Lexical Summary baraq: Lightning Original Word: בָּרָק Strong's Exhaustive Concordance bright, glittering sword, lightning From baraq; lightning; by analogy, a gleam; concretely, a flashing sword -- bright, glitter(-ing sword), lightning. see HEBREW baraq NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom baraq Definition lightning NASB Translation flash like lightning (1), flashing (1), gleaming (2), glittering point (1), lightning (9), lightning flashes (3), lightnings (4). Brown-Driver-Briggs בָּרָק noun masculineEzekiel 1:13 lightning (chiefly in poetry) (Arabic  , Assyrian bir‡u COTGloss, ZimBP 76, 82 Aramaic בְּרַק,  ) — absolute ׳ב Job 20:25 7t. 2 Samuel 22:15 (compare below); construct בְּרַק Deuteronomy 32:41 2t.; plural בְּרָקִים Exodus 19:16 7t., בְּרָקָיו Psalm 97:4; — lightning, 1 literal mostly plural = lightnings, lightning-flashes Exodus 19:16; Psalm 18:15; 9in theophanies, on 2 Samuel 22:15 see below) Psalm 77:19; Psalm 97:4; Psalm 135:7; Job 38:35; Jeremiah 10:13; Jeremiah 51:16; so in simile of swift brightness Nahum 2:5, singular only Psalm 144:6; 2 Samuel 22:15 (where however read בְּרָקִים בָּרַק compare בָּרַק — so ᵐ5L Klo Che, compare his critical note Psalm 18:15), Ezekiel 1:13 (in vision), and in simile of brightness Daniel 10:6; swift destruction Zechariah 9:14. 2 figurative (always singular) of flashing arrow-head Job 20:25, compare חרב ׳ב Deuteronomy 32:41, חנית ׳ב Nahum 3:3; Habakkuk 3:11; compare glitter of weapon Exodus 21:15,20,33. Topical Lexicon Entry: בָּרָק (baraq) – lightning, flashing brightnessDefinition and Scope of Imagery בָּרָק denotes the sudden, brilliant flash of lightning and by extension any dazzling, rapid gleam. Scripture employs the term both literally for electrical storms and metaphorically for weapons, angelic or divine appearance, and rapid movement. Manifestation of God’s Presence Lightning often accompanies theophany. At Sinai “there was thunder and lightning, a thick cloud upon the mountain” (Exodus 19:16). The storm signals that the covenant-making God is holy, unapproachable apart from mediation, yet near and vocal. Psalms echoes the motif: “Your thunder resounded in the whirlwind; lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked” (Psalm 77:18). Such passages invite worshipers to respond with awe, recalling that creation itself quakes before its Maker. Symbol of Divine Warfare and Judgment Lightning images God’s weaponry. David sings, “He shot His arrows and scattered the foes; He hurled lightning and routed them” (2 Samuel 22:15; cf. Psalm 144:6). Deuteronomy 32:41 pictures His “flashing sword” drawn for vengeance, while Habakkuk 3:11 recounts cosmic stillness at “the flash of Your flying arrows.” Baraq thereby underscores the certainty and swiftness of divine retribution against evil. Prophets extend the warfare image to eschatology. Zechariah prophesies, “Then the LORD will appear over them, and His arrow will fly like lightning” (Zechariah 9:14). The decisive intervention anticipates the ultimate victory of the Lord over hostile nations, encouraging embattled saints to persevere. Heavenly Court and Angelic Glory Ezekiel’s inaugural vision describes living creatures from whose midst came “flashes of lightning” (Ezekiel 1:13). Daniel 10:6 portrays a glorious messenger “whose face was like lightning,” emphasizing the purity and overwhelming brilliance of