how to say “thunder” in Hebrew
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Yesterday we discussed lightning and related words. That’s the visual element in thunderstorm. Today we’ll discuss the sound element – thunder.
The word for thunder itself is רַעַם (RAH-ahm). It appears in the Bible, notably in Psalm 104 (verse 7): מִן גַּעֲרָתְךָ יְנוּסוּן, מִן קוֹל רַעַמְךָ יֵחָפֵזוּן – from Your reprimand do they flee, from the sound of Your thunder do they hasten away (meen gheh-ah-rah-teh-KHAH yeh-noo-SOON, meen kohl rah-ahm-KHAH yeh-khah-peh-ZOON). This is the psalm traditionally recited on רֹאש חֹדֶש (rohsh KHOH-desh), the beginning of the Jewish month, as it gloriously portrays the creation of the world – and the rejuvenation that that creation inspires in the observing human being.
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| The Christian philospher Immanuel Kant once said that it would be worth studying Hebrew for ten years just to read Psalm 104. |
The noun רעם is also taken as a verb stem, used in the word to thunder: לְהַרְעִים (leh-hahr-EEM). This word is not widely used in Modern Hebrew, though it appears many times in the Bible. It’s an active-causative הפעיל (heef-EEL) verb.
Don’t forget to tune in to my Israeli music hour, tomorrow (Wednesday) from noon to 1pm Israel time, when I introduce and translate some Israeli music so you can get into this passionate, courageous and audaciously fun culture.
I’ve seen his amazing art at Hechal Shlomo and even acquired a piece myself.
It’s open throughout the summer.