Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, "flashes" often refer to sudden bursts of light or fire, symbolizing divine presence, revelation, or judgment. These occurrences are typically associated with God's power and majesty, serving as a visual representation of His glory and might.
Divine Revelation and PresenceFlashes of light or fire frequently accompany divine revelation or theophany, where God reveals Himself to humanity. In
Exodus 19:16, during the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, the presence of God is marked by dramatic natural phenomena: "On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled." Here, the flashes of lightning signify God's powerful presence as He communicates His covenant to the Israelites.
Similarly, in Ezekiel's vision of the glory of God, flashes of lightning are part of the awe-inspiring scene: "The appearance of the living creatures was like burning coals of fire or like torches. Fire moved back and forth among the creatures; it was bright, and lightning flashed out of it" (
Ezekiel 1:13). This imagery underscores the holiness and transcendence of God, as well as the dynamic nature of His presence.
Judgment and PowerFlashes are also associated with God's judgment and the execution of His power. In the book of Revelation, flashes of lightning often accompany scenes of divine judgment.
Revelation 8:5 describes an angel taking the censer, filling it with fire from the altar, and hurling it to the earth, resulting in "peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake" . These flashes serve as a prelude to the unfolding judgments upon the earth, emphasizing the seriousness and inevitability of God's righteous wrath.
Symbolism in Poetry and Wisdom LiteratureIn the poetic and wisdom literature of the Bible, flashes are used metaphorically to convey intensity and passion. In the Song of Solomon, the love between the bride and bridegroom is described with vivid imagery: "Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the LORD" (
Song of Solomon 8:6). Here, the flashes symbolize the consuming and divine nature of true love, reflecting the intensity and purity of the relationship.
ConclusionThroughout the Scriptures, flashes serve as powerful symbols of God's presence, revelation, and judgment. Whether illustrating the awe-inspiring nature of divine encounters or the intensity of God's love and wrath, flashes are a vivid reminder of the transcendent and dynamic character of the Almighty.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) Plural of Flash.
Greek
797. astrapto -- to lighten, flash forth... lustrous. Word Origin of uncertain origin Definition to lighten, flash forth
NASB Word Usage dazzling (1),
flashes (1). flash, shine.
...5316. phaino -- to bring to light, to cause to appear
... Definition to bring to light, to cause to appear NASB Word Usage appear (5), appeared
(7), appears (1), became evident (1), become (1),flashes (1), noticed (2...
796. astrape -- lightning, brightness
... Word Origin from astrapto Definition lightning, brightness NASB Word Usageflashes
of lightning (4), lightning (4), rays (1). lightning, bright shining....
Strong's Hebrew
7565. resheph -- flame... 7564, 7565. resheph. 7566 . flame. Transliteration: resheph Phonetic
Spelling: (reh'-shef) Short Definition:
flashes. Word Origin
...7618. shebo -- (a precious stone) perhaps agate
... From an unused root (probably identical with that of shabah through the idea of
subdivision intoflashes or streamers (compare shabiyb) meaning to flame; a gem...
3940. lappid -- a torch
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a torch NASB Word Usage burning
torches (1), lightningflashes (1), torch (4), torches (7)....
1300. baraq -- lightning
... lightning NASB Word Usage flash like lightning (1), flashing (1), gleaming (2),
glittering point (1), lightning (9), lightningflashes (3), lightnings (4)....
1082. balag -- to gleam, smile
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to gleam, smile NASB Word Usage cheerful (1),
flashes forth (1), have a cheer (1), smile (1). comfort, recover strengthen....
Library
Unrestrained Communion
... For love is strong as death; Jealousy (ardent love) is cruel (retentive) as the
grave; Theflashes thereof areflashes of fire,. A very flame of the Lord....
God's Inheritance and Ours
... A dewdrop twinkles into green and gold as the sunlight falls on it. A diamond
flashes many colours as its facets catch the light....
Continued.
... And Jehovah rends the cedars of Lebanon, And makes them leap like a calf; Lebanon
and Sirion like a young buffalo The voice of Jehovah hewingflashes of fire!...
Our Tented Neighbour.
... And then a touch of awe creeps into John's spirit as he writes, and the lightflashes
out of his eye with the intensity of an old picture surging to the front...
Blessed Trust
... There are other tints andflashes of glory sleeping in the jewel which need the
rays of light to impinge upon it at other angles, in order to wake them into...
The Secret of Courage
... But when a man feels, not only 'the God of Jacob is our Refuge,' but, 'the God of
Jacob is my God,' then the whole thingflashes up into new power....
The First Miracle in Cana --The Water Made Wine
... I begin with the first of the series. What, then, is the 'glory of the only
Begotten Son' whichflashes forth upon us from the miracle?...
The Gift and the Giver
... Do not drink the salt water thatflashes and rolls by your side when you
can have recourse to the fountain of life that is with God....
The Pastoral Epistles.
... evidences of Pauline authorship. "There areflashes of the deepest feeling,
outbursts of the most intense expression. There is rhythmic...
The Coin in the Fish's Mouth
... As has been well said, 'In the midst of the act of submission majestyflashes forth.'
A multiform miracle"containing many miracles in one"a miracle of...
Thesaurus
Flashes (16 Occurrences)...Flashes (16 Occurrences). Matthew 24:27 For as the lightning
flashes from the east,
and is seen even to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
...Peals (7 Occurrences)
... Revelation 4:5 Out from the throne there cameflashes of lightning, and voices,
and peals of thunder, while in front of the throne seven blazing lamps were...
Flash (19 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To burst or break forth with a sudden and transient flood of flame and
light; as, the lightingflashes vividly; the powder flashed....
Lightning (49 Occurrences)
... Lightning (49 Occurrences). Matthew 24:27 For as the lightningflashes from the
east, and is seen even to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man....
Jah (44 Occurrences)
... Song of Songs 8:6 Set me as a seal upon thy heart, As a seal upon thine arm: For
love is strong as death; Jealousy is cruel as Sheol: Theflashes thereof are...
Flashing (12 Occurrences)
Flashed (12 Occurrences)
Jealousy (54 Occurrences)
... Jealousy is as cruel as Sheol. Itsflashes areflashes of fire, a very flame
of Yahweh. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Sheol (64 Occurrences)
... as death. Jealousy is as cruel as Sheol. Itsflashes areflashes of fire,
a very flame of Yahweh. (WEB ASV DBY YLT NAS). Isaiah 5...
Visible (12 Occurrences)
... Visible (12 Occurrences). Matthew 24:27 For as the lightningflashes from the east,
and is seen even to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man....
Resources
What happened to the Ark of the Covenant? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the seven bowls/vials of Revelation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat do the seven thunders in Revelation 10:1-7 mean? | GotQuestions.orgFlashes: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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