Jeremiah 51:16
New International Version
When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses.

New Living Translation
When he speaks in the thunder, the heavens roar with rain. He causes the clouds to rise over the earth. He sends the lightning with the rain and releases the wind from his storehouses.

English Standard Version
When he utters his voice there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, and he makes the mist rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain, and he brings forth the wind from his storehouses.

Berean Standard Bible
When He thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He generates the lightning with the rain and brings forth the wind from His storehouses.

King James Bible
When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens; and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth: he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.

New King James Version
When He utters His voice— There is a multitude of waters in the heavens: “He causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; He makes lightnings for the rain; He brings the wind out of His treasuries.”

New American Standard Bible
When He utters His voice, there is a roar of waters in the heavens, And He makes the clouds ascend from the end of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain And brings out wind from His storehouses.

NASB 1995
When He utters His voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, And He causes the clouds to ascend from the end of the earth; He makes lightning for the rain And brings forth the wind from His storehouses.

NASB 1977
When He utters His voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, And He causes the clouds to ascend from the end of the earth; He makes lightning for the rain, And brings forth the wind from His storehouses.

Legacy Standard Bible
When He gives forth His voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, And He causes the clouds to ascend from the end of the earth; He makes lightning for the rain And brings forth the wind from His storehouses.

Amplified Bible
When He utters His voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, And He causes the clouds to ascend from the ends of the earth. He makes lightnings for the rain And brings out the wind from His storehouses.

Christian Standard Bible
When he thunders, the waters in the heavens are tumultuous, and he causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain and brings the wind from his storehouses.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When He thunders, the waters in the heavens are in turmoil, and He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain and brings the wind from His storehouses.

American Standard Version
When he uttereth his voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasuries.

Contemporary English Version
The waters in the heavens roar at his command. He makes clouds appear; he sends the wind from his storehouse and makes lightning flash in the rain.

English Revised Version
when he uttereth his voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasuries.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When he thunders, the water in the sky roars. He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain. He brings wind out of his storehouses.

Good News Translation
At his command the waters above the sky roar; he brings clouds from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning flash in the rain and sends the wind from his storeroom.

International Standard Version
When his voice sounds, there is thunder from the waters of heaven, and he makes clouds rise up from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain and brings wind out of his storehouses.

Majority Standard Bible
When He thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He generates the lightning with the rain and brings forth the wind from His storehouses.

NET Bible
When his voice thunders, the waters in the heavens roar. He makes the clouds rise from the far-off horizons. He makes the lightning flash out in the midst of the rain. He unleashes the wind from the places where he stores it.

New Heart English Bible
When he utters his voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, and he causes the vapors to ascend from the farthest parts of the earth; he makes lightning for the rain, and brings forth the wind out of his treasuries.

Webster's Bible Translation
When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens; and he causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth: he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.

World English Bible
When he utters his voice, there is a roar of waters in the heavens, and he causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain, and brings the wind out of his treasuries.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
At the voice He gives forth, "" A multitude of waters [are] in the heavens, "" And He causes vapors to come up from the end of the earth, "" He has made lightnings for rain, "" And He brings out wind from His treasures.

Young's Literal Translation
At the voice He giveth forth, A multitude of waters are in the heavens, And He causeth vapours to come up from the end of the earth, Lightnings for rain He hath made, And He bringeth out wind from His treasures.

Smith's Literal Translation
For a voice he gives a multitude of waters in the heavens; and he will bring up the clouds, from the extremity of the earth, making lightnings to the rain, and he will bring forth the wind from his treasures.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
When he uttereth his voice the waters are multiplied in heaven: he lifteth up the clouds from the ends of the earth, he hath turned lightning into rain: and hath brought forth the wind out of his treasures.

Catholic Public Domain Version
when he utters his voice, the waters will be multiplied in the heavens. The One who lifts up the clouds from the ends of the earth: he has turned lightning into rain, and he has brought forth wind from his storehouses.

New American Bible
When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar, he summons clouds from the ends of the earth, Makes lightning flash in the rain, and brings out winds from their storehouses.

