ma.tar describes causing rain or other matter to fall from above, whether for provision or devastation.

The attested use most often concerns causing rain or precipitation to fall on land, including rain withheld, promised, or sent as hail. It also describes bread, manna, and flesh sent down for food, and destructive material such as fire, brimstone, snares, or burning anger falling upon targets.

1. Causing rain or hail to fall · dominant

   The Hiphil forms occur where rain is absent or sent upon land: in Genesis 2:5 the APB renders that God had not caused it to rain upon the land, while in Genesis 7:4 it renders rain sent on the earth. In Exodus 9:18 and Exodus 9:23, the clause concerns very heavy hail falling upon Egypt; Amos 4:7 contrasts rain on one city with its withholding from another.

   Genesis 2:5Genesis 7:4Exodus 9:18Exodus 9:23Amos 4:7Job 38:26
2. Sending food down in abundance · common

   Hiphil forms introduce food coming down from heaven or upon a people. In Exodus 16:4 the APB renders the clause "I am about to rain bread from heaven for you"; Psalm 78:24 names manna for food, and Psalm 78:27 names flesh and winged birds.

   Exodus 16:4Psalm 78:24Psalm 78:27
3. Bringing destructive things down upon a target · common

   The Hiphil forms can frame a destructive outpouring upon persons or places. In Genesis 19:24 the APB renders brimstone and fire upon Sodom and Gomorrah; Psalm 11:6 renders snares, fire, and brimstone upon the wicked, and Ezekiel 38:22 names torrential rain, hailstones, fire, and brimstone. Job 20:23 applies the same falling action to burning anger sent into him.

   Genesis 19:24Psalm 11:6Ezekiel 38:22Job 20:23

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly uses "rain," "rained," or "rains" for these clauses, including rain, hail, bread, manna, flesh, and destructive materials. Because the APB is a whole-verse translation, its wording confirms the falling action without fixing a separate English rendering in every clause.