LATTER RAIN*

Annual spring rainfall in Palestine from late March to early April, following the citrus harvest and preceding the wheat and barley harvests. The spring rains normally conclude the rainy season until the resumption of the fall (early) rains in October. In Scripture the occurrence or absence of the spring rains was often associated with God’s favor or displeasure with Israel (Dt 11:13-17; Jb 29:23; Prv 16:15; Jer 3:3; Hos 6:3; Jl 2:23; Zec 10:1; Jas 5:7).