Topical Encyclopedia Hail-stones, as described in the Bible, are large, frozen precipitation that falls from the sky during storms. They are often depicted as instruments of divine judgment and power, serving as a means through which God demonstrates His sovereignty and authority over creation. The occurrence of hail-stones in biblical narratives underscores the might and majesty of God, as well as His ability to intervene in the natural world to accomplish His purposes.Biblical References: 1. The Plague of Hail in Egypt: One of the most notable instances of hail-stones in the Bible is during the plagues of Egypt. In Exodus 9:23-26 , it is recorded: "So Moses stretched out his staff toward the sky, and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and lightning struck the earth. So the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt. The hail fell and continued to fall, and lightning flashed through it. So there was hail and lightning flashing back and forth. It was the worst storm in all the land of Egypt since it had become a nation. Throughout the land of Egypt, the hail struck down everything in the field, both man and beast; it beat down every plant of the field and shattered every tree. The only place it did not hail was in the land of Goshen, where the Israelites lived." This event highlights God's power to protect His people while executing judgment on the Egyptians. 2. The Battle of Gibeon: In Joshua 10:11 , hail-stones are used as a weapon in the battle against the Amorites: "As they fled before Israel on the road down from Beth-horon to Azekah, the LORD hurled large hailstones down on them from the sky, and more of them died from the hailstones than were killed by the swords of the Israelites." This passage illustrates God's direct intervention in the affairs of His people, ensuring their victory through supernatural means. 3. Prophetic Imagery: Hail-stones are also used in prophetic literature to symbolize God's judgment. In Isaiah 28:17 , it is written: "I will make justice the measuring line and righteousness the plumb line; hail will sweep away your refuge of lies, and water will flood your hiding place." Here, hail-stones represent the cleansing and purifying judgment of God against falsehood and unrighteousness. 4. The Book of Revelation: In the apocalyptic visions of Revelation, hail-stones appear as part of the end-times judgments. Revelation 16:21 states: "And great hailstones, about a hundred pounds each, rained down on them from above. And men cursed God for the plague of hail, because it was so horrendous." This imagery serves to convey the severity and inescapability of divine wrath during the final days. Theological Significance: Hail-stones in the Bible are emblematic of God's control over nature and His ability to use it as a tool for judgment and deliverance. They serve as a reminder of the seriousness of sin and the reality of divine retribution. At the same time, the sparing of the Israelites during the plague of hail in Egypt and the victory at Gibeon demonstrate God's mercy and faithfulness to those who are in covenant with Him. The use of hail-stones in prophetic and apocalyptic contexts further emphasizes the ultimate triumph of God's justice and the establishment of His righteous order. Greek 5464. chalaza -- hailstone ... Word Origin a prim. word Definition hailstone NASB Word Usage hail (2), hailstones (1), hailstorm (1). hail. Probably from chalao; hail -- hail. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5464.htm - 6k Strong's Hebrew 1259. barad -- hail... hailstones* (2). hail, hailstones. From barad; hail -hail ((stones)). see HEBREW barad. 1258, 1259. barad. 1260 . Strong's Numbers. /hebrew/1259.htm - 6k 417. elgabish -- hail 68. eben -- a stone Library Psalm 18 God's People Delivered God's People Delivered. David's Strength The King --Continued. Of the Character of the Unregenerate. Appendix. The History of Joshua The First Trumpet. Of the High Felicity of Internal Peace, and the Wonderful Effects ... Thesaurus Hailstones (10 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance Hailstones (10 Occurrences). Revelation 16:21 Great hailstones, about the weight of a talent, came down out of the sky on people. ... /h/hailstones.htm - 9k Hail-stones (2 Occurrences) Hail (42 Occurrences) Shower (22 Occurrences) Torrents (17 Occurrences) Overflowing (54 Occurrences) Frost (9 Occurrences) Flooding (4 Occurrences) Tempestuous (8 Occurrences) Coals (28 Occurrences) Resources What is the Hail Mary that Catholics say so often? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that Jesus and believers are living stones in 1 Peter 2:4-5? | GotQuestions.org Does the name “Jesus” actually mean “Hail, Zeus”? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Hail-stones (2 Occurrences)Psalms 78:47 Ezekiel 13:13 Subtopics Related Terms |
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