Dew

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

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 ( Judges 6:37-40). A leading source of fertility ( Genesis 27:28;  Deuteronomy 33:13;  Job 29:19;  Hosea 14:5;  Isaiah 18:4;  Zechariah 8:12). Its being withheld brought barrenness ( 1 Kings 17:1;  Haggai 1:10). Its speedy drying up symbolizes the formalist's goodness ( Hosea 6:4;  Hosea 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 ( Deuteronomy 32:2); also brotherly love ( Psalms 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 ( John 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 ( Psalms 110:3). Israel shall hereafter be "in the midst of many people as a dew from the Lord" ( Micah 5:7); overwhelming their enemies "as the dew falleth on the ground" ( 2 Samuel 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 ( Isaiah 26:19).

Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary

The dew is a merciful provision the Lord hath ordained for moistening the plants and other productions of the earth in dry seasons, when there is no rain. And it is supposed, that the dew of the night is exactly in proportion to the heat of the day. But what I more particularly desire to notice respecting the dew is, the gracious condescension of the Lord, in resembling his blessings on his people to the figure of the dew. Hence, we read, by his servant the prophet Hosea, how the Lord saith, "I will be as the dew unto Israel." ( Hosea 14:5) And how is that? The Lord answereth in another Scripture. "It tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men." ( Micah 5:7) No predisposing cause in men, no, not even the wants or miseries of men, prompting the infinite mind of God to bestow his blessings. His love is before our misery, and his mercy makes no pause for our merit. Hence, we find numberless Scriptures speaking of the Lord's mercies under this figure. Jesus saith to the church, in a time when visiting her, "My head is filled with dew, and my locks with the drops of the night." ( Song of Song of Solomon 5:2) Hence, the resurrection of his people by grace, as hereafter to glory, is said to be "as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out her dead." ( Isaiah 26:19) meaning that as from the rich dews which fall upon the earth, the dry, withered, and apparently dead plants of the winter shall again bud, and break forth in the spring, so the dead and dying state of Christ's redeemed shall, from the dew of his birth, "revive as the corn, and grow as the vine." Hence, the doctrines of grace are said to be of the same refreshing quality as the dew. "My doctrine" (said Moses,) "shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass." ( Deuteronomy 32:2 and  Deuteronomy 33:13)

See Rain

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

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 (  Judges 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 (  2 Samuel 1:21 ); and in the curse pronounced on Ahab and his kingdom by Elijah (  1 Kings 17:1 ), as also by the prophet Haggai on the Jews after the Restoration (  Haggai 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 (  Proverbs 3:20 ). Dew is a favourite emblem in Scripture: (a) richness and fertility (  Genesis 27:28 ,   Deuteronomy 33:13 ); (b) refreshing and vivifying effects (  Deuteronomy 32:2 ,   Isaiah 18:4 ); (c) stealth (  2 Samuel 17:12 ); (d) inconstancy (  Hosea 6:4;   Hosea 13:3 ); (e) the young warriors of the Messianic king (  Psalms 110:3 ).

Morrish Bible Dictionary

Whatever may be said as to the source and cause of the dew, scripture shows that

1. It descends: it is called the dew 'of heaven;'  Genesis 27:28,39;  Daniel 4:15-33; 'the clouds drop down the dew.'  Proverbs 3:20 .

2. It falls in the night.  Numbers 11:9;  Job 29:19 , and disappears when the sun arises in its strength.  Exodus 16:14;  Hosea 6:4;  Hosea 13:3 .

3. It is a blessing, a refreshment sent by God, and withheld for a punishment, or in discipline.  Psalm 133:3;  Isaiah 26:19;  Haggai 1:10;  1 Kings 17:1 . In the summer the dew is very copious in Palestine, and aids greatly in the cultivation of the land. It is typical of the refreshment and strengthening which God sends down upon His people during the night of the absence of their Lord. It will not be needed when the day breaks, and the Sun of righteousness arises with healing in His wings.  Malachi 4:2 .

