### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **çâʻâh**, represented by `{{H5584}}`, is a primitive root meaning to **rush** or **storm**. It is an exceedingly rare term, appearing only **1 time** in **1 unique verse** in the entire Bible. Its singular use powerfully conveys an image of a violent, rushing force from which one desires to escape.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The sole biblical context for `{{H5584}}` is found in [[Psalms 55:8]]. In a plea for deliverance from overwhelming distress, the psalmist exclaims, "I would hasten my escape from the windy **storm** and tempest." Here, **çâʻâh** is used to describe the character of the "windy storm," portraying a chaotic and threatening force. The word vividly illustrates the intensity of the trial the speaker is facing and the urgency of their desire for refuge.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words appear in the same verse as `{{H5584}}`, working together to build a cohesive image of urgent flight from danger:
* `{{H2363}}` **chûwsh** (to hurry): This verb, translated as "hasten," highlights the speaker's desperate need for a swift deliverance from the situation described in [[Psalms 55:8]].
* `{{H4655}}` **miphlâṭ** (escape): This noun defines the psalmist's ultimate goal: to find an **escape** from the turmoil, emphasizing the theme of seeking a safe haven [[Psalms 55:8]].
* `{{H7307}}` **rûwach** (wind; spirit): Appearing as "windy," this word identifies the natural force of the storm. It can denote both a physical **wind** and God's **spirit** [[Zechariah 4:6]].
* `{{H5591}}` **çaʻar** (tempest, whirlwind): Used in parallel with **çâʻâh**, this word reinforces the intensity of the gale, often depicting a great **whirlwind** associated with God's powerful presence or actions [[Zechariah 9:14]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H5584}}` is derived entirely from its context as a powerful metaphor for trial and the human response to it.
* **Symbol of Overwhelming Calamity:** The "storm" is not merely a weather event but a symbol for intense personal suffering and adversity from which the psalmist feels a desperate need to flee [[Psalms 55:8]].
* **Cry for Urgent Deliverance:** The longing to escape the **storm** is paired with the verb to "hasten," reflecting a common theme in the Psalms where the afflicted plead for God to **make haste** and come to their aid ([[Psalms 70:1]], [[Psalms 70:5]]).
* **Context of Divine Power:** The associated term **çaʻar** (tempest) is elsewhere connected to mighty acts of God, such as the whirlwind that took Elijah to heaven [[2 Kings 2:11]] or the storm of divine visitation [[Isaiah 29:6]]. This frames the psalmist's trial as a force that only a divine power can overcome.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H5584}}` **çâʻâh** provides a specific and potent descriptor for a rushing **storm**. Though its biblical footprint is tiny, its single appearance in [[Psalms 55:8]] is significant. It serves as the focal point of a rich metaphor for overwhelming trouble, capturing the essence of a desperate prayer for protection. Amplified by surrounding words for haste, escape, and tempest, it paints a timeless picture of the human cry for refuge in the face of life's fierce gales.
TRV