Topical Bible: Torrent

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Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical literature, the term "torrent" often refers to a stream or brook that is typically dry except during the rainy season, when it becomes a rushing, powerful flow of water. This natural phenomenon is common in the geographical context of the Bible, particularly in the arid and semi-arid regions of the Near East. Torrents are significant both in the physical landscape and in the metaphorical language of Scripture.

Biblical References

One of the notable mentions of a torrent is found in the account of Elijah and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. After the dramatic demonstration of God's power, Elijah prays for rain, and a heavy rainstorm ensues, filling the torrents with water. This event is recorded in 1 Kings 18:45: "Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, and the wind rose, and a heavy rain began to fall. Ahab rode off to Jezreel."

The torrent is also used metaphorically in the Psalms to describe overwhelming circumstances or divine judgment. Psalm 18:4 states, "The cords of death encompassed me; the torrents of chaos overwhelmed me." Here, the torrent symbolizes the overwhelming and destructive forces that threaten the psalmist, illustrating the power and intensity of the challenges faced.

Symbolism and Theological Significance

In the biblical context, torrents can symbolize both blessing and judgment. On one hand, the filling of dry riverbeds with water during the rainy season is a sign of God's provision and blessing, bringing life and sustenance to the land. On the other hand, torrents can also represent the sudden and overwhelming nature of divine judgment, as seen in the metaphorical language of the Psalms.

The imagery of torrents is also used to convey the idea of God's overwhelming power and presence. In Nahum 1:8 , it is written, "But with an overwhelming flood, He will make an end of Nineveh; He will pursue His foes into darkness." Here, the torrent or flood is a metaphor for God's unstoppable and righteous judgment against the wicked.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near East, torrents were a familiar part of the landscape. The dry riverbeds, known as wadis, would remain barren for much of the year, only to be transformed into rushing streams during the rainy season. This natural cycle was well understood by the people of the Bible, who relied on these seasonal waters for agriculture and survival.

The unpredictability and power of torrents made them a fitting metaphor for various aspects of life and divine action. The suddenness with which a dry wadi could become a raging torrent served as a vivid illustration of the suddenness and power of God's intervention in human affairs.

Conclusion

While the term "torrent" may not appear frequently in the biblical text, its occurrences are rich with meaning and significance. Whether as a literal element of the landscape or a metaphor for divine action, torrents remind readers of the power, provision, and judgment of God.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) A violent stream, as of water, lava, or the like; a stream suddenly raised and running rapidly, as down a precipice.

2. (n.) Fig.: A violent or rapid flow; a strong current; a flood; as, a torrent of vices; a torrent of eloquence.

3. (n.) Rolling or rushing in a rapid stream.

Greek

5493. cheimarros -- flowing in winter, a torrent
... flowing in winter, a torrent. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
cheimarros Phonetic Spelling: (khi'-mar-hros) Short Definition: a winter torrent ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5493.htm - 6k

4215. potamos -- a river
... a river. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: potamos Phonetic Spelling:
(pot-am-os') Short Definition: a river, torrent Definition: a river, torrent ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4215.htm - 7k

3791. ochleo -- to disturb, trouble
... 3791 (from 3793, "a crowd") -- properly, to mob; (figuratively) to push with force
("forcing along"), exercising torrent-like momentum (like the force of a ). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3791.htm - 7k

5327. pharagx -- a chasm, ravine
... valley. Properly, strengthened from the base of peran or rather of rhegnumi; a gap
or chasm, ie Ravine (winter-torrent) -- valley. see GREEK rhegnumi. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5327.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

5158a. nachal -- torrent, torrent-valley, wadi
... 5158, 5158a. nachal or nachlah or nachalah. 5158b . torrent, torrent-valley,
wadi. Transliteration: nachal or nachlah or nachalah Short Definition: brook. ...
/hebrew/5158a.htm - 5k

5158. nachal -- torrent, torrent-valley, wadi
... nachal. 5158a . torrent, torrent-valley, wadi. Transliteration: nachal Phonetic
Spelling: (nakh'-al) Short Definition: brook. brook, flood, river, stream, valley ...
/hebrew/5158.htm - 5k

392. Akzib -- "deceptive," two places in Palestine
... Achzib. From 'akzab; deceitful (in the sense of a winter- torrent which fails in
summer); Akzib, the name of two places in Palestine -- Achzib. ...
/hebrew/392.htm - 6k

1516. gay -- a valley
... by transmutation) from the same root as gevah (abbreviated); a gorge (from its lofty
sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent) -- valley. ...
/hebrew/1516.htm - 6k

