Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Nature:Lightning is a natural atmospheric phenomenon characterized by the discharge of electricity, typically occurring during a thunderstorm. In the Bible, lightning is often associated with the power and majesty of God, serving as a symbol of His presence and divine judgment.
Biblical References and Symbolism:Lightning is frequently mentioned in the Scriptures, often in the context of God's revelation and power. It is depicted as a manifestation of God's glory and might, illustrating His control over creation.
1.
Divine Presence and Revelation: Lightning is used to describe the awe-inspiring presence of God. In
Exodus 19:16, during the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, "there was thunder and lightning, a thick cloud on the mountain, and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people in the camp trembled." This event underscores the holiness and authority of God as He communicates with His people.
2.
God's Power and Majesty: The Psalms frequently use lightning to convey God's power.
Psalm 29:7 states, "The voice of the LORD strikes with flashes of lightning." Here, lightning is a metaphor for the voice of God, emphasizing His sovereign power over nature.
3.
Judgment and Wrath: Lightning is also associated with divine judgment. In
Revelation 8:5, lightning is part of the imagery used to describe the judgments of God: "Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake." This passage highlights the fearsome and righteous judgment of God upon the earth.
4.
Christ's Return: Lightning is used to describe the sudden and visible return of Christ. In
Matthew 24:27, Jesus says, "For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man." This imagery emphasizes the unmistakable and global nature of His second coming.
Theological Implications:Lightning, as depicted in the Bible, serves as a powerful reminder of God's omnipotence and the awe-inspiring nature of His presence. It is a symbol of both His creative power and His righteous judgment. The use of lightning in biblical narratives and prophecy underscores the transcendence and immanence of God, who is both above creation and actively involved in the world.
Cultural and Historical Context:In the ancient Near Eastern context, lightning was often associated with deities and divine activity. The biblical portrayal of lightning as an instrument of Yahweh's power distinguishes the God of Israel from the pagan gods, affirming His unique sovereignty over all creation.
Conclusion:While lightning is a natural phenomenon, its biblical representation carries deep spiritual significance. It serves as a vivid illustration of God's power, presence, and judgment, reminding believers of His majesty and the ultimate authority He holds over the universe.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Frequently referred to by the sacred writers (
Nahum 1:3-6). Thunder and lightning are spoken of as tokens of God's wrath (
2 Samuel 22:15;
Job 28:26;
37:4;
Psalm 135:7;
144:6;
Zechariah 9:14). They represent God's glorious and awful majesty (
Revelation 4:5), or some judgment of God on the world (
20:9).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A discharge of atmospheric electricity, accompanied by a vivid flash of light, commonly from one cloud to another, sometimes from a cloud to the earth. The sound produced by the electricity in passing rapidly through the atmosphere constitutes thunder.
2. (n.) The act of making bright, or the state of being made bright; enlightenment; brightening, as of the mental powers.
3. (vb. n.) Lightening.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
LIGHTNINGlit'-ning (baraq, chaziz; astrape): Lightning is caused by the discharge of electricity between clouds or between clouds and the earth. In a thunder-storm there is a rapid gathering of particles of moisture into clouds and forming of large drops of rain. This gathers with it electric potential until the surface of the cloud (or the enlarged water particles) is insufficient to carry the charge, and a discharge takes place, producing a brilliant flash of light and the resulting thunder-clap. Thunder-storms are common in Syria and Palestine during the periods of heavy rain in the spring and fall and are often severe. Lightning is usually accompanied by heavy rainfall or by hail, as at the time of the plague of hail (Exodus 9:24).
SeeHAIL.