New Revised Standard Version
When he utters his voice there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, and he makes the mist rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightnings for the rain, and he brings out the wind from his storehouses.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
When he utters his voice, he causes the rushing sound of waters in the heavens; and he causes the clouds to ascend from the ends of the earth; he makes lightnings for the rain, and brings forth the wind out of his storehouses.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He gave a sound of the rushing of waters in the Heavens, and lifts up clouds from the ends of the Earth, and he makes lightnings for the rain; he brings forth the wind from his treasuries
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
At the sound of His giving a multitude of waters in the heavens, He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; He maketh lightnings at the time of the rain, And bringeth forth the wind out of His treasuries;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
At his voice he makes a sound of water in the heaven, and brings up clouds from the extremity of the earth; he makes lightnings for rain, and brings light out of his treasures.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Song of Praise
15The LORD made the earth by His power; He established the world by His wisdom and stretched out the heavens by His understanding. 16When He thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He generates the lightning with the rain and brings forth the wind from His storehouses. 17Every man is senseless and devoid of knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols. For his molten images are a fraud, and there is no breath in them.…

Cross References
Psalm 135:7
He causes the clouds to rise from the ends of the earth. He generates the lightning with the rain and brings forth the wind from His storehouses.

Job 38:34-35
Can you command the clouds so that a flood of water covers you? / Can you send the lightning bolts on their way? Do they report to you, ‘Here we are’?

Psalm 104:3
laying the beams of His chambers in the waters above, making the clouds His chariot, walking on the wings of the wind.

Psalm 147:18
He sends forth His word and melts them; He unleashes His winds, and the waters flow.

Isaiah 40:26
Lift up your eyes on high: Who created all these? He leads forth the starry host by number; He calls each one by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.

Isaiah 42:5
This is what God the LORD says—He who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and its offspring, who gives breath to the people on it and life to those who walk in it:

Isaiah 45:12
It is I who made the earth and created man upon it. It was My hands that stretched out the heavens, and I ordained all their host.

Isaiah 48:13
Surely My own hand founded the earth, and My right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they stand up together.

Isaiah 51:13
But you have forgotten the LORD, your Maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth. You live in terror all day long because of the fury of the oppressor who is bent on destruction. But where is the fury of the oppressor?

Amos 4:13
For behold, He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind and reveals His thoughts to man, who turns the dawn to darkness and strides on the heights of the earth—the LORD, the God of Hosts, is His name.”

Zechariah 10:1
Ask the LORD for rain in springtime; the LORD makes the storm clouds, and He will give everyone showers of rain and crops in the field.

Matthew 8:27
The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey Him!”

Mark 4:39-41
Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. “Silence!” He commanded. “Be still!” And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm. / “Why are you so afraid?” He asked. “Do you still have no faith?” / Overwhelmed with fear, they asked one another, “Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”

Luke 8:25
“Where is your faith?” He asked. Frightened and amazed, they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him!”

John 1:3
Through Him all things were made, and without Him nothing was made that has been made.


Treasury of Scripture

When he utters his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens; and he causes the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth: he makes lightning with rain, and brings forth the wind out of his treasures.

he uttereth

Jeremiah 10:2,13
Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them…

Job 37:2-11
Hear attentively the noise of his voice, and the sound that goeth out of his mouth…

Job 40:9
Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?

there is

Job 36:26-33
Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out…

Job 37:13
He causeth it to come, whether for correction, or for his land, or for mercy.

Job 38:34-38
Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee? …

multitude.

Psalm 135:7
He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.

bringeth

Genesis 8:1
And God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the cattle that was with him in the ark: and God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters asswaged;

Exodus 10:13,19
And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all that night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts…

Exodus 14:21
And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.

