Definition and Nature:
Hailstones are solid precipitation in the form of balls or lumps of ice, often associated with severe thunderstorms. In the biblical context, hailstones are frequently depicted as instruments of divine judgment and power, demonstrating God's sovereignty over nature and His ability to use it for His purposes.

Biblical References:

1. Plague in Egypt:
One of the most notable instances of hailstones 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 pound everything in the fields, both man and beast, throughout the land of Egypt. The hail struck down everything in the fields, 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 illustrates God's power to protect His people while executing judgment on their oppressors.

2. Joshua's Victory:
In Joshua 10:11 , hailstones are used as a means of divine intervention in battle: "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 hail than were killed by the swords of the Israelites." This passage highlights God's active role in the battles of Israel, ensuring victory through supernatural means.

3. Prophetic Imagery:
Hailstones 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 represents the thorough and inescapable nature of divine judgment against falsehood and unrighteousness.

4. Eschatological Judgment:
The Book of Revelation contains vivid imagery of hailstones 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 apocalyptic vision underscores the severity and terror of God's final judgments upon a rebellious world.

Theological Significance:
Hailstones in the Bible serve as a powerful symbol of God's might and His ability to control the natural world. They are often associated with His judgment against sin and rebellion, as well as His protection and deliverance of His people. The use of hailstones in biblical narratives and prophecies underscores the theme of divine retribution and the ultimate triumph of God's justice.

Cultural and Historical Context:
In the ancient Near East, hail was a known natural phenomenon, but its occurrence in the biblical narrative is often linked to supernatural events. The destructive power of hail would have been well understood by the original audience, making it an effective symbol of divine intervention and judgment.

Conclusion:
While hailstones are a natural meteorological occurrence, their biblical representation transcends mere weather patterns, serving as a testament to God's authority and His active involvement in the affairs of humanity.(n.) A single particle of ice falling from a cloud; a frozen raindrop; a pellet of hail.5464. chalaza -- hailstone
... chalaza. 5465 . hailstone. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: chalaza
Phonetic Spelling: (khal'-ad-zah) Short Definition: hail Definition: hail. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5464.htm - 6kHailstone (1 Occurrence)
... (n.) A single particle of ice falling from a cloud; a frozen raindrop; a pellet
of hail. Multi-Version Concordance Hailstone (1 Occurrence). ...
/h/hailstone.htm - 6k

Hailstones (10 Occurrences)

/h/hailstones.htm - 9k

Inundation (6 Occurrences)
... of His voice, And the coming down of His arm He doth shew with the raging of anger,
And the flame of a consuming fire, Scattering, and inundation, and hailstone...
/i/inundation.htm - 8k

Raging (26 Occurrences)
... of His voice, And the coming down of His arm He doth shew with the raging of anger,
And the flame of a consuming fire, Scattering, and inundation, and hailstone...
/r/raging.htm - 13k

Hailed (2 Occurrences)

/h/hailed.htm - 7k

Hailstone: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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