The Jews have a saying, as Arama observes, that one day of snow is better than five of rain. In the third year of Valens and Valentinianus, with the Atrebates (a people in the Netherlands), real wool fell from the clouds, mixed with rain .
Several blessings of grace are signified by this figure; as pardon of sin, the justifying righteousness of Christ, and the efficacy of the word of God, Ps 51:7;he scattereth the hoar frost like ashes; which is the dew congealed by the intense cold of the air in the night season : this for its colour looks like ashes, and for its infinite number of particles may be compared to them; which are spread here and there, and everywhere; over gardens, fields, lands, herbs, plants, and trees, as if they were strewed with ashes.
And to hot ashes it may be compared, because of its burning nature, shrivelling up leaves, herbs, and plants, as if burnt; hence called "pruina" in the Latin tongue . The manna is compared to this for its smallness, Ex 16:14; which was typical of Christ, the hidden manna, and of the ministry of the Gospel; little, mean, and contemptible, in the eyes of carnal men; torturing and tormenting to them, as the fire that came out of the mouths of the witnesses; and is the savour of death unto death to some, while it ii the savour of life unto life to others.
Eustathius in Dionys. Perieget. p. 91. Epigram. l. 4. Ep. 3. Aristoph. Nubes, p. 146. Nat. Hist. l. 17. c. 2. Orosii Hist. l. 7. c. 32. p. 131. lsidor. Origin. l. 13. c. 10. "Frigora nec tantum cana concreta pruina", Virgil.
Georgic. l. 2. v.