Library

But Woe is Thee, Thou Torrent of Human Custom! who Shall Stand ...
... Book I Chapter XVI But woe is thee, thou torrent of human custom! Who shall stand
against thee? how? But woe is thee, thou torrent of human custom! ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter xvi but woe is.htm

Psalm CXXIV.
... It is a torrent, it flows with violence, but it will pass by...Hence He, our Head,
first drinketh, of whom it is said in the Psalms, "He shall drink of the ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxiv.htm

And as She Stood Looking Towards London, Diamond Saw that She was ...
... behind them. And now there was nothing but the roofs of houses, sweeping
along like a great torrent of stones and rocks. Chimney ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 4 and as she.htm

The Memphite Empire
... The torrent, which at 8 pm was 10 feet deep, and was about 1000 feet in width,
was, at 6 am the next day, reduced to a small streamlet. ...
/.../chapter iithe memphite empire.htm

Fourth Letter
... But when He finds a soul penetrated with a lively faith, He pours into it His graces
and favours plentifully; there they flow like a torrent, which, after ...
/.../lawrence/the practice of the presence of god/fourth letter.htm

A visit from vigilantius
... who belches forth his impure crapulousness, whose tongue ought to be cut out by
surgeons, and his insane head healed.' But, in spite of this torrent of foul ...
/.../chapter xl a visit from.htm

The Betrayal.
... The name means the black torrent. It was dry during the dry, but a rushing
torrent during the rainy season. Where was a garden. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the betrayal.htm

Of the Second Coming of Our Lord in the Inward Man
... This streaming of God into us demands of us a flowing out and a flowing back, with
all these riches, into that same Source from which that torrent has flowed. ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter vi of the second 2.htm

Of the Love of Conformity Proceeding from Sacred Complacency.
... ravished with God's infinite mercy, they cry out: O Lord, how good thou art, since
in the very heat of thy wrath thou canst not keep the torrent of thy mercies ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter i of the love.htm

Letter ccxxiii. Against Eustathius of Sebasteia.
... receive the reward of silence, and gain some strength to confute my opponents, and
that thus, by confuting them, I may dry up the bitter torrent of falsehood ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter ccxxiii against eustathius of.htm

Thesaurus

Torrent-bed (1 Occurrence)
Torrent-bed. Torrent, Torrent-bed. Torrential . Multi-Version
Concordance Torrent-bed (1 Occurrence). Job 6:15 My brothers ...
/t/torrent-bed.htm - 6k

Torrent (49 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Fig.: A violent or rapid flow; a strong current; a flood; as, a torrent
of vices; a torrent of eloquence. ...Torrent (49 Occurrences). ...
/t/torrent.htm - 22k

Kishon (6 Occurrences)
... Winding, a winter torrent of Central Palestine, which rises about the roots of Tabor
and Gilboa, and passing in a northerly direction through the plains of ...
/k/kishon.htm - 12k

Onrushing (1 Occurrence)
... Onrushing (1 Occurrence). Judges 5:21 The torrent Kishon swept them away, the onrushing
torrent, the torrent Kishon. March on, my soul, with might! (DBY RSV). ...
/o/onrushing.htm - 6k

River (189 Occurrences)
... (2.) Hebrews nahal, in winter a "torrent," in summer a "wady" or valley (Genesis
32:23; Deuteronomy 2:24; 3:16; Isaiah 30:28; Lamentations 2:18; Ezek. 47:9). ...
/r/river.htm - 52k

Brook (75 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A torrent. (1.) Applied to small streams, as
the Arnon, Jabbok, etc. Isaiah (15:7) speaks of the "book ...
/b/brook.htm - 45k

Nahaliel (1 Occurrence)
... na-ha'-li-el, na-hal'-i-el (nachali'el, "torrent valley of God"; Codex Vaticanus
Manael; Codex Alexandrinus Naaliel): A place where Israel encamped on the way ...
/n/nahaliel.htm - 7k

Jordan (188 Occurrences)
... true source. It rushes down to the plain in a foaming torrent, and joins
the Leddan about 5 miles south of Dan (Tell-el-Kady). (3 ...
/j/jordan.htm - 70k

Westwards (6 Occurrences)
... to Janohah, (DBY). Joshua 16:8 From Tappuah the border went westwards to the
torrent Kanah, and ended at the sea. This is the inheritance ...
/w/westwards.htm - 8k

