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βροντή (1027) designates a peal of thunder and its powerful reverberation. Twelve instances span the Gospels and Revelation, almost always in connection with divine speech, judgment, or overwhelming praise.

Occurrences in the New Testament

•Mark 3:17 – “James the son of Zebedee and his brother John… He gave the name ‘Boanerges,’ which means ‘Sons of Thunder.’”
•John 12:29 – When the Father answers the Son, “The crowd standing there heard it and said that it had thundered.”
•Revelation 4:5; 6:1; 8:5; 10:3-4 (twice); 11:19; 14:2; 16:18; 19:6 – nine scenes in which thunder rolls out from God’s throne, accompanies angelic action, or frames eschatological praise.

Old Testament Resonance

The Septuagint frequently links thunder with theophany (Exodus 19:16), covenant making (Exodus 20:18), victory granted through prayer (1 Samuel 7:10), and royal praise (Psalm 29). βροντή therefore carries centuries of revelatory weight into the New Testament narrative.

Thunder as Divine Voice

1.Revelation 4:5 – “From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings, and peals of thunder.” Thunder signals that the sovereign Lord is about to speak or act; it is the audible edge of His glory.
2.John 12:28-29 – When the Father affirms the Son, the unregenerate ear hears only natural sound, illustrating how divine revelation may be misconstrued apart from faith.

Thunder as Impending Judgment

Revelation 8:5; 11:19; 16:18 associate thunder with the onset of trumpet and bowl judgments. The motif underlines the certainty and seriousness of God’s justice. As inPsalm 18:13, heaven’s artillery heralds holy wrath.

Thunder and Worship

Revelation 19:6 – “I heard something like the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters, and like mighty peals of thunder, crying out: ‘Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns!’” Thunderous praise mirrors the intensity of God’s own voice, portraying worship that matches divine majesty.

Thunder and Prophetic Secrecy

Revelation 10:3-4 – The seven thunders speak, but their words are sealed. Thunder here guards mysteries, reminding readers that certain aspects of God’s plan remain unrevealed until the appointed time (compareDeuteronomy 29:29).

Thunder and Apostolic Character

InMark 3:17 Jesus names James and John “Sons of Thunder,” perhaps reflecting their zealous temperament (Luke 9:54). The epithet invites believers to channel holy fervor through love and truth rather than impulsive wrath.

Ministry Implications

• Preaching – Thunder conveys clarity, force, and immediacy. Proclamation of the gospel should carry similar conviction, reverberating with the authority of Scripture.
• Worship –Revelation 19:6 legitimizes exuberant, corporate praise that rises to ‘thunderous’ volume, yet remains anchored in reverence.
• Discernment –John 12:29 cautions that some will hear only noise where others perceive God’s voice; faithful exposition helps the church distinguish divine revelation from mere phenomena.
• Eschatology – Repeated thunders in Revelation assure believers that history is not random; every crash in the narrative is timed to God’s consummating purpose.

Summary

βροντή threads through Scripture as the sonic emblem of God’s presence—announcing His glory, warning of judgment, concealing mysteries, and amplifying worship. Each occurrence invites the church to listen attentively, speak boldly, and live expectantly, knowing that the same voice that once shook Sinai will one day resound in final victory.