In biblical literature, the term "storm-wind" is often used to describe a powerful and tumultuous natural phenomenon that serves as a manifestation of God's might and judgment. The storm-wind is frequently depicted as an instrument through which God communicates His power, executes His will, and demonstrates His sovereignty over creation.

Old Testament References

The Hebrew word often translated as "storm-wind" is "se'arah," which appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament. One of the most notable occurrences is in the book of Job, where God speaks to Job out of the whirlwind. In Job 38:1 , it is written, "Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said." Here, the storm-wind serves as a divine vehicle for God's voice, emphasizing His authority and the awe-inspiring nature of His presence.

In the narrative of Elijah's ascension to heaven, a storm-wind is also present. 2 Kings 2:11 states, "As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire with horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind." The storm-wind in this passage signifies a divine intervention, marking the transition of Elijah from earthly life to heavenly existence.

The Psalms frequently use storm imagery to convey God's power and majesty. Psalm 107:29 declares, "He calmed the storm to a whisper, and the waves of the sea were hushed." This verse highlights God's control over the natural elements, illustrating His ability to bring peace and order out of chaos.

Prophetic Literature

In the prophetic books, the storm-wind is often associated with God's judgment. Ezekiel 13:13 warns, "Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: In My wrath I will release a windstorm, and in My anger torrents of rain and hail will fall with destructive fury." Here, the storm-wind is a metaphor for the impending judgment upon those who have turned away from God's commandments.

Similarly, in Jeremiah 23:19 , the storm-wind is depicted as an expression of divine wrath: "Behold, the storm of the LORD has gone out in fury, a whirlwind swirling down upon the heads of the wicked." This imagery serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the certainty of divine retribution.

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not frequently use the term "storm-wind," the concept is present in the narrative of Jesus calming the storm. In Mark 4:39 , it is recorded, "Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. 'Silence!' He commanded. 'Be still!' And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm." This event underscores Jesus' divine authority over nature, echoing the Old Testament theme of God's control over the storm-wind.

Theological Significance

The storm-wind in biblical texts serves as a multifaceted symbol. It represents God's omnipotence, His ability to bring both judgment and deliverance, and His presence in the midst of chaos. The imagery of the storm-wind calls believers to recognize the power and majesty of God, to heed His warnings, and to trust in His sovereign control over all creation.5584. saah -- to rush (of storm wind)
... 5583, 5584. saah. 5585 . to rush (of storm wind). Transliteration: saah Phonetic
Spelling: (saw-aw') Short Definition: stormy. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/5584.htm - 5k

5591b. searah -- a tempest, storm wind
... 5591a, 5591b. searah. 5592 . a tempest, storm wind. Transliteration: searah
Short Definition: storm. Word Origin from saar Definition ...
/hebrew/5591b.htm - 5k

5492a. suphah -- a storm wind
... 5492, 5492a. suphah. 5492b . a storm wind. Transliteration: suphah Short
Definition: whirlwind. Word Origin from suph Definition ...
/hebrew/5492a.htm - 5k

5492. cuwphah -- a storm wind
... cuwphah. 5492a . a storm wind. Transliteration: cuwphah Phonetic Spelling:
(soo-faw') Short Definition: Sea. Red Sea, storm, tempest, whirlwind, Red sea ...
/hebrew/5492.htm - 5k

5590. saar -- to storm, rage
... root Definition to storm, rage NASB Word Usage blown away (1), enraged (1), scattered
them with a storm wind (1), storm-tossed (1), stormed (1), stormier (1 ...
/hebrew/5590.htm - 6k

God.
... Or take the inaugural vision of Ezekiel"the storm-wind out of the North, the vast
cloud, the fire infolding itself, the brightness round about and out of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/1 god.htm

Date and Place of Writing.
... The possible confusion between zph' RD.V (storm-wind) and zyph' (pitch), pointed
out by Marshall in his article on Bel and the Dragon in Hastings' Dict., does ...
/.../daubney/the three additions to daniel a study/date and place of writing 2.htm

The United Song of Praise
... Praise the Lord from the earth, Sea-monsters and all deeps! Fire, hail,
snow, and vapor, Storm wind, fulfilling his word! Mountains ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/the united song of praise.htm

Still the Countess Sylvie was Silent. ...
... "The learning, the science, the theoretical discussions of men, shall pass as dust
blown by the breath of a storm-wind"but the Church shall remain, the same ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xxxiv still the countess sylvie.htm

Appendix v. Rabbinic Theology and Literature
... that they have no end, His word is in them (the Logos manifest in the Sephiroth),
in running and in returning, and at His word like storm-wind they pursue ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix v rabbinic theology and.htm

Patriotic Hymns.
... Loud as the storm-wind that tumbles the main, Bid the full breath of the organ reply,
Let the loud tempest of voices reply, Roll its long surge like the earth ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter ix patriotic hymns.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 4. <. ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

Stormwind (1 Occurrence)
...Stormwind (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 66:15 For the Lord is coming with fire, and his
war-carriages will be like the storm-wind; to give punishment in the heat of ...
/s/stormwind.htm - 6k

Storm-wind (19 Occurrences)
Storm-wind. Stormwind, Storm-wind. Storm-winds . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(BBE). Stormwind, Storm-wind. Storm-winds . Reference Bible.
/s/storm-wind.htm - 11k

Storm (62 Occurrences)
... of the north. (WEB JPS ASV BBE NAS). Job 38:1 And the Lord made answer to
Job out of the storm-wind, and said, (BBE NIV). Job 39:24 ...
/s/storm.htm - 25k

Ice-drops (7 Occurrences)
... those who put whitewash on it, There will be an overflowing shower; and you, O
ice-drops, will come raining down; and it will be broken in two by the storm-wind...
/i/ice-drops.htm - 8k

Raining (10 Occurrences)
... those who put whitewash on it, There will be an overflowing shower; and you, O
ice-drops, will come raining down; and it will be broken in two by the storm-wind...
/r/raining.htm - 9k

Bursting (22 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Jeremiah 23:19 See, the storm-wind of the Lord, even the heat of his wrath,
has gone out, a rolling storm, bursting on the heads of the evil-doers. (BBE) ...
/b/bursting.htm - 13k

Tempest (30 Occurrences)
... NIV). Proverbs 10:25 When the storm-wind is past, the sinner is seen no longer,
but the upright man is safe for ever. (See RSV). Isaiah ...
/t/tempest.htm - 17k

Rolling (32 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Jeremiah 23:19 See, the storm-wind of the Lord, even the heat of his wrath,
has gone out, a rolling storm, bursting on the heads of the evil-doers. (BBE) ...
/r/rolling.htm - 16k

War-carriages (76 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 66:15 For the Lord is coming with fire, and his war-carriages will be like
the storm-wind; to give punishment in the heat of his wrath, and his passion ...
/w/war-carriages.htm - 31k

Bel (3 Occurrences)
... sphragisamenos, "having sealed"; choris, "except," Hebrew or Aramaic words: chatham,
"to seal"; zepha', "pitch"; za`apha', "storm," "wind"; nachash, "snake ...
/b/bel.htm - 39k

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