In biblical literature, the term "swirl" is not directly mentioned; however, the concept of swirling motions or actions can be inferred from various scriptural passages that describe natural phenomena, divine actions, or human experiences. The imagery of swirling is often associated with the movement of wind, water, or other elements, symbolizing the power and majesty of God, as well as the tumultuous nature of life.

Wind and Storms

The Bible frequently uses the imagery of wind and storms to convey God's power and presence. In Job 37:9, the whirlwind is mentioned as a manifestation of God's might: "The tempest comes out from its chamber, the cold from the driving winds." The swirling wind here is indicative of God's control over nature and His ability to use it for His purposes.

In 2 Kings 2:11, the prophet Elijah is taken up to heaven in a whirlwind: "As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind." This event underscores the divine nature of the whirlwind as a vehicle of God's will, transporting Elijah from the earthly realm to the heavenly.

Waters and Seas

Swirling waters are another powerful biblical image, often representing chaos or divine judgment. In Psalm 107:25-29, the psalmist describes God's command over the sea: "For He spoke and raised a tempest that lifted the waves of the sea. They mounted up to the heavens, they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their anguish." The swirling of the sea in this passage illustrates both the fearsome power of nature and God's ultimate authority over it.

Similarly, in Jonah 1:4, God sends a great wind upon the sea, causing a violent storm: "Then the LORD hurled a great wind upon the sea, and such a violent storm arose that the ship was in danger of breaking apart." The swirling storm serves as a tool of divine intervention, redirecting Jonah's path and fulfilling God's plan.

Human Experience and Emotion

The concept of swirling can also be applied metaphorically to human emotions and experiences. In Isaiah 57:20, the wicked are compared to a restless sea: "But the wicked are like the tossing sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud." The swirling, restless nature of the sea reflects the inner turmoil and instability of those who live apart from God's righteousness.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul speaks of being "tossed back and forth by the waves" in Ephesians 4:14, warning against being swayed by false teachings: "Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming." Here, the swirling motion symbolizes the confusion and instability that can arise from a lack of spiritual maturity and discernment.

Divine Judgment and Deliverance

Swirling imagery is also present in descriptions of divine judgment and deliverance. In Nahum 1:3, the Lord's power is depicted through a whirlwind: "The LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. His path is in the whirlwind and storm, and clouds are the dust beneath His feet." The swirling whirlwind signifies God's righteous judgment and His sovereign control over creation.

Conversely, in times of deliverance, God is portrayed as calming the swirling chaos. In Mark 4:39, Jesus rebukes the wind and calms the sea: "Then He got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. 'Silence!' He commanded. 'Be still!' And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm." This act demonstrates Christ's authority over the natural world and His ability to bring peace amidst turmoil.

In summary, while the term "swirl" itself is not explicitly found in the Bible, the concept is richly illustrated through various scriptural passages that depict the dynamic and often tumultuous movements of wind, water, and human experience, all under the sovereign hand of God.1. (n.) To whirl, or cause to whirl, as in an eddy.

2. (n.) A whirling motion; an eddy, as of water; a whirl.

2342a. chul -- to whirl, dance, writhe
... burst (1), calve (1), calving (1), danced (1), fall (1), gave you birth (1), gave
birth (2), giving birth (1), labor (1), quaked (1), shakes (2), swirl down (1 ...
/hebrew/2342a.htm - 6k

The Oubit {260}
... This feckless hairy oubit cam' hirpling by the linn, A swirl o' wind cam' doun the
glen, and blew that oubit in: Oh when he took the water, the saumon fry they ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/the oubit 260.htm

Love and Fear
... There foam and swirl all manner of evils, some of them certain, some of them probable,
any of them possible, since we are at discord with Him who wields all ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/love and fear.htm

Introduction
... life. They cannot, therefore, stand apart in monastic seclusion and safely
watch the swirl of forces which they silently disapprove. ...
/.../pringle/the record of a quaker conscience cyrus pringles diary/introduction.htm

First Tractate.
... in either case an absurdity, an impossibility, to hand over the universe and its
contents to material entities, and out of the disorderly swirl thus occasioned ...
//christianbookshelf.org/plotinus/the six enneads/first tractate 3.htm

The Prophet --His Youth and his Call.
... Above all, Anathoth lay within the swirl of rumour of which the capital was
the centre. Jerusalem has always been a tryst of the winds. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/lecture iii the prophethis youth.htm

The Question of the Tall Gentleman as to Whether Diamond could ...
... "That's where I live," said the sack-backed squirrel,. And he turned his sack with
a swing and a swirl. Said the cock of the spire, "His father's churchwarden." ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 20 the question of.htm

Youthful Strength
... place, the men take their stations at appointed places, and the ponderous anchors
are loosened and ready to be dropped in an instant if the swirl of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/youthful strength.htm

Access into Grace
... We go up and down, we yield when pressure is brought to bear against us, we are
carried off our feet often by the sudden swirl of the stream, and the fitful ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/access into grace.htm

The Secret of Tranquillity
... A rolling vapour veils it all; here and there a mountain peak seems to stand
out; but in a moment another swirl of the fog hides it from us. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the secret of tranquillity.htm

Monos
... warning fin appeared above the ripple; only, more than once, close to the stern
of the boat, a heavy fish broke water with a sharp splash and swirl, which was ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter vi monos.htm

Swirl (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) To whirl, or cause to whirl, as in an eddy. 2. (n.) A whirling motion; an
eddy, as of water; a whirl. Multi-Version Concordance Swirl (2 Occurrences). ...
/s/swirl.htm - 7k

Swirled (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Swirl. Multi-Version Concordance Swirled
(2 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 22:5 For the waves of death surrounded me. ...
/s/swirled.htm - 7k

Swings (1 Occurrence)

/s/swings.htm - 6k

Swirling (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Swirl. Multi-Version Concordance
Swirling (5 Occurrences). Ecclesiastes 1:6 The wind ...
/s/swirling.htm - 7k

Swirl: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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