Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and SignificanceIn the Bible, thunder is often depicted as a powerful manifestation of God's presence and voice. It serves as a symbol of divine authority, judgment, and majesty. Thunder is frequently associated with God's communication with humanity, particularly in moments of revelation or significant events.
Old Testament ReferencesThunder appears prominently in the Old Testament as a demonstration of God's power. In the Book of Exodus, during the giving of the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, thunder is described as part of the awe-inspiring phenomena that accompanied God's presence.
Exodus 19:16 states, "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."
In
1 Samuel 7:10 , thunder is used by God as a tool of deliverance for Israel: "As Samuel was offering the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to fight against Israel. But that day the LORD thundered loudly against the Philistines and threw them into such confusion that they fled before Israel."
The Psalms also frequently mention thunder as a representation of God's voice and power.
Psalm 29:3-4 declares, "The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders; the LORD is heard over many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty."
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, thunder continues to symbolize God's voice and authority. In the Book of Revelation, thunder is often associated with the unfolding of divine mysteries and judgments.
Revelation 4:5 describes the scene around God's throne: "From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings, and peals of thunder. Before the throne burned seven lamps of fire. These are the seven Spirits of God."
Revelation 10:3-4 further illustrates the connection between thunder and divine revelation: "And he cried out in a loud voice like the roar of a lion. And when he cried out, the seven thunders sounded their voices. And when the seven thunders had spoken, I was about to write, but I heard a voice from heaven saying, 'Seal up what the seven thunders have said, and do not write it down.'"
Theological ImplicationsThunder in the Bible is a reminder of God's omnipotence and the awe-inspiring nature of His presence. It underscores the idea that God's voice is not only powerful but also capable of commanding attention and evoking reverence. Thunder serves as a metaphor for the divine communication that transcends human understanding, often accompanying significant moments of revelation and judgment.
Symbolism and ImageryThe imagery of thunder in the Bible is rich with symbolism. It conveys the idea of God's voice as both a comfort to the faithful and a warning to the unrighteous. Thunder's association with storms and natural phenomena highlights the Creator's control over the elements and His ability to use them for His purposes.
ConclusionWhile thunder in the Bible is a literal natural phenomenon, its frequent use as a metaphor for God's voice and power imbues it with deep spiritual significance. It serves as a reminder of the divine majesty and authority that governs the universe, calling believers to a posture of reverence and awe before the Almighty.
Greek
993. Boanerges -- Boanerges, an epithet applied to the two sons of...... the inhospitable Samaritan village (Lk 9:54); which marked James as the victim of
an early martyrdom (Ac 12:2); and which sounds in the
thunders of John's
...Strong's Hebrew
7481. raam -- to thunder... Word Origin denominative verb from raam Definition to thunder NASB Word Usage irritate
(1), roar (3), thunder (2), thundered (3),
thunders (3), troubled (1).
...Library
For, in the First Place, He is of Opinion that "Thunders...
... Chapter LXXV. For, in the first place, he is of opinion that "thunders?
For, in the first place, he is of opinion that "thunders...
To those who Object that According to the Words of Amos the Spirit...
... For you read thus: "Behold, I am He that establish thethunders, and create the
wind [spirit], [1065] and declare unto man his Christ, that make light and mist...
From the Tenth Chapter.
... 3. "Seventhunders uttered their voices."] The seventhunders uttering their voices
signify the Holy Spirit of sevenfold power, who through the prophets...
His Name --Wonderful!
... I rose and stood to behold the flash of his lightnings, and listen to the glory
of histhunders. The sea and thethunders were contesting...
Of the Same Jupiter's Thunderbolt.
... VI."Of the Same Jupiter's Thunderbolt. Ye say, O fools, Jupiterthunders.... Thou
art then a fool, to believe that it is Jupiter thatthunders....
Thunder.
... A louder storm is heard within,. And consciencethunders too. The law a fiery language
speaks,.... But when the sky serene appears,. Andthunders roll no more;...
The Cost of Being Cruel and Stubborn
... you shall stay no longer." Moses said to him, "As soon as I have gone out of the
city, I will spread out my hands in prayer to Jehovah; thethunders shall stop...
Answer to Objections: Signal Instances of Prayer
... I will call upon the Lord and He will givethunders and rain." And then shortly
after it says "and Samuel called upon the Lord, and the Lord gavethunders and...
From the Fourth Chapter.
... 5. "And from the throne proceeded lightnings, and voices, andthunders, and seven
torches of fire burning."] And the lightnings, and voices, andthunders...
Continued.
... a. The voice of Jehovah (is) on the waters. The God of glorythunders. Jehovah
(is) on many waters.... The voice of the seventhunders is the voice of Jehovah....
Thesaurus
Thunders (20 Occurrences)...Thunders (20 Occurrences). Revelation 4:5 Out of the throne proceed lightnings,
sounds, and
thunders.
... When he cried, the seven
thunders uttered their voices.
...Thunder (48 Occurrences)
... Revelation 4:5 Out of the throne proceed lightnings, sounds, andthunders.... There
followedthunders, sounds, lightnings, and an earthquake....
Lightnings (17 Occurrences)
... Revelation 4:5 Out of the throne proceed lightnings, sounds, andthunders.... There
followedthunders, sounds, lightnings, and an earthquake....
Lightning (49 Occurrences)
... (WEY NIV). Revelation 4:5 Out of the throne proceed lightnings, sounds, andthunders....
There followedthunders, sounds, lightnings, and an earthquake....
Rumblings (4 Occurrences)
... Revelation 4:5 Out of the throne proceed lightnings, sounds, andthunders.... There
followedthunders, sounds, lightnings, and an earthquake. (See NIV)....
Sounds (64 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Revelation 4:5 Out of the throne proceed lightnings, sounds, andthunders....
There followedthunders, sounds, lightnings, and an earthquake. (WEB NAS)....
Voices (76 Occurrences)
... Revelation 10:3 He cried with a loud voice, as a lion roars. When he cried, the
seventhunders uttered their voices. (WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)....
Uttered (60 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Revelation 10:3 He cried with a loud voice, as a lion roars. When he cried,
the seventhunders uttered their voices. (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS NAS)....
Ice-storm (14 Occurrences)
... Exodus 9:29 And Moses said, When I am gone outside the town, my hands will be stretched
out to the Lord; thethunders and the ice-storm will come to an end, so...
Flames (54 Occurrences)
... Revelation 8:5 And the angel took the vessel; and he made it full of the fire of
the altar, and sent it down on the earth: and there camethunders and voices...
Resources
What do the seven thunders in Revelation 10:1-7 mean? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that “no weapon formed against you shall prosper” (Isaiah 54:17)? | GotQuestions.orgQuestions about the End Times (All) | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
