Topical Encyclopedia Hailstones are mentioned in the Bible as a significant meteorological phenomenon often associated with divine judgment and power. These icy projectiles are depicted as instruments of God's wrath and are used to demonstrate His sovereignty over nature and the affairs of humanity.Biblical References: 1. The Plague of Hail in Egypt: One of the most notable occurrences of hailstones in the Bible is during the seventh plague that God sent upon Egypt. In Exodus 9:23-26 , it is recorded: "So Moses stretched out his staff toward the sky, and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and lightning struck the earth. So the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt. The hail fell and continued to fall, and lightning flashed through it. So severe was the hail that nothing like it had occurred in all the land of Egypt since it had become a nation. Throughout the land of Egypt, the hail struck down everything in the field, both man and beast; it beat down every plant of the field and shattered every tree. The only place where it did not hail was in the land of Goshen, where the Israelites lived." This event underscores God's power to protect His people while executing judgment on their oppressors. 2. The Battle of Gibeon: In Joshua 10:11 , hailstones are used as a weapon in the battle against the Amorites: "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 hailstones than were killed by the swords of the Israelites." This passage highlights the divine intervention in battles, where God directly aids His people by using natural elements to secure victory. 3. Prophetic Imagery: Hailstones are also used in prophetic literature to symbolize God's judgment. In Isaiah 28:17 , it is written: "I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the level. Hail will sweep away your refuge of lies, and water will flood your hiding place." Here, hailstones metaphorically represent the destruction of falsehood and the establishment of divine justice. 4. The Book of Revelation: In the apocalyptic visions of Revelation, hailstones appear as part of the end-times judgments. Revelation 16:21 states: "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." This imagery serves to convey the severity and inescapability of God's final judgment upon the earth. Theological Significance: Hailstones in the Bible are more than just a natural occurrence; they are a manifestation of God's direct involvement in the world. They serve as a reminder of His omnipotence and His ability to use creation to fulfill His purposes. The biblical accounts of hailstones emphasize God's justice, His protection of His people, and His ultimate authority over all creation. These narratives encourage believers to recognize the power of God and to trust in His righteous governance of the world. ATS Bible Dictionary HailstonesDrops of rain formed into ice by the power of cold in the upper regions of the atmosphere. Hail was among the plagues of Egypt, Exodus 9:24, and was the more terrible, because it rarely occurred in that country. Hail was also made use of by God for defeating an army of Canaanites, Joshua 10:11; and is used figuratively to represent terrible judgments, Isaiah 28:2; Revelation 16:21. Greek 5464. chalaza -- hailstone ... Word Origin a prim. word Definition hailstone NASB Word Usage hail (2), hailstones (1), hailstorm (1). hail. Probably from chalao; hail -- hail. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5464.htm - 6k Strong's Hebrew 1259. barad -- hail... Word Origin from an unused word Definition hail NASB Word Usage hail (23), hailstones (4), hailstones* (2). hail, hailstones. From barad; hail -hail ((stones)). ... /hebrew/1259.htm - 6k 417. elgabish -- hail 68. eben -- a stone Library Psalm 18 God's People Delivered God's People Delivered. David's Strength The King --Continued. Of the Character of the Unregenerate. Appendix. The First Trumpet. On Psalm Lxxvii. Or Lxxviii. Of the Loosing of the Devil, and of the Second and Greatest ... Thesaurus Hailstones (10 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance Hailstones (10 Occurrences). Revelation 16:21 Great hailstones, about the weight of a talent, came down out of the sky on people. ... /h/hailstones.htm - 9k Shower (22 Occurrences) Hail (42 Occurrences) Torrents (17 Occurrences) Overflowing (54 Occurrences) Flooding (4 Occurrences) Tempestuous (8 Occurrences) Coals (28 Occurrences) Stormy (12 Occurrences) Hailstone (1 Occurrence) Resources What are the seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls in the Book of Revelation? | GotQuestions.orgIs Zechariah 14:4 a prophecy about the second coming of Christ? | GotQuestions.org How were Pharaoh's magicians able to perform miracles? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Hailstones (10 Occurrences)Revelation 16:21 Joshua 10:11 Psalms 18:12 Psalms 18:13 Psalms 78:47 Psalms 78:48 Isaiah 30:30 Ezekiel 13:11 Ezekiel 13:13 Ezekiel 38:22 Subtopics Related Terms |