Reference: Winds
American
Mt 24:31. The winds which most commonly prevail in Palestine are from the western quarter, more usually perhaps from the south-west, Lu 12:54. Not infrequently a north wind arises, Job 37:9, which, as in ancient days, is till the sure harbinger of fair weather; illustrating the truth of the observation in Pr 25:23, "The north wind driveth away rain." For the tempestuous wind called EUROCLYDON, see that article.
But the wind most frequently mentioned in the Bible is the "cast wind," which is represented as blasting and drying up the fruits, Ge 41:6; Eze 17:10; 19:12, and also as blowing with great violence, Ps 48:7; Eze 27:26; Jon 4:8. It is also the "horrible tempest" literally the glow-wind, of Ps 11:6. This is a sultry and oppressive wind blowing from the south-east, and prevailing only in the hot and dry months of summer. Coming thus from the vast Arabian desert, it seems to increase the heat and drought of the season, and produces universal languor and debility. Rev. Dr. Eli Smith, who experienced it effects during the summer, at Beyrout, describes it as possessing the same qualities and characteristics as the Sirocco, which he had felt at Malta, and which also prevails in Sicily and Italy; except that the Sirocco, in passing over the sea, acquires great dampness. This wind is called by the Arabs the Simoom, by the Turks the Samuel; and by the Egyptians the Camsin; and has long been regarded as a pestilential wind, suddenly overtaking travelers and caravans in the deserts, and almost instantly destroying them by its poisonous and suffocating death. But late and judicious travelers find no evidence that this wind is laden with any poisonous influence. It is indeed oppressively hot and dry, rapidly evaporating the water in the ordinary skin bottles, stopping the perspiration of travelers, drying up the palate and the air passages, and producing great restlessness and exhaustion. As it often blows with a terrible roaring and violence, it carries dust and fine sand high up into the air, so that the whole atmosphere is lurid, and seems in a state of combustion, and the sun is shorn of his beams, and looks like a globe of dull smoldering fire. Both men and animals are greatly annoyed by the dust, and seek any practicable shelter or covering. The camels turn their backs, and hide their heads from it in the ground. It is often accompanied by local whirlwinds, which form pillars of sand and dust, rising high above the ground and moving with swiftness over the plain. Such a tempest may have suggested some features in the prophetic descriptions of the day of God's power: "wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood and fire and pillars of smoke: the sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood," Joe 2:30-31; Ac 2:19-20.
Dr. Thomson describes another variety of hot winds or siroccos, often more overwhelming than those just mentioned. The sky is covered with clouds, and pale lightning play through the air; but there is no rain, thunder, or wind. The heat, however, is intolerable; every traveler seeks a refuge, the birds hide themselves in the thickest shades, the fowls pant under the walls with open mouths, and no living thing is in motion.
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Then seven other heads of grain sprouted thin and scorched by the desert wind.
Out of the south come the storm, and out of the north the cold.
He rains down fire and burning sulfur upon wicked people. He makes them drink from a cup filled with scorching wind.
You break the ships of Tarshish using the east wind.
The north wind drives away rain. So does an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
Though it is transplanted, will it thrive? Will it not completely wither as soon as the east wind strikes it, wither on the beds where it grew?'
It was uprooted in fury and thrown to the ground. The east wind made it shrivel. It was stripped of its fruit. Its strong branches withered and fire consumed them.
Your rowers have brought you into great waters. The east wind has broken you in the heart of the seas.
I will show wonders in the sky and on the earth: blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. The sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible (awesome) Day of Jehovah comes!
When the sun rose God prepared a sultry (burning hot) east wind. So the sun beat upon the head of Jonah and he grew faint. He requested for himself that he might die. He said: It is better for me to die than to live!
He will send his angels with a great trumpet sound. They will gather together the anointed from the four winds, from one end of the sky (horizon) to the other.
He said to the crowd: When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say it will rain and it does.
