Definition and Usage in Scripture:
The term "lightening" in the Bible is often associated with the natural phenomenon of lightning, a powerful and awe-inspiring display of God's creation. It is used both literally and metaphorically throughout the Scriptures to convey God's power, presence, and judgment.

Biblical References:

1. Manifestation of God's Power:
Lightning is frequently depicted as a manifestation of God's immense power and majesty. In the book of Job, God challenges Job by highlighting the wonders of creation, including lightning: "Can you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, ‘Here we are’?" (Job 38:35). This rhetorical question underscores God's sovereign control over the natural world.

2. Symbol of Divine Presence:
Lightning often accompanies theophanies, or appearances of God, emphasizing His holiness and glory. At Mount Sinai, when God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses, the mountain was enveloped in smoke and lightning: "On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled" (Exodus 19:16). This dramatic scene illustrates the fearsome and awe-inspiring presence of God.

3. Instrument of Judgment:
In several instances, lightning is depicted as an instrument of divine judgment. In the Psalms, David describes God's intervention in battle using the imagery of lightning: "He shot His arrows and scattered the foes; He hurled lightning and routed them" (Psalm 18:14). This portrays God as a warrior who uses the forces of nature to execute His judgment against the wicked.

4. Apocalyptic Imagery:
In prophetic and apocalyptic literature, lightning is often used to describe the cataclysmic events associated with the end times. In the book of Revelation, lightning is part of the vision of God's throne: "From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings, and peals of thunder" (Revelation 4:5). This imagery conveys the overwhelming power and authority of God as He prepares to bring history to its consummation.

5. Metaphorical Usage:
Lightning is also used metaphorically to describe sudden and dramatic changes or revelations. Jesus uses the imagery of lightning to describe His return: "For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man" (Matthew 24:27). This metaphor emphasizes the suddenness and visibility of Christ's second coming.

Theological Significance:
In the biblical narrative, lightning serves as a powerful symbol of God's transcendence and immanence. It reminds believers of God's ultimate authority over creation and His active involvement in the world. The imagery of lightning evokes both reverence and awe, encouraging a posture of humility and worship before the Creator. Through the use of lightning, Scripture communicates the reality of God's judgment and the hope of His triumphant return.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Lighten.

Paganism, Its Enormities.
... If these things have been invented for the purpose of lightening sorrow and affording
enjoyment, how is it that the invocations of demons are performed in ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xxxi paganism its enormities.htm

Preached Before the Governor, and Council, and the House of ...
... you, but there is none warm: and he that earneth wages, earneth wages to put it
into a bag with holes." Still he goes on thundering and lightening, "Ye looked ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/preached before the governor and.htm

Leaven
... That is the leaven that is to change, and yet not to change, the whole mass; to
change it by lightening it, by putting a new spirit into it, leaving the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/leaven.htm

Sermon at the Second Annual Meeting of the Missionary Council in ...
... Man has created nothing. The lightening would run its circuit in the Garden
of Eden as well as when Morse made it man's messenger. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/whipple/five sermons/iii sermon at the second.htm

"A Revelation of Love --In Sixteen Shewings"
... The Seventh is [our] often feeling of weal and woe; (the feeling of weal is gracious
touching and lightening, with true assuredness of endless joy; the feeling ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter i a revelation of.htm

The Final Warning
... that they partake not of her sins and "receive not of her plagues." Hence the movement
symbolized by the angel coming down from heaven, lightening the earth ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 38 the final warning.htm

The Final Warning.
... that they "partake not of her sins, and receive not of her plagues." Hence the movement
symbolized by the angel coming down from heaven, lightening the earth ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /38 the final warning.htm

The Second Theological Oration.
... him remain below and listen to the Voice alone, and the trumpet, [3421] the bare
words of piety, and let him see the Mountain smoking and lightening, a terror ...
/.../lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxviii the second theological.htm

The vision of the Son of Man.
... as fire; His feet as brass; His voice as many waters (Rev.), and as a multitude
(Dan.); His countenance as the sun (Rev.) and the appearance as lightening (Dan ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the vision of the son.htm

'Strong Crying and Tears'
... self-revelation, which is in fact an appeal to the three for sympathy, as well as
an evidence of His sharing the common need of lightening the burdened spirit ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/strong crying and tears.htm

Lightening (3 Occurrences)
...Lightening (3 Occurrences). ... Acts 27:38 and having eaten sufficient nourishment, they
were lightening the ship, casting forth the wheat into the sea. (YLT). ...
/l/lightening.htm - 7k

Nourishment (14 Occurrences)
... YLT). Acts 27:38 and having eaten sufficient nourishment, they were lightening
the ship, casting forth the wheat into the sea. (YLT). ...
/n/nourishment.htm - 10k

Lightens (4 Occurrences)

/l/lightens.htm - 7k

Lights (71 Occurrences)
... Luke 17:24 for as the lightning that is lightening out of the one 'part' under heaven,
to the other part under heaven doth shine, so shall be also the Son of ...
/l/lights.htm - 27k

Lighteneth (2 Occurrences)

/l/lighteneth.htm - 7k

Lightning (49 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The act of making bright, or the state of being made bright; enlightenment;
brightening, as of the mental powers. 3. (vb. n.) Lightening. Int. ...
/l/lightning.htm - 24k

Sufficient (28 Occurrences)
... NAS). Acts 27:38 and having eaten sufficient nourishment, they were lightening
the ship, casting forth the wheat into the sea. (YLT). ...
/s/sufficient.htm - 15k

Taxing (3 Occurrences)
... By the end of his reign the burden of taxation had become so severe that in the
public address made to Rehoboam the people demanded a lightening of the ...
/t/taxing.htm - 35k

Tax (43 Occurrences)
... By the end of his reign the burden of taxation had become so severe that in the
public address made to Rehoboam the people demanded a lightening of the ...
/t/tax.htm - 47k

Boats (11 Occurrences)
... letting go four anchors from the stern (Acts 27:29, stern-anchoring being very unusual,
but a necessity in the circumstances), (7) further lightening the ship ...
/b/boats.htm - 40k

Lightening: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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