Bible Dictionary
Ice
Ice is rare in the ordinary climate of Palestine but appears in Scripture as evidence of God’s power over creation. It is also used figuratively of the coldness or unreliability of certain streams.
Definition
Ice is frozen water and is uncommon in the ordinary climate of Palestine and Syria except on the highest mountains. Small amounts may form during winter nights at moderate elevations, while snow is preserved in mountain caves for use during summer.
Biblical Usage
Scripture uses ice in passages describing God’s power over creation: God gives ice by his breath and casts it forth like morsels. In Job, untrue friends are compared to streams darkened by ice.
Historical Background
At elevations below about 4,000 feet, winter ice generally melts under the next day’s warmth. Mountain snow was packed into caves and preserved for summer use.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Frequently mentioned (Job 6:16; 38:29; Ps. 147:17, etc.). (See CRYSTAL.)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>is (qerach): Ice is almost unknown in Palestine and Syria except on the highest mountains. At moderate heights of less than 4,000 ft. a little ice may form during the night in winter, but the warm rays of the sun melt it the next day. A great quantity of snow is packed away in caves in the mountains during the winter, and is thus preserved for use in the summer months. The word is found in the Bible in three places where it describes God's power. "Out of whose womb came the ice? And the .... frost" (Job 38:29); "By the breath of God ice is given" (Job 37:10); "He casteth forth his ice like morsels" (Ps 147:17).</p><p>Figurative: Untrue friends are compared to streams "which are black by reason of the ice" (Job 6:16).</p><p>Alfred H. Joy</p>