I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath: blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable (awesome) Day of Jehovah arrives. (Joel 2:31)
Easton
blowing from the four quarters of heaven (Jer 49:36; Eze 37:9; Da 8:8; Zec 2:6). The east wind was parching (Eze 17:10; 19:12), and is sometimes mentioned as simply denoting a strong wind (Job 27:21; Isa 27:8). This wind prevails in Palestine from February to June, as the west wind (Lu 12:54) does from November to February. The south was a hot wind (Job 37:17; Lu 12:55). It swept over the Arabian peninsula. The rush of invaders is figuratively spoken of as a whirlwind (Isa 21:1); a commotion among the nations of the world as a striving of the four winds (Da 7:2). The winds are subject to the divine power (Ps 18:10; 135:7).
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The east wind carries him off. He is gone and it sweeps him out of his place.
You whose garments are hot, when the land is still because of the south wind?
He rode on a cherub and he flew. Yes he did soar on the wings of the wind.
He causes the vapors to rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain. He brings wind out of his storehouses.
Like a whirlwind sweeping across the desert, disaster will come from a terrifying land.
By warfare and exile you contend with her. With his fierce blast he drives her out, as on a day the east wind blows.
I will bring the four winds from the four corners of heaven against Elam and scatter its people in every direction. There will not be a nation where Elam's refugees will not go.
Though it is transplanted, will it thrive? Will it not completely wither as soon as the east wind strikes it, wither on the beds where it grew?'
It was uprooted in fury and thrown to the ground. The east wind made it shrivel. It was stripped of its fruit. Its strong branches withered and fire consumed them.
Then Jehovah said to me: Prophesy to the wind (ruach: air, breath, spirit, life)! Prophesy, son of man. Tell the wind, this is what the Lord Jehovah says: 'Come from the four winds, O Breath, and breathe on these people who were killed so that they will live.'
Daniel said: I saw in my vision by night, the four winds of heaven blew upon the great sea.
The he-goat promoted (boasted about) himself exceedingly. He was strong. The great horn was broken and instead of it there came up four notable horns toward the four winds of heaven.
Flee from the land of the north, said Jehovah. I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heavens, continued Jehovah.
He said to the crowd: When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say it will rain and it does. When you see a south wind blowing, you say there will be scorching heat and there is.
Fausets
The four represent the four quarters (Eze 37:9; Da 8:8; Mt 24:31; Jer 49:36). The N. wind was coldest (Song 4:16). The N. wind "awakes," i.e. arises strongly; the Holy Spirit as the Reprover of sin (Joh 16:8-11). The S. wind "comes" gently; the Comforter (Joh 14:16). The W. wind brings rain from the sea (1Ki 18:44-45); its precursor is cloud (Lu 12:54), prevailing in Palestine from November to February. The E. wind is tempestuous (Job 27:21) and, withering (Ge 41:23). The N. wind is first invoked (Song 4:16) to clear the air (Job 37:22); then the warm S. wind (Job 37:17; Lu 12:55); so the Holy Spirit first clears away mists of gloom, error, unbelief, and sin, which intercept the light of the Sun of righteousness, then infuses warmth (2Co 4:6), causing the graces to exhale their odor.
In Pr 25:23 "the N. wind driveth away (literally, causeth to grieve, so puts to flight) rain," so a frowning countenance drives away a backbiting tongue. So Vulgate, Chald., and Syriac less appropriately "bringeth forth rain." The N. wind prevails from June to the equinox, the N.W. wind thence to November. The E. wind, "the wind of the wilderness" (Job 1:19; 27:21; Jer 13:24). It is parching and penetrating, like the sirocco (Jon 4:8). The E. wind blowing from across the Red Sea, just at the Passover time of year, was the natural agency employed by divine interposition to part the waters of the Red Sea S. of Suez (Ex 14:21). The E. wind meant in Ge 41:6,23 is probably the S.E. wind blowing from the Arabian desert, called the chamsin, so parching as to wither up all grass; during it there is an entire absence of ozone in the air.
