Bible Dictionary
SHOWER
A shower is a fall of rain, whether gentle or stormy. Scripture uses showers figuratively for blessing and, in prophetic warnings, for destructive judgment.
Definition
A shower is a fall of rain, whether gentle or stormy. Biblical terms translated shower can denote gentle rain, a tempest, or rain associated with the flood.
Biblical Usage
Showers are used figuratively for blessing and also for destructive judgment. Scripture speaks of showers of blessing and of an overflowing shower in divine wrath.
Historical Background
Palestine has a long summer of five or six months during which rain is absent. A few showers usually fall in September before the heavy and prolonged winter rains begin.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>shou'-er:</p><p>(1) rebhibhim, a plural form apparently denoting gentle rain, usually used figuratively, as in De 32:2; Ps 72:6; Mic 5:7.</p><p>(2) geshem, used of gentle rain in Job 37:6: "shower of rain," the King James Version "small rain"; used of the flood in Ge 7:12. Figuratively, of blessing, "showers of blessing" (Eze 34:26); of destruction: "There shall be an overflowing shower in mine anger, and great hailstones in wrath to consume it" (Eze 13:13).</p><p>(3) zerem, usually storm or tempest (compare Isa 4:6; 28:2): "They are wet with the showers of the mountain" (Job 24:8).</p><p>(4) ombros (Lu 12:54), Rain is unknown in Palestine in the long summer of 5 or 6 months. A few showers usually fall in September, succeeded by fine weather for some weeks before the beginning of the heavy and long-continued winter rains.</p><p>Alfred Ely Day</p>