The Hebrew bazaq means a flash of lightning. It appears rarely in the Old Testament, describing the brilliant, instantaneous flash of light that accompanies storms. The word is related to the verb root for splitting or cleaving, capturing how lightning seems to split the sky.
Lightning (bazaq) in Hebrew theology is a manifestation of divine power and presence. Throughout the Old Testament, lightning accompanies theophany — God's visible appearance. At Sinai, lightning announced God's arrival (Exodus 19:16). The Psalms declare that God's arrows are lightning bolts (Psalm 18:14). Lightning's brilliance, power, and unpredictability make it a fitting symbol for the God who is beyond human control yet intimately present.