Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJames Hastings Dictionary of the Bible: Lightning
Subjects in this Topic:
LIGHTNING.—Our colloquial use of ‘fire’ for ‘lightning’ had its counterpart in Heb., e.g. in such a phrase as ‘fire (’çsh) and hail’ (Exo_9:23 etc.; cf. Gen_19:24, 1Ki_18:38 etc.). The Heb. ’ôr (Job_37:3) is lit. ‘light’; bâzâq (Eze_1:14) should probably read bârâq; lappîd, lit. ‘torch,’ is used in the plur. for ‘lightnings’ (Exo_20:18); a word of uncertain meaning, châzĭ (Job_28:26; Job_38:35, Zec_10:1), is evidently related to thunder, and should probably in each case be tr. [Note: translate or translation.] ‘thunder-cloud.’ The usual Heb. word is bârâq, Gr. astrapç (2Sa_22:16 etc., Mat_24:27 etc.). It is used fig. for the glitter of bright metal (Deu_32:41, lit. ‘the lightning of my sword’; cf. Eze_21:10, Nah_3:3, Hab_3:11), and for the glittering weapon itself (Job_20:25). It is suggested, either by the flash of polished metal, or by the speed of the chariot (Nah_2:4). Lightning is associated with the appearance of God (Exo_19:16 etc.), and He alone can control it (Job_38:33, Psa_18:14). With lightnings as with arrows, God scatters His enemies (Psa_144:5 etc.). A radiant face (Dan_10:8), and gleaming garments (Mat_28:3), are like lightning. There is vivid suggestiveness in the comparison of Satan’s overthrow with the descent of lightning (Luk_10:18). Cf. the name Barak (Jdg_4:6), with the Carthaginian Barca.
W. Ewing.