Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Significance: Thundering in the Bible often symbolizes the voice and power of God. It is frequently associated with divine revelation, judgment, and the majesty of God. Thunder serves as a reminder of God's omnipotence and His ability to communicate with humanity in awe-inspiring ways.
Biblical References:
1.
Revelation of God: Thunder is often depicted as a manifestation of God's presence and voice. In
Exodus 19:16, during the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, "On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled." This event underscores the holiness and power of God as He establishes His covenant with Israel.
2.
Divine Judgment: Thunder is also associated with God's judgment. In
1 Samuel 7:10, as Samuel was offering a burnt offering, "the LORD thundered with a loud thunder against the Philistines and threw them into such a panic that they were routed before the Israelites." Here, thunder serves as a divine weapon, demonstrating God's intervention on behalf of His people.
3.
Voice of God: The Psalms frequently describe thunder as the voice of God.
Psalm 29:3-4 states, "The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty." This passage highlights the authority and grandeur of God's voice, likening it to the natural phenomenon of thunder.
4.
Prophetic Imagery: In the prophetic literature, thunder often accompanies visions and messages from God. In
Revelation 4:5, John describes the heavenly throne room: "From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God." Thunder here is part of the apocalyptic imagery that conveys the awe and mystery of God's presence.
5.
Symbol of Power: Thunder is a symbol of God's unmatched power and might.
Job 37:4-5 declares, "After it, a voice roars; He thunders with His majestic voice, and He does not restrain the lightning when His voice is heard. God thunders wondrously with His voice; He does great things that we cannot comprehend." This passage emphasizes the incomprehensible nature of God's power as expressed through thunder.
Theological Implications: Thundering in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and His ability to communicate with humanity in ways that transcend human understanding. It is a call to reverence and awe, recognizing that God's voice can both comfort and judge. Thunder, as a natural phenomenon, becomes a metaphor for the divine, illustrating the intersection of the natural and the supernatural in the biblical narrative.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Thunder.
2. (a.) Emitting thunder.
3. (a.) Very great; -- often adverbially.
4. (n.) Thunder.
Greek
1027. bronte -- thunder... Word Origin akin to bremo (to roar) Definition thunder NASB Word Usage peals of
thunder (8), Thunder (1), thunder (2), thundered* (1). thunder,
thundering.
...Strong's Hebrew
8663. teshuah -- noise... Word Origin from the same as sho Definition noise NASB Word Usage noise
(1), shoutings (1), shouts (1), storm (1),
thundering (1).
...Library
Of the Law and a Christian
... grace and forgiveness of sins; he is now, I say, by faith in the Lord Jesus, shrouded
under so perfect and blessed a righteousness, that thisthundering law of...
On Bk. v. Introd. I (Note 3, Continued). The Successors of...
... chap.5, to which Eusebius refers in Bk. V. chap.5). It was of Marcus Aurelius, moreover,
that the story of theThundering Legion was told (see ibid.)....
Preached Before the Governor, and Council, and the House of...
... ye clothe you, but there is none warm: and he that earneth wages, earneth wages
to put it into a bag with holes." Still he goes onthundering and lightening...
Of the Trinity and a Christian, and of the Law and a Christian.
... grace and forgiveness of sins; he is now, I say, by faith in the Lord Jesus shrouded
under so perfect and blessed a righteousness, that thisthundering law of...
Apolinarius, Bishop of the Church of Hierapolis.
... V. chap. 5, Eusebius speaks of the story of thethundering legion as recorded by
Apolinarius, and it has been thought (eg by Salmon, in the Dict. of Christ....
Things that Accompany Salvation
... Remember, then, that the Spirit of God always accompanies Salvation. And now, close
in the rear of the adorable Spirit follow theThundering Legion....
God Sent Rain from Heaven for Marcus Aurelius C??sar in Answer to...
... whose prayers the wonder took place received from the emperor a title appropriate
to the event, being called in the language of the Romans theThundering Legion...
The Doctrine
... unacquainted with the natures of these two covenants, or either of them, therefore,
"they say," "Here is nothing but preaching of the law,thundering of the law...
Ebenezer!
... Not by our strength, not by our power, but by the glorious voice of God.
When the gospel is truly preached it is Godthundering....
Introduction.
... may be the holiest), to tone down his great voice, which, too loud for men to hear
it aright, could but sound to them as an inarticulatethundering, into such...
Thesaurus
Thundering (16 Occurrences)...Thundering (16 Occurrences).
... 1 Chronicles 16:32 Let the sea be
thundering with all
its waters; let the field be glad, and everything which is in it; (BBE).
...Thunder-flames (8 Occurrences)
Thunder-flames. Thunder-flame, Thunder-flames.Thundering . Multi-Version
Concordance... (BBE). Thunder-flame, Thunder-flames.Thundering . Reference Bible
Sounding (99 Occurrences)
... Job 37:4 After it a voice is sounding,thundering out the word of his power; he
does not keep back his thunder-flames; from his mouth his voice is sounding....
Thunderings (6 Occurrences)
Raging (26 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 17:12 Ah! the voice of peoples, like the loud sounding of the seas, and the
thundering of great nations rushing on like the bursting out of waters!...
Rumbling (7 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 17:12 Ah! the voice of peoples, like the loud sounding of the seas, and the
thundering of great nations rushing on like the bursting out of waters!...
Din (2 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 51:55 For the Lord is making Babylon waste, and putting an end to the great
voice coming out of her; and her waves arethundering like great waters...
Bursting (22 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 17:12 Ah! the voice of peoples, like the loud sounding of the seas, and the
thundering of great nations rushing on like the bursting out of waters!...
Calm (18 Occurrences)
... (WEB JPS NAS NIV). Isaiah 51:15 For I am the Lord your God, who makes the sea calm
when its waves arethundering: the Lord of armies is his name. (BBE)....
Rage (43 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 17:12 Ah! the voice of peoples, like the loud sounding of the seas, and the
thundering of great nations rushing on like the bursting out of waters!...
Resources
What did Jesus mean when He said, “If I be lifted up,” in John 12:32? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the seven trumpets of Revelation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the open heaven concept? | GotQuestions.orgThundering: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
