Bible Dictionaries
Whirlwind

Holman Bible Dictionary

English translation of four Hebrew words that designate any windstorm that is destructive. Only Psalm 77:18 uses a term indicating circular motion. True whirlwinds and tornados are rare in Palestine. They usually occur near the coast where the cool breezes of the Mediterranean Sea collide with the hot wind from the desert. Lesser whirlwinds are seen as whirling dust is thrown up into the air. The Lord used the raging wind to take Elijah to heaven (2Kings 2:1, 2 Kings 2:11 ) and to talk with Job (Job 38:1; Job 40:6 ). The prophets used the stormwind as a figure for judgment (Isaiah 5:28; Jeremiah 4:13; Hosea 8:7; Amos 1:14; Zechariah 7:14 ). God comes to deliver His people riding the stormy winds (Zechariah 9:14 ).