In the Scriptures it is used:
(a) indicating the power of God: The power of God is shown in His command of the forces of Nature, and He is the only one who knows the secrets of Nature: "He made.... a way for the lightning" (Job 28:26); "He directeth.... his lightning" (Job 37:3 the King James Version); "Canst thou send forth lightnings, that they may go?" (Job 38:35); "Ask ye of Yahweh.... that maketh lightnings" (Zechariah 10:1). See alsoPsalm 18:14;Psalm 97:4;Psalm 135:7Job 36:32Jeremiah 10:13;
(b) figuratively and poetically: David sings of Yahweh, "He sent.... lightnings manifold, and discomfited them" (Psalm 18:14); used for speed: "The chariots.... run like the lightnings" (Nahum 2:4): "His arrow shall go forth as the lightning" (Zechariah 9:14); "The living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning" (Ezekiel 1:14). The coming of the kingdom is described by Jesus as the shining of the lightning from one part of heaven to another, even "from the east unto the west" (Matthew 24:27Luke 17:24);
(c) meaning bright or shining: Daniel in his vision saw a man and "his face (was) as the appearance of lightning" (Daniel 10:6). See alsoRevelation 4:5;Revelation 8:5;Revelation 16:18.
Alfred H. Joy
Greek
796. astrape --lightning, brightness...lightning, brightness. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: astrape Phonetic
Spelling: (as-trap-ay') Short Definition: a flash of
lightning...1823. exastrapto -- to flash or gleam likelightning, be radiant
... to flash or gleam likelightning, be radiant. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
exastrapto Phonetic Spelling: (ex-as-trap'-to) Short Definition: I flash...
4442. pur -- fire
... Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: pur Phonetic Spelling: (poor) Short Definition:
fire, trials Definition: fire; the heat of the sun,lightning; fig: strife...
797. astrapto -- to lighten, flash forth
... Transliteration: astrapto Phonetic Spelling: (as-trap'-to) Short Definition: I flash,
am lustrous Definition: I flash (with, then like,lightning), am lustrous...
4015. periastrapto -- to tie around
... around. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: periastrapto Phonetic Spelling:
(per-ee-as-trap'-to) Short Definition: I flash around likelightning Definition:...
Strong's Hebrew
1300. baraq --lightning... 1299, 1300. baraq. 1301 .
lightning. Transliteration: baraq Phonetic Spelling:
(baw-rawk') Short Definition:
lightning. Word Origin
...965. bazaq -- alightning flash
... 964, 965. bazaq. 966 . alightning flash. Transliteration: bazaq Phonetic
Spelling: (baw-zawk') Short Definition:lightning. Word...
2385. chaziz -- a thunderbolt,lightning flash
... chaziz. 2386 . a thunderbolt,lightning flash. Transliteration: chaziz Phonetic
Spelling: (khaw-zeez') Short Definition: thunderbolt.... bright cloud,lightning....
1299. baraq -- to flash (oflightning)
... to flash (oflightning). Transliteration: baraq Phonetic Spelling: (baw-rak') Short
Definition: forth.... A primitive root; to lighten (lightning) -- cast forth....
1139. Bene-beraq -- "sons oflightning," a city in Dan
... Bene-beraq. 1140 . "sons oflightning," a city in Dan. Transliteration: Bene-beraq
Phonetic Spelling: (ben-ay'-ber-ak') Short Definition: Bene-berak....
1301. Baraq -- "flash oflightning," an Israelite leader
... 1300, 1301. Baraq. 1302 . "flash oflightning," an Israelite leader.
Transliteration: Baraq Phonetic Spelling: (baw-rawk') Short Definition: Barak....
3940. lappid -- a torch
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a torch NASB Word Usage burning
torches (1),lightning flashes (1), torch (4), torches (7)....
216. or -- a light
... from or Definition a light NASB Word Usage broad (1), dawn (1), dawn* (1), daylight
(1), daylight* (1), early morning (1), light (105),lightning (5), lights (2...
799. esh dath -- fire of a law
esh dath. 798, 799. esh dath. 800 . fire of a law. Transliteration: esh dath
Phonetic Spelling: (esh-dawth') Short Definition:lightning....
7565. resheph -- flame
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition flame NASB Word Usage bolts oflightning
(1), flaming (1), flashes (2), plague (2), sparks* (1)....
Library
Lightning in the Night.
