Dew

VIEW:54 DATA:01-04-2020
DEW.—The process whereby dew is formed is enhanced in Eastern countries like Palestine, where the surface of the ground and the air in contact therewith are highly heated during the daytime, but where at night, and particularly under a cloudless sky, the heat of the ground is radiated into space and the air becomes rapidly cooled down. The excess of moisture in the air then gently ‘falls as dew on the tender herb,’ and sometimes so copiously as to sustain the life of many plants which would otherwise perish during the rainless season; or even, as in the case of Gideon, to saturate a fleece of wool (Jdg_6:38). Deprivation of dew, as well as of rain, becomes a terrible calamity in the East. On this account ‘dew and rain’ are associated in the imprecation called down by David on the mountains of Gilboa (2Sa_1:21); and in the curse pronounced on Ahab and his kingdom by Elijah (1Ki_17:1), as also by the prophet Haggai on the Jews after the Restoration (Hag_1:10) owing to their unwillingness to rebuild the Temple. In the Book of Job the formation of dew is pointed to as one of the mysteries of nature insoluble by man (Job_38:28); but in Pr. it is ascribed to the omniscience and power of the Lord (Pro_3:20). Dew is a favourite emblem in Scripture: (a) richness and fertility (Gen_27:28, Deu_33:13); (b) refreshing and vivifying effects (Deu_32:2, Isa_18:4); (c) stealth (2Sa_17:12); (d) inconstancy (Hos_6:4; Hos_13:3); (e) the young warriors of the Messianic king (Psa_110:3).
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible
Edited by James Hastings, D.D. Published in 1909


In Palestine failing in early summer, again in autumn, and supplying the absence of rain. So copious as to saturate Gideon's fleece, so that a bowl full of water was wrung out, and to wet the ground in one night (Jdg_6:37-40). A leading source of fertility (Gen_27:28; Deu_33:13; Job_29:19; Hos_14:5; Isa_18:4; Zec_8:12). Its being withheld brought barrenness (1Ki_17:1; Hag_1:10). Its speedy drying up symbolizes the formalist's goodness (Hos_6:4; Hos_13:3).
On the other hand its gentle, silent, benignant influence, diffusing itself over the parched ground, represents the blessed effect of God's word and God's grace (Deu_32:2); also brotherly love (Psa_133:3), the "dew of Hermon (i.e. copious and refreshing dew) that descended upon Zion"; or else, believers from various parts are joined by brotherly love on the one spiritual Zion, like the countless dewdrops wafted together, if it were physically possible, from various mountains, as Hermon, to the one natural Zion. The effect on the world of brotherly love among various believers would be like that of dew, all simultaneously saturating the dry soil and making it fruitful (Joh_17:21-23).
The dew springing "from the womb of the morning," not by visible irrigation, is the emblem of youthful, fresh, living, beautiful, infinite rigor, namely, that of Christ and of Christ's people in union with Him (Psa_110:3). Israel shall hereafter be "in the midst of many people as a dew from the Lord" (Mic_5:7); overwhelming their enemies "as the dew falleth on the ground" (2Sa_17:12), and as "life from the dead" to the millennial earth, as "the dew of herbs" causes them to revive after the deadness of winter (Isa_26:19).
Fausset's Bible Dictionary
By Andrew Robert Fausset, co-Author of Jamieson, Fausset and Brown's 1888.


Dew. This, in the summer, is so copious in Palestine that it supplies, to some extent, the absence of rain and becomes important to the agriculturist. Thus, it is coupled, in the divine blessing, with rain, or mentioned as a prime source of fertility, Gen_27:28; Gen_33:13; Zec_8:12, and its withdrawal is attributed to a curse. 2Sa_1:21; 1Ki_17:1; Hag_1:10. It becomes a leading object in prophetic imagery, by reason of its penetrating moisture, without the apparent effort of rain, Deu_32:2; Job_29:19; Psa_133:3; Hos_14:5, while its speedy evanescence typifies the transient goodness of the hypocrite. Hos_6:4; Hos_13:3.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
By Dr. William Smith.Published in 1863


Dews in Palestine are very plentiful, like a small shower of rain every morning. Gideon filled a basin with the dew which fell on a fleece of wool, Jdg_6:38. Isaac, blessing Jacob, wished him the dew of heaven, which fattens the fields, Gen_27:28. In those warm countries where it seldom rains, the night dews supply the want of showers. Isaiah speaks of rain as if it were a dew, Isa_18:4. Some of the most beautiful and illustrative of the images of the Hebrew poets are taken from the dews of their country. The reviving influence of the Gospel, the copiousness of its blessings, and the multitude of its converts, are thus set forth.
Biblical and Theological Dictionary by Richard Watson
PRINTER 1849.