Ravine (26 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A deep and narrow hollow, usually worn by a stream or torrent of water;
a gorge; a mountain cleft. ... 3. (vt & i.) See Raven. 4. (n.) A torrent of water. ...
/r/ravine.htm - 14k

Resources

Torrent: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Torrent (49 Occurrences)

Luke 6:48
He is like a man building a house, who digs and goes deep, and lays the foundation on the rock; and when a flood comes, the torrent bursts upon that house, but is unable to shake it, because it is securely built.
(WEY NAS NIV)

Luke 6:49
But he who has heard and not practised is like a man who has built a house upon the soft soil without a foundation, against which the torrent bursts, and immediately it collapses, and terrible is the wreck and ruin of that house."
(WEY NAS NIV)

John 18:1
Jesus, having said these things, went out with his disciples beyond the torrent Cedron, where was a garden, into which he entered, he and his disciples.
(DBY)

Revelation 12:15
The serpent spewed water out of his mouth after the woman like a river, that he might cause her to be carried away by the stream.
(See NIV)

Numbers 21:12
From thence they removed, and encamped at the torrent Zered.
(DBY)

Numbers 34:5
And the border shall turn from Azmon unto the torrent of Egypt, and shall end at the sea.
(DBY)

Deuteronomy 2:13
Now rise up, and pass over the torrent Zered. And we passed over the torrent Zered.
(DBY)

Deuteronomy 2:14
Now the days in which we came from Kadesh-barnea, until we had come over the torrent Zered, were thirty-eight years; until the whole generation of the men of war was consumed from the midst of the camp, as Jehovah had sworn unto them.
(DBY)

Joshua 15:4
and passed on to Azmon, and went out by the torrent of Egypt; and the border ended at the sea. That shall be your border southward.
(DBY)

Joshua 15:47
Ashdod, its dependent villages and its hamlets; Gazah, its dependent villages and its hamlets, as far as the torrent of Egypt, and the great sea and its coast.
(DBY)

Joshua 16:8
From Tappuah the border went westwards to the torrent Kanah, and ended at the sea. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Ephraim according to their families,
(DBY)

Joshua 17:9
And the border descended to the torrent Kanah, south of the torrent. These cities were Ephraim's among the cities of Manasseh. And the territory of Manasseh was on the north side of the torrent, and ended at the sea.
(DBY)

Joshua 19:11
and their border went up westwards, and to Marealah, and reached to Dabbesheth, and reached to the torrent that is before Jokneam;
(DBY)

Judges 5:21
The torrent Kishon swept them away, the onrushing torrent, the torrent Kishon. March on, my soul, with might!
(DBY NAS RSV)

1 Samuel 30:9
So David went, he and the six hundred men that were with him, and they came to the torrent Besor; and those that were left stayed behind.
(DBY)

1 Samuel 30:10
And David pursued, he and four hundred men; for two hundred stayed behind, who were too exhausted to go over the torrent Besor.
(DBY)

1 Samuel 30:21
And David came to the two hundred men who had been too exhausted to follow David, and whom they had left behind at the torrent Besor; and they went forth to meet David, and to meet the people that were with him; and David drew near to the people and saluted them.
(DBY)

2 Samuel 15:23
And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over; the king also himself passed over the torrent Kidron, and all the people passed over, towards the way of the wilderness.
(DBY)

2 Samuel 17:13
And if he withdraw into a city, then shall all Israel bring ropes to that city, and we will draw it into the torrent, until there be not one small stone found there.
(DBY)

1 Kings 2:37
And it shall be that on the day thou goest forth, and passest over the torrent of Kidron, ... know for certain that thou shalt surely die: thy blood shall be upon thine own head.
(DBY)

1 Kings 8:65
And at that time Solomon held the feast, and all Israel with him, a great congregation, from the entrance of Hamath unto the torrent of Egypt, before Jehovah our God, seven days and seven days, fourteen days.
(DBY)

1 Kings 17:3
Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the torrent Cherith, which is before the Jordan.
(DBY)

1 Kings 17:4
And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the torrent; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.
(DBY)

1 Kings 17:5
And he went and did according to the word of Jehovah; he went and abode by the torrent Cherith, which is before the Jordan.
(DBY)

1 Kings 17:6
And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the torrent.
(DBY)

1 Kings 17:7
And it came to pass after a while that the torrent dried up, for there had been no rain in the land.
(DBY)

1 Kings 18:40
And Elijah said to them, Seize the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape! And they seized them; and Elijah brought them down to the torrent of Kishon, and slaughtered them there.
(DBY)

