Summer is mentioned 18 times in the Bible, with winter used 14 time(s) — first in Genesis 8:22 and last in Luke 21:30.
Of those, 15 references appear in the Old Testament and 3 in the New Testament, reflecting summer’s association with provision, judgment, and spiritual readiness.
In Scripture, summer often symbolizes times of fruitfulness, preparation, urgency, and seasonal transition — both physically and spiritually.
Old Testament Scriptures & Quotes About (Topic)
Genesis 8:22 (NIV)
22 “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”
Context
| Verse | Genesis 8:22 |
| Theme | God’s covenant, seasonal rhythms, creation order |
| Author | Moses (traditionally) |
| Audience | Noah and his descendants |
| Key Word | “Endures” – a sign of permanence and stability |
| Application | Trust in God’s unchanging nature. Seasons—like trials and blessings—are part of His sovereign rhythm. |
Psalm 32:4 (NIV)
4 For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.
Context
David reflects on the inner torment he experienced when he tried to hide his sin. God’s hand of conviction pressed on him continually, draining him physically and emotionally—like the oppressive heat of summer. This verse sits within a psalm that ultimately celebrates forgiveness, but here David reveals the weight of unconfessed sin and God’s persistent call to repentance.
| Verse | Psalm 32:4 |
| Theme | Conviction, spiritual exhaustion, need for confession |
| Author | David |
| Audience | Individual believers seeking restoration with God |
| Key Word | “Heavy” – God’s hand symbolizing conviction and discipline |
| Application | Don’t delay confession. Unrepented sin burdens the soul. God lovingly convicts to lead us back into restored fellowship. |
Psalm 74:17 (NIV)
17 It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.
Context:
In a psalm of lament, the writer appeals to God’s sovereign power as the Creator. Even in the midst of devastation—the destruction of the temple—the psalmist acknowledges God’s supreme authority over creation, including the seasons. This recognition is used as a foundation for confidence in God’s eventual justice and covenant faithfulness.
| Verse | Psalm 74:17 |
| Theme | God’s sovereignty, divine order, creation |
| Author | Asaph (attributed) |
| Audience | Israel in distress, seeking reassurance |
| Key Word | “Boundaries” – symbolizing God’s control over space, time, and nature |
| Application | Even in chaos, remember God created and controls all seasons—physical and spiritual. Trust His timing and order. |
Proverbs 6:8 (NIV)
8 yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.
Context:
Solomon advises the lazy to study the ant, a creature without leadership or supervision, yet one that diligently works to store food when conditions are favorable. This verse is part of a broader warning about the dangers of laziness and unpreparedness. It champions foresight, discipline, and consistent effort as virtues that safeguard one’s well-being.
| Verse | Proverbs 6:8 |
| Theme | Diligence, preparation, personal responsibility |
| Author | Solomon |
| Audience | The lazy or “sluggard,” and those needing wisdom about work ethic |
| Key Word | “Stores” – implies intentional preparation and foresight |
| Application | Be proactive: use seasons of abundance to prepare for future need. Wisdom works now to prevent future crisis. |
Proverbs 10:5 (NIV)
5 He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son, but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
Context:
Proverbs 10 introduces the classic format of wisdom sayings — many featuring contrasts. This verse contrasts the wise son who works hard during the summer harvest with the lazy son who brings shame by sleeping during crucial times. It builds on themes of diligence, timing, and responsibility, especially as seen in agricultural societies where seasons dictate survival.
| Verse | Proverbs 10:5 |
| Theme | Diligence, responsibility, timing |
| Author | Solomon |
| Audience | Young learners, especially sons; general readers |
| Key Word | Harvest |
| Application | Work diligently while the opportunity is present. Spiritually, seize the moment to do God’s work while you can. Laziness leads to loss. |
Proverbs 26:1 (NIV)
1 Like snow in summer or rain in harvest, honor is not fitting for a fool.
Context:
Solomon contrasts natural order with social wisdom. Just as snow is out of place in summer, so is giving honor to someone who lacks wisdom.
| Verse | Proverbs 26:1 |
| Theme | The misplacement of honor — highlighting the absurdity and danger of honoring a fool. |
| Author | Solomon |
| Audience | General audience, especially youth and leaders seeking wisdom |
| Key Word | Fool, Honor, Summer |
| Application | Exercise discernment in giving influence or honor. Just as out-of-season weather is disruptive, so is entrusting a fool with respect or leadership. Seek Godly wisdom before elevating others or accepting honor. |
Proverbs 30:25 (NIV)
25 Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer;
Context:
Agur is listing small yet remarkably wise creatures as examples of humility, preparation, and diligence. Ants are tiny and not powerful, yet through collective effort and foresight, they survive and thrive by storing food in the summer for future needs.
| Verse | Proverbs 30:25 |
| Theme | Wise preparation despite smallness or weakness. |
| Author | Agur son of Jakeh |
| Audience | General wisdom for all, especially those prone to laziness or short-sightedness. |
| Key Word | “Little strength” – emphasizes humility and dependence on diligence over might |
| Application | Even those with limited strength or status can thrive by planning ahead and using their season of opportunity wisely. |
Isaiah 18:6 (NIV)
6 They will all be left to the mountain birds of prey and to the wild animals; the birds will feed on them all summer, the wild animals all winter.
