Lexical Summary thuella: Storm, whirlwind Original Word: θυέλλα Strong's Exhaustive Concordance tempest, storm, whirlwind.From thuo (in the sense of blowing) a storm -- tempest. see GREEK thuo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom thuó (to rage, seethe) Definition a whirlwind NASB Translation whirlwind (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2366: θύελλαθύελλα, θυελλης, ἡ (θύω to boil, foam, rage, as ἄελλα from ἄω, ἄημι), a sudden storm, tempest, whirlwind: Hebrews 12:18. (Deuteronomy 4:11; Deuteronomy 5:22; Homer, Hesiod, Tragg., others) (Cf. Schmidt, chapter 55, 11; Trench, § 73 at the end.) Topical Lexicon Definition and Imagery The single New Testament appearance of this word pictures a violent, swirling storm—a tempest marked by wind, darkness, and thunder. In Scripture, such meteorological upheaval functions as a vivid emblem of the overwhelming holiness and unapproachable majesty of God when He manifests His presence. Occurrences in Scripture Hebrews 12:18 is the sole New Testament reference: “For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that burned with fire, to darkness, gloom, and storm”. Here the tempest forms part of a cascading list of terrifying phenomena at Sinai. Connection to Mount Sinai The writer to the Hebrews recalls Exodus 19:16–19, where thunder, lightning, thick cloud, and an exceedingly loud trumpet blast descended upon the mountain when the covenant was inaugurated. By invoking the tempest, Hebrews underscores the sensory terror that surrounded the giving of the Law, reminding believers of the gulf between a holy God and sinful humanity apart from a mediator. Symbolic and Theological Significance 1. God’s Transcendence: The storm embodies divine otherness. Like Job hearing the voice of the Lord “out of the whirlwind,” the people at Sinai faced a God who cannot be domesticated. Relation to the Wider Biblical Storm Motif Though the precise Greek term appears only once, Scripture’s storm vocabulary converges on the same theme: Together these passages portray storms as instruments by which God both reveals Himself and executes justice. Historical and Cultural Insights First-century audiences knew the raw power of sudden Mediterranean gales. Ancient literature used the tempest to describe chaos that only the gods could quell. Hebrews channels that cultural understanding, showing that the living God of Israel is Lord over every chaotic force. The contrast with Jesus calming the sea (Mark 4:39) reinforces His divine identity: the One who once cloaked Sinai in storm now stands in Galilee commanding the waves. Practical Ministry Applications • Preaching: Use the tempest of Hebrews 12:18 to illustrate the seriousness of sin and the necessity of Christ’s mediation. Conclusion Strong’s Greek 2366, though occurring only once, thunders across the canon. It summons readers to remember the blazing, storm-wrapped holiness of God at Sinai, to cherish the gracious access secured at Zion, and to live in reverent awe before the One who still “shakes the heavens and the earth.” Forms and Transliterations θύελλα θυελλη θυέλλη θυέλλῃ θυϊα thuelle thuellē thyelle thyellē thyéllei thyéllēiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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