2 Kings 23:6
And he brought out the Asherah from the house of Jehovah, outside Jerusalem, to the torrent of Kidron, and burned it at the torrent of Kidron, and stamped it small to powder, and cast the powder upon the graves of the children of the people.
(DBY)

2 Kings 23:12
And the king broke down the altars that were on the roof of the upper chamber of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars that Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of Jehovah, and he shattered them, removing them from thence, and cast the powder of them into the torrent of Kidron.
(DBY)

2 Kings 24:7
And the king of Egypt came not again any more out of his land, for the king of Babylon had taken all that belonged to the king of Egypt, from the torrent of Egypt to the river Euphrates.
(DBY)

2 Chronicles 7:8
And at that time Solomon held the feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the entrance of Hamath unto the torrent of Egypt.
(DBY)

2 Chronicles 30:14
And they rose up and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem; and they took away all the incense-altars, and cast them into the torrent Kidron.
(DBY)

2 Chronicles 32:4
And there was gathered together much people, and they stopped all the fountains, and the torrent that flows through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come and find much water?
(DBY)

Job 22:24
And put the precious ore with the dust, and the gold of Ophir among the stones of the torrents,
(Root in DBY RSV)

Psalms 74:15
Thou didst cleave fountain and torrent, thou driedst up ever-flowing rivers.
(DBY NAS)

Psalms 83:9
Do unto them as to Midian; as to Sisera, as to Jabin, at the torrent of Kishon:
(DBY NAS)

Psalms 124:4
Then the waters had overwhelmed us, a torrent had gone over our soul;
(DBY RSV NIV)

Isaiah 15:7
Therefore the abundance they have gotten, and that which they have laid up, do they carry away to the torrent of the willows.
(DBY)

Isaiah 27:12
And it shall come to pass in that day, that Jehovah shall beat out from the flood of the river unto the torrent of Egypt, and ye shall be gathered one by one, ye children of Israel.
(DBY)

Isaiah 30:28
and his breath as an overflowing torrent, which reacheth even to the neck, to sift the nations with the sieve of destruction, and to put a bridle into the jaws of the peoples, that causeth them to go astray.
(DBY NAS NIV)

Isaiah 30:33
For a place of fire has long been ready; yes, it has been made ready for the king; he has made it deep and wide: it is massed with fire and much wood; the breath of the Lord, like a stream of fire, puts a light to it.
(See NAS)

Isaiah 57:6
Among the smooth stones of the torrent is thy portion; they, they are thy lot: even to them hast thou poured out a drink-offering, thou hast offered an oblation. Shall I be comforted myself as to these things?
(DBY)

Isaiah 66:12
For thus saith Jehovah: Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing torrent; and ye shall suck, ye shall be carried upon the side, and be dandled upon the knees.
(DBY)

Jeremiah 31:40
And the whole valley of the dead bodies, and of the ashes, and all the fields unto the torrent Kidron, unto the corner of the horse-gate toward the east, shall be holy unto Jehovah: it shall not be plucked up, nor overthrown any more for ever.
(DBY)

Jeremiah 47:2
Thus says Yahweh: Behold, waters rise up out of the north, and shall become an overflowing stream, and shall overflow the land and all that is therein, the city and those who dwell therein; and the men shall cry, and all the inhabitants of the land shall wail.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Lamentations 2:18
Their heart cried unto the Lord. O wall of the daughter of Zion, let tears run down like a torrent day and night: give thyself no respite; let not the apple of thine eye rest.
(DBY RSV)

Ezekiel 47:19
And the south side southward, from Tamar to the waters of Meribah-Kadesh, by the torrent, unto the great sea: This is the south side southward.
(DBY)

Ezekiel 48:28
And by the border of Gad, at the south side southward, the border shall be from Tamar to the waters of Meribah-Kadesh, by the torrent, unto the great sea.
(DBY)

Amos 6:14
For behold, O house of Israel, saith Jehovah the God of hosts, I will raise up against you a nation; and they shall afflict you from the entering in of Hamath unto the torrent of the Arabah.
(DBY)

Subtopics

Torrent

Related Terms

Brook (75 Occurrences)

Torrent (49 Occurrences)

Kanah (3 Occurrences)

Kishon (6 Occurrences)

Jokneam (5 Occurrences)

Torrential (1 Occurrence)

Mochmur

Besor (3 Occurrences)

Cherith (2 Occurrences)

Sorek (1 Occurrence)

Arabia (9 Occurrences)