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Bible Encyclopedias
Drought
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
or (בִּצֹּרֶת, batstso'reth, restraint of rain, Jeremiah 17:8; "dearth," 14:1; חֹרֶב, cho'reb, dryness, Genesis 31:40; Jeremiah 1, 38; Haggai 1:11; elsewhere "heat," etc.; or חֲרָבוֹן, charabon', the same, Psalms 32:4; צִחְצָחוֹת, tsachtsachoth', dry places, Isaiah 58:11; צַיּה, tsiyah', Job 24:19; Jeremiah 2:6, a dry land, as elsewhere usually rendered; צַמָּאוֹן, tsimmaon', a parched region, Deuteronomy 8:15; "dry ground," Psalms 107:33; "thirsty land," Isaiah 35:7; תִּלְאוּבָה, talubah', thirst, Hosea 13:5). (See DESERT); (See PALESTINE). In Judaea, during the months of April, May, August, and Saptember, before and after the height of summer, and after the early and before the latter rains, the earth is refreshed with dews so copious as in a great measure to supply the place of showers. But, however copious the dews, they nourish only the more robust or hardy plants; and, as the season of heat advances, the grass withers, the flowers fade, every green herb is dried up by the roots and dies, unless watered by the rivulets or by the labor of man. To this appearance of the fields during an Eastern summer the sacred writers often allude (Psalms 32:4; Isaiah 40:6-7). Should at this season a single spark fall upon the grass, a conflagration immediately ensues, especially if there should be any briers or thorns, low shrubs, or contiguous woods (Psalms 83:14; Isaiah 9:18; Isaiah 10:11; Isaiah 10:18; Jeremiah 21:14). From the middle of May to the middle of August, therefore, the land of Judaea is dry. It is the drought of summer (Genesis 31:40; Psalms 32:4). The parched ground is often broken into chasms (Psalms 103:4). The heavens seem like brass, and the earth like iron, and all the land and the creatures upon it suffer (Deuteronomy 28:23); and nothing but the very slight dews of the night preserve the life of any living thing (Haggai 1:11). (See DEW).
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McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Drought'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/d/drought.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
