This adjective means early, particularly in reference to the early or autumn rains in the agricultural cycle of ancient Israel. In Mediterranean climate patterns, the early rains came in October-November, preparing the soil for planting, while the late rains in March-April brought crops to maturity. James employs this term metaphorically, urging patience by comparing spiritual waiting to a farmer's patience for both the early and late rains. The multilingual glosses reflect this temporal sense: Spanish 'temprana' (early), pointing to the seasonal timing that governs agricultural life and becomes a picture of spiritual patience.