What does hail symbolize in the Bible? (Biblical Symbolism and Meaning)

As a born-again Christian, born and raised in a family of pastors, I am always careful while interpreting the Bible. I have realized that the Bible uses metaphors to relay hidden messages of God to people. Recently, I have noticed the word hail in most Bible verses I have been reading. My curiosity led me to the question, “What does hail symbolize in the bible?”

I invite you to join me in this article as we delve into the topic of Biblical Symbolism and the meaning of hail. We will also learn about the spiritual meaning of hail, the meaning of the Hail Mary, and the Bible verses that mention hail. Also, we will get to know the different meanings of dreaming about hail, so read till the end.

What does the Bible say about hail?

The Bible says a lot of things about hail. One, it says that after the pouring of the seventh judgment by God, hail will befall men on earth. According to Revelation 16:17-21, the Bible implies that after the seventh angel was done, a loud voice from the Temple was heard saying that it was done.

Then lighting, thunder, and an earthquake followed and destroyed cities of different nations. Then God remember Babylon and caused hailstones to fall on earth and destroy different cities. The hailstones were large with around one hundred pounds each; hence once they fell on the people on earth, the people curse God because the hails were too severe.

According to these verses, Christians learn that God sent hailstones on the people because he was furious. Therefore, hail is a form of punishment that God sends the people that he is not pleased with their doings.

Also, the Bible says that God helped the Israelites fight their enemies using hailstones. According to Joshua 10:11, the Bible implies that as the Amorites fled from the Israelites, God threw hailstones from Heaven to them, and most of the Amorites who died were killed by the hails. Christians learn that God defeated the Israelites’ enemies using hailstones from Heaven. Therefore, God has the power to defeat your enemies when you believe and serve Him as the Israelites served Him.

Where is hail mentioned in the Bible?

Hail is mainly mentioned in Exodus 9:13-35 while talking about the seventh plague of hail that God sent to Egypt because the Pharaoh refused to let the Israelites go.

The Bible implies that the Pharaoh was proud and did not believe in God. Therefore, he refused to follow the command of God to let the people of Israel go. God then told Moses to wake up early, go to the Pharaoh, and tell him that God wants him to let his people God for them to have the freedom to serve Him. God also said that if the Pharaoh did not do as God wants, He would send a plague of heavy hail to Pharaoh, his servants, and people. The Bible speculates that those who feared God made sure to protect themselves against the plague but those who did not leave their livestock and slaves to die on the field. The next day, God told Moses to stretch his stick toward Heaven for hail to befall Egypt. Hail struck the whole of Egypt except Goshen where the people of Israel lived. Pharaoh then called for Moses to stop the hail, but after it had ceased, he sinned again.

In this story, hail is mentioned to show the wrath of God toward those who don’t follow his commandment. The Pharaoh did not believe in God and refused to do what God told him; hence, God punished him and all those who did not listen to him. We learn that God did not cause hail to fall on the land where the Israelites were because they always listened and served the Lord. Therefore, God only punishes the unrighteous and protects the righteous from his anger.

Bible verses about hail

Revelation 16:21 implies that huge hailstones, which weighed around one hundred pounds each fell upon men from Heaven, and the people blasphemed God because the plague of hail was extremely severe.

Joshua 10:11 implies that as the Amorites fled from the Israelites, God threw hailstones from Heaven to them and many people died. Most of the people who died were killed by God using the hailstones.

Ezekiel 13:11-12 implies that God said to say to those who smeared the walls with whitewash that there would be rain and great hailstones, and those walls would fall, and people will ask them where the whitewash they smeared is.

Ezekiel 13:13 implies that God said that he will make a wind to break down in His wrath and his anger a flood of rain shall fall, and great hailstones in his wrath to end everything.

Psalm 105:32 implies that God gave them rain in the form of hail and their land filled with flaming fire.  

Isaiah 28:2 implies that God has a powerful agent in the form of a storm of hail and mighty overflowing water that causes destruction, and he has made it fall on earth with His hand.

Exodus 9:18-33 is about the plague of hail that God sent to Egypt because the Pharaoh was reluctant to let go of the Israelites.

Revelation 8:7 implies that after the first sound, hail and fire mixed with blood befell the earth, and a third of the earth, trees, and green grass were destroyed.

Revelation 11:19 implies that the Temple of God, which is located in Heaven, was opened making God’s Ark of Covenant appear. Then it was followed by great earthquakes, hailstorms, thunder, and lightning.

Exodus 9:23 implies that Moses stretched his stick towards the sky, and God caused hail to fall upon Egypt.

Matthew 26:49 implies that Judas went to Jesus, greeted him “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.

3 symbolic meanings of hail in the Bible

Symbol of Judgement

According to Revelation 8:7, 11:19, and 16:21, the Bible implies that God will cause hail to fall upon the people on earth after his judgment. From this verse, hail means the great punishment that God will have for those who have not led a righteous life as he has instructed in his word.

Symbol of God’s wrath

According to Joshua 10:11, the Bible implies that God used hailstones to kill the enemies of his people. God was angry with the Amorites for attacking his people; hence, he did not spare them. Also, according to Job 38:22-23, the Bible implies that God causes hail to fall and destroy the enemies of Job. Additionally, on other occasions in the Bible, Christians learn that God used hailstones whenever he was angry with the people. Therefore, hail shows that God is not happy with the people, and He uses it to kill and destroy those who anger him and his people.

