Hail

Hail is a form of precipitation consisting of solid ice that forms inside thunderstorm updrafts. In the Bible, hail is often depicted as a tool of divine judgment and power, used by God to demonstrate His might and execute His will. The phenomenon of hail is mentioned several times throughout the Scriptures, both in historical narratives and prophetic literature.

One of the most notable instances of hail in the Bible occurs during the plagues of Egypt. In Exodus 9:18-26, God sends a devastating hailstorm as the seventh plague upon Egypt, striking down everything in the fields, including people, animals, and crops. This event underscores God's supremacy over the natural world and His ability to protect His people, as the land of Goshen, where the Israelites lived, was spared from the destruction: "The only place where it did not hail was in the land of Goshen, where the Israelites lived" (Exodus 9:26).

Hail is also mentioned in the context of divine intervention in battle. In Joshua 10:11, as the Israelites fought against the Amorites, God hurled large hailstones from the sky, killing more of the enemy than the Israelites did with the sword: "As they fled before Israel on the road down from Beth-horon to Azekah, the LORD hurled large hailstones down on them from the sky, and more of them died from the hail than were killed by the swords of the Israelites" (Joshua 10:11). This passage highlights God's active role in the deliverance and victory of His people.

In the prophetic books, hail is often associated with the outpouring of God's wrath and the coming of His judgment. In Isaiah 28:17, hail is used metaphorically to describe God's justice: "I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line; hail will sweep away your refuge of lies, and water will flood your hiding place" . Similarly, in Revelation 16:21, during the outpouring of the seventh bowl of God's wrath, hailstones weighing about a talent each fall from the sky, causing great devastation: "And great hailstones, about a hundred pounds each, rained down on them from above. And men cursed God for the plague of hail, because it was so horrendous" .

Sleet

Sleet, a form of precipitation consisting of ice pellets, is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible. However, the concept of cold, icy precipitation can be inferred from various biblical passages that describe wintry conditions and God's control over the weather.

In Psalm 147:16-17, the psalmist praises God for His sovereignty over the elements, including snow and ice: "He spreads the snow like wool; He scatters the frost like ashes; He hurls down His hail like pebbles. Who can withstand His icy blast?" . This passage reflects the understanding that all forms of weather, including sleet, are under God's command and serve His purposes.

While sleet itself is not directly mentioned, the Bible frequently uses weather imagery to convey spiritual truths and divine actions. The presence of cold, icy conditions in biblical literature serves as a reminder of God's power and the sometimes harsh realities of life in a fallen world. The faithful are encouraged to trust in God's provision and protection, regardless of the physical or spiritual storms they may face.

In summary, hail is a significant biblical symbol of God's judgment and power, while sleet, though not explicitly mentioned, can be understood within the broader context of God's control over the natural world. Both phenomena remind believers of the Creator's authority and the importance of seeking refuge in Him.