; but according to the current
explanation, one and the same action would here be expressed, only in
different words. It cannot be denied, indeed, that the form occurs by
no means rarely in a weakened sense, and is used only to express a
connection; and that for this reason, this argument is not, _per se_,
conclusive. Yet the original signification so generally holds, that we
can abandon it only for distinct and forcible reasons. In addition to
this, it must be considered that the addition of [Hebrew: gwM] to the
second [Hebrew: mvrh] distinctly marks out the latter as being
different in its meaning from the former. It must also be kept in mind
that it is one of the peculiarities of Joel to use the same words and
phrases, after brief intervals, in a different sense; compare
_Credner's_ remarks on ii. 20, iii. 5.

3. The explanation by "Teacher" is far more obvious for the reason that
[Hebrew: mvrh] always occurs with the signification of "teacher" (even
in Ps. lxxxiv. 7, where the right translation is: "With blessing also
the teacher covereth himself"), and never with that of "rain," or
"early rain." This is rather the meaning of [Hebrew: ivrh]; and the
verb also never occurs in _Hiphil_, as it does in _Kal_, with the
signification "to sprinkle," "to water." [Pg 328] By this we are led to
the supposition that Joel, in the second hemistich, made use of the
uncommon form [Hebrew: mvrh] with the meaning of "early rain," solely
on account of the resemblance of the sound to the [Hebrew: mvrh]
occurring immediately before, with its usual signification; and that,
at the same time, he added [Hebrew: gwM] for the purpose of avoiding
ambiguity. What serves to confirm this supposition, is the circumstance
that Jeremiah, alluding to the passage under consideration, has, in
chap. v. 24, put [Hebrew: ivrh] in the place of [Hebrew: mvrh]; which
proves that the second [Hebrew: mvrh] in Joel ii. 23 has originated
only from its connection with the first, which is altogether wanting in
Jeremiah.

4. A causal connection, similar to that which exists here betwixt the
sending of the Teacher of righteousness and the pouring out of the
rain, occurs also in that passage of the Pentateuch which the prophet
seems to have had in view, viz., Deut. xi. 13, 14: "And it shall come
to pass, _if ye shall hearken unto my commandments_ which I command you
this day, that ye love the Lord your God, and serve Him with all your
heart and with all your soul,