from סוּף; a hurricane; Red Sea, storm, tempest, whirlwind, Red sea.
Transliteration:çûwphâh
Pronunciation:soo-faw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word `{{H5492}}` (çûwphâh) is derived from the root `{{H5488}}` (çûwph), which can relate to "end" or "consume," but also to "reeds" (as in *Yam Suph*, the Sea of Reeds). However, the noun `{{H5492}}` itself primarily denotes a violent atmospheric disturbance. Its core meaning encompasses "hurricane," "storm," "tempest," or "whirlwind." It describes a powerful, often destructive, wind phenomenon.
It is crucial to clarify that while the Strong's definition includes "Red Sea," `{{H5492}}` itself does not mean "Red Sea." The association likely stems from the shared root with *Yam Suph* (Sea of Reeds/Red Sea), but `{{H5492}}` consistently refers to a meteorological event—a storm or tempest—in its biblical occurrences, never the body of water itself. The semantic range extends from a literal weather event to a potent metaphor for overwhelming divine judgment, rapid destruction, or the transient nature of the wicked.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
`{{H5492}}` appears in various poetic and prophetic texts, almost always conveying a sense of overwhelming power and often divine action.
* In [[Proverbs 1:27]], `{{H5492}}` is used metaphorically to describe the sudden and terrifying onset of dread and calamity that overtakes the scornful, likened to a "storm" or "whirlwind."
* [[Proverbs 10:25]] employs `{{H5492}}` to illustrate the fleeting existence of the wicked: "When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more, but the righteous is an everlasting foundation." Here, the storm symbolizes swift and complete removal.
* The prophets frequently utilize `{{H5492}}` to depict divine judgment. In [[Isaiah 17:13]], rebellious nations are scattered "like the whirling dust before the storm," emphasizing their powerlessness before God's wrath.
* [[Isaiah 29:6]] describes the Lord's visitation upon Jerusalem with a terrifying array of natural phenomena, including "whirlwind and tempest" (`{{H5492}}`), signaling a powerful and destructive divine intervention.
* In [[Isaiah 41:16]], the Lord promises to scatter Israel's enemies: "the wind will carry them away, and the whirlwind (`{{H5492}}`) will scatter them." This highlights God's sovereignty over the nations.
* Jeremiah uses `{{H5492}}` to portray the swift and devastating nature of God's judgment. [[Jeremiah 4:13]] describes the enemy's chariots as coming "like the whirlwind," while [[Jeremiah 23:19]] and [[Jeremiah 30:23]] declare, "Behold, the whirlwind (`{{H5492}}`) of the LORD has gone forth in wrath," explicitly linking the storm to divine anger and judgment.
* [[Amos 1:14]] speaks of a "tempest in the day of the whirlwind," foretelling the destruction of Moab.
* [[Nahum 1:3]] famously declares God's majesty and power: "The LORD has His way in the whirlwind (`{{H5492}}`) and in the storm (`{{H5591}}`), and the clouds are the dust of His feet." This verse underscores God's absolute control over creation and His use of natural forces to manifest His presence and power.
* Finally, [[Zechariah 7:14]] recounts God's scattering of His people among the nations "with a whirlwind (`{{H5492}}`) that they did not know," indicating a forceful and unfamiliar dispersion due to their disobedience.
Across these contexts, `{{H5492}}` consistently conveys an image of overwhelming, often destructive, force, frequently attributed to divine agency as an instrument of judgment or a manifestation of power.
### Related Words & Concepts
`{{H5492}}` is often found alongside or in conjunction with other Hebrew terms for strong winds and atmospheric phenomena, enriching its semantic impact:
* `{{H5591}}` (sa'ar): "tempest," "storm," "whirlwind." This word is frequently paired with `{{H5492}}`, as seen in [[Isaiah 29:6]] and [[Nahum 1:3]], creating a composite image of violent weather.
* `{{H7307}}` (ruach): "wind," "spirit," "breath." While broader in meaning, `{{H7307}}` can also denote a powerful wind, and sometimes `{{H5492}}` specifies the nature of such a `{{H7307}}`.
* `{{H5457}}` (suf): "reed," "rushes." This is the likely root from which `{{H5492}}` is derived, yet it is crucial to distinguish. `{{H5457}}` is famously part of *Yam Suph* (Sea of Reeds), but it does not carry the meaning of a storm. The connection of `{{H5492}}` to `{{H5457}}` might metaphorically suggest something that sweeps away like reeds, or perhaps the destructive power that can level reed beds.
Concepts related to `{{H5492}}` include divine judgment, the impermanence of the wicked, God's sovereignty over creation, swift and inescapable destruction, and the awe-inspiring manifestation of divine power.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H5492}}` is profound, primarily serving as a powerful symbol of God's omnipotence and righteous judgment.
1. **Divine Power and Sovereignty:** The frequent association of `{{H5492}}` with Yahweh underscores His absolute control over the natural world. He is not merely a deity who *can* command storms, but one who *has His way* in them ([[Nahum 1:3]]), demonstrating His unparalleled might and majesty.
2. **Instrument of Divine Judgment:** Most prominently, `{{H5492}}` functions as a vivid metaphor for God's wrath and judgment against sin and rebellion. It represents the sudden, overwhelming, and inescapable destruction that falls upon the wicked, whether individuals or nations ([[Jeremiah 23:19]], [[Zechariah 7:14]]). The storm is not random chaos but a directed instrument of divine justice.
3. **Transience of the Wicked:** The image of the wicked being swept away by a `{{H5492}}` ([[Proverbs 10:25]]) highlights their inherent instability and ultimate demise in contrast to the enduring foundation of the righteous. It serves as a stark warning and a promise of ultimate vindication for the just.
4. **Divine Presence (Theophany):** In some contexts, like [[Nahum 1:3]], the storm may allude to the awesome and sometimes terrifying presence of God, reminiscent of theophany narratives where God appears amidst thunder, lightning, and tempest (e.g., at Mount Sinai).
Thus, `{{H5492}}` is more than a meteorological term; it is a theological symbol conveying the active, powerful, and just hand of God in human history and the natural world.
### Summary
`{{H5492}}` (çûwphâh) is a potent Hebrew term signifying a "hurricane," "storm," "tempest," or "whirlwind." While its root `{{H5488}}` is connected to the "reeds" of *Yam Suph* (Red Sea), `{{H5492}}` itself consistently denotes a violent weather phenomenon, never the body of water. Biblically, it serves as a powerful metaphor for overwhelming force, most often representing the swift and inescapable judgment of God upon the wicked and rebellious. It underscores God's absolute sovereignty over creation, His use of natural elements as instruments of His righteous will, and the ultimate transience of those who oppose Him. The word paints a vivid picture of divine power, both awe-inspiring and terrifying, revealing a God who is actively engaged in the affairs of humanity with justice and might.
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