In the context of the Bible, "gales" refer to strong winds or storms that are often depicted as manifestations of God's power and might. These natural phenomena are frequently used symbolically to represent divine intervention, judgment, or the tumultuous nature of life. The Bible contains numerous references to winds and storms, illustrating both their literal and metaphorical significance.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, gales and strong winds are often associated with God's presence and His ability to control the natural world. For instance, in the book of Job, God speaks to Job out of a whirlwind, demonstrating His supreme authority and wisdom (Job 38:1: "Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said"). This passage highlights the power of God to communicate through the forces of nature.

The Psalms also frequently mention winds as instruments of God's will. Psalm 107:25 states, "For He spoke and raised a tempest that lifted the waves of the sea." Here, the gale is a direct result of God's command, emphasizing His sovereignty over creation.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, gales are often depicted in the context of Jesus' ministry, showcasing His divine authority. One of the most notable instances is the calming of the storm in the Synoptic Gospels. In Mark 4:37-39 , a great windstorm arises, and the waves break over the boat. Jesus rebukes the wind and says to the sea, "Peace, be still!" The wind ceases, and there is a great calm. This miracle demonstrates Jesus' power over nature and His ability to bring peace amidst chaos.

The Apostle Paul also encounters a severe storm during his journey to Rome, as described in Acts 27. The narrative details the perilous conditions faced by Paul and his companions, illustrating the challenges and dangers of sea travel in the ancient world. Despite the fierce gale, God's providence ensures their safety, underscoring His protective care for His servants.

Symbolic and Theological Significance

Gales in the Bible often symbolize the trials and tribulations faced by individuals and nations. They serve as reminders of human vulnerability and the need for reliance on God's strength and protection. The imagery of storms and strong winds is used to convey themes of divine judgment, as seen in the prophetic literature where nations are often likened to chaff driven by the wind (Isaiah 17:13: "The nations rage like the rushing of many waters, but He will rebuke them, and they will flee far away, chased like chaff on the mountains before the wind, like a rolling dust before the storm").

Moreover, gales can represent the transformative power of God's Spirit. In Ezekiel 37, the prophet is commanded to prophesy to the breath (wind) to bring life to the dry bones, symbolizing the restoration of Israel. This passage highlights the life-giving and renewing power of God's Spirit, often depicted as a mighty wind.

In summary, gales in the Bible are multifaceted symbols that convey God's omnipotence, the reality of human struggles, and the hope of divine intervention and renewal. Through these powerful natural phenomena, the Scriptures communicate profound truths about God's relationship with His creation and His redemptive purposes.

A Strain of the Judgment of the Lord.
... and with flowers will grace. The spring-tide's rosy gales? ... 120 (But some He bids
be forthwith by glad gales. Recalled to life, and be in secret kept. ...
/.../unknown/fathers of the third century tertullian appendix/4 a strain of the.htm

Crossing the Hellespont.
... inclement season had passed. As it was, he did not wholly escape the disastrous
effects of the wintery gales. A violent storm arose ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter v crossing the hellespont.htm

None Greater than John the Baptist, Yet. . .
... Thou say that he is not a reed shaken with the wind, when, but now, he gave patent
evidence that he was stooping beneath the hurrying tread of gales of doubt ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/xii none greater than john.htm

Christ the Light of the World.
... Dispelled by no gales, and evaporated by no fiercest heat of the Eastern sun, it
hovered in the van of the host as the guiding angel of the Lord. ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/xviii christ the light of.htm

A Figurative Description of the Procedure of Divine Love
... Fixed upon the starry skies; Others steered, or turned the sails,. To receive the
shifting gales. Love, with power divine supplied,. Suddenly my courage tried; ...
/.../a figurative description of the.htm

The God of the Aged
... Does not the ocean still beat with its one great pulse of ebb and flow? Do not
the winds still howl, or breathe in gentle gales upon the earth? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the god of the aged.htm

Two Happy Bridals
... Solemnly joined."Wordsworth. Philip was not slow to carry out the suggestions of
the Desposynos. The ship bore him to Seleucia with soft and favouring gales. ...
/.../chapter lxv two happy bridals.htm

A Great Fall and a Great Recovery
... there come to any of us trials, difficulties, conflicts, temptations, they are known
to our Brother in the skies, and the stormier the gales that threaten us ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/a great fall and a.htm

Of those who While Still Imperfect Retire into the Desert.
... being thoroughly trained in the Coenobium, as these men are always imperfect and
easily upset, and incline to one side or the other, as the gales of trouble ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter x of those who.htm

But what Moved Me, O Lord My God, to Dedicate These Books unto ...
... Just as the gales of tongues blow from the breast of the opinionative, so is it
carried this way and that, driven forward and backward, and the light is ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter xiv but what moved.htm

Gales (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Gales (1 Occurrence). James 3:4 So too with ships,
great as they are, and often driven along by strong ...
/g/gales.htm - 6k

Galeed (2 Occurrences)

/g/galeed.htm - 8k

Gale (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A strong current of air; a wind between a stiff
breeze and a hurricane. The most violent gales are called tempests. ...
/g/gale.htm - 9k

Galgal (1 Occurrence)

/g/galgal.htm - 6k

Whichever (8 Occurrences)
... James 3:4 So too with ships, great as they are, and often driven along by strong
gales, yet they can be steered with a very small rudder in whichever direction ...
/w/whichever.htm - 9k

Direction (128 Occurrences)
... James 3:4 So too with ships, great as they are, and often driven along by strong
gales, yet they can be steered with a very small rudder in whichever direction ...
/d/direction.htm - 38k

Directs (6 Occurrences)
... James 3:4 So too with ships, great as they are, and often driven along by strong
gales, yet they can be steered with a very small rudder in whichever direction ...
/d/directs.htm - 7k

Chooses (36 Occurrences)
... James 3:4 So too with ships, great as they are, and often driven along by strong
gales, yet they can be steered with a very small rudder in whichever direction ...
/c/chooses.htm - 17k

Caprice (3 Occurrences)
... James 3:4 So too with ships, great as they are, and often driven along by strong
gales, yet they can be steered with a very small rudder in whichever direction ...
/c/caprice.htm - 7k

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