Difference between revisions of "Dew"

<p> (טִל, ''Tal'' , gentle [[Moisture]] ; Gr. δρόσος ) is mentioned as falling in the East (Maundrell, p. 77; Robinson, 3, 479), e.g. in [[Babylon]] (&nbsp;Daniel 4:12; &nbsp;Daniel 4:22), likewise in Palestine during the summer nights (&nbsp;Baruch 2:25), so heavy as to wet like a mode ate rain (&nbsp;Song of Solomon 5:2; &nbsp;Judges 6:38), the absence of which it somewhat supplies (&nbsp;Sirach 18:16; &nbsp;Sirach 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 (&nbsp;Genesis 27:28; &nbsp;Deuteronomy 33:13; &nbsp;Zechariah 8:12), and its withdrawal is attributed to a curse (&nbsp;2 Samuel 1:21; &nbsp;1 Kings 17:1; &nbsp;Haggai 1:10). (See [[Irrigation]]). </p> <p> 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 &nbsp;Genesis 27:28). (See [[Fleece]]). </p> <p> 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]]). </p> <p> Dew, as consisting of innumerable drops, is put as the symbol of multitude (&nbsp;2 Samuel 17:12); thus, in &nbsp;Psalms 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. &nbsp;Micah 5:6). It becomes a leading object in prophetic imagery by reason of its penetrating moisture without the apparent effort of rain (&nbsp;Deuteronomy 32:2; &nbsp;Job 29:19; &nbsp;Psalms 133:3; &nbsp;Proverbs 19:12; &nbsp;Isaiah 26:19; &nbsp;Hosea 14:5; &nbsp;Micah 5:7). It is mentioned as a token of exposure in the night (&nbsp;Song of Solomon 5:2; &nbsp;Daniel 4:15; &nbsp;Daniel 4:23; &nbsp;Daniel 4:25-33; &nbsp;Daniel 5:21). Also the morning dew is the symbol of something evanescent (&nbsp;Hosea 6:4; &nbsp;Hosea 13:3). From its noiseless descent and refreshing influence, dew is sometimes made an emblem of brotherly love and harmony (&nbsp;Psalms 133:3). (See Rain). </p>

<p> '''''dū''''' ( טל , <i> '''''ṭal''''' </i> ; δρόσος , <i> '''''drósos''''' </i> ). </p> 1. Formation of Dew <p> 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. </p> 2. [[Value]] of Dew in Palestine <p> 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 (&nbsp;Judges 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 </p> 3. Importance to Israel <p> 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" (&nbsp;Hosea 14:5 ). Dew and rain are of equal importance and are spoken of together in &nbsp;1 Kings 17:1 . It was especially valued by the children of Israel in the desert, for it supplied the manna for their sustenance (&nbsp;Exodus 16:13; &nbsp;Numbers 11:9 ). </p> 4. Symbol of Blessing <p> Isaac in blessing Jacob asked that the "dew of heaven" (&nbsp;Genesis 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" (&nbsp;Micah 5:7 ), as a means of blessing to the nations. "Blessed of Yahweh for ... dew" (&nbsp;Deuteronomy 33:13 ). </p> 5. Symbol of Refreshment <p> 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" (&nbsp;Deuteronomy 32:2 ). "A cloud of dew" (&nbsp;Isaiah 18:4 ) refreshes the harvesters. "My head is filled with dew" (&nbsp;Song of Solomon 5:2 ). "Like the dew of Hermon" (&nbsp;Psalm 133:3 ). "Thou hast the dew of thy youth" (&nbsp;Psalm 110:3 ). "Thy dew is as the dew of herbs" (&nbsp;Isaiah 26:19 ). Job said of the time of his prosperity, "The dew lieth all night upon my branch" (&nbsp;Job 29:19 ). </p> <p> Other figures use dew as the symbol of stealth, of that which comes up unawares (&nbsp; 2 Samuel 17:12 ), and of inconstancy (&nbsp;Hosea 6:4; &nbsp;Hosea 13:3 ). God's knowledge covers the whole realm of the phenomena of Nature which are mysteries to man (&nbsp;Job 38:28; &nbsp;Proverbs 3:20 ). </p>