winds Summary and Overview

blowing from the four quarters of heaven (Jer. 49:36; Ezek. 37:9; Dan. 8:8; Zech. 2:6). The east wind was parching (Ezek. 17:10; 19:12), and is sometimes mentioned as simply denoting a strong wind (Job 27:21; Isa. 27:8). This wind prevails in Israel from February to June, as the west wind (Luke 12:54) does from November to February. The south was a hot wind (Job 37:17; Luke 12:55). It swept over the Arabian peninsula. The rush of invaders is figuratively spoken of as a whirlwind (Isa. 21:1); a commotion among the nations of the world as a striving of the four winds (Dan. 7:2). The winds are subject to the divine power (Ps. 18:10; 135:7).

That the Hebrews recognized the existence of four prevailing winds as issuing, broadly speaking, from the four cardinal points, north, south, east and west, may be inferred from their custom of using the expression "four winds" as equivalent to the "four quarters" of the hemisphere. #Eze 37:9 Da 8:8; Zec 2:6; Mt 24:31| The north wind, or, as it was usually called "the north," was naturally the coldest of the four, Ecclus. 43:20 and its presence is hence invoked as favorable to vegetation in #So 4:16| It is described in #Pr 25:23| as bringing rain; in this case we must understand the northwest wind. The northwest wind prevails from the autumnal equinox to the beginning of November, and the north wind from June to the equinox. The east wind crosses the sandy wastes of Arabia Deserts before reaching Israel and was hence termed "the wind of the wilderness." #Job 1:19; Jer 13:14| It blows with violence, and is hence supposed to be used generally for any violent wind. #Job 27:21; 38:24; Ps 48:7; Isa 27:8; Eze 27:26| In Israel the east wind prevails from February to June. The south wind, which traverses the Arabian peninsula before reaching Israel, must necessarily be extremely hot. #Job 37:17; Lu 12:55| The west and southwest winds reach Israel loaded with moisture gathered from the Mediterranean, and are hence expressly termed by the Arabs "the fathers of the rain." Westerly winds prevail in Israel from November to February. In addition to the four regular winds, we have notice in the Bible of the local squalls, #Mr 4:37; Lu 8:23| to which the Sea of Gennesareth was liable. In the narrative of St. Paul's voyage we meet with the Greek term Lips to describe the southwest wind; the Latin Carus or Caurus, the northwest wind #Ac 27:12| and Euroclydon, a wind of a very violent character coming from east-northeast. #Ac 27:14|

The four represent the four quarters (Ezekiel 37:9; Daniel 8:8; Matthew 24:31; Jeremiah 49:36). The N. wind was coldest (Song of Solomon 4:16). The N. wind "awakes," i.e. arises strongly; the Holy Spirit as the Reprover of sin (John 16:8-11). The S. wind "comes" gently; the Comforter (John 14:16). The W. wind brings rain from the sea (1 Kings 18:44-45); its precursor is cloud (Luke 12:54), prevailing in Israel from November to February. The E. wind is tempestuous (Job 27:21) and, withering (Genesis 41:23). The N. wind is first invoked (Song of Solomon 4:16) to clear the air (Job 37:22); then the warm S. wind (Job 37:17; Luke 12:55); so the Holy Spirit first clears away mists of gloom, error, unbelief, and sin, which intercept the light of the Sun of righteousness, then infuses warmth (2 Corinthians 4:6), causing the graces to exhale their odor.

In Proverbs 25:23 "the N. wind driveth away (literally, causeth to grieve, so puts to flight) rain," so a frowning countenance drives away a backbiting tongue. So Vulgate, Chald., and Syriac less appropriately "bringeth forth rain." The N. wind prevails from June to the equinox, the N.W. wind thence to November. The E. wind, "the wind of the wilderness" (Job 1:19; Job 27:21; Jeremiah 13:24). It is parching and penetrating, like the sirocco (Jonah 4:8). The E. wind blowing from across the Red Sea, just at the Passover time of year, was the natural agency employed by divine interposition to part the waters of the Red Sea S. of Suez (Exodus 14:21). The E. wind meant in Genesis 41:6; Genesis 41:23 is probably the S.E. wind blowing from the Arabian desert, called the chamsin, so parching as to wither up all grass; during it there is an entire absence of ozone in the air.

The samoom blows from the S.S.E.; blowing over the Arabian peninsula, it is parching when it reaches Israel. Lake squalls (lailaps) are noticed Mark 4:37; Luke 8:23. The Greek (lips) name for S.W. wind, and the Latin (cores) N.W. wind, and the violent Euraquilon (not Euroclydon), E.N.E. wind, are noticed Acts 27:12; Acts 27:14. (See EUROCLYDON.) The E. wind symbolizes empty violence (Job 15:2; Hosea 12:1; Israel "followeth after" not only vain but pernicious things) and destruction (Jeremiah 18:17; Isaiah 27:8). Wind indicates speed (Psalm 104:4; Hebrews 1:7), transitoriness (Job 7:7; Psalm 78:39), the Holy Spirit (John 3:8; Acts 2:2;; Genesis 3:8 margin).