The term "sultry" is often used to describe weather that is hot and humid, creating an oppressive and stifling atmosphere. While the specific word "sultry" does not appear in the Bible, the concept of oppressive heat is present in various passages, reflecting the climate of the ancient Near East where the biblical events took place.

Biblical Context

The Bible frequently references the heat of the day, which can be understood as sultry conditions. In Genesis 18:1, Abraham is described as sitting at the entrance of his tent "in the heat of the day" when the Lord appeared to him. This setting underscores the intensity of the midday sun in the region, which can be both physically and symbolically significant.

In the Song of Solomon, the imagery of heat and warmth is often used to convey passion and desire. While the term "sultry" is not explicitly used, the language evokes a sense of intense and consuming love. For example, Song of Solomon 1:6 speaks of the sun's effect: "Do not stare at me because I am dark, for the sun has gazed upon me." This verse highlights the transformative power of the sun's heat, both physically and metaphorically.

Symbolism and Themes

The sultry conditions of the biblical lands often serve as a backdrop for spiritual and moral lessons. The oppressive heat can symbolize trials and testing. In the parable of the sower, Jesus describes seeds that fall on rocky ground and wither under the sun because they have no root (Matthew 13:5-6). This imagery illustrates how faith can falter under the pressures and challenges of life, akin to the withering effect of sultry heat.

Moreover, the Bible uses the concept of heat to depict God's judgment and wrath. In Deuteronomy 32:24, God warns of the consequences of Israel's disobedience: "They will be wasted from hunger and ravaged by pestilence and bitter plague; I will send the fangs of wild beasts against them, with the venom of vipers that glide in the dust." The imagery of heat and desolation serves as a metaphor for divine retribution.

Practical Implications

For the people of the Bible, dealing with sultry conditions was a part of daily life. The need for water and shade was paramount, and these elements often carried spiritual significance. In Psalm 121:5-6, the Lord is described as a protective shade: "The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is the shade on your right hand. The sun will not strike you by day, nor the moon by night." This assurance of divine protection against the harsh elements reflects God's care and provision.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not use the word "sultry," the concept is woven throughout its narratives and teachings. The oppressive heat of the biblical lands serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual truths, illustrating themes of trial, judgment, and divine protection. Through these images, the Bible communicates the reality of human experience and the enduring presence of God amidst life's challenges.1. (superl.) Very hot, burning, and oppressive; as, Libya's sultry deserts.

2. (superl.) Very hot and moist, or hot, close, stagnant, and oppressive, as air.

2759. charishi -- perhaps sultry
... 2758, 2759. charishi. 2760 . perhaps sultry. Transliteration: charishi Phonetic
Spelling: (khar-ee-shee') Short Definition: scorching. ...
/hebrew/2759.htm - 6k

Hymn for the Epiphany
... Now let the baleful comet die, The brood of blazing Sirius fly: God's orb shall
quench their sultry heats And drive them from their haughty seats. Lo! ...
/.../prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/xii hymn for the epiphany.htm

The Ministry of Intercession
... true, We should hear it soft up-welling In morning's pearly light; Through evening's
shadows swelling In grandly gathering might; The sultry silence filling Of ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/the ministry of intercession.htm

At a Funeral.
... Now of a lasting home possest,. He goes to seek a deeper rest. Good-night! the day
was sultry here,. In toil and fear; Good-night! the night is cool and clear. ...
/.../borthwick/hymns from the land of luther/hymn sung at a funeral.htm

Sleeping and Waking
... And there the streams are no more far away,. And there the thirsty lips drink deep
at last,. Remembering no more the sultry day,. The desert that is passed. ...
/.../bevan/hymns of ter steegen suso and others/sleeping and waking.htm

Unseen Changes Going On.
... true, We should hear it soft up-welling In morning's pearly light; Through evening's
shadows swelling In grandly gathering might; The sultry silence filling Of ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/unseen changes going on.htm

The King's Courts
... "Yes, let John the Baptist come. Court life is dreary and monotonous enough. It
will make a little diversion, like a breath of fresh air on a sultry day. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/x the kings courts.htm

The Final Conflict and Heaven the End.
... ln their long'd-for promised home; Steep and weary is the way,. Shorten Thou
the sultry day,. Faithful warriors hast Thou found us,. ...
/.../the final conflict and heaven 14.htm

The Minne-Singers
... and of a truth very pious ones, who as you know often come as pilgrims into our
land, with their long staves and great boots; and amid the most sultry heat and ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/the minne-singers.htm

The Tired Child.
... And child-like to my Father cleave. Like a parched field my soul doth lie.
Pining beneath a sultry sky; O Heavenly Dew, O gentle Rain,. ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/the tired child.htm

CM Heber. The Seed of the Word.
... breast; 2 Preserve it from the passing feet, And plunderers of the air;
The sultry sun's intenser heat, And weeds of worldly care! ...
/.../various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/65 c m heber the.htm

Sultry (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (superl.) Very hot, burning, and oppressive; as, Libya's
sultry deserts. ... Multi-Version Concordance Sultry (1 Occurrence). ...
/s/sultry.htm - 7k

Vehement (10 Occurrences)
... of Yahweh," margin "a most vehement flame, Hebrew: Yah"); and as the translation
of the King James Version charishi, "silent," "still," hence "sultry" (Jonah 4 ...
/v/vehement.htm - 11k

Vehemently (5 Occurrences)
... of Yahweh," margin "a most vehement flame, Hebrew: Yah"); and as the translation
of the King James Version charishi, "silent," "still," hence "sultry" (Jonah 4 ...
/v/vehemently.htm - 9k

Sulphur (7 Occurrences)

/s/sulphur.htm - 9k

Sum (34 Occurrences)

/s/sum.htm - 17k

Jonah's (1 Occurrence)
... Jonah 4:8 It happened, when the sun arose, that God prepared a sultry east wind;
and the sun beat on Jonah's head, so that he fainted, and requested for ...
/j/jonah's.htm - 6k

Fainted (12 Occurrences)
... Jonah 4:8 It happened, when the sun arose, that God prepared a sultry east wind;
and the sun beat on Jonah's head, so that he fainted, and requested for ...
/f/fainted.htm - 10k

Feverish (2 Occurrences)
... feverish. 2. (a.) Indicating, or pertaining to, fever; characteristic of
a fever; as, feverish symptoms. 3. (a.) Hot; sultry. 4. (a ...
/f/feverish.htm - 7k

Turtle (5 Occurrences)
... 2:11, 12). "Search the glades and valleys, even by sultry Jordan, at the
end of March, and not a turtle-dove is to be seen. Return ...
/t/turtle.htm - 9k

Turtledove (5 Occurrences)
... 2:11, 12). "Search the glades and valleys, even by sultry Jordan, at the
end of March, and not a turtle-dove is to be seen. Return ...
/t/turtledove.htm - 10k

Sultry: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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