Bible Dictionaries
Lightning

Holman Bible Dictionary

A flash of light resulting from a discharge of static electricity in the atmosphere. In the Old Testament, lightning is always associated with God. God is the Maker of lightning and thunder (Job 28:26; Jeremiah 10:13 ) which reveal God's power and majesty (Psalm 77:18; Psalm 97:4 ). Lightning and thunder frequently accompany a revelation of God (the giving of the law, Exodus 19:16; Exodus 20:18; Ezekiel's first vision, Ezekiel 1:13-14 ). In poetic language God's voice is identified with the thunder (Job 37:3-5 ). Lightning also appears as God's weapon in those passages in which God is portrayed as a warrior (arrows: 2 Samuel 22:15; Psalm 18:14; Psalm 77:17; Psalm 144:6; fire: Psalm 97:3; Job 36:32 ). The New Testament both continues Old Testament associations and adds new uses. The Book of Revelation develops the association with power and majesty (Job 4:5; Job 11:19 ) and with weapons/judgment (Job 8:5; Job 16:18 ). Lightning serves as an illustration for Christ's clearly visible coming (Matthew 24:26-27 ) and of Satan's (sudden, catastrophic, visible?) fall (Luke 10:18 ).