In biblical literature, the term "billows" is often used to describe large waves or surging waters, symbolizing overwhelming circumstances or divine power. The imagery of billows is frequently employed in the Scriptures to convey the might and majesty of God's creation, as well as the trials and tribulations faced by individuals.

Old Testament References

The concept of billows is vividly illustrated in the Psalms, where the psalmists often use the imagery of tumultuous waters to express feelings of distress or to highlight God's sovereignty over creation. In Psalm 42:7 , the psalmist writes, "Deep calls to deep in the roar of Your waterfalls; all Your breakers and waves have rolled over me." Here, the "breakers and waves" or billows symbolize the overwhelming challenges and emotional turmoil the psalmist is experiencing, yet they also acknowledge God's control over these forces.

Similarly, in Jonah 2:3 , the prophet Jonah, from the belly of the great fish, cries out, "For You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the current swirled about me. All Your breakers and waves passed over me." Jonah's use of billows underscores his dire situation and his recognition of God's hand in his circumstances, ultimately leading to his repentance and deliverance.

New Testament References

While the New Testament does not frequently use the term "billows," the concept is present in the narrative of Jesus calming the storm. In Mark 4:37-39 , a "great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already being swamped." Jesus rebukes the wind and the sea, demonstrating His authority over the natural elements. The disciples' awe at His command over the billows reflects their growing understanding of His divine nature.

Symbolism and Theological Significance

In biblical symbolism, billows often represent chaos, danger, and the trials of life. They serve as a metaphor for the overwhelming situations believers may encounter, yet they also remind us of God's omnipotence and His ability to bring peace and deliverance. The imagery of billows can also be seen as a call to faith, urging believers to trust in God's sovereignty even amidst life's storms.

Theologically, the use of billows in Scripture underscores the belief in God's ultimate control over creation. It reflects the understanding that, while the forces of nature may seem formidable, they are subject to the will of the Creator. This perspective encourages believers to find solace in God's power and presence, trusting that He is with them through every trial and tribulation.

Conclusion

The imagery of billows in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of both the challenges of life and the assurance of God's sovereignty. Through the use of this vivid metaphor, Scripture invites believers to trust in God's providence and to find peace in His presence, even amidst the most tumultuous circumstances.1530. gal -- a heap, wave, billow
... Word Origin from galal Definition a heap, wave, billow NASB Word Usage billows
(1), heap (13), heaps (2), rock garden (1), rock pile (1), ruins (1), stone ...
/hebrew/1530.htm - 6k

Introduction.
... Many are being tossed to and fro upon the angry billows. Hope is almost gone. As
they look forward into the distance all is dark and uncertain. ...
/.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/introduction.htm

Epistle Xliii. To Leander Bishop of Hispalis (Seville) .
... For, indeed, I am in this place tossed by such billows of this world that I am in
no wise able to steer into port the old and rotten ship of which, in the ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xliii to leander bishop.htm

Out of the Deep of Doubt, Darkness, and Hell.
... human lives there are periods of trouble, blow following blow, wave following wave,
from opposite and unexpected quarters, till all God's billows have gone ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/out of the deep/v out of the deep.htm

Hymn for the Lighting of the Lamps
... Before that steadfast march the billows fall, Then raise on either hand their crystal
mass, While through the sundered deep Thy people pass And ocean guards ...
/.../prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/v hymn for the lighting.htm

Happy are Ye Whose Bodies have Been Made to Shine!
... in the furnace of fire were baptized, and came forth;"they went in and bathed in
the flood of flame, they were buffeted by the blazing billows."There was ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn viii happy are ye.htm

Darkly the Tempest Swept,
... I. Darkly the tempest swept,. Over the sea; Fiercely the billows leapt,. Bounding
and free; ... Winds from the threatening sky,. Billows that leap.". III. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the apostolic church/darkly the tempest swept.htm

Darkly the Tempest Swept
... Over the sea; Fiercely the billows leapt,. Bounding and free; ... Winds from the threatening
sky,. Billows that leap.". Calmly the Master rose". Winds are assuaged; ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the early church/darkly the tempest swept.htm

Psalm 89:3. 7 &C. Second Part. The Power and Majesty of God; Or ...
... 4 Thy words the raging wind control, And rule the boisterous deep; Thou
mak'st the sleeping billows roll, The rolling billows sleep. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/psalm 89 3 0 7 &c second.htm

The Sea.
... The faithless water swells and raves; Its billows, foaming to the skies,. ... And saw
the horrors of the deep. Now, on presumption's billows borne,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 87 the sea.htm

CM Mrs. Hemans. Christ Stilling the Tempest.
... 2 But the wind ceased,"it ceased,"a word Passed through the gloomy sky; The
troubled billows knew their Lord, And sank beneath his eye. ...
/.../various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/115 c m mrs hemans.htm

Billows (18 Occurrences)
...Billows (18 Occurrences). ... Acts 2:19 I will show wonders in the sky above, and signs
on the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and billows of smoke. (WEB NIV). ...
/b/billows.htm - 11k

Quieting (4 Occurrences)
... south? (YLT). Isaiah 51:15 And I 'am' Jehovah thy God, Quieting the sea, when
its billows roar, Jehovah of Hosts 'is' His name. (YLT). ...
/q/quieting.htm - 7k

Breakers (7 Occurrences)
... Psalms 42:7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy cataracts; all thy breakers
and thy billows are gone over me. (DBY YLT NAS NIV). ...
/b/breakers.htm - 8k

Billow (1 Occurrence)
... BILLOW. bil'-o (gal, "a great rolling wave"): Figuratively, of trouble, "All thy
waves and thy billows are gone over me" (Psalm 42:7; compare Jonah 2:3). ...
/b/billow.htm - 7k

Waves (43 Occurrences)
... All your waves and your billows have swept over me. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS
NAS RSV NIV). ... All your waves and your billows passed over me. ...
/w/waves.htm - 18k

Swept (43 Occurrences)
... All your waves and your billows have swept over me. (WEB NIV). ... The flood was all
around me. All your waves and your billows passed over me. (See NIV). ...
/s/swept.htm - 18k

Bilshan (2 Occurrences)

/b/bilshan.htm - 8k

Sounded (66 Occurrences)
... the border of the sea, A limit age-during, and it passeth not over it, They shake
themselves, and they are not able, Yea, sounded have its billows, and they ...
/s/sounded.htm - 27k

Flood (70 Occurrences)
... the seas. The flood was all around me. All your waves and your billows
passed over me. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV). Nahum 1 ...
/f/flood.htm - 31k

Noisy (14 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 51:55 For Jehovah is spoiling Babylon, And hath destroyed out of it a great
voice, And sounded have its billows as many waters, Given forth a noise ...
/n/noisy.htm - 10k

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