dū (טל, ṭal; δρόσος, drósos).
1. Formation of Dew
Two things are necessary for the formation of dew, moisture and cold. In moist countries there is less dew because the change in temperature between day and night is too small. In the deserts where the change in temperature between day and night is sometimes as much as 40 degrees F., there is seldom dew because of lack of moisture in the atmosphere. Palestine is fortunate in being near the sea, so that there is always a large percentage of water vapor in the air. The skies are clear, and hence, there is rapid radiation beginning immediately after sunset, which cools the land and the air until the moisture is condensed and settles on cool objects. Air at a low temperature is not capable of holding as much water vapor in suspension as warm air. The ice pitcher furnishes an example of the formation of dew. Just as the drops of water form on the cool pitcher, so dew forms on rocks, grass and trees.
2. Value of Dew in Palestine
In Palestine it does not rain from April to October, and were it not for the dew in summer all vegetation would perish. Dew and rain are equally important. If there is no rain the winter grass and harvests fail; if no dew, the late crops dry up and there is no fruit. Failure of either of these gifts of Nature would cause great want and hardship, but the failure of both would cause famine and death. Even on the edge of the great Syrian desert in Anti-Lebanon, beyond Jordan and in Sinai, a considerable vegetation of a certain kind flourishes in the summer, although there is not a drop of rain for six months. The dews are so heavy that the plants and trees are literally soaked with water at night, and they absorb sufficient moisture to more than supply the loss due to evaporation in the day. It is more surprising to one who has not seen it before to find a flourishing vineyard practically in the desert itself. Some of the small animals of the desert, such as the jerboa, seem to have no water supply except the dew. The dew forms most heavily on good conductors of heat, such as metals and stones, because they radiate their heat faster and cool the air around them. The wetting of Gideon's fleece (Jdg_6:38) is an indication of the amount of dew formed, and the same phenomenon might be observed any clear night in summer in Palestine
3. Importance to Israel
Dew was a present necessity to the people of Israel as it is today to the people of the same lands, so Yahweh says, ?I will be as the dew unto Israel? (Hos_14:5). Dew and rain are of equal importance and are spoken of together in 1Ki_17:1. It was especially valued by the children of Israel in the desert, for it supplied the manna for their sustenance (Exo_16:13; Num_11:9).
4. Symbol of Blessing
Isaac in blessing Jacob asked that the ?dew of heaven? (Gen_27:28) may be granted to him; that these things which make for fertility and prosperity may be his portion. ?The remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many peoples as dew from Yahweh? (Mic_5:7), as a means of blessing to the nations. ?Blessed of Yahweh for ... dew? (Deu_33:13).
5. Symbol of Refreshment
Dew is the means of refreshing and reinvigorating all vegetation. Many Scripture references carry out this idea. The song of Moses says, ?My speech shall distill as the dew? (Deu_32:2). ?A cloud of dew? (Isa_18:4) refreshes the harvesters. ?My head is filled with dew? (Son_5:2). ?Like the dew of Hermon? (Psa_133:3). ?Thou hast the dew of thy youth? (Psa_110:3). ?Thy dew is as the dew of herbs? (Isa_26:19). Job said of the time of his prosperity, ?The dew lieth all night upon my branch? (Job_29:19).
Other figures use dew as the symbol of stealth, of that which comes up unawares (2Sa_17:12), and of inconstancy (Hos_6:4; Hos_13:3). God's knowledge covers the whole realm of the phenomena of Nature which are mysteries to man (Job_38:28; Pro_3:20).

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PRINTER 1915.


The various passages of Scripture in which dew is mentioned, as well as the statements of travelers, might, unless carefully considered, convey the impression that in Palestine the dews fall copiously at night during the height of summer, and supply in some degree the lack of rain. But we find that those who mention dews traveled in spring and autumn, while those who traveled in summer make no mention of them. In fact, scarcely any dew does fall during the summer months?from the middle of May to the middle of August; but as it continues to fall for some time after the rains of spring have ceased, and begins to fall before the rains of autumn commence, we may from this gather the sense in which the Scriptural references to dew are to be understood. Without the dews continuing to fall after the rains have ceased, and commencing before the rains return, the season of actual drought, and the parched appearance of the country, would be of much longer duration than they really are. The partial refreshment thus afforded to the ground at the end of a summer without dews or rains, is of great value in Western Asia, and would alone explain all the Oriental references to the effects of dew. This explanation is of further interest as indicating the times of the year to which the Scriptural notices of dew refer; for as it does not, in any perceptible degree, fall in summer, and as few would think of mentioning it in the season of rain, we may take all such notices to refer to the months of April, May, part of August, and September.
The Popular Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature
by John Kitto.


Job_29:19 (b) A symbol of the gracious, refreshing blessing of GOD that was upon Job's life and efforts at one time.

Psa_110:3 (b) This is a beautiful type of the freshness, vivacity and glow of youthful vigor in our Lord JESUS when He was on earth.

Pro_19:12 (b) This describes the gracious acts of a kind and thoughtful king.

Hos_6:4 (b) This is descriptive of the transient character of the prosperity of the nation of Israel. They quickly lost their place of favor and blessing.

Hos_14:5 (a) Here GOD compares Himself and His ministration of grace to the "dew of the morning."
Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types
press 1957.


