — Best for dramatic or destructive weather narratives.

BDB4609 H4306

BDB4608 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4610

מָטָר noun masculineExod 9:33. rain (Assyrian me‰ru, DlHWB 406; Arabic ; Sabean (Minaean) מטר HomChrestom. 127; Aramaic מַטְרָא, ); — ׳מ Exod 9:33 + 30 t.; construct מְטַר Deut 11:11 + 5 t.; plural construct מִטְרוֺת Job 37:6 — rain, as watering earth, especially Canaan, Deut 11:11 הַשָּׁמַיִם ׳מ; as blessing sent (verb usually נָתַן and withheld by ׳י Deut 11:14 (|| יוֺרֶה, מַלְקוֺשׁ); vDeut 11:17 (here אַרְצְכֶס ׳מְ); Deut 28:12; 1Kgs 8:35; 1Kgs 8:36; 1Kgs 17:1 (|| טַל), 1Kgs 18:12; 1Chr 6:26; 1Chr 6:27; 1Chr 7:13; Job 5:10 (|| מַיִם), compare Job 28:26; Job 36:27; Ps 147:8 (verb מֵכִין); so זַרְעֲךָ ׳מְ Isa 30:23; Zech 10:1 (|| מַלְקוֺשׁ), vZech 10:1 מְטַרגֶּֿשֶׁם; גֶּשֶׁם מָטָר Job 37:6, גֶּשֶׁם מִטְרוֺת עֻזּוֺ vJob 37:6 (|| שֶׁלַג); Job 38:28 (|| אֶגְלֵיטָֿ֑ל) ׳בְּרָקִים לַמּ Ps 135:7; Jer 10:13 = Jer 51:16 (|| הֲמוֺן מַיִם); also in אַרְצְךָ אָבָק וְעָפָר ׳נָתַן אֵת מְ Deut 28:24 compare Isa 5:6 (where accusative of congnate meaning with verb הִמְטִיר); wish of David 2Sam 1:21 (|| טַל); בַּקָּצִיר ׳מ simile of the unseasonable, Prov 26:1 (|| שֶׁלֶג בַּקַּיִץ); sent by extraordary supernatural power as sign Exod 9:33; Exod 9:34 (J; both || בָּרָר, קֹלוֺת) compare 1Sam 12:17; 1Sam 12:18 (|| קֹלוֺת); simile of refreshment Deut 32:2 (|| טַל), Job 29:23 (|| מַלְקוֺשׁ), Ps 72:6 (|| רְבִיבִים), compare 2Sam 23:4 as destructive Ps 28:3 מָטָר סֹחֵף); also figurative, Isa 4:6 (|| זֶרֶם).

rain, small, great
māṭar
rain
  • rain

לִ ֑י
לִ
Preposition to, for
֑י
Suffix — pronoun my / me

Preposition

it ×144 him ×95 them ×83 thee ×59 me ×53 unto him ×35 you ×28 he ×22

וּ ֝פִי הֶ֗ם
וּ
Prefix — connector and (sometimes: but, so, then)
֝פִי
Root word mouth, commandment, edge, according, word, …
הֶ֗ם
Suffix — pronoun their / them
Dictionary form: פֶּה · peh

Noun — Common, masculine singular, construct state "___ of …" — bound to the next word

In the KJV here: their mouth
mouth ×30 the commandment ×26 the mouth ×26 my mouth ×23 his mouth ×21 thy mouth ×18 of his mouth ×17 according to ×14
More options
mouth — Most literal; use for the physical organ or speech.
command — When פֶּה means an authoritative order or directive.
word — Softer than 'command'; suits spoken declarations or sayings.
edge — Used with swords or blades; 'the edge of the sword'.
according to — Idiomatic prepositional sense; matches proportional or conforming contexts.
speech — Highlights oral/verbal communication rather than the organ itself.

