Ezekiel 1:14 — Word Study
WLCוְהַחַיּ֖וֹת רָצ֣וֹא וָשׁ֑וֹב כְּמַרְאֵ֖ה הַבָּזָֽק׃
BSAThe creatureschay [living beings, having life] were darting back and forthrâtsâʼ△ [racing, running swiftly] as quickly asmarʼeh [with the speed of] flashes of lightningbâzâq△ [appearances, bursts, a powerful flash of energy from the sky]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וְהַחַיּ֖וֹת | and the living creatures | Conjunction, particle, noun common feminine plural absolute |
| רָצ֣וֹא | they were running | Verb, Qal, infinitive absolute |
| וָשׁ֑וֹב | and they were returning | Conjunction, verb qal infinitive absolute |
| כְּמַרְאֵ֖ה | like [the] appearance of | Preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| הַבָּזָֽק׃ | lightning | Particle, noun common masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | The creatures were darting back and forth as quickly as flashes of lightning. |
| KJV | And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning. |
| ASV | And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning. |
| YLT | And the living creatures are running, and turning back, as the appearance of the flash. |
| WEB | The living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning. |
| BBE | And the living beings went out and came back as quickly as a thunder-flame. |
Where they part company is רָצָא — see How Translations Differ.
One main clause with an adverbial phrase describing the manner of movement. The structure emphasizes the creatures' swift action.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
verbרָצָא
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
2 of 5 occur nowhere else in the Old Testament — words chosen on purpose.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Ezekiel 1:14
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Ezekiel's Vision of God's Glorygenerated
Ezekiel 1:14 describes a remarkable vision where living creatures move swiftly, resembling flashes of lightning. This imagery captures the awe-inspiring nature of God's presence and the dynamic movement of His creation. The surrounding verses elaborate on the creatures and their interactions with fire and wheels, emphasizing the supernatural aspects of Ezekiel's experience.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalm 147:15 | He sends forth His command to the earth; His word runs swiftly. |
| 2 | Daniel 9:21 | while I was still praying, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. |
| 3 | Zechariah 2:3–4 | Then the angel who was speaking with me went out, and another angel came out to meet him |
| 4 | Zechariah 4:10 | For who has despised the day of small things? But these seven eyes of the LORD, which scan the whole earth, will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.” |
| 5 | Matthew 24:27–31 | For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 6 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — חַיָּה, ve.ha.chai.Yotgenerated
The word חַיָּה (*chaiyah*) is a noun that means 'living creature' or 'being alive.' It is derived from the root that signifies life and vitality. This term encompasses a range of meanings related to life, including physical beings and spiritual existence.
In this verse, it highlights the nature of the creatures as alive and active, underscoring their role in Ezekiel's vision. The use of the plural form indicates multiple living beings, enhancing the sense of movement and energy.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb רָצָא governs the main action of the verse — they were running — with two phrases hanging off it: a conjunction introducing the subject and a prepositional phrase describing the manner of their movement. The structure emphasizes the swift and dynamic nature of the creatures.
The Hebrew word order places the subject at the beginning, drawing attention to the living creatures and their rapid motion, which is central to the imagery of the verse.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint does not provide a direct translation for this verse, but it retains the imagery of movement and speed associated with divine beings. The absence of a direct Greek equivalent for some Hebrew terms indicates a focus on the essence of the vision rather than a word-for-word correspondence.
This choice reflects a broader interpretation of the living creatures' actions, emphasizing their swift nature in the context of divine revelation.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Ezekiel 1:14 describes living creatures that move back and forth quickly, like flashes of lightning. This vivid imagery emphasizes their dynamic nature and the awe of God's presence in Ezekiel's vision.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
In this context, 'living creatures' refers to divine beings that are alive and full of energy, symbolizing God's presence and power.
The comparison to lightning highlights the speed and intensity of their movement, emphasizing the supernatural nature of the vision.
The creatures' returning suggests a dynamic interaction within the vision, possibly indicating obedience to God's commands or the cyclical nature of their actions.
This verse connects to Ezekiel's overall vision by illustrating the vibrant and powerful presence of God, as depicted through the living creatures and their actions.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does the imagery of the living creatures teach us about God's presence in our lives?
- How can we understand the significance of speed and movement in our spiritual journey?
- In what ways do we see God's dynamic action in the world around us?
- How can we apply the lessons from Ezekiel's vision to our understanding of divine beings?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
Early commentators have reflected on Ezekiel's vision, noting the significance of the living creatures and their movement as a representation of divine glory.
