Snow

Snow falls periodically in the higher elevations of Palestine and regularly on the peaks of Lebanon and Hermon, which retain their snowcaps well into summer. Job 38:22 pictures divine storehouses of snow and hail reserved for times of trouble and battle. The whiteness of snow serves as Scripture's most common image of absolute purity or complete cleansing: Isaiah 1:18 — though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; Psalm 51:7 — wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. The transfigured appearance of Jesus on the mountain was described as white as light (Matthew 17:2), and the appearance of the angel at the resurrection was like snow (Matthew 28:3).

Psalm 148:8 lists snow among the elements that praise God by fulfilling his command. Proverbs 31:21 commends the virtuous woman who is not afraid of snow for her household, since they are all clothed in scarlet. Proverbs 25:13 compares a faithful messenger to the coolness of snow in the heat of harvest — refreshing and reliable.