BDB6536 H6310 H6366 H6374

BDB6535 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6537

פֶּה485 noun masculineJosh 9:2 mouth (probably biliteral [פו, פי] Sta§ 183; Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew; Phoenician לפי according to; Assyrian pû, mouth; Arabic , , ; Ethiopic ; Syriac according to; but also Arabic , , , Biblical Aramaic פֻּם, ᵑ7 פּוּמָא; Syriac ; Mandean פומא NöM § 87); — absolute ׳פ Exod 4:10 +, construct פִּי Isa 1:20 +; suffix 1 singular פִּי Gen 45:12 +, 2 masculine singular פִּיךָ Gen 41:40 +, 3 masculine singular פִּיו Gen 25:28 +, פִּיהוּ Exod 4:15 +, 3 masculine plural פִּיהֶם Judg 7:6 +, פִּימוֺ Ps 17:10 + 2 t., etc.; plural פִּיּוֺת Prov 5:4, (שְׁנֵי) פֵיוֺת Judg 3:16, פִּיפִיּוֺת Isa 41:15; Ps 149:6 פִּים 1Sam 13:21 (corrupt, see Dr and others); —

1. a. mouth, of man, organ of eating and drinking Gen 25:28; Judg 7:6; 1Sam 14:26; 1Sam 14:27; Neh 9:20; Prov 19:24 = Prov 26:15 +; figurative as finding things sweet Job 20:12; Ps 119:103 figurative of earth Gen 4:11, swallowing Korah, etc. Num 16:30; Num 16:32; Num 26:10; Deut 11:6 figurative also of Sh®°ôl, וּפָֽעֲרָה פִיהָ Isa 5:14, compare Ps 69:16.
  b. external organ, וַיָּשֶׂם פִּיו עַלפִּֿיו 2Kgs 4:34; Prov 30:20 of kissing 1Kgs 19:18; Song 1:2, וַתִּשַּׁק יָדִי לְפִי Job 31:27 compare phrase שִׂים יָד עַלפֶּֿה (of keeping silence) Judg 18:19; Mic 7:16; Job 21:5, compare Job 29:9; Job 40:4; Prov 30:32 of mocking triumph ׳פָּעַר עָלַי בְּפ Job 16:10 עַל ׳הִרְחִיב פ Ps 35:21; Isa 57:4, also רָחַב פִּי עַל 1Sam 2:1.
  c. of ׳י in theoph., sending out fire 2Sam 22:9 = Ps 18:9.
2. a. much oftener, as organ of speech, of man: ׳פ speaks Gen 45:12; 2Sam 1:16; Isa 9:16; Job 9:20; Job 15:5; Job 15:6; Ps 37:30 +; speak בְּמוֺפִֿי Job 19:16 open ׳פ, ׳אֶליֿ Judg 11:35; Judg 11:36, absolute Job 3:1; Job 33:2 +; shut ׳פ (be silent) Isa 52:15, compare ׳חָשַׂךְ פ Job 7:11, and (of iniquity, personified) ׳קָצַף פ Job 5:16; Ps 107:42 guard ׳פ, Prov 13:3 (נָצַר), Prov 21:23 (שָׁמַר), compare ׳שָׁמַר פִּתְחֵי פ Mic 7:5, also Ps 39:2 (see שׁמר); words, etc., are in (ב) mouth 2Sam 17:5; 2Sam 18:25; Deut 30:14; 1Kgs 17:24 ׳שִׂים דְּבָרִים בְּפ 2Sam 14:3; 2Sam 14:19; Exod 4:15, also (God subject) Num 22:38; Num 23:12; Num 23:16 +; of utterance ׳יָצָא מִפּ Judg 11:36; Num 30:3; Num 32:24; +; depart from mouth (cease to be mentioned) ׳מוּשׁ מִפּ Josh 1:8; Isa 59:21, compare ׳נִכְרַת מִפּ Jer 7:28, לֹא יִשָּׁמַע עַלפִּֿיךָ Exod 23:13 ׳אִמְרֵי פ Deut 32:1 words of my mouth, so Job 8:2; Ps 19:15; Ps 54:4 ׳דְּבְרֵי פ Ps 36:4; Eccl 10:12 of agency, ׳כְּפּ by the mouth of 2Chr 36:21; 2Chr 36:22 = ׳מִפּ Ezra 1:1 דִּכֶּר פִּיו עִםפִּֿיו Jer 32:4 speak mouth to mouth = Jer 34:3 ׳פ = speech, sayings Isa 29:13; Ps 49:14; Eccl 10:3 ׳כְּבַד פ Exod 4:10 heavy of speech (not eloquent); ׳אֶהְיֶה עִםפֿ vExod 4:12 vExod 4:15, i.e. aid thee in speaking; ׳יִהְיֶהלְּֿךָ לְפ vExod 4:16 he shall be mouth for thee; מִפִּיו יִקְרָא אֵלַי Jer 36:18, i.e. dictate; ׳כָּתַב מִפּ see כָּתַב 1 b (3); bad qualities ascribed to it, ׳עִקְּשׁוּת פ Prov 4:24; Prov 6:12 פִּי תַהְפֻּכוֺת Prov 8:13 פֶּה חָלָק Prov 26:28 ׳אַלתַּֿגְדֵּל פ Obad 1:12, compare Mic 6:12; Ezek 35:13.
  b. as laughing Job 8:21; Ps 126:2 panting Ps 119:131.
  c. of God; his mouth speaks Isa 1:20; Isa 40:5; Jer 9:11 +; he speaks ׳בְּפ 1Kgs 8:15; 1Kgs 8:34 word proceeds ׳מִפּ Deut 8:3; Isa 45:23 +; פֶּה אֶלפֶּֿה אֲדַכֵּר כּוֺ Num 12:8 he creates בְּרוּחַ פִּיו Ps 33:6 he executes judgment כְּשֵׁבֶט פִּיו Isa 11:4 especially = command: ׳עָבַר אֶתפִּֿי י 1Sam 15:24; Num 14:41, compare Num 22:18; Prov 8:29 ׳פ (אֶתֿ) מָרָה 1Sam 12:14; 1Sam 12:15; Num 20:24; 1Kgs 13:21 +; compare 6 d. d. of idols, Ps 115:5; Ps 136:16; Ps 136:17.
  e. of musical instrument = sound Amos 6:5 (compare 6 d).
