The phenomenon of a great hailstorm is mentioned several times in the Bible, often as a demonstration of God's power and judgment. Hailstorms in biblical times were seen as extraordinary events, often associated with divine intervention and wrath.

Biblical References:

1. The Plague of Hail in Egypt: One of the most notable instances of a great hailstorm is found in the account of the ten plagues of Egypt. In Exodus 9:18-26, God sends a devastating hailstorm as the seventh plague upon Egypt. The hail, mixed with fire, was unprecedented in its severity and was a direct judgment against Pharaoh and the Egyptian gods. The Berean Standard Bible states: "Behold, at this time tomorrow I will send the worst hailstorm that has ever fallen on Egypt, from the day it was founded until now" (Exodus 9:18). This event underscores God's sovereignty and His ability to protect His people, as the land of Goshen, where the Israelites lived, was spared.

2. Joshua's Victory at Gibeon: Another significant mention of a hailstorm is during Joshua's battle against the Amorite kings. In Joshua 10:11, as the Israelites pursued their enemies, the Lord intervened by hurling large hailstones from the sky, which killed more of the enemy than the swords of the Israelites. The BSB records: "As they fled before Israel on the road down from Beth-horon to Azekah, the LORD hurled large hailstones down on them from the sky, and more of them died from the hail than were killed by the swords of the Israelites" (Joshua 10:11). This miraculous event highlights God's active role in the battles of His people.

3. Prophetic and Apocalyptic Imagery: In the prophetic and apocalyptic literature, hailstorms are often used symbolically to represent God's judgment. In Isaiah 28:17, hail is used metaphorically to describe God's justice: "I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line; hail will sweep away your refuge of lies, and water will flood your hiding place" . Similarly, in Revelation, hail is part of the divine judgments poured out during the end times. Revelation 16:21 describes a severe hailstorm as part of the seventh bowl of wrath: "And great hailstones, about a hundred pounds each, rained down on them from above. And men cursed God for the plague of hail, because it was so horrendous" .

Theological Significance:

In the biblical narrative, great hailstorms serve as a powerful reminder of God's might and His ability to control the natural world. They are often depicted as instruments of divine judgment, used to execute justice and demonstrate God's supremacy over creation. The sparing of the Israelites during the Egyptian plague and the victory at Gibeon illustrate God's protection and favor towards His covenant people.

Hailstorms in the Bible also serve as a call to repentance and a warning of the consequences of sin and rebellion against God. They remind believers of the seriousness of God's judgments and the importance of aligning with His will. The imagery of hail in prophetic and apocalyptic texts underscores the ultimate triumph of God's justice and the establishment of His righteous kingdom.