7
Be patient therefore, brothers, to the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, and has long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.
Reference
Greek: ἤμην (ḗmēn)
I was
Hebrew: hâvâʼ
to be (in the sense of existence)
Greek: ἀνεξίκακος (anexíkakos)
enduring of ill, i.e. forbearing
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: παρουσία (parousía)
a being near, i.e. advent (often, return; specially, of Christ to punish Jerusalem, or finally the wicked); (by implication) physically, aspect
Hebrew: môwbâʼ
an entrance
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: ῥαββονί (rhabboní)
God
Hebrew: ʼâdôwn
sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine)
Greek: θεάομαι (theáomai)
to look closely at, i.e. (by implication) perceive (literally or figuratively); by extension to visit
Hebrew: ʼălûw
lo!
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: ἀντί (antí)
opposite, i.e. instead or because of (rarely in addition to)
Hebrew: bᵉmôw
in, with, by, etc.
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Hebrew: Chôphesh
something spread loosely, i.e. a carpet
Greek: ὀπώρα (opṓra)
properly, even-tide of the (summer) season (dog-days), i.e. (by implication) ripe fruit
Hebrew: ʼêb
{a green plant}
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: οἰκουμένη (oikouménē)
land, i.e. the (terrene part of the) globe; specially, the Roman empire
Hebrew: ʼăraʻ
the earth; by implication (figuratively) low
Greek: καίγε (kaíge)
and at least (or even, indeed)
Hebrew: kîy
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Hebrew: ʼârôk
long
Greek: ἀντί (antí)
opposite, i.e. instead or because of (rarely in addition to)
Hebrew: bᵉmôw
in, with, by, etc.
Hebrew: hêm
they (only used when emphatic)
Greek: ὅδε (hóde)
the same, i.e. this or that one (plural these or those); often used as a personal pronoun
Hebrew: hûwʼ
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demonstrative) this or that; occasionally (instead of copula) as or are
Greek: προσλαμβάνω (proslambánō)
to take to oneself, i.e. use (food), lead (aside), admit (to friendship or hospitality)
Hebrew: qᵉbal
to acquire
Greek: ὁ (ho)
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom)
Hebrew: ʼillêyn
these
Greek: πρώϊμος (prṓïmos)
dawning, i.e. (by analogy) autumnal (showering, the first of the rainy season)
Greek: καίγε (kaíge)
and at least (or even, indeed)
Hebrew: kîy
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Hebrew: malqôwsh
the spring rain; figuratively, eloquence
Parallel theme
Deuteronomy 11:14
Galatians 6:9
Colossians 1:11
Hebrews 6:15
Romans 2:7
Galatians 5:5
Matthew 24:44
References Lord
Joel 2:23
Jeremiah 5:24
1 Thessalonians 2:19
Verse Explanation
Believers who are suffering should patiently wait for the Lord's coming, using a farmer who waits for valuable crops and depends upon seasonal rain as an example of patient expectation.
History
1st century AD: Agriculture depended heavily upon seasonal rainfall, making the farmer's waiting a familiar illustration for James' readers.