A symbol of greeting

According to Matthew 28:8-9, the Bible implies that after Jesus was risen, He met His disciples and greeted them “All Hail” with joy. It is a greeting used in the Bible to show that the person wishes the people they are greeting good health and to be well. Also, according to Matthew 26:49, the Bible implies that Judas went to Jesus, greeted him “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed Him. Judas also used the word hail to greet Jesus before he betrayed Him. Therefore, hail is used in the Bible to represent greetings.

What is the spiritual meaning of hail?

Spiritually, hail is said to be a sign of God’s anger. In the Bible, God showed his anger and wrath towards the people who offended Him and His people through hailstones. He caused hailstones to fall upon the people and killed them as he destroyed their properties. Therefore, spiritually, hail may be showing you that God is angry. If you keep thinking of hails or dreaming about hails, this can mean that God is trying to show you that He is not happy with you, and you need to repent before he makes his judgment and punishes you. Do not wait for the wrath of God to fall upon you instead, pray for forgiveness and believe in God. He is a forgiving father, and He will surely forgive you.

What does Hail Mary mean in the Bible? 

In the Bible, Hail Mary is a greeting that the angel of God said to the Mother of Jesus Christ in the Gospel of Luke. Today, Hail Mary is a prayer used by Christians centred on two Biblical occasions in the Gospel of Luke; the Annunciation and the Visitation. The Annunciation was when the Angel Gabriel visited Mary, the Mother of Jesus, to tell her that she would give birth to the Messiah. The Visitation was when Mary, mother of Jesus, visited Elizabeth, mother of John the Baptist.

Therefore, Hail Mary is a traditional prayer that Christians have been saying to Mary, the Mother of Jesus, as praise and petition to her. However, over the years, different churches say this prayer differently. However, in all churches, it is directed to the Mother of Jesus, Mary. In Catholic Church, Hail Mary is said as a closing prayer to plea for Mary’s Intercession, whereas, in the Latin Church, the Hail Mary forms the foundation of prayers such as the Rosary.

What do hail and Heaven mean?

Hail and Heaven in the Bible are seen in the Book of Revelation. According to Theologians, these two represent the judgment and dwelling place of God. According to Revelation 11:19, the Bible implies that the Temple of God in Heaven was opened making God’s Ark of Covenant appear. Then it was followed by great earthquakes, hailstorms, thunder, and lightning. Therefore, Heaven has been used to mean the dwelling place of God and the Ark of Covenant. Christians believe the Ark of Covenant holds the Ten Commanded, which God gave the Israelites. Therefore, after God removed the Ten Commandments, hailstones were seen. Hail is said to mean God’s judgment. According to Revelation 8:7, the Bible implies that after the first sound, hail and fire mixed with blood befell the earth, and a third of the earth was destroyed together with trees and all the green grass. God’s wrath befell the Erath and destroyed it in the form of hailstones.

Dream interpretations about hail

Dream of hail falling from the sky

It is said that dreaming of hail falling from the sky means that you are about to experience unpleasant situations in life. It is an alert that you are about to suffer from a stroke of bad luck. It can be financially, in your career, or even in your studies.

Dream of eating hail

It is believed that dreaming of eating hail means you are confused about life or something bad is about to happen. It shows that you need guidance in life to make the right decisions. It also shows that you will encounter a bad situation in life but it will pass quickly.

Dream of heavy hail

It is believed that heavy hail falling in a dream represents one’s sensitive nature. It is an alert that you need to learn how to control your emotions because it can cause problems. It shows that you have gotten to a point where you are driven by emotions such as anger. They could cause you to make bad decisions or even do things that you might regret later.

Dream of black hail

It is believed that dreaming about black hail means the plan you are making will fail. It shows you that you need a backup plan or you need to change your plan soon.

Dream of a hail storm

It is believed that dreaming of a hail storm signals monetary downfall. It shows that you are making a risky choice that could cause you to have a financial downfall.

Dream of hailstones

It is believed that dreaming of hailstones means that you are carrying too many secrets that are exhausting you. It shows that you are secretive about something that is stressing you out. You need to uncover some secrets and let them go for you to have good progress in life.

Dream of hail and snow

It is believed that dreaming about hail and snow means that you are about to overcome your difficult times. This is a sign that your inner strength is growing and you will be able to overcome the challenges that you are facing in life.

Meaning of hail in literature and other cultures

In literature and other cultures, hail means greeting someone with excitement. Therefore, in literature, someone can greet you by saying hail to you which shows that they are excited to see you. It also means to summon by calling. People also use the word hail to mean that they are summoning someone or calling them to go to them.

Also, hail means the small pellets of frozen water that fall from the sky as rain. Due to weather changes, instead of raining water, sometimes small and hard ice cubes fall from the sky. This is what many people call hailstones. Hailstones are not experienced in most places in the world because they occur in areas where the air’s freezing altitude is below 11,000 feet. Therefore, they are most experienced in landlocked states in the Midwest and Great Plains.

Is it bad luck to dream of hail?

Yes, according to studies from scholars, dreaming of hail is a stroke of bad luck in life. Dreams of hail signified bad luck unlike dreaming of rain which is said to show good luck. In the Bible hailstones are used to destroy people; hence, in life dreaming about hail is a sign that destruction will take place in your life. It foretells the upcoming unfavorable circumstances that will take place in your life. It shows that you are about to experience burdens in life that may be hard to overcome alone.

Therefore, this is a warning that you need to turn to God for his help and change your way of thinking. The bad luck can be in your business, career, studies, or even family. Therefore, it is best to pray to God for His help and forgiveness in case you have offended him and caused him to want to unleash his wrath upon your life.