Dictionary of Bible Themes: 4860 wind

4860 wind

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 4000 Creation » 4800 Natural and supernatural phenomena » 4860 wind

In Hebrew the same word can denote “breath”, “wind” or “spirit”. Scripture describes the powerful effect of wind, and uses the image figuratively to speak of God's power and presence in the world.

The origins of the wind

Exodus 14:21-22; Psalm 78:26; Amos 4:13 See also Genesis 8:1 A wind caused the flood waters to recede; Exodus 10:13-14 An east wind brought the plague of locusts on Egypt; Exodus 10:19; Numbers 11:31 A wind brought quail to feed the Israelites; Job 28:25; Psalm 107:25; Psalm 135:7; Psalm 148:7-8; Isaiah 11:15; Jeremiah 10:13; Ezekiel 13:13; Jonah 1:4; Jonah 4:8

The effects of the wind

1 Kings 19:11; Ezekiel 27:26; Acts 27:13-15 See also Genesis 41:5-6; Job 1:18-19; Job 37:9,17-18; Daniel 7:2; Matthew 14:24; Luke 12:55; John 6:16-18; James 3:4

Wind used figuratively

As an image of the Holy Spirit

John 3:8 The Greek word for “Spirit” is the same as that for “wind”, allowing Jesus Christ to play on the double meaning of the word.

As an image of spiritual instability

James 1:6

As an image of destruction

Psalm 103:15-16; Matthew 7:24-27 See also Job 21:17-18; Psalm 1:4; Psalm 48:7; Isaiah 17:13; Isaiah 32:2; Jeremiah 4:11-12; Jeremiah 22:22; Ezekiel 19:12; Daniel 2:34-35; Hosea 8:7; Amos 1:14; Habakkuk 1:9; Ephesians 4:14; Jude 12; Revelation 6:12-13

As an image of something insubstantial

Ecclesiastes 1:14 See also Job 6:26; Proverbs 11:29; Proverbs 27:15-16; Isaiah 26:18; Jeremiah 5:13; Hosea 12:1