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Snow

/SNOH/

Summary

Though rarely falling in lowland Palestine, snow was well known to biblical writers who used its brilliant whiteness as the supreme symbol of purity and divine cleansing.

☩Snow in Palestine

While the historical books record only two instances of snow actually falling, the poetical books make numerous allusions confirming its regular occurrence in winter months. At Jerusalem snow often falls a foot deep in January and February but seldom lies long. At Nazareth it falls more frequently and deeply. The tops of Lebanon remain white most of the year, and Mount Hermon perpetually glistens with frozen snow—sources from which Jews obtained ice for cooling beverages in summer.

Key verses:2 Samuel 23:20Psalm 147:16Proverbs 25:13

☩Symbol of Purity

Snow's brilliant whiteness made it Scripture's supreme image of purity and divine cleansing: 'Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow'; 'Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.' The Ancient of Days' garment was 'white as snow,' as was Christ's raiment at the transfiguration and His appearance to John in Revelation. The whiteness of leprosy is compared to snow, showing both its clinical appearance and spiritual implications.

Key verses:Psalm 51:7Isaiah 1:18Daniel 7:9Matthew 28:3Revelation 1:14

☩God's Power Over Nature

Snow demonstrates God's sovereign power over nature: 'He saith to the snow, Fall thou on the earth.' Yet human understanding cannot fathom divine wisdom: 'Hast thou entered the treasuries of the snow?'—some see reference to snow's intricate crystal structures, each flake a perfect hexagonal design of endless variety. Snow benefits the soil, melting to feed the springs that last through summer's drought.

Key verses:Job 37:6Job 38:22Isaiah 55:10Jeremiah 18:14

Related Verses24 mentions

Psalms· 4 verses

51:768:14147:16148:8

Proverbs· 3 verses

25:1326:131:21

Isaiah· 2 verses

1:1855:10

References

  1. 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Snow," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  2. 2.John McClintock and James Strong, "Snow," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  3. 3.James Orr (ed.), "Snow," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
  4. 4.George Morrish, "Snow," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
  5. 5.James Orr (ed.), "Snow," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
  6. 6.John McClintock and James Strong, "Snow," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  7. 7.James Orr (ed.), "Snow," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
  8. 8.John McClintock and James Strong, "Snow," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  9. 9.James Orr (ed.), "Snow," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).