סוּפָה (su.phah)
su.phah
whirlwind; Suphah
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 14 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun suphah refers to a violent storm wind, often described as a whirlwind or tempest. In the Hebrew Bible, it is not merely a weather event but a powerful force that brings destruction or divine intervention. The word appears fourteen times, with significant usage in the poetic books of Job and Proverbs, as well as in Isaiah.
Its etymology has been linked to the idea of "making an end," suggesting a wind that consumes everything in its path. This sense is evident in Job 37:9, where it describes a storm that comes from the south, chilling the earth and bringing harsh conditions. In Proverbs 10:25, it serves as a metaphor for sudden calamity that sweeps away the wicked while leaving the righteous secure.
Beyond its meteorological meaning, suphah is also used as a proper noun, Suphah, referring to a place east of the Jordan mentioned in Numbers 21:14. This location, possibly an oasis near the Dead Sea, adds a geographical dimension to the word’s usage. The dual nature of suphah—both a destructive force and a specific place—highlights its versatility in biblical literature.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word suphah describes a violent storm or whirlwind, often used to portray God’s powerful presence or sudden judgment. In Job and Proverbs, it reminds us that life’s storms can be unpredictable, yet they do not catch God off guard. When calamity strikes like a whirlwind, the text assures us that the righteous remain secure because their foundation is unshakable.
This imagery helps us understand that divine justice is both real and precise. Just as a storm sweeps away chaff while leaving grain intact, God’s actions are never random. We can trust that even in chaotic seasons, there is order and purpose behind what happens. This word invites us to look beyond the surface of our troubles to see who holds the wind.
Ultimately, suphah points to a God who is sovereign over nature and history. Whether used as a metaphor for judgment or a literal weather event, it shows that no force is beyond His control. We find peace not in avoiding storms, but in knowing Who commands them.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 14 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a storm-wind7×
- like/ storm-winds1×
- like/ a storm-wind1×
- like <the>/ storm-wind1×
- in/ Suphah1×
- and/ like the/ storm-wind1×
- and/ a storm-wind/ <towards>1×
- and/ [will be] like the/ storm-wind1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- סוּפָֽה\׃3×
- סוּפָה֙1×
- סוּפָֽה1×
- סוּפָ֑ה1×
- ס֭וּפָה1×
- כַּ/סּוּפָֽה\׃1×
- כְּ/סוּפָ֣ה1×
- כְּ/סוּפ֤וֹת1×
- וְ/סוּפָ֣תָ/ה1×
- וְ/כַ/סּוּפָה֙1×
- וְ/כַ/סּוּפָ֖ה1×
- בְּ/סוּפָ֔ה1×
Key Verses
-
Proverbs 10:25
When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more; but the righteous stand firm forever.
This verse uses the whirlwind as a metaphor for sudden divine judgment that removes the wicked while preserving the righteous, highlighting God's protective justice.
-
Job 37:9
Out of its room comes the storm, and cold out of the north.
Here the storm is depicted as emerging from its 'room' with chilling power, illustrating God's absolute authority over natural forces and weather patterns.
-
Isaiah 66:15
For, behold, Yahweh will come with fire, and his chariots will be like the whirlwind; to give his anger with fierceness, and his rebuke with flames of fire.
The whirlwind accompanies Yahweh’s coming with fire, emphasizing the terrifying majesty and active role of God in executing justice against evil.