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Ascend Causes Causeth Clouds Earth End Ends Forth Heavens Lightning Makes Maketh Mist Mists Multitude Rain Roar Sound Storehouses Store-Houses Thunders Time Treasures Treasuries Tumult Uttereth Utters Vapors Vapours Voice Waters Wind
Jeremiah 51
1. The severe judgment of God against Babylon, in revenge of Israel
59. Jeremiah delivers the book of this prophecy to Seraiah, to be cast into Euphrates,
64. in token of the perpetual sinking of Babylon














When He thunders
The phrase "When He thunders" evokes the powerful and awe-inspiring voice of God. In Hebrew, the word for "thunder" is "ra'am," which signifies a loud, resounding noise. This imagery is often used in the Bible to describe God's majestic and authoritative voice, as seen in Psalm 29:3, "The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders." The thunder represents God's sovereign power and His ability to command creation, reminding us of His ultimate authority over the universe.

the waters in the heavens
This phrase refers to the celestial waters, which in ancient Near Eastern cosmology were believed to be held above the firmament. The Hebrew word for "waters" is "mayim," and it often symbolizes chaos and the unknown. However, God is depicted as having control over these waters, as seen in Genesis 1:7, where He separates the waters above from the waters below. This demonstrates His dominion over chaos and His ability to bring order and structure to creation.

are tumultuous
The word "tumultuous" suggests a state of chaos and disorder. In Hebrew, the root word "hamah" conveys a sense of noise, commotion, or agitation. This imagery highlights the contrast between the natural world's chaos and God's sovereign control. Despite the tumult, God remains unshaken and authoritative, emphasizing His power to bring peace and order amidst disorder.

and He causes the clouds to rise
Here, the focus shifts to God's active role in creation. The Hebrew word for "causes to rise" is "alah," which means to ascend or go up. This action signifies God's involvement in the natural processes of the world. By causing the clouds to rise, God demonstrates His providential care and sustenance of creation, as clouds are essential for rain and the nourishment of the earth.

from the ends of the earth
This phrase underscores the vastness of God's creation and His omnipresence. The "ends of the earth" is a Hebrew idiom, "qatseh ha'aretz," indicating the farthest reaches of the world. It serves as a reminder that there is no place beyond God's reach or influence. His power and presence extend to every corner of the earth, affirming His sovereignty over all creation.

He makes lightning for the rain
The imagery of lightning and rain highlights God's control over the elements. In Hebrew, "lightning" is "baraq," and it often symbolizes divine intervention or revelation. Rain, "matar" in Hebrew, is a blessing and a sign of God's provision. By making lightning for the rain, God demonstrates His ability to orchestrate the natural world for the benefit of His creation, providing both illumination and sustenance.

and brings forth the wind from His storehouses
This phrase illustrates God's command over the winds, which in Hebrew is "ruach," also meaning spirit or breath. The "storehouses" or "otzar" in Hebrew, suggest a place of abundance and reserve. This imagery conveys the idea that God has an inexhaustible supply of resources and power. He dispenses the wind according to His will, further emphasizing His control over creation and His ability to provide for His people.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
When He thunders,
לְק֨וֹל (lə·qō·wl)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6963: A voice, sound

the waters
מַ֙יִם֙ (ma·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

in the heavens
בַּשָּׁמַ֔יִם (baš·šā·ma·yim)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky

roar,
הֲמ֥וֹן (hă·mō·wn)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1995: A noise, tumult, crowd, disquietude, wealth

and He causes the clouds
נְשִׂאִ֖ים (nə·śi·’îm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5387: An exalted one, a king, sheik, a rising mist

to rise
וַיַּ֥עַל (way·ya·‘al)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

from the ends
מִקְצֵה־ (miq·ṣêh-)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7097: End, extremity

of the earth.
אָ֑רֶץ (’ā·reṣ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

He makes
עָשָׂ֔ה (‘ā·śāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

lightning
בְּרָקִ֤ים (bə·rā·qîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1300: Lightning, a gleam, a flashing sword

for the rain
לַמָּטָר֙ (lam·mā·ṭār)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4306: Rain

and brings forth
וַיֹּ֥צֵא (way·yō·ṣê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

the wind
ר֖וּחַ (rū·aḥ)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit

from His storehouses.
מֵאֹצְרֹתָֽיו׃ (mê·’ō·ṣə·rō·ṯāw)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 214: Treasure, store, a treasury, storehouse


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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 51:16 When he utters his voice there (Jer.)
Jeremiah 51:15
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