In biblical literature, the term "peals" is often associated with the sound of thunder, which is frequently used as a symbol of God's power and majesty. The imagery of thunder serves to convey the awe-inspiring and sometimes fearsome presence of the divine. This concept is rooted in various passages throughout the Bible, where thunder is depicted as a manifestation of God's voice or as an accompaniment to His actions.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, thunder is often linked with God's revelation and judgment. For instance, in the book of Exodus, during the giving of the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, the presence of God is marked by thunder and lightning. Exodus 19:16 states, "On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled." Here, the peals of thunder underscore the seriousness and divine authority of the Law being given to Moses.

Similarly, in 1 Samuel 7:10 , during the battle between the Israelites and the Philistines, the Lord intervenes with a mighty display of power: "As Samuel was offering the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to fight against Israel. But that day the LORD thundered loudly against the Philistines and threw them into such confusion that they fled before Israel." The peals of thunder serve as a divine weapon, demonstrating God's direct involvement in the affairs of His people.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the imagery of thunder continues to be associated with divine revelation and eschatological events. The book of Revelation, in particular, uses thunder to symbolize the voice of God and the unfolding of His final plans for humanity. Revelation 4:5 describes the scene around the throne of God: "From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings, and peals of thunder. Before the throne burned seven lamps of fire. These are the seven Spirits of God." Here, the peals of thunder emphasize the majesty and authority of God as He prepares to execute His judgment.

Revelation 11:19 further illustrates this connection: "Then the temple of God in heaven was opened, and the ark of His covenant appeared in His temple. And there were flashes of lightning, and rumblings, and peals of thunder, and an earthquake, and a great hailstorm." The peals of thunder in this context highlight the dramatic and awe-inspiring nature of God's presence and the significant events that accompany His divine intervention.

Symbolism and Interpretation

Throughout the Bible, peals of thunder are symbolic of God's voice and His sovereign power over creation. They serve as a reminder of His majesty and the seriousness of His commands and judgments. The use of thunder in biblical narratives often marks moments of divine revelation, intervention, or judgment, underscoring the transcendence and authority of God.

In a broader theological context, the imagery of thunder can also be seen as a call to reverence and awe before the Creator. It reminds believers of the power and holiness of God, encouraging a posture of humility and worship. The consistent use of thunder as a divine symbol throughout Scripture reinforces the understanding of God as both immanent and transcendent, actively involved in the world while remaining above and beyond it.1027. bronte -- thunder
... Word Origin akin to bremo (to roar) Definition thunder NASB Word Usage peals of
thunder (8), Thunder (1), thunder (2), thundered* (1). thunder, thundering. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1027.htm - 6k

Continued.
... charge about him. Its very structure reproduces in sound an echo of the
rolling peals reverberating among the hills. There is first ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/iii early dayscontinued.htm

The Signs of Pentecost.
... It must seem as tho a violent thunder-storm had burst upon the city; flashes
of lightning and peals of thunder were seen and heard. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxvii the signs of pentecost.htm

Address in Lambeth Chapel, at the First Session of the Lambeth ...
... Men must hear again the voice which peals through the lapse of centuries bearing
witness to the "faith once delivered to the saints," or else for many souls ...
//christianbookshelf.org/whipple/five sermons/iv address in lambeth chapel.htm

A Free Grace Promise
... At such a dreadful time, when we might least have expected it, between the peals
of thunder and the flashes of lightning, was heard this gentle word, "It shall ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 35 1889/a free grace promise.htm

Plenteous Redemption
... It must have been well nigh as sweet to them as the marriage peals to a youthful
bridegroom, when they knew that the noble British nation would count down the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/plenteous redemption.htm

The Omnipotent Summons.
... drapery. The Lord gives the word. "Lazarus come forth!" peals through
the silent vault. The dull, cold ear seems to listen. The ...
/.../macduff/memories of bethany/xvi the omnipotent summons.htm

Hymn at Cock-Crow
... But from the wide roof of the sky Christ's voice peals forth with urgent cry, Calling
our sleep-bound hearts to rise And greet the dawn with wakeful eyes. ...
/.../prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/i hymn at cock-crow.htm

Love
... but yet as sweetly musical, coming up from paradise, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God
of armies." There was no jar, no discord; the thunder peals of heaven's ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/love.htm

The Burial of Moses
... muffled drum, Follow his funeral car; They show the banners taken, They tell his
battles won, And after him lead his masterless steed, While peals the minute ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the burial of moses.htm

Why Without, Then, Art Thou Staying?
... Oh! the dreadful thunder peals When His anger God reveals, All my blood
to tingle making, And my heart's foundation shaking! Then ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/why without then art thou.htm

Peals (7 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Peals (7 Occurrences). ... And when he had cried out, each
of the seven peals of thunder uttered its own message. (WEY NAS). ...
/p/peals.htm - 8k

Flashes (16 Occurrences)
... Revelation 4:5 Out from the throne there came flashes of lightning, and voices,
and peals of thunder, while in front of the throne seven blazing lamps were ...
/f/flashes.htm - 11k

Pearl (5 Occurrences)

/p/pearl.htm - 10k

Secret (341 Occurrences)
... Revelation 10:4 And when the seven peals of thunder had spoken, I was about to write
down what they had said; but I heard a voice from Heaven which told me to ...
/s/secret.htm - 39k

Flung (11 Occurrences)
... Revelation 8:5 So the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar
and flung it to the earth; and there followed peals of thunder, and voices ...
/f/flung.htm - 9k

Terrible (90 Occurrences)
... Revelation 16:18 Flashes of lightning followed, and voices, and peals of thunder,
and an earthquake more dreadful than there had ever been since there was a ...
/t/terrible.htm - 36k

Resembled (18 Occurrences)
... roar of a lion. And when he had cried out, each of the seven peals of thunder
uttered its own message. (WEY). Revelation 13:2 The ...
/r/resembled.htm - 12k

Dreadful (23 Occurrences)
... Revelation 16:18 Flashes of lightning followed, and voices, and peals of thunder,
and an earthquake more dreadful than there had ever been since there was a ...
/d/dreadful.htm - 13k

Doors (149 Occurrences)
... in Heaven were opened, and the Ark, in which His Covenant was, was seen in His
sanctuary; and there came flashes of lightning, and voices, and peals of thunder ...
/d/doors.htm - 39k

Peal (1 Occurrence)

/p/peal.htm - 7k

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