זֶ֫רֶם (ze.rem)
ze.rem
storm
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 7 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun zereem describes a violent rainstorm or thunderstorm, often carrying the sense of a sudden, heavy downpour. It appears seven times in the Old Testament, with a significant concentration in the prophetic and wisdom books. Rather than gentle rain, this word evokes the raw power of nature, depicting weather that is overwhelming and potentially destructive.
In Isaiah 30:28, God’s anger is likened to a "storm of hail" and "burning fire," using zereem to illustrate His formidable judgment against oppression. Similarly, in Job 37:11, the poet describes how clouds are filled with moisture and discharged as zereem, scattering bright clouds. These contexts highlight the word’s association with divine power and the awe-inspiring force of creation.
The term underscores the unpredictability and intensity of such weather events. Translators often render it as "storm" or "thunderstorm," capturing its suddenness and strength. This usage helps readers visualize the biblical portrayal of God’s majesty through natural phenomena, where storms serve as metaphors for both judgment and sovereign control over the earth.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word zereem brings to mind a violent rainstorm or thunderstorm, capturing the raw power of nature in its most overwhelming form. It is not gentle rain but a sudden, heavy downpour that can feel destructive and unpredictable. In the Old Testament, this imagery often points to God’s formidable presence, illustrating His sovereign control over creation and His ability to bring both judgment and relief.
For your faith, this word reminds us that God is not distant from the chaos of life. Just as a storm can scatter clouds and fill the earth with water, God uses such forces to demonstrate His majesty and care. In times of distress, He stands as a refuge, offering shelter like a hiding place from the wind or a covert from the storm (Isaiah 32:2). This assurance invites you to rest in His protection, knowing that even the most intense trials are held within His purposeful hands.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- like/ a storm of2×
- from/ rainstorm1×
- from/ [the] storm1×
- from/ [the] rain of1×
- and/ a rainstorm1×
- a rainstorm1×
- a downpour of1×
- [is] like/ a rainstorm of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כְּ/זֶ֥רֶם2×
- מִ/זֶּ֣רֶם1×
- מִ/זֶּ֙רֶם֙1×
- מִ/זֶּ֖רֶם1×
- כְּ֠/זֶרֶם1×
- זָ֑רֶם1×
- זֶ֥רֶם1×
- וָ/זֶ֖רֶם1×
Key Verses
-
Isaiah 30:30
Yahweh will cause his glorious voice to be heard, and will show the descent of his arm, with the indignation of his anger and the flame of a devouring fire, with a blast, storm, and hailstones.
This verse uses zereem alongside hailstones and fire to depict Yahweh's glorious voice and indignation, emphasizing His powerful intervention against oppression.
-
Isaiah 25:4
For you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat, when the blast of the dreaded ones is like a storm against the wall.
Here, God is described as a refuge from the storm, highlighting His role as a stronghold for the poor and needy during times of distress.
-
Habakkuk 3:10
The mountains saw you, and were afraid. The storm of waters passed by. The deep roared and lifted up its hands on high.
The 'storm of waters' passing by illustrates the awe-inspiring force of God's judgment, causing even the mountains to tremble in fear.