1. Introduction
The word “tempest” is used throughout the Old Testament with varied meaning, and is later used in the New Testament with likewise varied meaning. The below discussion will look at the ways “tempest” is used throughout both. Then, the translation of OT Jonah to LXX Jonah will be examined, as tempest is brought into a Greek context.
2. Lexical and Linguistic Background
Hebrew has two closely related words, sounding almost identical, for tempest. These words are “sa`ar” and “sa`ar,” spelled slightly differently. One is spelled with a sin as the first letter, the second is spelled with a samekh as the first letter. These will be 15“sa`ar” and 21“sa`ar,” distinguished by their first letter’s number in the Hebrew Alphabet, samekh being the 15th and sin being the 21st. Strongs defined 15“sa`ar” as a primitive root meaning “to rush on” or “toss.” Strongs defines 21“sa`ar” as “to shiver in fear.” These terms refer to different actions, but in the OT both refer to a windstorm or other storm.
Greek uses a handful of words for tempest, including “seismos,” “kheimon,” and “lailaps.” Strongs defines “seismos” as a shaking, which primarily refers to earthquake, but also describes the shaking of a tempest. Strongs defines “kheimon” as pouring rain, like a stream. Strongs defines “lailaps” as a whirlwind or tempest. All three refer to different kinds of storms, but are translated as “tempest.”
3. Tempest in the Bible
All five of these words are translated as a kind of wind storm throughout the Bible, though they bring to mind different nuances. The following are some examples. All citations are from the New King James Version.
Jonah 1:11 “…for the sea was growing more tempestuous [15“sa`ar”].”
Daniel 11:40 “…king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind [21“sa`ar”]…”
Matthew 8:24 “And suddenly a great tempest [seismos] arose on the sea…”
Acts 27:20 “…and no small tempest [kheimon] beat on us…”
Mark 4:37 “And a great windstorm [lailaps] arose…”
At least five words are translated as tempest throughout the Bible. In the book of Jonah, only 15“sa`ar” is used. Distinguished from the other words and definitions, 15“sa`ar” is a dangerous storm. This is not only a storm that is pouring rain, but specifically a dangerous one. This is a storm, which in context of Jonah, causes seasoned sailors to fear for their lives.
4. Transitional Developments in the LXX
The LXX is a helpful tool for understanding the usage of words in the OT. However, in this case, the LXX does not directly translate 15“sa`ar,” instead giving an expansive note on the nature of the violent storm. It notes, “its waves were violent,” rather than “it was tempestuous” in Jonah 1:11, using Gr “klydon,” to refer to violent waves. This is the same translation as in Jonah 1:4 and Jonah 1:12. Jonah 1:13, however, translates 15“sa`ar” as “exegeiro,” meaning to stir up. Interestingly, LXX Jonah does not use any of the NT words for tempest.
5. Synthesis And Conclusion
The words used for “tempest” throughout the Old Testament, LXX, and New Testament are fascinating examples of a plurality of terms communicating nuanced ideas about a storm. Whether the storm of defined by heavy rainfall, strong winds, terror, or strong waves, all of these terms get their basic meaning across of a tempest.
