from θύω (in the sense of blowing) a storm:--tempest.
Transliteration:thýella
Pronunciation:thoo'-el-lah
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word θύελλα (thýella, `{{G2366}}`) denotes a violent storm or tempest. Its etymological root is connected to θύω (thýō), which can mean "to rush," "to blow," or "to sacrifice." In the context of θύελλα, the sense of "blowing" or "rushing" is paramount, indicating a powerful and often destructive atmospheric disturbance. Unlike general terms for wind (ἄνεμος, `{{G417}}`), θύελλα specifically conveys an intense, severe, and often tumultuous weather event, implying a sense of overwhelming force and potential danger. It describes not merely strong winds, but a full-blown tempest, characterized by its ferocity and the terror it can inspire.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term θύελλα appears only once in the New Testament, in the Epistle to the Hebrews:
* **[[Hebrews 12:18]]**: "For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and to a burning fire, and to blackness, and darkness, and tempest (θύελλα)."
In this singular occurrence, θύελλα is used to describe the terrifying manifestation of God at Mount Sinai when the Law was given. The author of Hebrews contrasts the awe-inspiring, yet fearful and unapproachable, experience of the Old Covenant at Sinai with the gracious and accessible approach to God under the New Covenant through Christ (Mount Zion). The inclusion of θύελλα alongside "burning fire," "blackness," and "darkness" vividly paints a picture of divine majesty and holiness that was overwhelming and terrifying to the Israelites. It underscores the unmediated presence of a holy God, which evoked fear and trembling, emphasizing the separation between God and humanity under the Old Dispensation. The tempest here is not merely a natural phenomenon but a component of a divine theophany, signifying God's awesome power and the severity of His presence.
### Related Words & Concepts
To fully appreciate θύελλα, it is helpful to consider related terms for wind and storms in the biblical lexicon, as well as broader theological concepts:
* **ἄνεμος (anemos, `{{G417}}`):** A general term for wind, often used for ordinary breezes or stronger winds, but without the inherent violence implied by θύελλα.
* **λαῖλαψ (lailaps, `{{G2978}}`):** A whirlwind or sudden squall, often implying a sudden, violent onset, as seen in the storm on the Sea of Galilee ([[Mark 4:37]]). While violent, it may not carry the same sense of sustained, overwhelming intensity as θύελλα.
* **χειμών (cheimōn, `{{G5494}}`):** Refers to winter, bad weather, or a storm, often with a broader temporal sense.
* **ζάλη (zalē, `{{G2207}}`):** A surge of the sea, or a tempest, particularly emphasizing the churning and tossing of water ([[Luke 21:25]]).
* **Old Testament Parallels:** The imagery of storms, clouds, fire, and darkness as manifestations of God's presence is pervasive in the Old Testament. Terms like סוּפָה (suphah, `{{H5492}}`, "storm, whirlwind") and סַעַר (sa'ar, `{{H5492}}`, "tempest") are often used to describe divine judgment or the overwhelming power of God (e.g., [[Job 38:1]], [[Psalm 18:8-15]], [[Nahum 1:3]]). The use of θύελλα in [[Hebrews 12:18]] directly echoes these Old Testament descriptions of the Sinai event ([[Exodus 19:16-19]], [[Deuteronomy 4:11-12]]).
* **Concepts:** Divine manifestation (theophany), judgment, holiness, fear of God, and the contrast between the Old Covenant and the New Covenant.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of θύελλα primarily stems from its unique appearance in [[Hebrews 12:18]] and its role in contrasting the two covenants.
1. **Divine Majesty and Unapproachable Holiness:** The θύελλα at Sinai serves as a powerful symbol of God's awesome power, unapproachable holiness, and the terrifying nature of His unmediated presence. It demonstrates that God is not to be approached lightly but with profound reverence and fear. This imagery underscores the vast chasm between a holy God and sinful humanity, a chasm that the Old Covenant, with its law and rituals, could only partially bridge.
2. **The Terrifying Nature of the Old Covenant:** By including θύελλα in the description of Sinai, the author of Hebrews emphasizes the fear, trembling, and distance that characterized the Old Covenant. The Law, though holy, just, and good, brought with it a sense of condemnation and an inability for humanity to stand before God without a mediator. The θύελλα symbolizes the overwhelming and judgmental aspect of this encounter.
3. **Contrast with the New Covenant:** The primary theological purpose of mentioning the θύελλα is to highlight the radical difference of the New Covenant. In contrast to the terrifying storm of Sinai, believers in Christ come to Mount Zion, "the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem," where there is grace, peace, and direct access to God through Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant ([[Hebrews 12:22-24]]). The θύελλα thus serves as a stark backdrop, making the grace and accessibility of the New Covenant shine even more brightly. It underscores that through Christ, the fear of judgment is replaced by the joy of fellowship.
### Summary
θύελλα (thýella, `{{G2366}}`) denotes a violent storm or tempest, emphasizing intense and often terrifying atmospheric disturbance. Its singular New Testament occurrence in [[Hebrews 12:18]] is highly significant, portraying the fearful and unapproachable manifestation of God at Mount Sinai under the Old Covenant. As part of a description including fire, darkness, and blackness, θύελλα powerfully symbolizes God's awesome power, unapproachable holiness, and the sense of terror experienced by those under the Law. Theologically, it serves as a stark contrast to the grace, peace, and direct access to God offered through the New Covenant in Christ, highlighting the surpassing glory and accessibility of Mount Zion compared to the terrifying θύελλα of Sinai. It ultimately underscores the profound reverence due to God and the immeasurable gift of salvation that transforms fear into fellowship.
TRV