hwûrl´wind ( סוּפה , ṣūphāh ( Proverbs 1:27 10; Proverbs 10:25 10; Isaiah 5:28 10; Isaiah 17:13 10; Isaiah 66:15 10; Hosea 8:7 10; Amos 1:14 10; Nab Amos 1:3 ), סאר , ṣa‛ar (Habakkuk 3:14; Zechariah 7:14; Hosea 13:3; Psalm 58:9; Daniel 11:40 ), סערה , ṣe‛ārāh (2 Kings 2:1; Job 38:1; Job 40:6; Isaiah 40:24; Isaiah 41:16; Zechariah 9:14 )): When two currents from opposite directions meet, a circular motion results called a whirlwind. On the sea this takes up small particles of water from the sea and condenses some of the moisture in the clouds above, forming a great funnel-shaped column. They are quite common off the coast of Syria. Considerable damage might be done to a small ship overtaken by them. In the desert sand is taken up in the same way, causing terrible sandstorms which are greatly dreaded by caravans. Most of the references in the Bible do not necessarily imply a circular motion, and the word "tempest" might be used in translation.
Storms usually come from the Southwest. "Out of the ... south cometh the storm" (Job 37:9 ); yet in Ezekiel's vision he saw a whirlwind coming out of the north (Ezekiel 1:4 ). Elijah "went up by a whirlwind into heaven" (2 Kings 2:11 ). The whirlwind indicates the power and might of Yahweh: "Yahweh hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm" (Nahum 1:3 ); He "answered Job out of the whirlwind" (Job 38:1 ).
Most of the Scriptural uses are figurative ; of destruction: "He will take them away with a whirlwind" ( Psalm 58:9; Proverbs 1:27; Proverbs 10:25; Hosea 13:3; Daniel 11:40; Amos 1:14; Habakkuk 3:14; Zechariah 7:14 ); of quickness: "wheels as a whirlwind" (Isaiah 5:28; Isaiah 66:15; Jeremiah 4:13 ); of the anger of God: "A whirlwind of the Lord is gone forth in fury" (Jeremiah 23:19 the King James Version); of punishment to the wicked: "A continuing whirlwind ... shall fall ... on the wicked" ( Jeremiah 30:23 the King James Version).
The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) was edited by James Orr, John Nuelsen, Edgar Mullins, Morris Evans, and Melvin Grove Kyle and was published complete in 1939. This web site includes the complete text.
WikipediaThe ISBE is a classic Bible reference compiled from nearly 10,000 entries written by over 200 different Bible scholars and teachers. In addition to the encyclopedia articles, all of the major words of the Bible are represented and defined.
The historical, cultural, and linguistic information in the ISBE can be of great value in Bible study and research.
But as with any writings of men, the careful student of the Bible must always compare them with Scripture. As you use this helpful study resource, remember that only God's word is pure.
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