Topical Encyclopedia The concept of wind in the Bible is multifaceted, often symbolizing the power and presence of God. From the very beginning of Scripture, the wind is depicted as a creation of God, serving His divine purposes and demonstrating His sovereignty over the natural world.Creation and Sovereignty The Bible begins with the account of creation, where God's Spirit is described as moving over the waters. Genesis 1:2 states, "Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters." The Hebrew word for "Spirit" (ruach) can also mean "wind" or "breath," indicating the divine breath or wind of God as an active force in creation. Throughout Scripture, the wind is portrayed as an instrument of God's will. In Psalm 135:7 , it is written, "He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He sends forth lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from His storehouses." This passage emphasizes God's control over the elements, including the wind, as part of His creative power. Wind as a Symbol of God's Presence and Power The wind is frequently used as a symbol of God's presence and power. In Exodus 14:21 , during the crossing of the Red Sea, "Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land." Here, the wind is a direct manifestation of God's intervention and deliverance for the Israelites. Similarly, in 1 Kings 19:11-12 , the prophet Elijah experiences a powerful wind as part of a divine encounter: "Then the LORD said, 'Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD.' And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and mighty wind tore into the mountains and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake there was a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a still small voice." This passage illustrates the wind as a precursor to God's gentle and intimate communication with Elijah. Wind in Judgment and Blessing The wind is also depicted as an agent of God's judgment and blessing. In the book of Jonah, God uses the wind to redirect Jonah's path. Jonah 1:4 states, "Then the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship was in danger of breaking apart." This demonstrates God's use of the wind to fulfill His purposes and bring about repentance. Conversely, the wind can be a sign of blessing and provision. In Numbers 11:31 , God provides quail for the Israelites: "Now a wind went out from the LORD and drove quail in from the sea; it brought them down all around the camp to a depth of three feet above the ground, as far as a day's walk in any direction." Here, the wind is a means of delivering God's provision to His people. Conclusion The wind, as a creation of God, serves as a powerful symbol throughout the Bible. It represents God's creative power, His presence, and His ability to execute judgment and provide blessings. Through the wind, the Scriptures reveal the majesty and authority of God over all creation. Torrey's Topical Textbook Amos 4:13For, see, he that forms the mountains, and creates the wind, and declares to man what is his thought, that makes the morning darkness, and treads on the high places of the earth, The LORD, The God of hosts, is his name. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The World, Created by God, Still Cherished and Protected by Him. ... To those who Object that According to the Words of Amos the Spirit ... That the Son of God is not a Created Being is Proved by the ... How the Image of God is Formed Anew in Man. The Account of the Creation in Genesis a General One, Corroborated ... A Presumption that all Things were Created by God Out of Nothing ... How we must Understand that Breathing of God by which "The First ... Love in the Triune Being of God. The Constitution of the World and the Disposition of The The Creaturely Man. Resources What is the new birth? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to be born of God? | GotQuestions.org What did Jesus mean when He said, “Peace, be still”? | GotQuestions.org Wind: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics The Wind of Iniquity Which Leads to Destruction The Wind of Terrors Which Pursue the Soul The Wind of the Operations of the Holy Spirit The Wind of the Speeches of the Desperate The Wind: (Bringing Forth) of Disappointed Expectations The Wind: (Chaff or Stubble Before) of the Wicked The Wind: (Feeding Upon) of Vain Hopes The Wind: (Sowing) a Course of Sin The Wind: (When Destructive) the Judgments of God The Wind: (Without Rain) One Who Boasts of a False Gift The Wind: Accomplishes the Purposes of God The Wind: Frequently Brings Rain The Wind: from the North Drives Away Rain The Wind: God: Brings Forth, out of his Treasuries The Wind: God: Gathers, in his Hand The Wind: Miracles Connected With: Calmed by Casting out Jonah The Wind: Miracles Connected With: Calmed by Christ The Wind: Miracles Connected With: Locusts Brought By The Wind: Miracles Connected With: Locusts Removed By The Wind: Miracles Connected With: Quails Brought By The Wind: Miracles Connected With: Raises on Account of Jonah The Wind: Miracles Connected With: Red Sea Divided By The Wind: Miracles Connected With: Rocks and Mountains Rent By The Wind: Movement of the Leaves of Trees By, Noticed The Wind: Tempestuous: Destroys Houses The Wind: Tempestuous: Drives About the Largest Ships The Wind: Tempestuous: Raises the Sea in Waves The Wind: The Simoom or Pestilential Wind The Wind: Theory of, Above Man's Comprehension The Wind: when Violent Called: Fierce Wind The Wind: when Violent Called: Great and Strong Wind The Wind: when Violent Called: Mighty Wind The Wind: when Violent Called: Rough Wind The Wind: when Violent Called: Storm The Wind: when Violent Called: Stormy Wind The Wind: when Violent Called: Tempest The Wind: when Violent Called: Windy Storm Wind: East in the Valley of the Euphrates River Wind: East: At the City of Nineveh Wind: East: Hot and Blasting in Egypt Wind: East: Tempestuous in the Land of Uz Wind: North: Free from Humidity in Canaan Wind: West: Took Away the Plague of Locusts from the Land of Egypt Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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