heavenly beings who serve God’s purposes and deliver His word. Cosmic Sovereignty in Creation and Weather Jeremiah twice credits the LORD with sending lightning in seasonal cycles (Jeremiah 10:13; 51:16). Psalm 135:7 similarly links lightning with wind and rain. These texts ground Israel’s monotheistic confession: storms are not random or controlled by idols but by the Creator who governs natural processes for blessing or judgment. Military Metaphor for Human Conflict Nahum 2:4 pictures Assyrian chariots darting “like lightning.” Nahum 3:3 and Ezekiel 21:10, 15, 28 liken swords to glittering flashes. While secular armies flaunt speed and brilliance, their radiance is fleeting before the LORD’s superior baraq. The imagery reminds nations that military might is subordinate to divine sovereignty. Instruction in Wisdom Literature Job is challenged: “Do you send forth lightning, so that they may go and say, ‘Here we are’?” (Job 38:35). The rhetorical question humbles humanity, demonstrating that even the most brilliant natural phenomena obey God alone. The repentant response (Job 42:1-6) models submission to divine wisdom for all readers. Christological and Eschatological Echoes Though baraq itself is Hebrew, its theme resonates with New Testament revelation. Jesus likens His second advent to lightning that flashes across the sky (Matthew 24:27), underscoring visibility, suddenness, and universality—qualities already attributed to the LORD’s interventions in the Hebrew Scriptures. Revelation’s throne-scene, with “flashes of lightning” (Revelation 4:5), unites the canonical witness: the same holy God of Sinai reigns and will consummate history. Pastoral and Ministry Applications 1. Awe-filled Worship: Congregations may recall the Sinai storm to cultivate reverence in corporate praise. Summary בָּרָק gathers literal storm phenomena, martial metaphor, prophetic vision, and eschatological hope into a single vivid term. Whether illuminating the night sky, the edge of a sword, or the face of an angel, baraq heralds the majesty, power, and faithfulness of the Lord who “wraps Himself in light as with a garment” and whose purposes, like lightning, are unstoppable and sure. Forms and Transliterations בְּרַ֣ק בְּרַ֥ק בְּרָקִ֣ים בְּרָקִ֤ים בְרָקִ֣ים בְרָקָ֣יו בָּ֖רָק בָּ֭רָק בָּרָ֖ק בָּרָֽק׃ בָרָֽק׃ בָרָק֙ ברק ברק׃ ברקיו ברקים וּ֭בָרָק וּבְרַ֣ק וּבְרָקִ֜ים וּבְרָקִ֥ים וברק וברקים כַּבְּרָקִ֖ים כַבָּרָ֖ק כברק כברקים לְבָרָ֖ק לברק bā·rāq ḇā·rāq baRak bārāq ḇārāq Barok ḇə·rā·qāw bə·rā·qîm ḇə·rā·qîm bə·raq beRak beraKim bəraq ḇərāqāw bərāqîm ḇərāqîm chabbaRak ḵab·bā·rāq kab·bə·rā·qîm ḵabbārāq kabberaKim kabbərāqîm lə·ḇā·rāq ləḇārāq levaRak ū·ḇā·rāq ū·ḇə·rā·qîm ū·ḇə·raq ūḇārāq ūḇəraq ūḇərāqîm Uvarok uveRak uveraKim vaRak veraKav veraKimLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Exodus 19:16 HEB: וַיְהִי֩ קֹלֹ֨ת וּבְרָקִ֜ים וְעָנָ֤ן כָּבֵד֙ NAS: that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick KJV: that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick INT: came were thunder and lightning cloud thick Deuteronomy 32:41 2 Samuel 22:15 Job 20:25 Job 38:35 Psalm 18:14 Psalm 77:18 Psalm 97:4 Psalm 135:7 Psalm 144:6 Jeremiah 10:13 Jeremiah 51:16 Ezekiel 1:13 Ezekiel 21:10 Ezekiel 21:15 Ezekiel 21:28 Daniel 10:6 Nahum 2:4 Nahum 3:3 Habakkuk 3:11 Zechariah 9:14 21 Occurrences |
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