The term "thunderous" in the biblical context often refers to the powerful and awe-inspiring voice of God, as well as His mighty acts. Thunder is frequently used as a metaphor for God's presence, authority, and judgment. Throughout Scripture, thunder serves as a symbol of divine power and majesty, evoking reverence and fear among those who witness it.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, thunder is closely associated with God's revelation and His covenant with His people. At Mount Sinai, when God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses, the event was marked by thunder and lightning, signifying the divine presence and the seriousness of the covenant. 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."

The Psalms frequently use thunder to describe 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." This passage emphasizes the overwhelming and majestic nature of God's voice, likening it to the sound of thunder over the waters.

In 1 Samuel 7:10 , during the battle between the Israelites and the Philistines, God intervenes with a thunderous display: "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." Here, thunder is a manifestation of God's intervention and deliverance for His people.

New Testament References

In 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 judgment and the end times. 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 use of thunder in apocalyptic imagery: "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.'" The thunderous voices here represent the mysterious and sovereign plans of God, which are not fully revealed to humanity.

Theological Significance

The thunderous voice of God serves as a reminder of His omnipotence and the awe that His presence commands. It underscores the idea that God is not only a God of love and mercy but also a God of power and justice. Thunder, as a natural phenomenon, reflects the grandeur and might of the Creator, prompting believers to respond with worship, obedience, and reverence.

In biblical theology, the thunderous manifestations of God often accompany significant moments of divine revelation and intervention, highlighting His active role in the world and His ultimate authority over creation.1. (a.) Producing thunder.

2. (a.) Making a noise like thunder; sounding loud and deep; sonorous.

The Ministry of Intercession
... welling In morning's pearly light; Through evening's shadows swelling In grandly
gathering might; The sultry silence filling Of noontide's thunderous glow, And ...
/.../murray/the ministry of intercession/the ministry of intercession.htm

The Festal Life
... These are transient, eating themselves away even whilst we look, and black and
thunderous as they may be, they are there but for a moment"that is perennial. ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the festal life.htm

Unseen Changes Going On.
... welling In morning's pearly light; Through evening's shadows swelling In grandly
gathering might; The sultry silence filling Of noontide's thunderous blow, And ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/unseen changes going on.htm

Christ
... bones and corruption"nowhere, outside the twenty-third chapter of Matthew, does
language fall with such tremendous vibration of thunderous indignation, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/haldeman/christ christianity and the bible/christ.htm

The Interest of his Biography.
... In each case, the brief sunny hours of service were soon succeeded by the rolling
up of the thunderous clouds, and these by the murderous tempest of deadly ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/i the interest of his.htm

The Collar of Gold
... But in an instant the great slab struck the earth with a thunderous sound that
reverberated again and again from the barren hills about. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter ix the collar of.htm

Ears and no Ears
... through the universe, no voice is so sweet and weighty, no words so fundamental
and all-powerful, no music so melodious, so deep and thunderous, so thrilling ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/ears and no ears.htm

Vision and SerVice
... temple. The vibrations of that mighty hymn shook the 'foundations of the
threshold' (Rev. Ver.) with its thunderous harmonies. 'The ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/vision and service.htm

The Hand Felt Its Way up his Arm, And...
... close to her heart. And as if the clouds knew she had come, they burst into
a fresh jubilation of thunderous light. For a few moments ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 6 the hand felt.htm

A New Pretender
... Before any of the group could stir, a second thunderous shock sent a tremor over
the room, and a fragment of marble detached from a support overhead and ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter xiii a new pretender.htm

Thunderous (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (a.) Producing thunder. 2. (a.) Making a noise like thunder; sounding loud and
deep; sonorous. Multi-Version Concordance Thunderous (1 Occurrence). ...
/t/thunderous.htm - 6k

Thunderings (6 Occurrences)

/t/thunderings.htm - 8k

Thunderpeals (1 Occurrence)

/t/thunderpeals.htm - 6k

What do the seven thunders in Revelation 10:1-7 mean? | GotQuestions.org

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Why did Jesus refer to James and John as the sons of thunder? | GotQuestions.org

Thunderous: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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