Read & explore together
Weather and sea obey the Creator’s word
This wisdom passage praises God’s rule over snow, storm, frost and sea. Sirach describes both beauty and danger in creation, and repeatedly says these things act by God’s command, will, counsel and word.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
In Sirach 43:13–26, the writer moves through scenes of weather and water: snow, lightning, clouds, wind, thunder, frost, ice, heat, mist, the deep and the sea. The passage remains praise and observation, presenting creation as ordered and upheld by God.
Sirach 43:13–26Main takeaway
Sirach 43:13–26 teaches that the force, wonder and dangers of weather and sea are under God’s rule and held together by his word.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Command over sky and stormThe passage opens with God’s commandment sending snow and lightning. Then it pictures storehouses opening and clouds flying out like birds.
Explanation
The passage opens with God’s commandment sending snow and lightning. Then it pictures storehouses opening and clouds flying out like birds. These are wisdom images showing weather under God’s rule, not acting on its own. The stress falls on his command and mighty power.
02Wind, thunder and astonishmentGod’s appearing and will are linked with shaking mountains and blowing wind. Thunder, storm and whirlwind rebuke the earth.
Explanation
God’s appearing and will are linked with shaking mountains and blowing wind. Thunder, storm and whirlwind rebuke the earth. Snow is compared to birds flying down, and it falls “like the lighting of locusts”, an unusual image kept by the passage itself. Its whiteness dazzles the eye and amazes the heart.
03Frost, ice and relief after heatThe writer next describes frost like salt and frozen points like thorns. Ice settles on water like a breastplate.
Explanation
The writer next describes frost like salt and frozen points like thorns. Ice settles on water like a breastplate. Cold can consume grass like fire, showing that winter conditions can be severe. Yet the passage also notes relief, as mist heals and dew after heat brings cheerfulness.
04The deep, the sea and God’s wordThe final movement turns to the deep and the sea. God has calmed the deep and planted islands in it.
Explanation
The final movement turns to the deep and the sea. God has calmed the deep and planted islands in it. Sailors speak of dangers there, and listeners marvel. The sea holds strange and wondrous living things. The closing line gathers all together: by his word all things hold together.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01Which words in the passage show God directing creation?
List the repeated terms such as commandment, mighty power, will, counsel and word, and match them with the weather or waters they describe.
02What details show both wonder and danger?
Notice the dazzled eye and amazed heart, but also storms, frozen water, consumed grass and dangers at sea.
03How does the passage widen its focus from local weather to the sea?
Trace the order from snow and clouds, to frost and ice, then to mist and dew, and finally to the deep and sea creatures.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Sirach 43:13–26
13By his commandment, he makes the snow fall and swiftly sends the lightnings of his judgment.
14Therefore the storehouses are opened, and clouds fly out like birds.
15By his mighty power, he makes the clouds strong and the hailstones are broken in pieces.
16At his appearing, the mountains will be shaken. At his will, the south wind will blow.
17The voice of his thunder rebukes the earth. So does the northern storm and the whirlwind. Like birds flying down, he sprinkles the snow. It falls down like the lighting of locusts.
18The eye is dazzled at the beauty of its whiteness. The heart is amazed as it falls.
19He also pours out frost on the earth like salt. When it is freezes, it has points like thorns.
20The cold north wind blows and ice freezes on the water. It settles on every pool of water. The water puts it on like it was a breastplate.
21It will devour the mountains, burn up the wilderness, and consume the green grass like fire.
22A mist coming speedily heals all things. A dew coming after heat brings cheerfulness.
23By his counsel, he has calmed the deep and planted islands in it.
24Those who sail on the sea tell of its dangers. We marvel when we hear it with our ears.
25There are also those strange and wondrous works in it— variety of all that has life and the huge creatures of the sea.
26Because of him, his messengers succeed. By his word, all things hold together.