Whatever creature we will have looked at makes the knowledge of God shine forth, while the Creator recognizes it from his creatures. And from the midst of the animals splendor and fire and light go forth.Early Church Fathers on Ezekiel 1 →
There follows: And the living creatures went and returned in the likeness of flashing lightning. Since it was said above, "They did not turn back when they walked," for what reason is it now said,Early Church Fathers on Ezekiel 1 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Ezekiel 1:14 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd the living creatures ran,.... Did their work with great readiness and swiftness; so, especially in the latter day, ministers of the Gospel shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased,
Read John Gill on Ezekiel 1 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning. The living creatures ran and returned.
Read Robert Jamieson on Ezekiel 1 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThe living creatures; angels, ministers of the Divine pleasure, as above, . Ran; were speedy in their motions; this signified by this expression figuratively applied to angels. Returned; yet, ,12, it is said they returned not, where this seeming contradiction is reconciled; the 9th and 12th verse deny their turning aside from their work, this 14th affirms they returned, i.e. when they had done their work. As the appearance of a flash of lightning; very quick, with vehemency, splendour, and irresistible efficacy.
Read Matthew Poole on Ezekiel 1 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsEzekiel 1:14 And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.Ver. 14. And the living creatures ran and returned.] As soon as ever their work was done, they came back to him who sent them out to know his further pleasure, and to do him more service. When the angel had lessoned the good women about our Saviour’ s resurrection, he biddeth them "go quickly and tell his disciples," &c., and then dismisseth them, with "Lo, I have told you," q.d., Begone now about your business, you have your full errand; why linger ye? pack away. As the appearance of a flash of lightning.] Which appeareth aud disappeareth in an instant.
Read John Trapp on Ezekiel 1 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(14) A flash of lightning.—Not only was the appearance of the cherubim thus glittering, but also their speed as they “ran and returned” was that of the lightning. The vision up to this point, so far as we may venture to interpret its object, seems designed to show forth the power and activity, the irresistible energy of the agencies employed for the fulfilment of the Divine purposes, and at the same time their perfectly harmonious action, controlled by one supreme will. We now enter upon a fresh phase of the vision, in which the same things are represented still further by an additional and peculiar symbolism.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Ezekiel 1 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 14. The living creatures ran and returned] They had a circular movement; they were in rapid motion, but did not increase their distance from the spectator. So I think this should be understood.
Read AdamClarke on Ezekiel 1 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges14. Jerome testifies that this verse was not found in LXX. The verse both in regard to terminology and construction is untranslateable. The word rendered “ran” has no existence, and that translated “flash of lightning” is equally unknown. Attempts have been made to amend the verse by substituting for “ran” a real word, “went out” (yaço for raço), and the ordinary word “lightning” for the unknown term so rendered (baraḳ ? for bazaḳ ?). But such a movement to and fro or backwards and forwards of the living creatures is not suggested by anything said of them hitherto or afterwards; they could not move without a movement of the whole chariot, and such a darting about like lightning offends…
Read Cambridge on Ezekiel 1 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible14. This verse is probably a marginal gloss (Kautzsch). The Hebrew text is damaged and obscure. This fact did not prevent Mr.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on Ezekiel 1 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
The creatures were darting back and forth as quickly as flashes of lightning.
The living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.
The creatures were darting back and forth as quickly as flashes of lightning.
The living beings moved backward and forward as quickly as flashes of lightning.
Tyndale line
And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.
And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.
And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.
And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.
And the beastes ranne, and returned like vnto lightning.
Strictly literal
And the living creatures ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning.
And the living creatures are running, and turning back, as the appearance of the flash.
And the living creatures are running, and turning back, as the appearance of the flash.
And the living creatures ran backward and forward like the appearance of a flash of lightning.
The living creatures were moving swiftly back and forth, and they had the appearance of lightning!
From the Latin
And the living creatures ran and returned like flashes of lightning.
Simplified
The beings raced to and fro as fast as the lightning flashes.
And the living beings went out and came back as quickly as a thunder-flame.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint show agreement in the core imagery of the verse, with both emphasizing the swift movement of the living creatures. However, the Septuagint's lack of a complete word-for-word match suggests interpretive differences in conveying the vision's essence.
וְהַחַיּ֖וֹת רָצ֣וֹא וָשׁ֑וֹב כְּמַרְאֵ֖ה הַבָּזָֽק׃
4 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Ezekiel 1:14
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
The Hebrew word חַי (*chay*) means 'alive' or 'living' and covers a range of meanings related to life, including living beings, vitality, and freshness. It can refer to God, animals, vegetation, and even concepts like appetite and community. Variants include חַיָּה (*chayyah*), meaning 'living thing' or 'animal,' and חַיִּים (*chayim*), which emphasizes life and sustenance.
