Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

LIGHTNING

The electrical discharge common in thunderstorms. Lightning (Heb. bārāq; Gk. astrapḗ) is most often used in the Bible not in a literal sense but as an analogy to represent power, brilliance, and quickness. The use of lightning to represent brilliance is widespread. A sword is polished to flash like lightning (Ezek. 21:10[MT 15]), a lamp shines like lightning (Luke 11:36), and angelic visages are sometimes so brilliant that they are compared to lightning (Dan. 10:6; Matt. 28:3; cf. Luke 24:4). The metaphorical use of lightning to represent quickness is also common. Speeding chariots are said to dash about like lightning (Nah. 2:4), and a sword is said to strike like lightning (Ezek. 21:15[20]). The concept of quickness may also be present in the description that Jesus gives to the returning Seventy of Satan “falling from heaven like a flash of lightning” (Luke 10:18).

OT theophanies are generally accompanied by lightning. The appearance of God on Sinai included lightning, thunder, the sound of a trumpet, and smoke (Exod. 19:16; 20:18; cf. Deut. 33:2; Zech. 9:14). Similarly, lightning also figured in Ezekiel’s vision of the four beings (Ezek. 1:13-14).

In the NT lightning is found primarily in apocalyptic contexts. The second coming of the Son of Man is described as accompanied by lightning that flashes across the sky (Matt. 24:27; Luke 17:24). In the book of Revelation lightning frequently occurs in descriptions of the throne of God (Rev. 4:5; 8:5; 11:19; 16:18), and each of the series of seven plagues (the seals, the trumpets, and the bowls of wrath) concludes with an earthly cataclysm including thunder, lightning, and an earthquake (15:1–16:21).

Mark R. Fairchild

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

LIGHTNING

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)