Bible Dictionary
WHIRLWIND
A whirlwind is a violent rotating storm or tempest, sometimes carrying water or desert sand. In Scripture it symbolizes God’s power, judgment, destruction, swiftness, and overwhelming presence.
Definition
A whirlwind is a violent rotating storm or tempest. It may draw up water from the sea or sand from the desert, producing a funnel-shaped column, damaging winds, or dreaded sandstorms.
Biblical Usage
The whirlwind represents the power and might of Yahweh, who has his way in the whirlwind and answered Job from it. It also pictures destruction, swiftness, divine anger, and punishment of the wicked.
Historical Background
Whirlwinds can arise when currents meet from opposite directions and are common off the Syrian coast. Desert versions lift sand and threaten caravans; storms commonly come from the southwest, though biblical visions also describe wind from the north.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>hwurl'-wind (cuphah (Pr 1:27; 10:25; Isa 5:28; 17:13; 66:15; Ho 8:7; Am 1:14; Nab 1:3), ca`ar (Hab 3:14; Zec 7:14; Ho 13:3; Ps 58:9; Da 11:40), ce`arah (2Ki 2:1; Job 38:1; 40:6; Isa 40:24; 41:16; Zec 9:14)): When two currents from opposite directions meet, a circular motion results called a whirlwind. On the sea this takes up small particles of water from the sea and condenses some of the moisture in the clouds above, forming a great funnel-shaped column. They are quite common off the coast of Syria. Considerable damage might be done to a small ship overtaken by them. In the desert sand is taken up in the same way, causing terrible sandstorms which are greatly dreaded by caravans. Most of the references in the Bible do not necessarily imply a circular motion, and the word "tempest" might be used in translation.</p><p>Storms usually come from the Southwest. "Out of the .... south cometh the storm" (Job 37:9); yet in Ezekiel's vision he saw a whirlwind coming out of the north (Eze 1:4). Elijah "went up by a whirlwind into heaven" (2Ki 2:11). The whirlwind indicates the power and might of Yahweh: "Yahweh hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm" (Na 1:3); He "answered Job out of the whirlwind" (Job 38:1).</p><p>Most of the Scriptural uses are figurative; of destruction: "He will take them away with a whirlwind" (Ps 58:9; Pr 1:27; 10:25; Ho 13:3; Da 11:40; Am 1:14; Hab 3:14; Zec 7:14); of quickness: "wheels as a whirlwind" (Isa 5:28; 66:15; Jer 4:13); of the anger of God: "A whirlwind of the Lord is gone forth in fury" (Jer 23:19 the King James Version); of punishment to the wicked: "A continuing whirlwind .... shall fall .... on the wicked" (Jer 30:23 the King James Version).</p><p>Alfred H. Joy</p>