חַי adj. alive, living
of God, as the living one, the fountain of life
of man
of animals, alive, living
animals and man
(dub.) of vegetation, as thorns, green
of water, fresh
(dub.) lively, active
reviving
base
[חַי] n.[m.] kinsfolk, pl. sf. 1 S 18:18
ref
חַיָּה n.f. living thing, animal
animal
in general
wild animals, on account of their vital energy and activity
living beings, of the cherubic chariot
life, only in late poetry
appetite, activity of hunger
revival, renewal
base
חַיָּה n.f. community
base
חַיִּים n.m. pl. abstr. emph. life
life: physical
life: as welfare and happiness in king's presence
sustenance, maintenance
base
H2416a חַי alive, living . . of God, as the living one, the fountain of life
. of man
. of animals, alive, living
. animals and man
. (dub.) of vegetation, as thorns, green
. of water, fresh
. (dub.) lively, active
. reviving
H2416b חַי kinsfolk H2416c חַיָּה living thing, animal . animal . in general
. wild animals, on account of their vital energy and activity
. living beings, of the cherubic chariot
. life, only in late poetry
. appetite, activity of hunger
. revival, renewal
H2416d חַיָּה community H2416e חַיִּים pl. abstr. emph. life . life: physical
. life: as welfare and happiness in king's presence
. sustenance, maintenance
2416 chay khah'-ee
from 2421; alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water,
year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine
singular and masculine plural) life (or living thing), whether
literally or figuratively:--+ age, alive, appetite, (wild)
beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living
(creature, thing), maintenance, + merry, multitude, + (be)
old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop.
see HEBREW for 02421
חַי (chay) — alive.
adj
1) living, alive
1a) green (of vegetation)
1b) flowing, fresh (of water)
1c) lively, active (of man)
1d) reviving (of the springtime)
Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)
חַי (chay) — kinsfolk.
kinsfolk
חַיָּה (chay.yah) — living thing.
1) living thing, animal
1a) animal
1b) life
1c) appetite
1d) revival, renewal
Aramaic equivalent: che.va (חֵיוָא "beast" H2423)
חַיָּה (chay.yah) — community.
community
חַיִּים (chay.yim) — life.
1) life (abstract emphatic)
1a) life
1b) sustenance, maintenance
Conj | Art | N-fp — Conjunction · particle · noun common feminine plural absoluteHC/Td/Ncfpa
רָצָא (ratsa') is a primitive root meaning to run, and it can also imply delighting in something. The primary usage is in the Qal form, indicating the action of running, as noted in Ezekiel 1:14.
[רָצָא] vb. run, Ez 1:14
ref
H7519 רָצָא
7519 ratsa' raw-tsaw'
a primitive root; to run; also to delight in:--accept, run.
רָצָא (ra.tsa) — to run.
(Qal) to run
V-Qal-Ptc — Verb · Qal · infinitive absoluteHVqaa
The Hebrew word שׁוּב (shuwb) means to turn back or return, covering a wide range of contexts including physical, spiritual, and relational. It can denote returning to a previous state, repenting, or even apostatizing. The entries describe various forms and uses, including bringing back, restoring, and refreshing. Notably, it can also imply a change in course of action.
שׁוּב 1056 vb. turn back, return
Qal 683;—turn back, return:
turn back
return, come or go back
esp. return unto
of dying
of revival from death
fig. of human relations:
return to leader, king
= change so as to appoach (in purpose, desire)
turn, i.e. resort to
return to a physical condition
abs. = change course of action
fig., specif. of spiritual relations:
turn back from God = apostatize
of י׳, turn away
turn back to God (= seek penitently)
abs. repent
turn back from evil
of י׳
of י׳, return (to shew favour)
of inanimate things (sts. personified, or treated as things of life):
denoting repetition, etc.
trans.
Pō‛l.
bring back
fig. restore, refresh
restore, repair
lead away (enticingly)
shew turning = apostatize
Hiph. 353 cause to return, bring back
bring back into bondage
put back
= draw back
= give back, restore
= relinguish
= give in payment, requital
bring one back (from dead)
bring back heart
= refresh
H7725 שׁוּב turn back, return .—turn back, return: . turn back
. return, come or go back
. esp. return unto
. . of dying
. of revival from death
. fig. of human relations: . return to leader, king
. = change so as to appoach (in purpose, desire)
. turn, i.e. resort to
. return to a physical condition
. abs. = change course of action
. fig., specif. of spiritual relations: . turn back from God = apostatize
. of י׳, turn away
. turn back to God (= seek penitently)
. abs. repent
. turn back from evil
. of י׳
. of י׳, return (to shew favour)
. of inanimate things (sts. personified, or treated as things of life):
. denoting repetition, etc.
