Rain Before the Flood
Some still think that it did not rain until the time of the Flood in the days of Noah... If Scripture actually stated this, it would be difficult to imagine.
Read Time: 3 minutes
In Genesis 2:4-5, we read that it had not rained on the earth:
It is interesting to note that the final phrase of this verse implies that when there would be rain there would be a “man to till the ground.” At that point, there would be rain.
Rain is introduced in verse 6, and the introduction of man is in verse 7. However, some still think that it did not rain until the time of the Flood in the days of Noah. That date would be some 1,656 years into the future. If Scripture actually stated this, it would be difficult to imagine.
Once Adam was condemned “to till the ground from whence he was taken” (Gen 3:23), that would have been impossible. A person cannot grow crops to feed his family without rain or manufactured irrigation. The words “to till” in verse 5 are from the Hebrew word abad which means to work over, to till, or to dress. It is also interesting to note that once Adam was formed, that it is stated, “The Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” (v. 15). The words “to dress” are from the same Hebrew word abad that was translated “to till.”
However, in the next verse we read a description of how God provided rain. “But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.” (Gen 2:6). One who thinks that God did not allow it to rain until the time of the Flood, would immediately point out, “I do not see the word rain in this verse.” However, this is exactly how rain comes into existence.
A mist or vapor (Hebrew word ed) arises, or goes up and forms the clouds, and the only way it can water the earth is to fall back down onto it. When a subject comes up in Scripture, many times, not all the details are given at that time. Two examples of this:
1) When the children of Israel crossed the Red Sea on dry ground, as recorded in Exodus 14:16-30, there is no mention of thunder, lightning or rain. But in several of the psalms, these elements of storm are certainly included as reasons why the Egyptian chariot wheels became stuck in the mud and were rendered useless. In Psalm 77:14-20, we read,
2) In 1 Kings 21:8-13, we are given the account of Jezebel, using the name and seal of Ahab, had Naboth put to death. In this record, there is no mention of anyone else being put to death regarding the matter of Naboth’s vineyard. However, in 2 Kings 9:26 we find, “Surely I have seen yesterday the blood of Naboth, and the blood of his sons, saith the LORD; and I will requite thee in this plat, saith the LORD. Now therefore take and cast him into the plat of ground, according to the word of the LORD.” The fact that Naboth’s sons were also put to death in order that Ahab might secure his vineyard is not revealed until after this writing.
This is the same case with Genesis 2:6. It is a good description of how rain comes into existence, though this account lacks any details. The details are supplied in Job 36:27, where rain is not only mentioned, but we are told exactly how rain happens.
It is amazing that the word vapor is from the Hebrew word, ed, exactly the same word that is translated mist in Genesis 2:6. Therefore, we are not left to speculate. The LORD God watered the earth by causing it to rain.
Paul Wade,
West Houston Ecclesia, TX