Dictionaries :: Whirlwind

International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia

Whirlwind:

hwurl'-wind (cuphah (Pr 1:27; 10:25; Isa 5:28; 17:13; 66:15; Ho 8:7; Am 1:14; Nab 1:3), ca‘ar (Hab 3:14; Zec 7:14; Ho 13:3; Ps 58:9; Da 11:40), ce‘arah (2Ki 2:1; Job 38:1; 40:6; Isa 40:24; 41:16; Zec 9:14)): When two currents from opposite directions meet, a circular motion results called a whirlwind. On the sea this takes up small particles of water from the sea and condenses some of the moisture in the clouds above, forming a great funnel-shaped column. They are quite common off the coast of Syria. Considerable damage might be done to a small ship overtaken by them. In the desert sand is taken up in the same way, causing terrible sandstorms which are greatly dreaded by caravans. Most of the references in the Bible do not necessarily imply a circular motion, and the word "tempest" might be used in translation.

Storms usually come from the Southwest. "Out of the.... south cometh the storm" (Job 37:9); yet in Ezekiel's vision he saw a whirlwind coming out of the north (Eze 1:4). Elijah "went up by a whirlwind into heaven" (2Ki 2:11). The whirlwind indicates the power and might of Yahweh: "Yahweh hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm" (Na 1:3); He "answered Job out of the whirlwind" (Job 38:1).

Most of the Scriptural uses are figurative; of destruction: "He will take them away with a whirlwind" (Ps 58:9; Pr 1:27; 10:25; Ho 13:3; Da 11:40; Am 1:14; Hab 3:14; Zec 7:14); of quickness: "wheels as a whirlwind" (Isa 5:28; 66:15; Jer 4:13); of the anger of God: "A whirlwind of the Lord is gone forth in fury" (Jer 23:19 the King James Version); of punishment to the wicked: "A continuing whirlwind.... shall fall.... on the wicked" (Jer 30:23 the King James Version).

Written by Alfred H. Joy

Nave's Topical Bible

Whirlwind: Destructive

Pro 1:27

Whirlwind: From the South

In the land of Uz,

Job 37:9;

in the valley of the Euphrates,

Isa 21:1;

in the land of Caanan,

Zec 9:14.

Whirlwind: From the North

Eze 1:4

Whirlwind: Elijah Transported Upward In

2Ki 2:1, 11

Whirlwind: God Answered Job In

Job 38:1

Whirlwind: Reference Concerning

See METEOROLOGY

Whirlwind: Figurative:

Of the judgment of God,

Jer 23:19; 30:23.

Of the fruits of unrighteousness,

Hsa 8:7.

Of divine judgments,

Eze 1:4.

Torrey's New Topical Textbook

Whirlwind: Generally Came from the South

Job 37:9; Isa 21:1; Zec 9:14

Whirlwind: Sometimes Came from the North

Eze 1:4

Whirlwind: Called the Whirlwind of God

Jer 23:19; 30:23

Whirlwind: Arose up from the Earth

Jer 25:32

Whirlwind: Miracles Connected With

Elijah taken to heaven in

2Ki 2:1,11

God spoke to Job from

Job 38:1; 40:6

Whirlwind: Frequently Continued for a Long Time

Jer 30:23

Whirlwind: Destructive Nature Of

Pro 1:27

Whirlwind: Illustrative of The

Speed with which God executes his purposes

Nah 1:3

Velocity of Christ's second coming

Isa 66:15

Velocity of the chariots in hostile armies

Isa 5:28; Jer 4:13

Fury of God's judgments

Jer 25:32; 30:23

Sudden destruction of the wicked

Psa 58:9; Pro 1:27; Isa 17:13; 40:24; 41:16; Jer 30:23

Unavoidable fruit of a life of sin and vanity

Hsa 8:7