Ezekiel 43:2 references a voice “like the roar of rushing waters.” How could such a phenomenon occur naturally without modern technology or amplification?

Historical and Literary Context

Ezekiel 43:2 reads: “And I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of rushing waters, and the land was radiant with His glory.” The prophet Ezekiel, taken into Babylonian captivity in the sixth century BC, received numerous visions regarding the spiritual condition of Israel and God’s plans for restoration. In this particular vision, the imagery of “rushing waters” conveys both the overwhelming power and penetrating clarity of the divine voice.

Throughout the ancient Near East, water imagery carried significant meaning. Rivers, fountains, and waterfalls were potent illustrations of life, power, and continuous flow. The reference to “rushing waters” thus communicates more than mere volume; it symbolizes grandeur, authority, and awe-inspiring might, all of which characterize the voice of God.

Natural Examples of Powerful Sound Without Modern Amplification

Even in the absence of electronic amplification, there are several natural phenomena known for their overwhelming sound:

1. Waterfalls and Rapids: Large waterfalls such as the rushing cataracts of the Jordan River (though smaller than something like Niagara Falls) still produce a roar audible from great distances. The pounding of water on rocks can create a powerful, resonating thunder-like effect.

2. Thunder in Storms: Rolling thunder can echo across valleys, sounding like a vast, continuous roar. In mountainous or canyon regions, the reverberation may be amplified and prolonged, creating an effect where sound ripples and magnifies.

3. Sea Waves and Coastal Surf: Storm-driven waves crashing on rocky shores can be exceptionally loud. The “roar of the sea” often forms biblical imagery (cf. Psalm 93:3–4).

4. Geological Formations: Certain canyons and valleys can naturally amplify sound because of their shape and rocky surfaces. Anyone calling out in a canyon can hear the voice rebound across the walls, producing a volume that seems far beyond normal human speech.

Ancient Cultural Contexts of Public Speaking

1. Natural Amphitheaters: Cities in biblical times, as well as Greek and Roman eras, understood the strategic advantage of natural amphitheaters. Hillsides or curved rock structures provided a place where a speaker’s voice could carry widely to large crowds without any modern devices. Archaeological evidence (e.g., the theaters at Ephesus, Corinth, and other Mediterranean sites) attests to remarkable acoustics. While not directly tied to Ezekiel’s vision, these structures demonstrate how ancient societies used geography to amplify sound.

2. Shofar Blasts and Gatherings: Though different in nature than a human voice, the sounding of a shofar (ram’s horn) carried over great distances and served as an ancient “public address system.” This further underscores how the ancients recognized and harnessed naturally resonant sounds.

Comparisons within Scripture

1. Other “Roaring Waters” Passages: The book of Revelation employs similar imagery: “His voice was like the roar of many waters” (Revelation 1:15; see also Revelation 14:2). This continuity in biblical language shows that writers across different centuries consistently described the divine voice in a way evoking apprehension and might.

2. Projection of Majestic Power: Jeremiah 25:30 says, “The LORD will roar from on high; He will raise His voice from His holy dwelling.” Although a roar can signify judgment, it can also demonstrate unmatched glory. Hearing something “like the roar of rushing waters” implies a voice that cannot be ignored or drowned out.

Physical Possibilities and Observations

1. Strong Vocal Projection: Certain individuals can project their voices powerfully enough to be heard across open fields or natural amphitheaters without mechanical help. Historical accounts from various cultures speak of orators whose voices carried unexpectedly far, thanks to resonance, breath control, and the unique contours of the environment.

2. Meteorological Conditions: Atmospheric elements, such as humidity and temperature shifts, can carry and even amplify sound waves over considerable distances. The dryness or density of the air can make a loud voice travel in ways that might surprise modern observers accustomed to microphones and speakers.

3. Symbolic Yet Still Tangible: While Ezekiel’s description might include a symbolic element portraying God’s unmatched authority, the reference to “rushing waters” can mirror real-life experiences of loud, awe-inspiring sounds. In a culture surrounded by rivers and dependent upon seasonal rains, the prophet’s audience would immediately grasp this kind of auditory intensity.

Theological Significance

1. Divine Power and Authority: The comparison to roaring waters underscores that the voice of God reaches beyond mere human capability. The perceived volume highlights God’s infinite power, evoking reverence and acknowledgment of divine sovereignty.

2. Unity with Creation Imagery: Scripture often intertwines God’s voice with created elements (wind, thunder, water) to convey His involvement within His creation. It points to the world itself testifying to divine majesty (cf. Psalm 19:1–4).

3. Assurance of God’s Presence: For Ezekiel, hearing such a voice again—especially after previous visions of judgment—symbolizes that God’s glory is returning to dwell among His people. The auditory likeness to rushing water declares restoration and hope.

Archaeological and Geological Corroboration

1. Topography of Israel and Mesopotamia: Excavations and geographical surveys confirm the presence of valleys where echoes amplify sound (such as the Kidron Valley or other wadis). Even smaller waterfalls or rapids in rugged terrain can be heard at surprising distances.

2. Ancient Near Eastern Writings: Certain texts from surrounding cultures (e.g., Mesopotamian epics or Ugaritic literature) use similar language to describe the voice of deities or the rush of waters. While these are not Scripture, they reflect a widespread ancient understanding that loud, thunderous sounds mirror divine power.

Practical Insights and Reflection

1. Experiencing Natural Sound: Standing beside a powerful waterfall or in the path of loud rapids provides a visceral sense of a “voice” that resonates in one’s chest. Such natural reminders can still inspire awe and draw attention to a higher power.

2. Symbolic Representation: While modern technology allows us to project voices artificially, the biblical comparison seems intentionally set in nature’s original grandeur. It suggests that the Creator’s voice is inherently powerful—unassisted by manmade devices.

3. Continuity of Scriptural Metaphors: The principle remains that creation itself can illustrate spiritual truths in dramatic ways. Observing the resonating roar of water helps one appreciate why Ezekiel and other biblical writers chose this metaphor to portray the magnitude and dynamic presence of divine communication.

Conclusion

Ezekiel’s depiction of a voice “like the roar of rushing waters” captures both literal and symbolic meaning. From a natural perspective, the powerful resonance could occur through the effects of waterfalls, geological acoustics, and atmospheric conditions that project sound over great distances. Historically, ancient societies recognized the potential of natural amphitheaters and strategic speaking locations to carry the human voice far and wide.

Biblically, this roaring voice conveys strength, authority, and majesty, aligning with passages across Scripture that depict the divine presence as both unmistakable and pervasive. Contextual understanding, archaeological evidence of ancient structures, and knowledge of natural phenomena all point to the conclusion that a voice carrying the intensity of rushing waters was indeed conceivable in antiquity, underscoring the vivid reality behind Ezekiel’s prophetic imagery.