In biblical literature, the term "thunderbolt" is often associated with the manifestation of God's power and majesty. While the specific term "thunderbolt" is not frequently used in most English translations of the Bible, the concept is closely related to thunder and lightning, which are depicted as instruments of divine intervention and communication.

Old Testament References

The imagery of thunder and lightning is prevalent throughout the Old Testament, often symbolizing God's presence and authority. In the Book of Exodus, during the giving of the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, the presence of God is accompanied by thunder and lightning, signifying His awe-inspiring power. Exodus 19:16 states, "On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled."

In the Psalms, thunder and lightning are frequently used to describe God's might and the fear it instills in His enemies. Psalm 18:13-14 declares, "The LORD thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded—hailstones and coals of fire. He shot His arrows and scattered the foes; He hurled lightning and routed them." Here, the "arrows" and "lightning" can be understood as divine thunderbolts used to defeat adversaries.

Prophetic Literature

The prophetic books also utilize the imagery of thunder and lightning to convey messages of judgment and divine retribution. In the Book of Ezekiel, the prophet describes a vision of God's glory, where lightning is a component of the divine chariot. Ezekiel 1:13 notes, "The appearance of the living creatures was like burning coals of fire or like torches. Fire moved back and forth among the creatures; it was bright, and lightning flashed out of it."

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not frequently mention thunderbolts, the imagery of thunder and lightning continues to symbolize God's power and the eschatological events associated with the end times. In the Book of Revelation, thunder and lightning are part of the apocalyptic visions that John receives, indicating the majesty and judgment of God. Revelation 4:5 describes, "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."

Theological Significance

In biblical theology, thunderbolts, as represented by thunder and lightning, serve as a reminder of God's omnipotence and His active role in the world. They are often seen as manifestations of His voice and His ability to control the natural order. The use of such powerful imagery underscores the reverence and awe that God commands, as well as His capacity to protect and deliver His people or to execute judgment upon the wicked.

Throughout Scripture, the depiction of thunder and lightning as divine instruments reinforces the understanding of God as the supreme ruler of the universe, whose presence is both fearsome and awe-inspiring.1. (n.) A shaft of lightning; a brilliant stream of electricity passing from one part of the heavens to another, or from the clouds to the earth.

2. (n.) Something resembling lightning in suddenness and effectiveness.

3. (n.) Vehement threatening or censure; especially, ecclesiastical denunciation; fulmination.

4. (n.) A belemnite, or thunderstone.

2385. chaziz -- a thunderbolt, lightning flash
... 2384, 2385. chaziz. 2386 . a thunderbolt, lightning flash. Transliteration:
chaziz Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-zeez') Short Definition: thunderbolt. ...
/hebrew/2385.htm - 6k

7565. resheph -- flame
... 1). arrow, burning coal, burning heat, spark, hot thunderbolt. From saraph;
a live coal; by analogy lightning; figuratively, an arrow ...
/hebrew/7565.htm - 6k

6963. qol -- sound, voice
... report (1), roared loudly* (1), roared* (1), screamed* (1), shout (1), sound (98),
sound* (1), sounds (3), speaks (1), thunder (11), thunderbolt* (2), tinkling ...
/hebrew/6963.htm - 6k

The Thunderbolt Averted
... BOOK I. ANTIOCH CHAPTER VIII THE THUNDERBOLT AVERTED. Thou art a king, a
sovereign o'er frail men; I am a Druid, servant of the gods; ...
/.../chapter viii the thunderbolt averted.htm

Of the Same Jupiter's Thunderbolt.
... VI."Of the Same Jupiter's Thunderbolt. ... And the Cyclopes are said to have forged him
a thunderbolt; for though he was immortal, he received arms from mortals. ...
/.../the instructions of commodianus/vi of the same jupiters thunderbolt.htm

Of Holy Humility
... Brother Giles said again: "It seems to me that holy humility is like the thunderbolt;
for, even as the thunderbolt striketh a terrible blow, crushing, breaking ...
/.../the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter iii of holy humility.htm

Argument: Moreover, These Fables, which at First were Invented by ...
... Then Jupiter's thunderbolt is fabricated [1794] on the anvil with the arms of ??neas,
although there were heaven, and thunderbolts, and lightnings long before ...
/.../the octavius of minucius felix/chapter xxii argument moreover these fables.htm

Of Theodorus the Confessor.
... me refreshment of soul." But the demon of lying divination at once increased the
martyr's glory and exposed his own falsehood; for a thunderbolt sent down from ...
/.../chapter vii of theodorus the confessor.htm

The Scheme of Necessity Denies that Man is Responsible for the ...
... that very freedom. Thus Luther calls the foreknowledge of God a thunderbolt
to dash the doctrine of free-will into atoms. And who ...
/.../a theodicy or vindication of the divine glory/chapter i the scheme of.htm

Conflagration
... fighting ceased, and the multitude, haunted by supernatural awe, began to steal
out of the sacred edifice; when suddenly, as though a thunderbolt from heaven ...
/.../chapter lii conflagration.htm

The Judgments of God.
... instances; instances of which we say and cannot help saying"What have they done
above all others, that on them above all others the thunderbolt should fall? ...
/.../kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon xx the judgments of.htm

The Apology of Aristides as it is Preserved in the History of ...
... transformed himself into a bull for Europe, and into gold for Danae, and into a
swan for Leda, and into a satyr for Antiope, and into a thunderbolt for Semele. ...
/.../kay/the apology of aristides the philosopher/the apology of aristides as.htm

Paul's Sermon Before Felix
... Thunderbolt after thunderbolt fell from his lips; he seemed a very Jupiter Tonans
sitting upon his throne, casting lightnings from his lips. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/pauls sermon before felix.htm

Thunderbolt (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Thunderbolt (2 Occurrences). Job 28:26 When He made a
decree for the rain, and a way for the storm of thunders; (See NAS). ...
/t/thunderbolt.htm - 7k

Thunder (48 Occurrences)
... atmospheric electricity. 2. (n.) The discharge of electricity; a thunderbolt.
3. (n.) Any loud noise; as, the thunder of cannon. 4 ...
/t/thunder.htm - 25k

Thunderbolts (1 Occurrence)

/t/thunderbolts.htm - 6k

Bolt (5 Occurrences)
... a short, stout, blunt-headed arrow; a quarrel; an arrow, or that which resembles
an arrow; a dart. 2. (n.) Lightning; a thunderbolt. ...
/b/bolt.htm - 11k

Swollen (7 Occurrences)
... by certain medical writers in the sense of inflammation; see Nicander, Theriaca,
306; Hesiod, Theogonia, 856, expressing thereby the burning up by a thunderbolt...
/s/swollen.htm - 9k

Seleucus
... (3) Seleucus III (Ceraunus, "Thunderbolt"), son of Seleucus II, was
assassinated in a campaign which he undertook into Asia Minor. ...
/s/seleucus.htm - 8k

Ephesus (20 Occurrences)
... Among the paintings was one by the famous Apelles, a native of Ephesus,
representing Alexander the Great hurling a thunderbolt. ...
/e/ephesus.htm - 24k

Greece (15 Occurrences)
... Nature. In the Iliad the thunderbolt marked the presence of Zeus to favor
his friends or check those whose advance he chose to stop. ...
/g/greece.htm - 59k

Ancient (64 Occurrences)
... Nature. In the Iliad the thunderbolt marked the presence of Zeus to favor
his friends or check those whose advance he chose to stop. ...
/a/ancient.htm - 98k

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