The Hebrew word ʼelgâbîysh, represented by H417, means great hail(-stones). It appears 3 times across 3 unique verses in the Bible. The term derives from words meaning "great pearl," suggesting a visual of immense, solid hailstones.
All occurrences of H417 are found in the book of Ezekiel, where it functions as a direct instrument of divine judgment. God declares He will send great hailstones to fall upon those who build with "untempered morter," symbolizing the destruction of false security Ezekiel 13:11. This act is a manifestation of divine anger and fury, meant to consume and destroy Ezekiel 13:13. The term is also used in a broader context of judgment against God's enemies, where great hailstones are rained down alongside fire and brimstone Ezekiel 38:22.
Several related words are used in conjunction with H417 to describe the overwhelming nature of God's judgment:
- H1653 geshem (rain, shower): This word describes the "overflowing shower" that accompanies the great hailstones, forming a comprehensive and inescapable deluge sent in God's anger Ezekiel 13:13.
- H5591 çaʻar (storm(-y), tempest, whirlwind): This term defines the violent atmospheric conditions of the judgment. A "stormy wind" is sent to rend the wall that the hailstones are also sent to destroy Ezekiel 13:11.
- H2534 chêmâh (fury): This word reveals the divine motivation behind the storm. God sends the great hailstones specifically "in my fury to consume it," directly linking the natural phenomenon to divine wrath Ezekiel 13:13.
The theological significance of H417 is centered on its role as a weapon in God's arsenal.
- Divine Judgment: The great hailstones are not a random weather event but a deliberate act of God to "plead" against His enemies and execute His judgment Ezekiel 38:22.
- Destruction of Falsehood: In Ezekiel 13, H417 is specifically deployed to make a wall of untempered morter fall, demonstrating God's power to demolish false prophecies and protections that are not built on His truth Ezekiel 13:11.
- Element of Divine Arsenal: The term appears as part of a list of cataclysmic forces, including pestilence H1698, blood H1818, fire H784, and brimstone H1614, highlighting its place among the powerful tools God uses to enforce His will Ezekiel 38:22.
In summary, ʼelgâbîysh H417 is a specialized term for a potent and targeted form of divine intervention. Used exclusively in Ezekiel, these great hailstones are a physical manifestation of God's fury against falsehood and His enemies. The word illustrates how God can wield the very elements of creation to execute His perfect and overwhelming judgment.
TRV