### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
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.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
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]].
### Related Words & Concepts
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]].
### Theological Significance
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]].
### Summary
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