Dew
(טִל, tal, gentle moisture; Gr. δρόσος) is mentioned as falling in the East (Maundrell, p. 77; Robinson, 3, 479), e.g. in Babylon (Dan_4:12; Dan_4:22), likewise in Palestine during the summer nights (Bar_2:25), so heavy as to wet like a mode ate rain (Son_5:2; Jdg_6:38), the absence of which it somewhat supplies (Sir_18:16; Sir_43:22), greatly cooling the earth heated by day (comp. Curt. 7:5, 5), and refreshing vegetation (Hasselquist, p. 264; Volney, 1:51; Rosenmuller, Mlorgenl. 1:122). Thus it is coupled in the divine blessing with rain, or mentioned as a prime source of fertility (Gen_27:28; Deu_33:13; Zec_8:12), and its withdrawal is attributed to a curse (2Sa_1:21; 1Ki_17:1; Hag_1:10). SEE IRRIGATION.
The value of this blessing cannot be adequately appreciated by the Western reader; but in Palestine, and indeed throughout Western Asia, rain rarely if ever falls from April to September, and the heat of the sun being at the same time very strong, all vegetation would be parched and dried up were it not for the copious dews which fall during the night and completely moisten the ground, keeping in a fertile condition lands which would otherwise be sterile and desolate. But all this moisture evaporates with astonishing rapidity as soon as the sun has risen. It seems that the advantage of these abundant dews is not generally enjoyed except in regions more or less hilly or elevated, or in confined valleys. In extensive open plains and deserts, it does not seem that any copious dews fall in summer. But in such tracts no men can inhabit except the wandering tribes, and towns and villages are only found on the banks of natural or artificial streams; nor, unless in the same situations, is any cultivation attempted where there are no night dews in summer to compensate for the want of rain (Kitto, Pict. Bible, note on Gen_27:28). SEE FLEECE.
The various passages of Scripture in which dew is mentioned, as well as the statements of travelers, might, however, unless carefully considered, convey the impression that in Palestine the dews fall copiously at night during the height of summer, and supply in some degree the lack of rain. But we find that those who mention dews traveled in spring and autumn, while those who traveled in summer make no mention of them. In fact, scarcely any dew does fall during the summer months — from the middle of May to the middle of August; but as it continues to fall for some time after the rains of spring have ceased, and begins to fall before the rains of autumn commence, we may from this gather the sense in which the scriptural references to dew are to be understood. Without the dews continuing to fall after the rains have ceased, and commencing before the rains return, the season of actual drought, and the parched appearance of the country, would be of much longer duration than they really are. See DROUGHT. The partial refreshment thus afforded to the ground at the end of a summer without dews or rains, is of great value in Western Asia, and would alone explain all the Oriental references to the effects of dew. This explanation is of further interest as indicating the times of the year to which the scriptural notices of dew refer; for as it does not, in any perceptible degree, fall in summer, and as few would think of mentioning it in the season of rain, we may take all such notices to refer to the months of April, May, part of August, and September (Kitto, Phys. Hist. of Palest. p. 301). SEE SEASONS.
Dew, as consisting of innumerable drops, is put as the symbol of multitude (2Sa_17:12); thus, in Psa_110:3, from the womb of the morning shall be to thee the dew of thy youths, i.e. the youth of thy people, numerous and fresh as the drops of the morning dew, shall go forth to fight thy battles (comp. Mic_5:6). It becomes a leading object in prophetic imagery by reason of its penetrating moisture without the apparent effort of rain (Deu_32:2; Job_29:19; Psa_133:3; Pro_19:12; Isa_26:19; Hos_14:5; Mic_5:7). It is mentioned as a token of exposure in the night (Son_5:2; Dan_4:15; Dan_4:23; Dan_4:25-33; Dan_5:21). Also the morning dew is the symbol of something evanescent (Hos_6:4; Hos_13:3). From its noiseless descent and refreshing influence, dew is sometimes made an emblem of brotherly love and harmony (Psa_133:3). SEE RAIN.

CYCLOPEDIA OF BIBLICAL, THEOLOGICAL AND ECCLESIASTICAL
press 1895.





Norway

FACEBOOK

Participe de nossa rede facebook.com/osreformadoresdasaude

Novidades, e respostas das perguntas de nossos colaboradores

Comments   2

BUSCADAVERDADE

Visite o nosso canal youtube.com/buscadaverdade e se INSCREVA agora mesmo! Lá temos uma diversidade de temas interessantes sobre: Saúde, Receitas Saudáveis, Benefícios dos Alimentos, Benefícios das Vitaminas e Sais Minerais... Dê uma olhadinha, você vai gostar! E não se esqueça, dê o seu like e se INSCREVA! Clique abaixo e vá direto ao canal!


Saiba Mais

  • Image Nutrição
    Vegetarianismo e a Vitamina B12
  • Image Receita
    Como preparar a Proteína Vegetal Texturizada
  • Image Arqueologia
    Livro de Enoque é um livro profético?
  • Image Profecia
    O que ocorrerá no Armagedom?

Tags