Awe‐inspiring phenomenon regarded by ancient peoples as a manifestation of the power of deities. By the Hebrews it was also associated with God's revelation at Sinai (Exod. 19: 16) and it was a feature of Ezekiel's inaugural vision (Ezek. 1: 13–14). Lightning is mentioned in connection with the angel who announced the resurrection (Matt. 28: 3), which is a kind of theophany; and in apocalyptic passages (e.g. Matt. 24: 27) the lightning image of the OT reasserts itself.