The samoom blows from the S.S.E.; blowing over the Arabian peninsula, it is parching when it reaches Palestine. Lake squalls (lailaps) are noticed Mr 4:37; Lu 8:23. The Greek (lips) name for S.W. wind, and the Latin (cores) N.W. wind, and the violent Euraquilon (not Euroclydon), E.N.E. wind, are noticed Ac 27:12,14. (See EUROCLYDON.) The E. wind symbolizes empty violence (Job 15:2; Ho 12:1; Israel "followeth after" not only vain but pernicious things) and destruction (Jer 18:17; Isa 27:8). Wind indicates speed (Ps 104:4; Heb 1:7), transitoriness (Job 7:7; Ps 78:39), the Holy Spirit (Joh 3:8; Ac 2:2; Ge 3:8 margin).
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The man and his wife heard the sound (voice) of Jehovah God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day. They hid from Jehovah, among the trees of the garden.
Then seven other heads of grain sprouted thin and scorched by the desert wind.
Seven other heads of grain, withered, thin, and scorched by the east wind, sprouted behind them.
Seven other heads of grain, withered, thin, and scorched by the east wind, sprouted behind them.
Moses stretched out his hand over the sea. Jehovah swept the sea back by a strong east wind all night and turned the sea into dry land. The waters were divided.
The seventh time he said: I see a cloud coming up out of the sea, as small as a man's hand. Then Elijah said: Go up and say to Ahab, Get your carriage ready and go down or the rain will keep you back. After a very little time, the heaven became black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. Ahab went in his carriage to Jezreel.
when a storm swept in from the desert. It blew the house down and killed them all. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.
O God, remember that my life is but a breath. I will never again see good.
Should a wise man answer with empty notions or be filled with the hot east wind?
The east wind carries him off. He is gone and it sweeps him out of his place.
The east wind carries him off. He is gone and it sweeps him out of his place.
You whose garments are hot, when the land is still because of the south wind?
Golden splendors come out of the north around God's awesome majesty.
He remembered that they were only flesh and blood, a breeze that blows and does not return.
You make the winds your messengers, the flaming fire your ministers.
The north wind drives away rain. So does an angry countenance a backbiting tongue.
(The Shulamite) Awake, O north wind; and come south; blow upon my garden that the spices may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.
(The Shulamite) Awake, O north wind; and come south; blow upon my garden that the spices may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.
By warfare and exile you contend with her. With his fierce blast he drives her out, as on a day the east wind blows.
I will scatter you like straw that is blown away by a desert wind.
Like an east wind I will scatter them before the enemy. I will show them my back and not my face in the day of their calamity.'
I will bring the four winds from the four corners of heaven against Elam and scatter its people in every direction. There will not be a nation where Elam's refugees will not go.
Then Jehovah said to me: Prophesy to the wind (ruach: air, breath, spirit, life)! Prophesy, son of man. Tell the wind, this is what the Lord Jehovah says: 'Come from the four winds, O Breath, and breathe on these people who were killed so that they will live.'
The he-goat promoted (boasted about) himself exceedingly. He was strong. The great horn was broken and instead of it there came up four notable horns toward the four winds of heaven.
The people of Ephraim try to catch the wind and try to chase the east wind all day. They are very dishonest, violent and destructive. They make treaties with Assyria and take olive oil to Egypt.
When the sun rose God prepared a sultry (burning hot) east wind. So the sun beat upon the head of Jonah and he grew faint. He requested for himself that he might die. He said: It is better for me to die than to live!
He will send his angels with a great trumpet sound. They will gather together the anointed from the four winds, from one end of the sky (horizon) to the other.
Jesus fell asleep as they sailed to the other side. A large windstorm came to the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in danger.
He said to the crowd: When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say it will rain and it does. When you see a south wind blowing, you say there will be scorching heat and there is.
The wind blows where it will. You hear the sound of it. Yet you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. It is like this with every one who is born from the Spirit.
I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another helper, that he [the Father] may be with you forever.