3. of animals: bird Gen 8:11 (carrying), Isa 10:14 (chirping); ass Num 22:28 (speaking); bear, lion 1Sam 17:35 (seizing), Amos 3:12 (id.), hippop. Job 40:23 (drinking), crocodile Job 41:11; Job 41:13 (breathing flame); also of human foes, under figure of ravenous beasts Ps 22:22; Ezek 21:27; Ezek 34:10 פָּצָה עַל ׳פ Ps 22:14; Lam 2:16; Lam 3:46 hence of edge of sword, חֶרֶב פִּיּוֺת Prov 5:4 a sword with edges (in simile), = ׳ח פִּיפִיּוֺת Ps 149:6 compare Judg 3:16 see also 6 c (2), below; בַּעַל פִּיפִיּוֺת Isa 41:15, of מוֺרַג.
4. mouth = opening, orifice; of well Gen 29:2; Gen 29:3 (twice in verse); Gen 29:8; Gen 29:10 cave Josh 10:18; Josh 10:22; Josh 10:27 ravine, abyss Jer 48:28 (si vera lectio, compare Gie); also of Sh®°ôl Ps 141:7 of a sack Gen 42:27; Gen 43:12; Gen 43:21; Gen 44:1; Gen 44:2; Gen 44:8 ephah Zech 5:8 high-priest's robe Exod 28:32 + 5 t., compare probably Ps 133:2 tunic Job 30:18 of a round opening also 1Kgs 7:31 (3 t. in verse) (on text and meaning see Benz Kit); of mouth of Nile Isa 19:7 (others brink); gate of city Prov 8:3 (but read perhaps לִפְנֵי, see Toy).
5. a. extremity, end פֶּה לָפֶה from end to end, of a temple 2Kgs 10:21 city 2Kgs 21:16, מִפֶּה אֶלפֶּֿה of land Ezra 9:11.
  b. = portion, פִּי שְׁנַיִם Deut 21:17; 2Kgs 2:9; Zech 13:8.
6. with prepositions: —
  a. אֶל פִּי, see below d (2).
  b. כְּפִי:
   (a) according to the command of, 1Chr 12:23
   (b) according to the mouth of, i.e. in proportion to (compare Assyrian ki-i pi-i, DlHWB 325), Exod 16:21 they gathered it אִישׁ כְּפִי אָכְלוֺ each in proportion to his eating (Exod 16:16 vExod 16:18 לְפִי), Lev 25:52 כְּפִי שָׁנָיו according to the number of his years (compare vLev 25:16 לְפִי); Num 6:21; Num 7:5 אִישׁ כְּפִי עֲבֹדָתוֺ (so 2Chr 31:2), 2Chr 7:7; 2Chr 7:8; 2Chr 35:8 (all P); Job 33:6 הֵןאֲֿנִי כְפִיךָ לָאֵל I am in the proportion of thee as regards God, i.e. I stand towards God even as thou dost. As conjunction, כְּפִי אֲשֶׁר, Mal 2:9 כְּפי אֲשֶׁר אֵינְכֶם שֹׁמְרִים אֶתדְּֿרָכַי accusative asye do not keep, etc.; and without אשׁר Zech 2:4 כְּפִי אִישׁלֹֿא נָשָׂא ראֹשׁוֺ in such proportion that none did lift up his head (but We Now אֲשֶׁר for אִישׁ, that it, Judah, did not, etc.).
  c. לְפִי, nearly the same with כְּפִי (see לְ 5 i b), but more common (compare Aramaic לְפוּם, ): (1) Gen 47:12 לְפִי הַטָּ֑ף, Exod 12:4 ye shall compute אִישׁ לְפִי אָכְלוֺ each according to his eating (according to the quantity which his family will consume), Exod 16:16; Exod 16:18; Lev 25:16 לְפִי רֹב הַשָּׁנִים, vLev 25:16 vLev 25:51; Lev 27:16 לְפִי זַרְעוֺ, Num 26:54; Josh 18:4; 1Kgs 17:1 except לְפִי דְבָרִי, Hos 10:12 קִצְרוּ לְפִי חֶסֶד (|| לִצְדָקָה), Prov 12:8; Prov 27:2: followed by infinitive Num 9:17 לְפִי הֵעָלוֺת הֶעָנָן = accusative as the cloud was lifted up, Jer 29:10. (2) in the phrase לְפִי חֶרֶב according to the mouth, or measure, of the sword, i.e. as the sword devours, without quarter, Gen 34:26; Exod 17:13; Num 21:24 + often
  d. עַל פִּי: (1) according to (עַל 1 f a) the mouth of, i.e.
   (a) the command of, Gen 41:40; Gen 45:21; Exod 17:1; Exod 38:21; Num 3:16; Num 3:39 + (especially P), 2Kgs 23:35 (β) the evidence or sentence of, Deut 17:6 עַלפִּֿי עֵד אֶחָד, Deut 19:15; Deut 21:5 (on עַלפִּֿי הַנָּ֑בֶל Amos 6:5, see 2 e above). (2) according to the measure of, in accordance with, Gen 43:7 we told him על פי הדברים האלה according to these words (i.e. the questions Joseph asked), Exod 34:27 in accordance with these words, Lev 27:8 עלפֿי אשׁר תַּשִּׂיג יַד הנֹּדֵר according to what the hand of the vower can reach to, vLev 27:18 (compare לְפִי Lev 25:16; Lev 25:51), Deut 17:10; Deut 17:11; 2Sam 13:32 (but see שׂוּמָה), Prov 22:6 חֲנֹךְ לַנַּעַר על פי דרכו. In the same sense אֶל פִּי, Josh 15:13; Josh 17:4; Josh 21:3.

