Topical Encyclopedia In the Bible, storms often symbolize God's power and majesty, serving as both literal and metaphorical representations of His might and judgment. They are depicted as instruments through which God communicates with His people, demonstrating His control over creation and His ability to protect or discipline.Old Testament References 1. Creation and Control: The Bible begins with the assertion of God's sovereignty over the natural world. In Genesis 1:1-2, the Spirit of God hovers over the waters, indicating His authority over the chaotic elements. Throughout the Old Testament, God is depicted as having command over the weather, including storms. In Job 38:1, God speaks to Job out of the whirlwind, emphasizing His omnipotence and the mystery of His ways: "Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said." 2. Judgment and Deliverance: Storms are frequently associated with divine judgment. In the account of Noah's flood (Genesis 6-9), God uses a great storm to cleanse the earth of its wickedness, sparing only Noah and his family. Similarly, in Exodus 9:23-26, God sends a devastating hailstorm upon Egypt as one of the plagues, sparing only the land of Goshen where the Israelites reside. 3. Prophetic Imagery: The prophets often use storm imagery to convey messages of impending judgment or deliverance. In Isaiah 29:6, the Lord's visitation is described with storm-like imagery: "You will be visited by the LORD of Hosts with thunder and earthquake and great noise, with whirlwind and tempest and flames of consuming fire." New Testament References 1. Jesus' Authority: In the New Testament, Jesus demonstrates His divine authority over nature by calming a storm. In Mark 4:39, Jesus rebukes the wind and the sea, saying, "Peace, be still!" The storm ceases, showcasing His power and eliciting awe from His disciples. 2. Metaphorical Storms: Storms are also used metaphorically to describe trials and tribulations. In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus uses the imagery of a storm to illustrate the importance of building one's life on the solid foundation of His teachings. Those who hear and act on His words are likened to a wise man who builds his house on the rock, able to withstand the storms of life. 3. Paul's Shipwreck: In Acts 27, the Apostle Paul experiences a literal storm while being transported as a prisoner to Rome. Despite the severity of the storm, Paul receives assurance from God that all aboard will be saved, demonstrating God's providence and care even in the midst of chaos. Theological Significance Storms in the Bible serve as powerful reminders of God's omnipotence and His active role in the world. They illustrate His ability to bring both judgment and salvation, and they call believers to trust in His sovereignty. The calming of storms by Jesus further affirms His divine nature and His authority over all creation. Through these narratives, storms become a metaphor for the trials believers face, encouraging them to rely on God's strength and protection. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A violent disturbance of the atmosphere, attended by wind, rain, snow, hail, or thunder and lightning; hence, often, a heavy fall of rain, snow, or hail, whether accompanied with wind or not.2. (n.) A violent agitation of human society; a civil, political, or domestic commotion; sedition, insurrection, or war; violent outbreak; clamor; tumult. 3. (n.) A heavy shower or fall, any adverse outburst of tumultuous force; violence. 4. (n.) A violent assault on a fortified place; a furious attempt of troops to enter and take a fortified place by scaling the walls, forcing the gates, or the like. 5. (v. t.) To assault; to attack, and attempt to take, by scaling walls, forcing gates, breaches, or the like; as, to storm a fortified town. 6. (v. i.) To raise a tempest. 7. (v. i.) To blow with violence; also, to rain, hail, snow, or the like, usually in a violent manner, or with high wind; -- used impersonally; as, it storms. 8. (v. i.) To rage; to be in a violent passion; to fume. Greek 5492. cheimazo -- to expose to winter cold, to drive with storm ... to expose to winter cold, to drive with storm. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: cheimazo Phonetic Spelling: (khi-mad'-zo) Short Definition: I am storm ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5492.htm - 6k 5494. cheimon -- winter, a storm 2978. lailaps -- a hurricane 2366. thuella -- a whirlwind 4578. seismos -- a commotion, shaking 5493. cheimarros -- flowing in winter, a torrent 3655. ombros -- a rainstorm 1105. gnophos -- darkness, gloom 4363. prospipto -- to fall upon, fall prostrate before 2148. Eurokludon -- Euroklydon, northeast wind Strong's Hebrew 8183. searah -- a storm... a storm. Transliteration: searah Phonetic Spelling: (seh-aw-raw') Short Definition: storm. ... of saar Definition a storm NASB Word Usage storm (1), tempest (1). ... /hebrew/8183.htm - 6k 5591b. searah -- a tempest, storm wind 5590. saar -- to storm, rage 7584. shaavah -- a devastating storm 5584. saah -- to rush (of storm wind) 5311. nephets -- a driving storm 5492. cuwphah -- a storm wind 5492a. suphah -- a storm wind 7294. Rahab -- "storm," a name for Eg. 7293. Rahab -- "storm," a sea monster Library The Storm Stilled Stillness in Storm Days of Storm The Storm-King Eagle The Gathering Storm Drawing Nearer to the Storm The Rising Storm. A Shelter in the Time of Storm. LM The Storm Hushed. Night, and a Storm, and Hearts with Sore Affright, Thesaurus Storm (62 Occurrences)... 5. (vt) To assault; to attack, and attempt to take, by scaling walls, forcing gates, breaches, or the like; as, to storm a fortified town. ... /s/storm.htm - 25k Storm-wind (19 Occurrences) Ice-storm (14 Occurrences) Storm-winds (3 Occurrences) Storm-cloud (2 Occurrences) Storm-crushed (1 Occurrence) Storm-tossed (2 Occurrences) Rain-storm (1 Occurrence) Storm-flames (1 Occurrence) Tempest (30 Occurrences) Resources What is the significance of Jesus calming the storm? | GotQuestions.orgWhat did Jesus mean when He said, “Peace, be still”? | GotQuestions.org What can we learn from the account of Peter walking on water? | GotQuestions.org Storm: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Storm (62 Occurrences)Matthew 8:24 Matthew 16:3 Mark 4:37 Luke 8:23 Luke 8:24 John 19:15 Acts 27:15 Acts 27:18 Acts 27:20 Acts 27:33 Hebrews 12:18 2 Peter 2:17 Exodus 9:24 2 Kings 14:7 Job 9:17 Job 21:18 Job 27:20 Job 27:21 Job 28:26 Job 30:22 Job 36:33 Job 37:9 Job 38:1 Job 39:24 Job 40:6 Psalms 55:8 Psalms 77:18 Psalms 83:15 Psalms 89:9 Psalms 107:29 Proverbs 1:27 Proverbs 3:25 Isaiah 3:5 Isaiah 4:6 Isaiah 5:28 Isaiah 10:3 Isaiah 17:13 Isaiah 25:4 Isaiah 28:2 Isaiah 29:6 Isaiah 30:30 Isaiah 32:2 Isaiah 41:16 Jeremiah 11:16 Jeremiah 23:19 Jeremiah 25:32 Jeremiah 30:23 Ezekiel 1:4 Ezekiel 30:16 Ezekiel 38:9 Daniel 11:40 Hosea 8:7 Hosea 10:15 Amos 1:14 Jonah 1:4 Jonah 1:12 Nahum 1:3 Nahum 2:4 Habakkuk 3:10 Zechariah 7:14 Zechariah 9:14 Zechariah 10:1 Subtopics Related Terms |