Definition: The word "effluvial" in biblical Hebrew has a different meaning compared to its English counterpart. The Hebrew word used for this term, which occurs 7 times in the Old Testament (including twice in Job), signifies 'flowing out' or 'pouring out'. This concept is used metaphorically in the Bible, often referring to the process of water or liquid draining over an area. The full meaning and usage of "effluvial" in the Bible have been interpreted from a variety of perspectives. However, there are several key points that can be made about this word: 1.

Flowing out of a source

: This concept indicates a flow of water, usually considered to be a sacred or holy thing. 2.

Referring to an outward movement (from one place to another)

: The term is often used metaphorically in the context of the Israelites entering the Promised Land in Egypt, where they were driven out by water and ultimately settled there. 3.

Efficacy

: In this sense, it was a symbol of God's power and might. It could also refer to a spiritual or religious experience that leads someone into doing something beneficial (like flowing over a body of water). 4.

The Flood in the Book of Job

: The term "effluvial" is often associated with the biblical reference to the Great Flood, where God's rain and flood waters flowed over the land before it was destroyed by a great earthquake. 5.

In Jewish mythology

: - In the book of Judges, when the Israelites were driven out of Egypt and forced to enter the Promised Land (Israel), they encountered water on their journey that "flowed like effluvial waters" as they crossed the Red Sea. 6.

The concept in Christian theology

: The word "effluvial" has also been used metaphorically in Christian usage, particularly within the context of Christ's suffering and death, where it is used to refer to a bodily flow or discharge. In summary, "effluvial" in biblical Hebrew primarily signifies flowing over or draining out something. It could be an outward movement from one place to another (e.g., from Egypt to Israel) or it could also mean the effect of God's rain and flood waters on a land transformed by these events. The full meaning can vary depending on its context within the text.

effluvial