thunder Summary and Overview

often referred to in Scripture (Job 40:9; Ps. 77:18; 104:7). James and John were called by our Lord "sons of thunder" (Mark 3:17). In Job 39:19, instead of "thunder," as in the Authorized Version, the Revised Version translates (ra'amah) by "quivering main" (marg., "shaking"). Thunder accompanied the giving of the law at Sinai (Ex. 19:16). It was regarded as the voice of God (Job 37:2; Ps. 18:13; 81:7; compare John 12:29). In answer to Samuel's prayer (1 Sam. 12:17, 18), God sent thunder, and "all the people greatly feared," for at such a season (the wheat-harvest) thunder and rain were almost unknown in Israel.

is hardly ever heard in Israel form the middle of April to the middle of September; hence it was selected by Samuel as a striking expression of the divine displeasure toward the Israelites. #1Sa 12:17| Rain in harvest was deemed as extraordinary as snow in summer, #Pr 26:1| and Jerome states that he had never witnessed it in the latter part of June or in July. Comm. on #Am 4:7| In the imaginative philosophy of the Hebrews, thunder was regarded as the voice of Jehovah, #Job 37:2,4,5; 40:9; Ps 18:13; 29:3-9; Isa 30:30,31| who dwelt behind the thunder-cloud. #Ps 81:7| Thunder was, to the mind of the Jew, the symbol of divine power #Ps 29:3| etc., and vengeance. #1Sa 2:10; 2Sa 22:14|

Rare in the clear air of Israel in harvest time or summer, which shows how its coming at Samuel's call unto Jehovah was by divine agency (1 Samuel 12:17-18). God so blessed the Holy Land that the ingathering of fruits and the threshing in the open air were unimpeded by rain. Its coming then would be as unseasonable and calamitous as "honour" conferred on a "fool" (Proverbs 26:1). Symbolizing divine wrath and judgment (Exodus 19:16; Psalm 29:3-9; 1 Samuel 2:10). Thunderings are figuratively spoken of as "voices of God" (Exodus 9:28 margin, compare John 12:29-30). Job 26:14, translated "and how faint is the word whisper that we hear of Him! but the thunder (i.e. the majestic fullness) of His power (in antithesis to 'the whisper') who can understand?" (1 Corinthians 13:9-12.) Job 39:19, "hast thou clothed his (the horse's) neck with thunder?" i.e. majesty (Umbreit): or his arched neck inspiring fear as the thunder does; but Maurer, "with his trembling, quivering mane."