Context:
This verse concludes a prophecy against Assyria. God, after using the empire to bring judgment on many nations, declares that their destruction is imminent. The dead will be so numerous that they will feed scavengers for an entire year. This prophecy foreshadows the fall of the Assyrian army before Jerusalem (Isaiah 37:36).
| Verse | Isaiah 18:6 |
| Theme | Divine judgment; downfall of the proud; God’s sovereignty over nations |
| Author | Isaiah |
| Audience | Judah and surrounding nations |
| Key Word | “Birds of prey” – symbolizes divine retribution and cleanup |
| Application | God’s justice may seem delayed, but it is precise and complete. Even the greatest earthly powers will fall before His appointed time. |
Jeremiah 8:20 (NIV)
20 “The harvest is past, the summer has ended, and we are not saved.”
Context:
This verse reflects Judah’s despair as they realize time has run out—help hasn’t come, and judgment is upon them. It captures the sorrow of missed opportunities to repent and the emptiness of trusting in false hope.
| Verse | Jeremiah 8:20 |
| Theme | Missed opportunity, divine judgment, spiritual despair |
| Author | Prophet Jeremiah |
| Audience | People of Judah, especially those facing Babylonian siege |
| Key Word | “Summer” – symbolizes divine opportunity, a limited window of grace |
| Application | Don’t presume God’s grace will last forever. Act in the season of mercy before it’s too late—salvation delayed can become salvation denied. |
Jeremiah 40:10 (NIV)
10 I myself will stay at Mizpah to represent you before the Babylonians who come to us, but you are to harvest the wine, summer fruit and olive oil, and put them in your storage jars, and live in the towns you have taken over.”
Context:
After Jerusalem’s fall and the Babylonian exile, Gedaliah was appointed governor over the remnant of Judah. He encouraged the remaining people not to flee but to remain in the land, rebuild, and live peacefully under Babylonian rule. This verse is part of his call for the people to resume daily life—gathering summer fruits and oil—signifying a brief moment of stability and opportunity to rebuild their lives despite the devastation.
| Verse | Jeremiah 40:10 |
| Theme | Restoration, provision, leadership, post-judgment rebuilding |
| Author | Jeremiah (reporting Gedaliah’s instruction) |
| Audience | Jewish survivors of the Babylonian exile |
| Key Word | “Summer fruits” – implies seasonal abundance, renewal, and opportunity for recovery |
| Application | In times of hardship, accept God’s provision. Rebuild responsibly with what remains. Let restoration begin with small faithful steps. |
Jeremiah 40:12 (NIV)
12 they all came back to the land of Judah, to Gedaliah at Mizpah, from all the countries where they had been scattered. And they harvested an abundance of wine and summer fruit.
Context:
After Jerusalem’s destruction and exile, Gedaliah’s appointment as governor offered a window of peace and restoration. Those who had fled or been scattered returned to their homeland. In this brief season of stability, they were able to harvest abundant crops, symbolizing God’s provision even in the aftermath of judgment. It marked a time of hope and reconnection for a fractured people.
| Verse | Jeremiah 40:12 |
| Theme | Restoration, return from exile, fruitfulness, community |
| Author | Jeremiah (narrating historical return of exiles) |
| Audience | The remnant of Israel scattered by Babylon |
| Key Word | “Harvested” – signifies return, provision, and renewed hope |
| Application | God can restore abundance even after seasons of judgment. Stay rooted and ready to receive when He opens a door to restoration. |
Daniel 2:35 (NIV)
35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver and the gold were all broken to pieces and became like chaff on a threshing floor in the summer. The wind swept them away without leaving a trace. But the rock that struck the statue became a huge mountain and filled the whole earth.
Context:
In Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, a statue representing world empires is shattered by a divine stone. The pieces become like summer chaff—blown away and forgotten—symbolizing God’s eternal kingdom replacing all others.
| Verse | Daniel 2:35 |
| Theme | Divine judgment, kingdom of God, collapse of earthly power, sovereignty |
| Author | Daniel |
| Audience | King Nebuchadnezzar, Babylonian court |
| Key Word | “Threshing floor” – evokes imagery of judgment, separation, and complete purging during summer harvest |
| Application | Earthly powers may seem strong, but they’re temporary. God’s kingdom—unshakable and eternal—will ultimately replace all human dominion. |
Amos 3:15 (NIV)
15 I will tear down the winter house along with the summer house; the houses adorned with ivory will be destroyed and the mansions will be demolished,” declares the Lord.
