In the Bible “early rain” signifies the rain of the autumn, (11:14) and “latter rain” the rain of
spring. (Proverbs 16:1,5) For six months in the year, from May to October, no rain falls, the whole
land becomes dry, parched and brown. The autumnal rains are eagerly looked for, to prepare the
earth for the reception of the seed. These, the early rains, commence about the latter end of October
continuing through November and December. January and February are the coldest months, and
snow falls, sometimes to the depth of a foot or more, at Jerusalem, but it does not lie long; it is very
seldom seen along the coast and in the low plains. Rain continues to fall more or less during the
month of March it is very rare in April. Robinson observes that there are not, at the present day,
“any particular periods of rain or succession of showers which might be regarded as distinct rainy
seasons. The whole period from October to March now constitutes only one continued season of
rain, without any regularly-intervening term of prolonged fine weather. Unless therefore, there has
been some change in the climate, the early and the latter rains, for which the husbandman waited
with longing, seem rather to hare implied the first showers of autumn—which revived the parched
and thirsty soil and prepared it for the seed—and the later showers of spring, which continued to
refresh and forward both the ripening crops and the vernal products of the fields.” (James 5:7;
Proverbs 16:15)
Rainbow
the token of the covenant which God made with Noah when he came forth from the ark that
the waters should no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. The right interpretation of (Genesis
9:13) seems to be that God took the rainbow, which had hitherto been but a beautiful object shining
in the heavens when the sun’s rays fell on falling rain, and consecrated it as the sign of his love
and the witness of his promise. Ecclus. 43:11. The rainbow is a symbol of God’s faithfulness and
mercy. In the “rainbow around the throne,” (Revelation 4:3) is seen the symbol of hope and the
bright emblem of mercy and love, all the more true as a symbol because it is reflected from the
storm itself.
Raisins
[Vine]
Rakem
(flower garden), a descendant of Machir the son of Manasseh. (1 Chronicles 7:16) (B.C. before
1451.)
Rakkath
(shore), a fortified city in the tribe of Naphtali. (Joshua 19:35) It was on the western shore of
the Sea of Galilee, not far from the warm baths of Tiberias.
Rakkon
(the temple) (of the head), a well-watered place in the inheritance of Dan, not fur from Joppa.
(Joshua 19:46)
Ram
(high, exalted).
•A son of Hezron and the father of Ammin-adab, born in Egypt after Jacob’s migration there. (Ruth
4:19) (B.C. 1706.) In (Matthew 1:3,4) and Luke 3:33 He is called Aram in the Authorized Version,
but RAM in the Revised Version of (Matthew 1:3,4) and Arni in the Revised Version of (Luke
3:33)
•The first-born of Jerahmeel, and therefore nephew of the preceding. (1 Chronicles 3:25,27) (B.C.
after 1706.)
frankie
(Frankie)
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