Upon arrival this one will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment. First of sin because they do not practice active faith in me. read more. Second, of righteousness, because I go to the Father and you will not see me anymore. And third, of judgment because the prince of this world has been judged.
Suddenly there came a sound from heaven like a rushing mighty wind. It filled the house where they were sitting.
It was not a good harbor in which to spend the winter. Nearly everyone was in favor of putting out to sea and trying to reach Phoenix in order to spend the winter there. Phoenix is a harbor in Crete that faces southwest and northwest.
Soon a very strong northeast wind blew down from the island.
God said: Light will shine out of darkness. He shined in our hearts. He gave the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face (presence) ((person) of Jesus Christ.
Of the angels he says: He makes his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. (Psalm 104:4)
Smith
Winds.
That the Hebrews recognized the existence of four prevailing winds as issuing, broadly speaking, from the four cardinal points, north, south, east and west, may be inferred from their custom of using the expression "four winds" as equivalent to the "four quarters" of the hemisphere.
Eze 37:9; Da 8:8; Zec 2:6; Mt 24:31
The north wind, or, as it was usually called "the north," was naturally the coldest of the four, Ecclus. 43:20 and its presence is hence invoked as favorable to vegetation in
It is described in
as bringing rain; in this case we must understand the northwest wind. The northwest wind prevails from the autumnal equinox to the beginning of November, and the north wind from June to the equinox. The east wind crosses the sandy wastes of Arabia Deserts before reaching Palestine and was hence termed "the wind of the wilderness."
It blows with violence, and is hence supposed to be used generally for any violent wind.
Job 27:21; 38:24; Ps 48:7; Isa 27:8; Eze 27:26
In Palestine the east wind prevails from February to June. The south wind, which traverses the Arabian peninsula before reaching Palestine, must necessarily be extremely hot.
Job 37:17; Lu 12:55
The west and southwest winds reach Palestine loaded with moisture gathered from the Mediterranean, and are hence expressly termed by the Arabs "the fathers of the rain." Westerly winds prevail in Palestine from November to February. In addition to the four regular winds, we have notice in the Bible of the local squalls,
Mr 4:37; Lu 8:23
to which the Sea of Gennesareth was liable. In the narrative of St. Paul's voyage we meet with the Greek term Lips to describe the southwest wind; the Latin Carus or Caurus, the northwest wind
and Euroclydon, a wind of a very violent character coming from east-northeast.
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when a storm swept in from the desert. It blew the house down and killed them all. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.
The east wind carries him off. He is gone and it sweeps him out of his place.
You whose garments are hot, when the land is still because of the south wind?
What is the way to the place where the lightning is dispersed, or the place where the east winds are scattered over the earth?
You break the ships of Tarshish using the east wind.
(The Shulamite) Awake, O north wind; and come south; blow upon my garden that the spices may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.
By warfare and exile you contend with her. With his fierce blast he drives her out, as on a day the east wind blows.
I will dash them against each other, both the fathers and the sons together, declares Jehovah. 'I will not show pity nor be sorry nor have compassion so as not to destroy them.'
Your rowers have brought you into great waters. The east wind has broken you in the heart of the seas.
Then Jehovah said to me: Prophesy to the wind (ruach: air, breath, spirit, life)! Prophesy, son of man. Tell the wind, this is what the Lord Jehovah says: 'Come from the four winds, O Breath, and breathe on these people who were killed so that they will live.'
The he-goat promoted (boasted about) himself exceedingly. He was strong. The great horn was broken and instead of it there came up four notable horns toward the four winds of heaven.
Flee from the land of the north, said Jehovah. I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heavens, continued Jehovah.
He will send his angels with a great trumpet sound. They will gather together the anointed from the four winds, from one end of the sky (horizon) to the other.
Jesus fell asleep as they sailed to the other side. A large windstorm came to the lake. The boat was filling with water, and they were in danger.
When you see a south wind blowing, you say there will be scorching heat and there is.
Soon a very strong northeast wind blew down from the island.