BDB9814 H6310 H6433

BDB9813 | BIBLICAL ARAMAIC | BDB9815

פֻּם noun masculineDan 7:8 mouth (compare Biblical Hebrew פֶּה; on form see K§ 61, 2) M§ 76f.); — ׳פ absolute Dan 7:8; Dan 7:20, construct Dan 4:28 +, suffix פֻּמֵּהּ (on form see Kl.c. NöZur Gram. d. Class. Arabic 15 (1896) (expansion of biliteral √), BaZMG xii (1887), 633 f.) Dan 7:5 — mouth of king Dan 4:28, lions Dan 6:23, beast (in vision) Dan 7:5, horn (ib.) vDan 7:8 vDan 7:20 mouth of pit Dan 6:18.

פַּס see פסם. below

mouth, commandment, edge, according, word, …
pe
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with preposition) according to
  • mouth
    • mouth (of man)
      • "mouth (as organ of speech)"mouth (of animals)"mouth, opening, orifice (of a well, river, etc)"extremity, end

פָּעֲר֥וּ
פָּעֲר֥וּ
Root word opened, gaped
Dictionary form: פָּעַר · paw-AR

Verb — Qal, Perfect (Qatal), third person plural simple action — "he did" completed action — try "he ___ed" or "he has ___ed" the built-in subject is "they"

In the KJV here: and they opened
and opened ×1 and they opened ×1 i opened ×1 they have gaped ×1
More options
open wide — Most natural modern phrasing for a gaping action.
gape — Vivid; suits mouths or chasms yawning open.
yawn open — Evokes a wide, involuntary opening; good for pits or graves.
split open — Emphasizes forceful, dramatic parting; suits chasms or jaws.
stretch open — Highlights the widening motion; works for mouths or wounds.

