Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

RAINBOW

An arc of colored bands in the sky produced by the double refraction and single reflection of the sun’s rays by mist or rain (Heb. qešeṯ; Gk. íris). This familiar meteorological phenomenon is used symbolically in the Bible to represent God’s glorious majesty (Ezek. 1:28; Sir. 43:11; 50:7; Rev. 4:3; 10:1), in visions of his throne room, or as one of his creative splendors. It is most familiar as the sign after the Flood of God’s covenant with Noah never again to destroy all life in such a manner (Gen. 9:8-17). In this context Heb. qešeṯ, which also indicates a warrior’s bow (Ps. 7:12[MT 13]; Lam. 2:4; Hab. 3:9-11), recalls the ancient Near Eastern image of the warrior storm-god (cf. Ps. 18:7-15[8-16]). God is setting his war bow aside in the clouds to indicate a covenant of peace — a divine disarmament by which God has promised to withhold ultimate destructive judgment. Instead, part of the responsibility for judgment is given to mankind in the form of self-enforced laws (Gen. 9:4-6).

Robin J. DeWitt Knauth

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

RAINBOW

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)