Bible Dictionary
Winds
The Bible speaks of winds from the four quarters and describes their differing effects: the east wind was dry and forceful, the south wind hot, and the west wind associated with moisture. All winds remain under God’s rule.
Definition
Winds are moving air currents described in Scripture as coming from the four quarters. Their effects differ: the east wind is dry and forceful, the south wind hot, and the west and southwest winds moist.
Biblical Usage
The four winds can represent the four quarters or a commotion among nations. Winds also portray violent invasion and upheaval, while Scripture affirms that they remain subject to divine power.
Historical Background
The east wind crossed Arabia and commonly prevailed from February to June. The south wind was hot, and western winds carried moisture from the Mediterranean, especially from November to February. Local squalls also affected the Sea of Gennesareth.
Scripture References
Jeremiah 49:36
Ezekiel 37:9
Daniel 8:8
Zechariah 2:6
Ezekiel 17:10
Ezekiel 19:12
Job 27:21
Isaiah 27:8
Luke 12:54
Job 37:17
Luke 12:55
Isaiah 21:1
Daniel 7:2
Psalms 18:10
Psalms 135:7
Matthew 24:31
Sir 43:20
Proverbs 25:23
Job 1:19
Jeremiah 13:14
Job 38:24
Psalms 48:7
Ezekiel 27:26
Mark 4:37
Luke 8:23
Acts 27:12
Acts 27:14
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Blowing from the four quarters of heaven (Jer. 49:36; Ezek. 37:9; Dan. 8:8; Zech. 2:6). The east wind was parching (Ezek. 17:10; 19:12), and is sometimes mentioned as simply denoting a strong wind (Job 27:21; Isa. 27:8). This wind prevails in Palestine from February to June, as the west wind (Luke 12:54) does from November to February. The south was a hot wind (Job 37:17; Luke 12:55). It swept over the Arabian peninsula. The rush of invaders is figuratively spoken of as a whirlwind (Isa. 21:1); a commotion among the nations of the world as a striving of the four winds (Dan. 7:2). The winds are subject to the divine power (Ps. 18:10; 135:7).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
That the Hebrews recognized the existence of four prevailing winds as issuing, broadly speaking, from the four cardinal points, north, south, east and west, may be inferred from their custom of using the expression “four winds” as equivalent to the “four quarters” of the hemisphere. (Ezekiel 37:9; Daniel 8:8; Zechariah 2:6; Matthew 24:31) The north wind, or, as it was usually called “the north,” was naturally the coldest of the four, Ecclus. 43:20 and its presence is hence invoked as favorable to vegetation in (Song of Solomon 4:16) It is described in (Proverbs 25:23) as bringing rain; in this case we must understand the northwest wind. The northwest wind prevails from the autumnal equinox to the beginning of November, and the north wind from June to the equinox. The east wind crosses the sandy wastes of Arabia Deserts before reaching Palestine and was hence termed “the wind of the wilderness.” (Job 1:19; Jeremiah 13:14) It blows with violence, and is hence supposed to be used generally for any violent wind. (Job 27:21; 38:24; Psalms 48:7; Isaiah 27:8; Ezekiel 27:26) In Palestine the east wind prevails from February to June. The south wind, which traverses the Arabian peninsula before reaching Palestine, must necessarily be extremely hot. (Job 37:17; Luke 12:55) The west and southwest winds reach Palestine loaded with moisture gathered from the Mediterranean, and are hence expressly termed by the Arabs “the fathers of the rain.” Westerly winds prevail in Palestine from November to February. In addition to the four regular winds, we have notice in the Bible of the local squalls, (Mark 4:37; Luke 8:23) to which the Sea of Gennesareth was liable. In the narrative of St. Paul’s voyage we meet with the Greek term Lips to describe the southwest wind; the Latin Carus or Caurus, the northwest wind (Acts 27:12) and Euroclydon, a wind of a very violent character coming from east-northeast. (Acts 27:14)