Lightning:
frequently referred to by the sacred writers (Nah 1:3-6). Thunder and lightning are spoken of as tokens of God's wrath (2Sa 22:15; Job 28:26; 37:4; Psa 135:7; 144:6; Zec 9:14). They represent God's glorious and awful majesty (Rev 4:5), or some judgment of God on the world (20:9).
Lightning:
lit'-ning (baraq, chaziz; astrape): Lightning is caused by the discharge of electricity between clouds or between clouds and the earth. In a thunder-storm there is a rapid gathering of particles of moisture into clouds and forming of large drops of rain. This gathers with it electric potential until the surface of the cloud (or the enlarged water particles) is insufficient to carry the charge, and a discharge takes place, producing a brilliant flash of light and the resulting thunder-clap. Thunder-storms are common in Syria and Palestine during the periods of heavy rain in the spring and fall and are often severe. Lightning is usually accompanied by heavy rainfall or by hail, as at the time of the plague of hail (Ex 9:24).
See HAIL.
In the Scriptures it is used:
(a) indicating the power of God: The power of God is shown in His command of the forces of Nature, and He is the only one who knows the secrets of Nature: "He made.... a way for the lightning" (Job 28:26); "He directeth.... his lightning" (Job 37:3 the King James Version); "Canst thou send forth lightnings, that they may go?" (Job 38:35); "Ask ye of Yahweh.... that maketh lightnings" (Zec 10:1). See also Ps 18:14; 97:4; 135:7; Job 36:32; Jer 10:13;
(b) figuratively and poetically: David sings of Yahweh, "He sent.... lightnings manifold, and discomfited them" (Ps 18:14); used for speed: "The chariots.... run like the lightnings" (Na 2:4): "His arrow shall go forth as the lightning" (Zec 9:14); "The living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning" (Eze 1:14). The coming of the kingdom is described by Jesus as the shining of the lightning from one part of heaven to another, even "from the east unto the west" (Mt 24:27; Lu 17:24);
(c) meaning bright or shining: Daniel in his vision saw a man and "his face (was) as the appearance of lightning" (Da 10:6). See also Re 4:5; 8:5; 16:18.
Written by Alfred H. Joy
Lightning: General Scriptures Concerning
Job 28:26; 37:3; 38:25, 35; Psa 18:14; 77:18; 78:48; 97:4; 135:7; 144:6; Jer 10:13; 51:16; Eze 1:13, 14; Dan 10:6; Nah 2:4; Zec 9:14; 10:1; Mat 24:27; 28:3; Luk 10:18; Rev 4:5; 8:5; 11:19; 16:18
Lightning:
denotes
(a) "lightning" (akin to LIGHT, B, No. 7), Mat 24:27; 28:3; Luk 10:18; 17:24; in the plural, Rev 4:5; 8:5; 11:19; 16:18;
(b) "bright shining," or "shining brightness," Luk 11:36.
See SHINING.
Hail (1):
hal (baradh; chalaza):
1. Its Occurrence:
Hail usually falls in the spring or summer during severe thunder storms. Hailstones are made up of alternate layers of ice and snow, and sometimes reach considerable size, causing great damage by their fall. Upward currents of air carry up raindrops already formed to the colder regions above, where they freeze, and as they again pass through layers of cloud, their bulk increases until, too heavy to be carried by the current, they fall to the ground. Hailstorms, like thunder storms, occur in narrow belts a few miles in breadth and are of short duration. Almost without exception they occur in the daytime. If they take place before the time of harvest they do great damage to grain and fruit, and in extreme cases have injured property and endangered life.
2. In Syria:
Hailstorms, while by no means common in Syria and Palestine, are not unusual and are of great severity. They occasionally take place in Egypt. Within a few years hailstones of unusual size fell in Port Said, breaking thousands of windows.
3. Biblical Instances:
(1) The plague of hail (Ex 9:23-24; Ps 78:47), which was a local storm, as they usually are, falling on the Egyptians and not striking the children of Israel in Goshen. It was of great severity. "There was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as had not been in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation" (Ex 9:24). It took place in January, for the barley "was in the ear, and the flax was in bloom" (Ex 9:31), and caused great damage.
(2) After the battle with the Amorites at Gibeon, "Yahweh cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more who died with the hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword" (Jos 10:11).
4. As Punishment:
Hail is often spoken of as a means of punishing the wicked: "As a tempest of hail.... will he cast down" (Isa 28:2); "The hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies" (Isa 28:17); and as symbols of God's anger: "I will rain.... great hailstones, fire, and brimstone" (Eze 38:22); "There shall be.... great hailstones in wrath to consume it" (Eze 13:13; compare Isa 30:30; Hag 2:17; Re 8:7; 11:19; 16:21).
5. God's Power:
Yahweh's power and wisdom are shown in controlling the hail: "Hast thou seen the treasuries of the hail?" (Job 38:22); "Fire and hail, snow and vapor.... fulfilling his word" (Ps 148:8).
Written by Alfred H. Joy
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