Winter is mentioned 14 times in the Bible, with “wintered” used once — first in Genesis 8:22 and last in Titus 3:12.
Of those, 11 references appear in the Old Testament and 4 in the New Testament, reflecting both poetic imagery and practical realities of the season.
In Scripture, winter often symbolizes God’s control over the natural world, times of waiting, and spiritual renewal.
Old Testament Scriptures & Quotes About Winter
Genesis 8:22 (NIV)
22 “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease.”
Context:
| Verse | Genesis 8:22 |
| Theme | God’s covenant, seasonal rhythms, creation order |
| Author | Moses (traditionally) |
| Audience | Noah and his descendants |
| Key Word | Winter — symbolic of God’s ongoing control |
| Application | God remains faithful through all seasons |
Psalm 74:17 (NIV)
17 It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.
Context:
| Verse | Psalm 74:17 |
| Theme | God’s sovereignty, creation order, divine control in chaos |
| Author | Asaph |
| Audience | Israelites mourning the temple’s destruction |
| Key Word | Boundaries — a reminder that God still governs the earth and seasons |
| Application | Even in devastation, remember God’s control over creation and history |
Psalm 147:16–17 (NIV)
16 He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes.17 He hurls down his hail like pebbles. Who can withstand his icy blast?
Context:
| Verse | Psalm 147:16–17 |
| Theme | God’s sovereignty, creation order, divine control in chaos |
| Author | Thought to be written by David |
| Audience | Jerusalem (Zion) and the restored community of Israel |
| Key Word | Snow — a poetic symbol of God’s gentle yet awe-inspiring control |
| Application | Worship God not just for warmth and blessing, but for His power in every season |
Jeremiah 36:22 (NIV)
22 It was the ninth month and the king was sitting in the winter apartment, with a fire burning in the firepot in front of him.
Context:
| Verse | Jeremiah 36:22 |
| Theme | Rejection of God’s Word, complacency, misuse of comfort |
| Author | Jeremiah (narrated by Baruch the scribe) |
| Audience | King Jehoiakim and Judah’s royal court |
| Key Word | Winter house — symbolic of privilege, indifference, and hardened rebellion |
| Application | Comfort and security don’t excuse us from responding to God’s truth |
Zechariah 14:8 (NIV)
8 On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half of it east to the Dead Sea and half of it west to the Mediterranean Sea, in summer and in winter.
Context:
| Verse | Zechariah 14:8 |
| Theme | Outpouring of the Holy Spirit, gospel flowing from Jerusalem, perpetual spiritual life |
| Author | Prophet Zechariah |
| Audience | Post-exilic Jews; prophetic message with future |
| Key Word | Living waters – symbolizing the Holy Spirit and gospel grace |
| Application | God’s spiritual blessings flow without interruption, reaching all nations and seasons—reminding us that Christ’s truth and grace are ever-present and unstoppable. |
Amos 3:15 (NIV)
15 I will tear down the winter house along with the summer house; the houses adorned with ivory will be destroyed and the mansions will be demolished,” declares the Lord.
Context:
| Verse | Amos 3:15 |
| Theme | Judgment, materialism, false security |
| Author | Amos |
| Audience | Northern Kingdom of Israel (Samaria’s elite) |
| Key Word | Winter house — symbol of excessive wealth and spiritual decay |
| Application | God’s judgment falls on those who trust in luxury instead of righteousness |
Song of Songs 2:11–12 (NIV)
11 See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. 12 Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land.
Context:
| Verse | Song of Songs 2:11–12 |
| Theme | Renewal, awakening love, new beginnings |
| Author | King Solomon |
| Audience | The Shulamite bride and her beloved (symbolically, Israel or the Church) |
| Key Word | Winter — symbolic of dormancy, now past; spring as love’s renewal |
| Application | Trust that difficult seasons give way to joy and renewal in God’s timing |
Job 37:6–10 (NIV)
6 He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’ 7 So that everyone he has made may know his work, he stops all people from their labor. 8 The animals take cover; they remain in their dens. 9 The tempest comes out from its chamber, the cold from the driving winds. 10 The breath of God produces ice, and the broad waters become frozen.
Context:
| Verse | Job 37:6–10 |
| Theme | God’s power over nature, divine interruption of human activity |
| Author | Elihu (speaking within the book of Job); author of Job is anonymous |
| Audience | Job and his friends (and indirectly, all readers of wisdom literature) |
| