Reference: Thunder
American
And lightning are significant manifestations of the power of God, and emblems of his presence, Ex 19:16; 1Sa 2:10; 12:17; Ps 18:13. Thunder is poetically called "the voice of the Lord" in the sublime description of a thunder-storm in Ps 29:11;
The voice of the Lord is upon the waters;
The God of glory thundereth;
The Lord is upon many waters.
The voice of the Lord is powerful;
The voice of the Lord is full of majesty.
The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars;
Yea, the Lord breaketh the cedars of Lebanon," etc.
See also Job 37:1-5; 40:9; Jer 10:13. In illustration of Ps 29:9, Moffat, while describing the thunder-storms of South Africa, say that the antelopes flee in consternation; and that he has observed the Bechuanas starting off early on the morning following such a storm in quest of young antelopes prematurely born. In Ps 78:48, "hot thunderbolts" means lightning.
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And the third day in the morning there was thunder, and lightning and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the horn waxed exceeding loud, and all the people that was in the host was afraid.
At this, my heart is astonished, and moved out of his place. Hear then the sound of his voice, and the noise that goeth out of his mouth. read more. He governeth everything under the heaven, and his light reacheth unto the end of the world. A roaring voice followeth him: for his glorious majesty giveth such a thunder clap, that, though a man hear it, yet may he not perceive it afterward. It giveth a horrible sound, when God sendeth out his voice: great things doth he, which we can not comprehend.
Is thine arm then like the arm of God? Maketh thy voice such a sound as his doth?
The LORD also thundered out of the heaven, and the highest gave his thunder, with hailstones and coals of fire. {TYNDALE: The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most high put out his voice.}
The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to bring forth young, and discovereth the thick bushes; in his temple doth every man speak of his honour.
The LORD shall give strength unto his people; the LORD shall give his people the blessing of peace.
How he smote their cattle also with hail stones, and their flocks with hot thunderbolts;
At his voice the waters gather together in the air; he draweth up the clouds from the utmost parts of the earth: he turneth lightning to rain, and bringeth forth the winds out of their treasures.
Easton
often referred to in Scripture (Job 40:9; Ps 77:18; 104:7). James and John were called by our Lord "sons of thunder" (Mr 3:17). In Job 39:19, instead of "thunder," as in the Authorized Version, the Revised Version translates (ra'amah) by "quivering main" (marg., "shaking"). Thunder accompanied the giving of the law at Sinai (Ex 19:16). It was regarded as the voice of God (Job 37:2; Ps 18:13; 81:7; comp. Joh 12:29). In answer to Samuel's prayer (1Sa 12:17-18), God sent thunder, and "all the people greatly feared," for at such a season (the wheat-harvest) thunder and rain were almost unknown in Palestine.
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And the third day in the morning there was thunder, and lightning and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the horn waxed exceeding loud, and all the people that was in the host was afraid.
Is it not now wheat harvest? And yet for all that, I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain. Wherefore, perceive and understand how that your wickedness is great which ye have done in the sight of the LORD in asking you a king." And when Samuel called unto the LORD, the LORD sent thunder and rain the same day. And all the people feared the LORD and Samuel exceedingly.
Hear then the sound of his voice, and the noise that goeth out of his mouth.
"Hast thou given the horse his strength? Or learned him to bow down his neck with fear:
Is thine arm then like the arm of God? Maketh thy voice such a sound as his doth?
The LORD also thundered out of the heaven, and the highest gave his thunder, with hailstones and coals of fire. {TYNDALE: The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most high put out his voice.}
The voice of thy thunder was heard round about; the lightnings shone upon the ground. The earth was moved, and shook withal.
When thou calledest upon me in trouble, I delivered thee, and heard thee, what time as the storm fell upon thee. I proved thee also at the waters of strife. Selah.
But at thy rebuke they flee, at the voice of thy thunder they are afraid.
And he called James the son of Zebedee, and John, James' brother, and gave them Boanerges to name, which is to say, the Sons of Thunder.
Then said the people that stood by and heard, "It thundereth." Others said, "An angel spake to him."
Fausets
Rare in the clear air of Palestine in harvest time or summer, which shows how its coming at Samuel's call unto Jehovah was by divine agency (1Sa 12:17-18). God so blessed the Holy Land that the ingathering of fruits and the threshing in the open air were unimpeded by rain. Its coming then would be as unseasonable and calamitous as "honour" conferred on a "fool" (Pr 26:1). Symbolizing divine wrath and judgment (Ex 19:16; Ps 29:3-9; 1Sa 2:10). Thunderings are figuratively spoken of as "voices of God" (Ex 9:28 margin, compare Joh 12:29-30). Job 26:14, translated "and how faint is the word whisper that we hear of Him! but the thunder (i.e. the majestic fullness) of His power (in antithesis to 'the whisper') who can understand?" (1Co 13:9-12.) Job 39:19, "hast thou clothed his (the horse's) neck with thunder?" i.e. majesty (Umbreit): or his arched neck inspiring fear as the thunder does; but Maurer, "with his trembling, quivering mane."
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Pray ye unto the LORD, that the thunder of God and hail may cease, and I will let you go, and ye shall tarry no longer."
And the third day in the morning there was thunder, and lightning and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the horn waxed exceeding loud, and all the people that was in the host was afraid.
Is it not now wheat harvest? And yet for all that, I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain. Wherefore, perceive and understand how that your wickedness is great which ye have done in the sight of the LORD in asking you a king." And when Samuel called unto the LORD, the LORD sent thunder and rain the same day. And all the people feared the LORD and Samuel exceedingly.
This is now a short sum of his doings. But who is able sufficiently to rehearse his works? Who can perceive and understand the thunder of his power?"
"Hast thou given the horse his strength? Or learned him to bow down his neck with fear:
It is the LORD that commandeth the waters: It is the glorious God that maketh the thunder. It is the LORD that ruleth the sea. The voice of the LORD is mighty in operation; the voice of the LORD is a glorious voice. read more. The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedar trees; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon. He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon also, and Sirion, like a young unicorn. The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire; the voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; yea, the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to bring forth young, and discovereth the thick bushes; in his temple doth every man speak of his honour.
Like as snow is not mete in summer, nor rain in harvest; even so is worship unseemly for a fool.
Then said the people that stood by and heard, "It thundereth." Others said, "An angel spake to him." Jesus answered and said, "This voice came not because of me: but for your sakes.
For our knowledge is unperfect, and our prophesying is unperfect: but when that which is perfect is come, then that which is unperfect shall be done away. read more. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I imagined as a child: but as soon as I was a man I put away childishness. Now we see in a glass, even in a dark speaking: but then shall we see face to face. Now I know unperfectly: but then shall I know even as I am known.
Hastings
There is no finer description of a thunderstorm than that of Ps 29. In a land of high mountains and deep gorges, split throughout its length by the great cleft of the Jordan, the effect of thunder is peculiarly terrible. In Palestine it is confined almost entirely to winter (1Sa 12:17 f.), but the writer once witnessed a terrific storm late in April, among the Gilead uplands. It is invariably accompanied by rain. According to poetic and popular Ideas, thunder was the voice of God (Ps 104:7; Job 37:4 etc.), which a soul gifted with insight might understand and interpret (Joh 12:28 f.; cf. Mr 1:11; Mt 3:17 etc.). It is the expression of His resistless power (1Sa 2:10; Ps 18:13 etc.), and of His inexorable vengeance (Isa 30:30 etc.). Thunder plays a part in afflicting the Egyptians (Ex 9:23 ff.), at the delivery of the Law (Ex 19:16; 20:18), and in discomfiting the Philistines (1Sa 7:10). It is not guided by caprice, but by the will of God (Job 28:26; 38:25). It appears largely in the more terrible imagery of the Apocalypse. For 'Sons of Thunder,' see Boanerges.
W. Ewing.
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And Moses stretched out his rod unto heaven, and the LORD thundered and hailed, so that the fire ran along upon the ground. And the LORD so hailed in the land of Egypt
And the third day in the morning there was thunder, and lightning and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the horn waxed exceeding loud, and all the people that was in the host was afraid.
And all the people saw the thunder and the lightning and the noise of the horn, and how the mountain smoked.
The LORD's adversaries shall be made to fear him: and out of heaven he shall thunder upon them. The LORD shall judge the ends of the world, and shall give might unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed."
And as Samuel offered the burnt offering, the Philistines came to fight against Israel. But the LORD thundered a great thunder the same day upon the Philistines, and turmoiled them, that they were beaten before Israel.
Is it not now wheat harvest? And yet for all that, I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain. Wherefore, perceive and understand how that your wickedness is great which ye have done in the sight of the LORD in asking you a king."
When he set the rain in order, and gave the mighty floods a law;
A roaring voice followeth him: for his glorious majesty giveth such a thunder clap, that, though a man hear it, yet may he not perceive it afterward. It giveth a horrible sound,
"Who divideth the abundance of waters into rivers, or who maketh a way for the stormy weather,
The LORD also thundered out of the heaven, and the highest gave his thunder, with hailstones and coals of fire. {TYNDALE: The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most high put out his voice.}
But at thy rebuke they flee, at the voice of thy thunder they are afraid.
The LORD also shall set up the power of his voice, and declare his terrible arm, with his angry countenance; yea, and the flame of the consuming fire, with earthquake, tempest of wind, and hailstones.
And, lo, there came a voice from heaven, saying, "This is that, my beloved son, in whom is my delight."
And there came a voice from heaven, "Thou art my dear son, in whom I delight."
Father, glorify thy name." Then came there a voice from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again."
Morish
This is of rare occurrence in Palestine, and is regarded in scripture as being the voice of God in power, both in the O.T. of the past and in the Revelation of the future. Ps. 29; Ps 77:18; 104:7; Re 4:5; 6:1; etc.: compare also Joh 12:29. In Ps 78:48, in recounting the plagues of Egypt, the flocks are represented as being consumed by HOT THUNDERBOLTS. The word is resheph, and is also translated 'coals,' 'burning coals,' 'burning heat.' Doubtless lightning is referred to, as when the 'fire of God' fell from heaven and burnt up Job's sheep. Job 1:16.
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And while he was yet speaking, there came another, and said, "The fire of God is fallen from heaven, it hath consumed, and burnt up all thy sheep and servants: and I only ran my way, to tell thee."
The voice of thy thunder was heard round about; the lightnings shone upon the ground. The earth was moved, and shook withal.
How he smote their cattle also with hail stones, and their flocks with hot thunderbolts;
But at thy rebuke they flee, at the voice of thy thunder they are afraid.
Then said the people that stood by and heard, "It thundereth." Others said, "An angel spake to him."
And out of the seat proceeded lightnings, and thunderings, and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire, burning before the seat, which are the seven spirits of God.
And I saw when the lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard one of the four beasts say, as it were the noise of thunder, "Come and see."
Smith
is hardly ever heard in Palestine form the middle of April to the middle of September; hence it was selected by Samuel as a striking expression of the divine displeasure toward the Israelites.
Rain in harvest was deemed as extraordinary as snow in summer,
and Jerome states that he had never witnessed it in the latter part of June or in July. Comm. on
In the imaginative philosophy of the Hebrews, thunder was regarded as the voice of Jehovah,
Job 37:2,4-5; 40:9; Ps 18:13; 29:3-9; Isa 30:30-31
who dwelt behind the thunder-cloud.
Thunder was, to the mind of the Jew, the symbol of divine power
etc., and vengeance.
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The LORD's adversaries shall be made to fear him: and out of heaven he shall thunder upon them. The LORD shall judge the ends of the world, and shall give might unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed."
Is it not now wheat harvest? And yet for all that, I will call unto the LORD, and he shall send thunder and rain. Wherefore, perceive and understand how that your wickedness is great which ye have done in the sight of the LORD in asking you a king."
Hear then the sound of his voice, and the noise that goeth out of his mouth.
A roaring voice followeth him: for his glorious majesty giveth such a thunder clap, that, though a man hear it, yet may he not perceive it afterward. It giveth a horrible sound, when God sendeth out his voice: great things doth he, which we can not comprehend.
Is thine arm then like the arm of God? Maketh thy voice such a sound as his doth?
The LORD also thundered out of the heaven, and the highest gave his thunder, with hailstones and coals of fire. {TYNDALE: The LORD thundered from heaven, and the most high put out his voice.}
It is the LORD that commandeth the waters: It is the glorious God that maketh the thunder. It is the LORD that ruleth the sea. The voice of the LORD is mighty in operation; the voice of the LORD is a glorious voice. read more. The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedar trees; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon. He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon also, and Sirion, like a young unicorn. The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire; the voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; yea, the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to bring forth young, and discovereth the thick bushes; in his temple doth every man speak of his honour.
When thou calledest upon me in trouble, I delivered thee, and heard thee, what time as the storm fell upon thee. I proved thee also at the waters of strife. Selah.
Like as snow is not mete in summer, nor rain in harvest; even so is worship unseemly for a fool.
The LORD also shall set up the power of his voice, and declare his terrible arm, with his angry countenance; yea, and the flame of the consuming fire, with earthquake, tempest of wind, and hailstones. Then shall the Assyrians fear also because of the voice of the LORD, which shall smite him with the rod.