Jeremiah 10:13
When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.
Original Language Analysis
תִּתּ֜וֹ
When he uttereth
H5414
תִּתּ֜וֹ
When he uttereth
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
2 of 15
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
הֲמ֥וֹן
there is a multitude
H1995
הֲמ֥וֹן
there is a multitude
Strong's:
H1995
Word #:
3 of 15
a noise, tumult, crowd; also disquietude, wealth
מַ֙יִם֙
of waters
H4325
מַ֙יִם֙
of waters
Strong's:
H4325
Word #:
4 of 15
water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen
בַּשָּׁמַ֔יִם
in the heavens
H8064
בַּשָּׁמַ֔יִם
in the heavens
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
5 of 15
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
וַיַּעֲלֶ֥ה
to ascend
H5927
וַיַּעֲלֶ֥ה
to ascend
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
6 of 15
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
נְשִׂאִ֖ים
and he causeth the vapours
H5387
נְשִׂאִ֖ים
and he causeth the vapours
Strong's:
H5387
Word #:
7 of 15
properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist
בְּרָקִ֤ים
lightnings
H1300
בְּרָקִ֤ים
lightnings
Strong's:
H1300
Word #:
10 of 15
lightning; by analogy, a gleam; concretely, a flashing sword
עָשָׂ֔ה
he maketh
H6213
עָשָׂ֔ה
he maketh
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
12 of 15
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
וַיּ֥וֹצֵא
and bringeth forth
H3318
וַיּ֥וֹצֵא
and bringeth forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
13 of 15
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
Cross References
Psalms 135:7He causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings for the rain; he bringeth the wind out of his treasuries.Job 38:22Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,Psalms 18:13The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire.
Historical Context
Baal, the Canaanite storm god, was credited with rain and fertility. This verse claims those functions for YHWH exclusively. The 'treasures' or storehouses of wind (also Job 38:22, Psalm 135:7) imagine atmospheric forces as divine resources deployed at God's discretion. This meteorological theology undercuts both Baalism and Babylonian astral religion.
Questions for Reflection
- How does attributing weather to God's voice and treasuries express ongoing divine sovereignty?
- What does this verse's nature theology suggest about finding God's work in natural phenomena?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
This verse describes YHWH's ongoing control of nature: 'When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens.' The Hebrew hamon mayim (הֲמוֹן מַיִם) describes the roaring sound of storm waters. God's 'voice' (qol) produces thunderstorms and rainfall. 'And he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth.' The water cycle—evaporation from seas—was observed if not fully understood. 'He maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.' Lightning accompanies rain; wind emerges from divine 'treasuries' (otsarot)—storehouses under divine control. Every meteorological phenomenon demonstrates YHWH's active sovereignty over creation.