BDB6720 H6473

BDB6719 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB6721

[פָּעַר] verb open wide (the mouth) (Late Hebrew rarely = Biblical Hebrew, usually open bowels, go to stool; compare Jewish-Aramaic פְּעַר; Arabic and Syriac = Biblical Hebrew, chasm); —

Qal Perfect of voracious greed, figurative 3 feminine singular וּפָֽעֲרָה פִּיהָ Isa 5:14 (of Sheôl), 3 plural פָּֽעֲרוּ עָלַי בְּפִיהֶם (Ges«GKC:119q»§ 119q) Job 16:10 of eager desire (good sense), פִּיהֶם פָּֽעֲרוּ Job 29:23, פִּיפָֿעַרְתִּי Ps 119:131.

opened, gaped
pāʿar
to yawn, i.e., open wide (literally or figuratively)
  • to open wide, gape
    • (Qal) to gape

לְ מַלְקֽוֹשׁ
לְ
Prefix — preposition to, for
מַלְקֽוֹשׁ
Root word rain, latter
Dictionary form: מַלְקוֹשׁ · mahl-KOHSH

Noun — Common, masculine singular, absolute state

In the KJV here: wide as for the latter rain
and the latter rain ×2 of the latter rain ×2 and the latter ×1 as the latter ×1 latter rain ×1 wide as for the latter rain ×1
More options
spring rain — Clearest modern term; rain falling in early spring.
late rain — Concise update of 'latter rain'; broadly understood.
latter rain — Modernized KJV form; still natural in many contexts.
end-of-season rain — Explanatory; useful when audience lacks agricultural context.
harvest rain — Highlights agricultural purpose; good in farming contexts.
final rains — Plural form; suits poetic or climactic passages.

BDB4464 H4456

BDB4463 | BIBLICAL HEBREW | BDB4465

מַלְקוֺשׁ noun masculineJer 3:3 latter-rain, spring-rain (i.e. showers of March-April; important, as strengthening and maturing crops); ׳מ Hos 6:3 + 7 t.; — related to גֶּשֶׁם as particular to general, opposed to יוֺרֶה (former rain, q. v.): Hos 6:3; Jer 5:24 so opposed to מוֺרֶה Joel 2:23 particular under מָטָר Deut 11:14 (opposed to יוֺרֶה), Zech 10:1 (+ מְטַרגֶּֿשֶׁם), Job 29:23 || רְבִבִים Jer 3:3 ׳עָב מ Prov 16:15 spring-rain-cloud (simile of king's favour).

rain, latter
malqôš
the spring rain; figuratively, eloquence
  • latter rain, spring rain
    • the March and April rains which mature the crops of Palestine

This book is chanted to the poetic accent system (used only in Job, Psalms, and Proverbs). Each group below ends at one of its pausing accents — translate a group as one unit.
וְיִֽחֲל֣וּ כַמָּטָ֣ר לִ֑י Atnach — the verse's main pause — take a breath here וּ֝פִיהֶ֗ם Revia Mugrash — a lesser break פָּעֲר֥וּ לְמַלְקֽוֹשׁ Silluq — end of the verse

וְיִֽחֲלוּ כַמָּטָר לִי וּפִיהֶם פָּעֲרוּ לְמַלְקֽוֹשׁ׃
23
And they waited for me as for the rain; and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain.
Cross References

Hosea 6:3

וְנֵדְעָה נִרְדְּפָה לָדַעַת אֶת-יְהוָה כְּשַׁחַר נָכוֹן מֹֽצָאוֹ וְיָבוֹא כַגֶּשֶׁם לָנוּ כְּמַלְקוֹשׁ יוֹרֶה אָֽרֶץ׃
3
Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

Zechariah 10:1

שַׁאֲלוּ מֵיְהוָה מָטָר בְּעֵת מַלְקוֹשׁ יְהוָה עֹשֶׂה חֲזִיזִים וּמְטַר-גֶּשֶׁם יִתֵּן לָהֶם לְאִישׁ עֵשֶׂב בַּשָּׂדֶֽה׃
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.

Psalms 72:6

יֵרֵד כְּמָטָר עַל-גֵּז כִּרְבִיבִים זַרְזִיף אָֽרֶץ׃
6
He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.
Job 29:22
Read Job 29
Job 29:24