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The dews in Palestine and some other oriental countries are very copious, and serve very greatly to sustain and promote vegetation in seasons when little or no rain falls. Maundrell tells us that the tents of his company, when pitched on Tabor and Hermon, "were as wet with dew as if it had rained on them all night,"  Judges 6:38 Song of   Song of Solomon 5:2 . Dew was especially heavy near the mountains, and just before and after the rainy season. It was prized as a precious boon of Providence,  Genesis 27:28   Deuteronomy 33:28   1 Kings 17:1   Job 29:19   Haggai 1:10   Zechariah 8:12 . The dew furnishes the sacred penmen with many beautiful allusions,  Deuteronomy 32:2   2 Samuel 17:12   Psalm 110:3   Proverbs 19:12   Hosea 14:5   Micah 5:7 .

Smith's Bible Dictionary

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,  Genesis 27:28;  Genesis 33:13;  Zechariah 8:12, and its withdrawal is attributed to a curse.  2 Samuel 1:21;  1 Kings 17:1;  Haggai 1:10. It becomes a leading object in prophetic imagery, by reason of its penetrating moisture, without the apparent effort of rain,  Deuteronomy 32:2;  Job 29:19;  Psalms 133:3;  Hosea 14:5, while its speedy evanescence typifies the transient goodness of the hypocrite.  Hosea 6:4;  Hosea 13:3.

Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types

 Job 29:19 (b) A symbol of the gracious, refreshing blessing of GOD that was upon Job's life and efforts at one time.

 Psalm 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.

 Proverbs 19:12 (b) This describes the gracious acts of a kind and thoughtful king.

 Hosea 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.

 Hosea 14:5 (a) Here GOD compares Himself and His ministration of grace to the "dew of the morning."

Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary

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,  Judges 6:38 . Isaac, blessing Jacob, wished him the dew of heaven, which fattens the fields,  Genesis 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,  Isaiah 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.

Holman Bible Dictionary

Dew is used in the Bible as a symbol of refreshment ( Deuteronomy 32:2;  Psalm 133:3 ); a symbol of the loving power of God which revives and invigorates ( Proverbs 19:12 ); a symbol of the sudden onset of an enemy ( 2 Samuel 17:12 ); a symbol of brotherly love and harmony ( Psalm 133:3 ); a symbol of God's revelation ( Judges 6:36-40 ); and a symbol of God's blessing ( Genesis 27:28 ).

Gary Bonner

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Genesis 31:40 Hosea 6:4 13:3 Genesis 27:28 Deuteronomy 33:13 Zechariah 8:12 2 Samuel 1:21 1 Kings 17:1 2 Samuel 17:12 Psalm 110:3 Psalm 133:3 Hosea 14:5

Webster's Dictionary

(1): ( a. & n.) Same as Due, or Duty.

(2): ( n.) Moisture from the atmosphere condensed by cool bodies upon their surfaces, particularly at night.

(3): ( n.) Figuratively, anything which falls lightly and in a refreshing manner.

(4): ( n.) An emblem of morning, or fresh vigor.

(5): ( v. t.) To wet with dew or as with dew; to bedew; to moisten; as with dew.

King James Dictionary

DEW, n. G. To thaw. The water or moisture collected or deposited on or near the surface of the earth, during the night, by the escape of the heat which held the water in solution.

DEW, To wet with dew to moisten.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

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

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

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 ( 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

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" ( Hosea 14:5 ). Dew and rain are of equal importance and are spoken of together in  1 Kings 17:1 . It was especially valued by the children of Israel in the desert, for it supplied the manna for their sustenance ( Exodus 16:13;  Numbers 11:9 ).

4. Symbol of Blessing

Isaac in blessing Jacob asked that the "dew of heaven" ( 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" ( Micah 5:7 ), as a means of blessing to the nations. "Blessed of Yahweh for ... dew" ( Deuteronomy 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" ( Deuteronomy 32:2 ). "A cloud of dew" ( Isaiah 18:4 ) refreshes the harvesters. "My head is filled with dew" ( Song of Solomon 5:2 ). "Like the dew of Hermon" ( Psalm 133:3 ). "Thou hast the dew of thy youth" ( Psalm 110:3 ). "Thy dew is as the dew of herbs" ( Isaiah 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 (  2 Samuel 17:12 ), and of inconstancy ( Hosea 6:4;  Hosea 13:3 ). God's knowledge covers the whole realm of the phenomena of Nature which are mysteries to man ( Job 38:28;  Proverbs 3:20 ).

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

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.