Context:
A prophetic warning against Israel’s indulgence and unjust luxury. God promises to destroy their lavish residences as a sign of judgment.
| Verse | Amos 3:15 |
| Theme | Judgment against materialism and false security |
| Author | Amos |
| Audience | The Northern Kingdom of Israel |
| Key Word | “Winter house … summer house” – symbolizes luxurious excess and false security |
| Application | Trusting in wealth or comfort rather than righteousness invites downfall. God sees how we steward our blessings—justice must accompany prosperity. |
Micah 7:1 (NIV)
7 What misery is mine! I am like one who gathers summer fruit at the gleaning of the vineyard; there is no cluster of grapes to eat, none of the early figs that I crave.
Context:
Micah laments the moral decay of Judah, describing the scarcity of righteous people as akin to searching a vineyard after harvest for leftover fruit.
| Verse | Micah 7:1 |
| Theme | The absence of the righteous in a corrupt society |
| Author | Micah |
| Audience | The people of Judah |
| Key Word | “Summer fruits” – implies spiritual desolation; the search for goodness yields nothing substantial |
| Application | In a time of moral collapse, genuine righteousness is rare. Believers should remain steadfast and seek God even when few others do. |
Zechariah 14:8 (NIV)
8 On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half of it east to the Dead Sea and half of it west to the Mediterranean Sea, in summer and in winter.
Context:
This prophetic verse follows God’s final victory over Jerusalem’s enemies. It symbolizes the gospel and Holy Spirit going out from God’s kingdom to all the world.
| Verse | Zechariah 14:8 |
| Theme | Perpetual, worldwide flow of gospel truth and spiritual life |
| Author | Zechariah |
| Audience | Post-exilic Jews, with a future view toward the global kingdom of God |
| Key Word | “Living waters” – implies spiritual vitality, continual life, and the transformative power of the gospel |
| Application | God’s Word and Spirit are not seasonal or limited—they are always available and destined to reach the ends of the earth with life-giving power. |
New Testament Scriptures & Quotes About Summer
Matthew 24:32 (NIV)
32 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.
Context:
Jesus draws a parallel between the signs of His second coming and the observable change in a fig tree before summer. Just as new leaves on the tree signal the arrival of a new season, the prophetic signs He’s mentioned will indicate His imminent return.
| Verse | Matthew 24:32 |
| Theme | Signs of the End Times |
| Author | Matthew (apostle) |
| Audience | Jesus disciples, and by extension, all future disciples |
| Key Word | “Summer” – symbolizes prophetic fulfillment and the nearness of divine intervention |
| Application | Stay alert and spiritually prepared. Just as you discern seasons by nature, be watchful for spiritual signs that indicate the Lord’s return. |
Mark 13:28 (NIV)
28 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near.
Context:
Jesus uses the fig tree to illustrate how signs in nature help predict seasonal change. Similarly, the signs He described—tribulation, false messiahs, cosmic disturbances—will signal that His return is near.
| Verse | Mark 13:28 |
| Theme | Awareness of prophetic signs |
| Author | Mark |
| Audience | Early Christian believers facing persecution; tribulation saints in a future context |
| Key Word | “Summer” – symbolizing the arrival of a new, climactic season: the Second Coming of Christ |
| Application | Just as nature signals seasonal shifts, we must stay spiritually vigilant and discerning of the times. God has revealed enough signs for believers to recognize when the end is approaching. |
Luke 21:30 (NIV)
30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near.
Context:
Jesus continues using the fig tree analogy (like in Matthew 24:32 and Mark 13:28) to describe how observable signs will precede His return. Just as budding leaves signal the coming of summer, so too will the signs He mentioned (wars, cosmic events, persecution) signal that redemption is near.
| Verse | Luke 21:30 |
| Theme | Recognizing spiritual signs through observable events |
| Author | Luke, the physician and historian, companion of Paul |
| Audience | Gentile believers and all followers of Jesus—especially future tribulation saints |
| Key Word | “Summer” – a metaphor for the imminent fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan through Christ’s second coming |
| Application | Just as we read seasons by trees, we must remain alert to spiritual shifts. Jesus is calling believers to discern the times, anticipate His return, and remain faithful amidst trials. |
Final Encouragement
Summer, with its warmth, growth, and light, beautifully mirrors the spiritual themes of renewal, readiness, and blessing woven throughout Scripture. Whether it’s the ant preparing in Proverbs, the rich imagery of living waters flowing from Jerusalem, or Jesus urging us to discern the spiritual seasons, the Bible invites us to use this time of year to reflect, prepare, and grow in faith.
Let the verses we’ve explored remind you that God is always working—through every season. Just as summer brings harvest and rest, God brings peace and purpose to those who seek Him. May this season not only bring you physical sunshine but also deeper spiritual clarity and joy.
Take time to slow down, soak in His Word, and let your soul flourish like a tree planted by streams of living water (Psalm 1:3). Summer is a gift—use it to draw nearer to the Giver.
Disclaimer
This list of Bible verses and related insights was compiled personally by someone, and while every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, there may be unintentional mistakes or misinterpretations. If you notice any errors, I sincerely welcome your feedback. Please feel free to email me so I can review and correct them accordingly.