... IV. CREATION. Hymn 84Lightning in the night. John Newton 8,8,8,8.Lightning
in the night. A Glance from heav'n, with sweet effect,....
Lightning in the Night.
... LIFE, DEATH AND FUTURITY. 526. "Lightning in the Night. 526. LM Newton.
Lightning in the Night. 1 A glance from heaven, with...
July the Second Light andLightning
... JULY The Second LIGHT ANDLIGHTNING. "And the spirit of the Lord shall rest
upon Him." "Isaiah 11:1-10.... The light becomeslightning!...
Of Diocletian, who Ignobly Abdicated the Imperial Throne, and was...
... to the assembly of the saints." Chapter XXV."Of Diocletian, who ignobly abdicated
the Imperial Throne, and was terrified by the Dread ofLightning for his...
On Heavenly Objects
... [Ps.76(77):19(18) Vulgate]. Thelightning is the splendor of the evangelists; in
the psalm: Yourlightning lights the globe of the earth. [Ps.76(77):19(18)]....
Another Part of My Smoke' which You Frequently Laugh at is My...
... You, of course, are a man not of smoke but of flame, or rather oflightning; you
fulminate when you speak; you cannot contain the flames which have been...
Hero-Worship.
... Homily VIII. Chapter V."Hero-Worship. "Therefore the magician Nebrod, being destroyed
by thislightning falling on earth from heaven, for this circumstance...
God is Known by his Works.
... to ascend from the ends of the earth: He maketh lightnings for the rain;" [535]
who sends forth His thunder to terrify, and foretells by thelightning the peal...
Mission and Return of the Seventy.
... the latter on their return were overshadowed by the news of John the Baptist's death.]
18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan fallen aslightning from heaven...
How Love Makes Use of Natural, Servile and Mercenary Fear.
...Lightning, thunder, thunderbolts, tempests, inundations, earthquakes, and other
such unforeseen accidents, excite even the most indevout persons to fear God...
Thesaurus
Lightning (49 Occurrences)... Frequently referred to by the sacred writers (Nahum 1:3-6). Thunder and
lightning are spoken of as tokens of God's wrath (2 Samuel 22:15; Job 28:26; 37:4
...Lightning-flash (1 Occurrence)
Lightning-flash.Lightning,Lightning-flash. Lightnings .
Multi-Version ConcordanceLightning-flash (1 Occurrence)....
Flashes (16 Occurrences)
... Flashes (16 Occurrences). Matthew 24:27 For as thelightning flashes from the east,
and is seen even to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man....
Lighten (19 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To burst forth or dart, aslightning; to shine with, or like,lightning;
to display a flash or flashes oflightning; to flash....
Flash (19 Occurrences)
... 9. (n.) A sudden burst of light; a flood of light instantaneously appearing and
disappearing; a momentary blaze; as, a flash oflightning. 10....
Flashed (12 Occurrences)
... Luke 24:4 At this they were in great perplexity, when suddenly there stood
by them two men whose raiment flashed likelightning. (WEY)....
Peals (7 Occurrences)
... Revelation 4:5 Out from the throne there came flashes oflightning, and voices,
and peals of thunder, while in front of the throne seven blazing lamps were...
Thunder (48 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) The sound which follows a flash oflightning;
the report of a discharge of atmospheric electricity.... See alsoLIGHTNING....
Glittering (12 Occurrences)
... glit'-er, glit'-er-ing (baraq, "lightning"): The word is used in sense of "glittering"
in the Old Testament with "sword," "spear" (Deuteronomy 32:41 Job 20:25...
Glitter (3 Occurrences)
... glit'-er, glit'-er-ing (baraq, "lightning"): The word is used in sense of "glittering"
in the Old Testament with "sword," "spear" (Deuteronomy 32:41 Job 20:25...
Resources
What did Jesus mean when He said, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven”? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Church of Almighty God / Eastern Lightning? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible mean when it refers to the corners of the earth? | GotQuestions.orgLightning: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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