Frost
Frost
(prop. , kephor, so called from covering the ground, “hoar-frost,” Exo 16:14; Job 38:29; Psa 147:16; also , ke’rach, from its smoothness, ice, as rendered Job 6:16; Job 38:29; “frost,” Job 37:10; hence cold, “frost,” Gen 31:40; Jer 36:30; and “crystal,” from its resemblance to ice, Eze 1:22), frozen dew. It appears in a still night, when there is no storm or tempest, and descends upon the earth as silently as if it were produced by mere breathing (Job 37:10). Throughout western Asia, very severe and frosty nights are often succeeded by days warmer than most western summers afford (Genesis 21:40; see Jer 36:30). Dr. Robinson says (Researches, 2:97), in Jerusalem “the ground never freezes; but Mr. Whiting had seen the pool back of his house (Hezekiah’s) covered with thin ice for one or two days.” Dr. Barclay states (City of the Great King, page 50) that “frost at the present day is entirely unknown in the lower portion of the valley of the Jordan [the Ghor]; but slight frosts are sometimes felt on the sea-coast, and near Lebanon.” SEE PALESTINE.
The word , chanamal, found only in Psa 78:47, where (in accordance with the Sept. Vulg., Chald., Arabic, Syr., and most interpreters) it is rendered “frost,” signifies (according to Michaelis) a species of ant, as destructive to trees (?) as the hail (Aben-Ezra) in the parallel member. (See Gesenius, Thes. Heb. page 499; Bochart, Hieroz. 3:255, edit. Lips.) Perhaps, if an animal at all be meant, it may be a designation of the caterpillar (so some of the Rabbins), an insect nowhere else properly distinctly referred to in the Scriptures, but peculiarly destructive to the foliage of trees. SEE LOCUST.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Frost
(Heb. kerah, from its smoothness) Job 37:10 (R.V., “ice”); Gen. 31:40; Jer. 36:30; rendered “ice” in Job 6:16, 38:29; and “crystal” in Ezek. 1:22. “At the present day frost is entirely unknown in the lower portions of the valley of the Jordan, but slight frosts are sometimes felt on the sea-coast and near Lebanon.” Throughout Western Asia cold frosty nights are frequently succeeded by warm days.
“Hoar frost” (Heb. kephor, so called from its covering the ground) is mentioned in Ex. 16:14; Job 38:29; Ps. 147:16.
In Ps. 78:47 the word rendered “frost” (R.V. marg., “great hail-stones”), _hanamal_, occurs only there. It is rendered by Gesenius, the Hebrew lexicographer, “ant,” and so also by others, but the usual interpretation derived from the ancient versions may be maintained.
Fuente: Easton’s Bible Dictionary
Frost
frost (, kephor, hoar-frost, Exo 16:14; Job 38:29; , hanamal, perhaps the aphis, Psa 78:47; , kerah, cold, Gen 31:40; Job 37:10 the King James Version; Jer 36:30):
1. Formation
A temperature of freezing or lower is called frost. Dew forms when the temperature is decreased; and if below freezing, the dew takes the form of a white film or covering over rocks and leaves. This white covering is called hoar-frost. Like dew it is the result of condensation of the moisture of the air on objects which radiate their heat quickly. In order that condensation may take place the atmosphere must be saturated. Frost may be expected on clear, still nights when the radiation is sufficient to reduce the temperature below the freezing-point.
In Syria and Palestine frost is a very rare occurrence at sea-level; but on the hills and elevated plains it is usual in winter, beginning with November, and on the highest elevations throughout the year. Late spring frosts in March or early April do great damage to fruit.
2. In Syria and Palestine
In clear weather there is often a great variation in the temperature of the day and the night, especially on the inland plains, so that literally, as Jacob said to Laban, In the day the drought consumed me, and the frost by night (Gen 31:40); In the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost (Jer 36:30; compare Jer 22:19), a passage which suggests that Jehoiakim’s corpse was left unburied.
3. In Egypt
The meaning of hanamal, translated frost in Psa 78:47 (see above), He destroyed … their sycomore-trees with frost (m great hail stones), is uncertain. Frost is unknown in Egypt, and Gesenius suggests ‘ants,’ comparing it with Arabic namal (Temple, BD, s.v.).
4. Figurative Uses
The manna in the wilderness is compared to hoarfrost. A small round thing, small as the hoarfrost (Exo 16:14). Manna is occasionally found in Syria now as a flaky, gelatinous substance formed on bushes and rocks. The elements of Nature are indications of God’s power, and are referred to as signs of His might: By the breath of God frost is given (Job 37:10 the King James Version). The hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it? (Job 38:29); He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycamore-trees with frost (Psa 78:47); He scattereth the hoar-frost like ashes (Psa 147:16).