WHIRLWIND. Four Heb. words are so rendered by the Eng. VSS. Although true tornados or whirlwinds are rare in Pal. several types of violent storms do occur because of the proximity of mountains and lakes to the hot deserts. The N portion of the Jordan Valley and the area of Tiberias is noted in both OT and NT, for such storm conditions.

1. סוּפָה֒, H6070, “storm wind” is the most frequently used term for violent storms (Job 37:9 et al.).

2. סְעָרָה, H6194, “storm,” “tempest” cognate to Akkad. šāru “wind” which is the extended meaning of the word in the OT (Job 38:1 et al.) and fig. of evil or judgment (Jer 25:32, et al.).

3. שְׂעָרָה, H8554, a variant of 2, it appears in only four passages (Job 27:21; Pss 50:3; 58:9 [KJV]; Dan 11:40). There appears to be no difference in meaning, but the existence of the two forms marks it as a loanword from Akkad. in which it was very common.

4. תִּימָרָה, H9406, “column of smoke,” “dust devil” a miniature whirlwind occurring only in Song of Solomon 3:6 and Joel 2:30, (KJV) “pillar” (RSV) “columns,” a common sight in the drier portions of Pal. A number of adjectives are applied to the words for whirlwind, “great,” “whirling” and “severe” among others. It is a favorite picture of the wrath of God.