or (feminine) סְעָרָה; from סָעַר; a hurricane; storm(-y), tempest, whirlwind.
Transliteration:çaʻar
Pronunciation:sah'-ar
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word H5591 (סַעַר, çaʻar), along with its feminine form סְעָרָה (sᵉʿārāh), derives from the verbal root סָעַר (sāʿar), meaning "to storm, to rage, to be tempestuous." As a noun, סַעַר denotes a severe atmospheric disturbance, encompassing a range of meanings from a general "storm" to a more specific and intense "tempest" or "whirlwind." The emphasis is on the violent, turbulent, and often destructive nature of the wind. It implies not merely strong wind, but a raging, swirling force, often linked to the manifestation of divine power or judgment.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Though not exceedingly frequent, the occurrences of H5591 are highly significant, often appearing in contexts of divine action or revelation.
* **Theophany and Divine Presence:** A prominent use of סְעָרָה is found in the book of Job, where the Lord answers Job "out of the whirlwind" ([[Job 38:1]]; [[Job 40:6]]). This imagery powerfully conveys God's transcendent majesty, His unsearchable wisdom, and His ability to confront humanity from a realm beyond human comprehension. Similarly, in [[Psalm 50:3]], God's coming is described with "a tempest around Him," indicating His awesome and consuming presence.
* **Divine Power and Judgment:** סַעַר is frequently depicted as an instrument of God's power and judgment. In [[Job 9:17]], God is said to crush Job "with a tempest," highlighting His overwhelming might. The prophets use סַעַר to describe the severity of God's judgment, as in [[Isaiah 29:6]], where the Lord of hosts punishes Jerusalem with "storm and tempest." [[Psalm 83:15]] is a plea for God to pursue enemies with "Your tempest," signifying divine wrath.
* **God's Way and Nature:** [[Nahum 1:3]] declares that "The Lord has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm," affirming His powerful, mysterious, and often formidable nature. [[Zechariah 9:14]] speaks of the Lord going forth "in whirlwinds of the south," indicating a powerful divine intervention or manifestation.
* **Divine Transportation:** A unique and miraculous instance is found in [[2 Kings 2:11]], where Elijah is taken up to heaven "by a whirlwind," serving as a divine vehicle for his ascension.
### Related Words & Concepts
* **`{{H5492}}` סוּפָה (sûphāh):** This word also means "storm, tempest, whirlwind" and is often used in parallel or synonymously with H5591 (e.g., [[Isaiah 29:6]]; [[Nahum 1:3]]). While both denote violent winds, סַעַר might emphasize the *raging* and *swirling* aspect more directly from its root.
* **`{{H7307}}` רוּחַ (rûaḥ):** Meaning "wind, spirit, breath," H5591 represents a specific, violent manifestation of רוּחַ. סַעַר is the destructive, powerful aspect of wind.
* **Theophany:** The concept of God revealing Himself to humanity, often accompanied by dramatic natural phenomena like storms, fire, and thunder (e.g., Mount Sinai). סַעַר is a prime descriptor of such awe-inspiring divine appearances.
* **Divine Sovereignty:** The ability to command and unleash storms demonstrates God's absolute control over creation and His unmatched power.
* **Divine Wrath/Judgment:** Storms serve as tangible metaphors and actual instruments of God's righteous anger against sin.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H5591 is profound, primarily centering on the nature and actions of God.
* **Revelation of God's Majesty:** סַעַר serves as a powerful symbol of God's transcendent majesty and uncontainable power. When God speaks from the whirlwind, as to Job, it is a direct encounter with the incomprehensible, awe-inspiring Creator, challenging human presumption and limited understanding. This form of revelation instills humility and reverence.
* **God's Uncontrollable Power:** The inherent chaos and destructive force of a סַעַר underscore God's omnipotence. Unlike human power, which is limited, God's power is absolute and cannot be harnessed or manipulated. He commands the storm; the storm does not command Him. This highlights His freedom and sovereignty over all creation.
* **Instrument of Divine Justice:** סַעַר is frequently depicted as a vehicle for divine judgment and discipline. It is a visible manifestation of God's active involvement in the world, ensuring justice and punishing wickedness. This reinforces the biblical truth that God is not a passive observer but an active participant in human history.
* **Mystery and Awe:** The unpredictable and overwhelming nature of a tempest reflects the mysterious and ultimately unfathomable aspects of God's character. He is not a God who can be fully grasped or neatly categorized by human intellect, much like the untamable whirlwind.
* **Divine Purpose and Transportation:** In the unique case of Elijah, the סְעָרָה transcends its natural destructive potential to become a means of divine transportation, signifying a direct, supernatural intervention for a specific divine purpose.
### Summary
H5591 (סַעַר, çaʻar), and its feminine form סְעָרָה (sᵉʿārāh), denotes a violent, raging storm, tempest, or whirlwind. Rooted in a verb meaning "to storm or rage," it emphasizes the turbulent and often destructive power of such atmospheric phenomena. Biblically, סַעַר is a potent descriptor of God's overwhelming power and His majestic presence, particularly in theophany, as seen in the Lord's appearances to Job from the whirlwind. It also functions as an instrument of divine judgment and a symbol of God's absolute sovereignty over creation. Often paralleled with `{{H5492}}` (sûphāh), סַעַר consistently evokes a sense of awe, humility, and recognition of God's untamable nature and His active, often mysterious, involvement in human history.
TRV