Lightning — Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary

The flashing of light. When the Bible speaks of lightning, it usually has to do with God making an appearance. It occurs, therefore, at very dramatic moments, as when God comes down upon Mt Sinai just before giving the Ten Commandments to Moses (Ex 19:16); or referring to the return of Jesus (Mt 24:27), where lightning is only one of many spectacular signs of the event (Ez 1:14; Dn 10:6). It is a common symbol also in Revelation (Rv 4:5; 8:5; 16:18), a book whose chief concern is to give a vision of God.

Show passage in OET: EXO 19:16

OET-RV EXO 19:16

16 So on the morning of the third day, there was thunder and lightning and a thick cloud on the mountain, and an extremely loud horn blast, and all the people in the camp were trembling.

OET-LV EXO 19:16

16 And_he/it _was on_day the_third when_came the_morning and_he/it _was thunder _claps and_lightning _flashes and_a _cloud heavy on the_mountain and_the_sound _of a _ram’s _horn strong very and_ all _of the_people which was_in_camp _it _trembled.

Show passage in OET: MAT 24:27

OET-RV MAT 24:27

27 because when the son of humanity comes, it’ll be like how the lightning goes right across the sky from one side to the other.

OET-LV MAT 24:27

27 For/Because as the lightning is _coming _out from the_east and is _shining as _far _as the_west, thus will _be the coming of _the son of_ the _Man.

Show passage in OET: EZE 1:14

OET-RV EZE 1:14

14 The living creatures moved rapidly swiftly back and forth, and they looked a bit like lightning.

OET-LV EZE 1:14

14 And_the _living_creatures they _were _running and_they _were _returning like_the _appearance _of (the)_lightning.

Show passage in OET: DAN 10:6

OET-RV DAN 10:6

6 His body sparkled like a jewel, his face was brilliant like lightning, his eyes were like flaming torches, his arms and his feet were like the gleam of polished bronze, and his voice was loud like the sound of a huge crowd.

OET-LV DAN 10:6

6 And_body _of_his was_like_chrysolite and_face _of_his was_like_the_appearance _of lightning and_eyes _of_his were_like_torches _of fire and_arms _of_his and_feet _of_his were_like_the_appearance _of bronze burnished and_the _sound _of his _words/messages _of_his was_like_the _sound _of a _multitude.

Show passage in OET: REV 4:5

OET-RV REV 4:5

5 From the centre throne came lightning flashes and thunderous sounds and voices. In front of it, seven torches were burning, which are God’s seven spirits.

OET-LV REV 4:5

5 And out _of the throne are _going _out lightnings, and voices, and thunders.
And seven lamps of _fire being _burned before the throne, which is the seven spirits of_ the _god,

Show passage in OET: REV 8:5

OET-RV REV 8:5

5 Then the messenger took the bowl and filled it with coals of fire from the altar, and threw them onto the earth and that caused peals of thunder and roaring, and lightning bolts and an earthquake.

OET-LV REV 8:5

5 And has _taken the messenger the censer, and filled it from the fire of _the altar, and he _throw it on the earth, and there _became thunders, and sounds, and lightnings, and an_earthquake.

Show passage in OET: REV 16:18

OET-RV REV 16:18

18 Then there was lightning and thunder and other sounds, and a terrible earthquake, such as had not happened since people had been on the earth. Such a powerful earthquake, so massive!

OET-LV REV 16:18

18 And became lightnings, and and voices, and thunders, an_earthquake became great, such _as not became, from of _which mankind became on the earth, the_so _great earthquake was thus great.

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Jump to OET EZE 1:14 section.

Jump to OET DAN 10:6 section.

Jump to OET REV 4:5 section.

Jump to OET REV 8:5 section.

Jump to OET REV 16:18 section.

Sometimes the figure of lightning speaks of God in special ways. It can accompany judgment against God’s enemies (2 Sm 22:15; Rv 16:18). More often, it points to God’s power and kingship over all creation (Ps 135:7). Lightning is one of the things God mentions to Job (Jb 38:35) to show him how great is the creation and the Creator, and how small Job is by comparison (compare Ps 77:16-18).