. trans.
. . bring back
. . fig. restore, refresh
. restore, repair
. lead away (enticingly)
. shew turning = apostatize
. cause to return, bring back . . bring back into bondage
. put back
. = draw back
. = give back, restore
. = relinguish
. = give in payment, requital
7725 shuwb shoob
a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or
intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily
with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to
retreat; often adverbial, again:--((break, build, circumcise,
dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge,
make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) X again, (cause to) answer
(+ again), X in any case (wise), X at all, averse, bring
(again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back),
cease, X certainly, come again (back), X consider, +
continually, convert, deliver (again), + deny, draw back,
fetch home again, X fro, get (oneself) (back) again, X give
(again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see)
more, X needs, be past, X pay, pervert, pull in again, put
(again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh,
relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve,
שׁוּב (shuv) — to return: return.
: return
1) to return, turn back
1a) (Qal)
1a1) to turn back, return
1a1a) to turn back
1a1b) to return, come or go back
1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back
1a1d) of dying
1a1e) of human relations (fig)
1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig)
1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise
1a1f2) to turn away (of God)
1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent
1a1f4) turn back (from evil)
1a1g) of inanimate things
1a1h) in repetition
1b) (Polel)
1b1) to bring back
1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig)
1b3) to lead away (enticingly)
1b4) to show turning, apostatise
1c) (Pual) restored (participle)
1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back
1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment
1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore
1d3) to bring back, report to, answer
1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense)
HC/Vqaa — Conjunction · verb qal infinitive absoluteHC/Vqaa
מַרְאֶה (mar'eh) refers to sight, appearance, or vision, encompassing both physical and supernatural aspects of what is seen. It can denote a phenomenon, spectacle, or the power of seeing. The word is derived from a root meaning to see, and it covers a range of meanings related to visual perception.
מַרְאֶה 102 n.m. sight, appearance, vision
sight, phenomenon, spectacle
appearance
appearance, sight, vision
in gen. what is seen
specif. a (supernat.) vision
sight, vision = power of seeing (and enjoying), late
base
H4758 מַרְאֶה sight, appearance, vision . . sight, phenomenon, spectacle
. appearance
. appearance, sight, vision
. in gen. what is seen
. specif. a (supernat.) vision
. sight, vision = power of seeing (and enjoying), late
4758 mar'eh mar-eh'
from 7200; a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance
(the thing seen), whether (real) a shape (especially if
handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks), or (mental) a
vision:--X apparently, appearance(-reth), X as soon as
beautiful(-ly), countenance, fair, favoured, form, goodly, to
look (up) on (to), look(-eth), pattern, to see, seem, sight,
visage, vision.
see HEBREW for 07200
מַרְאֶה (mar.eh) — appearance.
1) sight, appearance, vision
1a) sight, phenomenon, spectacle, appearance, vision
1b) what is seen
1c) a vision (supernatural)
1d) sight, vision (power of seeing)
Prep | N-ms — Preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHR/Ncmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
בָּזָק (bazaq) refers to a flash of lightning, derived from an unused root meaning to lighten. It is used in the context of a lightning flash, as noted in Ezekiel 1:14. The entries consistently emphasize its association with lightning.
בָּזָק n.[m.] lightning flash ? Ez 1:14
ref
H965 בָּזָק
965 bazaq baw-zawk'
from an unused root meaning to lighten; a flash of
lightning:--flash of lightning.
בָּזָק (ba.zaq) — lightning.
lightning, lightning flash
Art | N-ms — Particle · noun common masculine singular absoluteHTd/Ncmsa
lit'-ning (baraq, chaziz; astrape): Lightning is caused by the discharge of electricity between clouds or between clouds and the earth. In a thunder-storm there is a rapid gathering of particles of moisture into clouds and forming of large drops of rain. This gathers with it electric potential until the surface of the cloud (or the enlarged water particles) is insufficient to carry the charge, and a discharge takes place, producing a brilliant flash of light and the resulting thunder-clap. Thunder-storms are common in Syria and Palestine during the periods of heavy rain in the spring and fall and are often severe. Lightning is usually accompanied by heavy rainfall or by hail, as at the time of the plague of hail (Ex 9:24).
See HAIL.
In the Scriptures it is used:
Lightning
Frequently referred to by the sacred writers (Nah. 1:3-6). Thunder and lightning are spoken of as tokens of God’s wrath (2 Sam. 22:15; Job 28:26; 37:4; Ps. 135:7; 144:6; Zech. 9:14). They represent God’s glorious and awful majesty (Rev. 4:5), or some judgment of God on the world (20:9).