Jeremiah 51:16
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This verse isn't just describing weather; it's showing God's absolute ownership over the very forces that seem uncontrollable. Notice how "his voice" (thunder) causes "a multitude of waters" and how wind comes "out of his storehouses"—these aren't random events, but deliberate acts from God's personal reserves. This reveals that even the most chaotic natural phenomena are under His sovereign command, ready to be deployed for His purposes.
When he utters his voice there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, and he makes the mist rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain, and he brings forth the wind from his storehouses.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage interrupts the prophecy of Babylon's destruction to remind the people of God's absolute power over creation. Jeremiah draws a stark contrast between the supposedly mighty gods of Babylon and the one true God, whose voice commands the very elements like thunder and wind, and whose wisdom orchestrates the rain and vapor cycles. This emphasis on God's sovereign control over nature serves to underscore His ability to bring down even the most imposing human empires.
Have you ever heard thunder and felt a tremor of awe? Jeremiah connects God's 'voice' to the powerful forces of nature.
This verse paints a picture of God's absolute sovereignty over the weather. When God 'utters his voice,' it's not just a sound; it's an act that unleashes torrents of water, causes mists to rise from the farthest corners of the earth, and directs lightning and wind. These aren't random occurrences.
The Creator's Control
Beyond raw power, Jeremiah points to the incredible intelligence that governs the skies. What does this reveal about God's character?
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The verse isn't just about God's might; it's also about His wisdom and understanding. The natural phenomena described—water cycles, lightning, wind—are not chaotic but are part of a divinely established order.
Understanding the Divine Design
Understand the original words
hamon · Hebrew Noun
A physical disturbance or violent commotion, often used in Scripture to describe the chaotic noise of seas, storms, or the upheavals of nations under divine judgment.
nasi · Hebrew Noun
Specifically refers to the localized, vaporous accumulations of clouds or humidity, often signifying God's sovereign control over the hydrological cycle and weather patterns.
otsar · Hebrew Noun
A metaphorical term representing God's secret, heavenly reservoirs where He preserves and controls natural forces like wind and snow to execute His will upon the earth.
This passage, spoken during the Babylonian exile, reminds the deported Judeans of Yahweh's supreme power over all creation, contrasting it with the powerless idols of Babylon and offering hope for deliverance.
Late 8th century BC
Assyrian Empire's Height
Assyria, a powerful empire, dominated the Near East. Their military might and sophisticated administration set a precedent for later empires like Babylon.
626 BC
Nabopolassar Establishes Neo-Babylonian Empire
Nabopolassar rebels against Assyria and founds the Neo-Babylonian Empire, marking the rise of Babylon as a major world power.
605 BC
Battle of Carchemish
The Babylonians, under Nebuchadnezzar II, decisively defeat the Egyptians and Assyrians, solidifying Babylonian control over the Levant.
597 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar II deports a portion of the Jewish elite and skilled workers, including King Jehoiachin, to Babylon, as prophesied by Jeremiah.
587-586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Second Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its temple, exiling most of the remaining population. This event is a central focus of Jeremiah's prophecies.
539 BC
Conquest of Babylon by Persia
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquers Babylon, ending the Neo-Babylonian Empire. This fulfills prophecies about Babylon's eventual downfall.
This passage is directly referenced by commentators and contains nearly identical wording, emphasizing God's sovereign control over the weather as a display of His power.
Job 38:22-38This section of Job powerfully questions Job about the creation and regulation of natural phenomena like rain, snow, lightning, and wind, mirroring Jeremiah's focus on God's mastery over the elements.
Psalm 104:1-4This psalm poetically describes God clothing himself with light and stretching out the heavens, and speaks of His command causing winds and waters to obey, highlighting His majestic power over creation.
Job 28:24-27This passage underscores that God 'understands' the way of wisdom and that He 'established' the earth and 'looked down' upon it, aligning with Jeremiah's portrayal of God's wisdom and power in ordering the world and its weather.
Exodus 9:22-24The account of the plague of hail in Egypt demonstrates God's direct intervention and control over storms, showing His ability to command lightning and rain, much like the 'tumult of waters' and 'lightning for the rain' mentioned in Jeremiah.
calvinJeremiah 51:15-16: "He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heaven by his understanding."
When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens; and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth: he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures.
Ad vocem dando copiam aquarum in coelis, qui attollit (et attollit, ad verbum) elevationes a fine (vel, extre…
pooleJeremiah 51:16: "When he uttereth his voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens; and he causeth the vapours to ascend from the ends of the earth: he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of his treasures."
No text from Poole on this verse.
This verse isn't just describing weather; it's showing God's absolute ownership over the very forces that seem uncontrollable. Notice how "his voice" (thunder) causes "a multitude of waters" and how wind comes "out of his storehouses"—these aren't random events, but deliberate acts from God's personal reserves. This reveals that even the most chaotic natural phenomena are under His sovereign command, ready to be deployed for His purposes.
This passage interrupts the prophecy of Babylon's destruction to remind the people of God's absolute power over creation. Jeremiah draws a stark contrast between the supposedly mighty gods of Babylon and the one true God, whose voice commands the very elements like thunder and wind, and whose wisdom orchestrates the rain and vapor cycles. This emphasis on God's sovereign control over nature serves to underscore His ability to bring down even the most imposing human empires.
This passage interrupts the prophecy of Babylon's destruction to remind the people of God's absolute power over creation. Jeremiah draws a stark contrast between the supposedly mighty gods of Babylon and the one true God, whose voice commands the very elements like thunder and wind, and whose wisdom orchestrates the rain and vapor cycles. This emphasis on God's sovereign control over nature serves to underscore His ability to bring down even the most imposing human empires.
"When he utters his voice there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, and he makes the mist rise from the ends of the earth. He makes lightning for the rain, and he brings forth the wind from his storehouses." — This verse isn't just describing weather; it's showing God's absolute ownership over the very forces that seem uncontrollable. Notice how "his voice" (thunder) causes "a multitude of waters" and how…
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Last reviewed October 2026
