In Hebrew the same word can denote “breath”, “wind” or “spirit”. Scripture describes the powerful effect of wind, and uses the image figuratively to speak of God's power and presence in the world.
The origins of the wind
Exodus 14:21–22; Psalm 78:26; Amos 4:13 See also Genesis 8:1 A wind caused the flood waters to recede; Exodus 10:13–14 An east wind brought the plague of locusts on Egypt; Exodus 10:19; Numbers 11:31 A wind brought quail to feed the Israelites; Job 28:25; Psalm 107:25, Psalm 135:7, Psalm 148:7–8; Isaiah 11:15; Jeremiah 10:13; Ezekiel 13:13; Jonah 1:4, Jonah 4:8
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove back the sea with a strong east wind that turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left.
He stirred the east wind from the heavens and drove the south wind by His might.
For behold, He who forms the mountains, who creates the wind and reveals His thoughts to man, who turns the dawn to darkness and strides on the heights of the earth— the LORD, the God of Hosts, is His name.”
The effects of the wind
1 Kings 19:11; Ezekiel 27:26; Acts 27:13–15 See also Genesis 41:5–6; Job 1:18–19, Job 37:9, Job 37:17–18; Daniel 7:2; Matthew 14:24; Luke 12:55; John 6:16–18; James 3:4
Then the LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD. Behold, the LORD is about to pass by.” And a great and mighty wind tore into the mountains and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.
Your oarsmen have brought you onto the high seas, but the east wind will shatter you in the heart of the sea.
When a gentle south wind began to blow, they thought they had their opportunity. So they weighed anchor and sailed along, hugging the coast of Crete. But it was not long before a cyclone called the Northeaster swept down across the island. Unable to head into the wind, the ship was caught up. So we gave way and let ourselves be driven along.
Wind used figuratively
As an image of the Holy Spirit
John 3:8 The Greek word for “Spirit” is the same as that for “wind”, allowing Jesus Christ to play on the double meaning of the word.
The wind blows where it wishes. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
As an image of spiritual instability
But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
As an image of destruction
Psalm 103:15–16; Matthew 7:24–27 See also Job 21:17–18; Psalm 1:4, Psalm 48:7; Isaiah 17:13, Isaiah 32:2; Jeremiah 4:11–12, Jeremiah 22:22; Ezekiel 19:12; Daniel 2:34–35; Hosea 8:7; Amos 1:14; Habakkuk 1:9; Ephesians 4:14; Jude 1:12; Revelation 6:12–13
As for man, his days are like grass— he blooms like a flower of the field; when the wind passes over, it vanishes, and its place remembers it no more.
Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell— and great was its collapse!”
As an image of something insubstantial
Ecclesiastes 1:14 See also Job 6:26; Proverbs 11:29, Proverbs 27:15–16; Isaiah 26:18; Jeremiah 5:13; Hosea 12:1
I have seen all the things that are done under the sun, and have found them all to be futile, a pursuit of the wind.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.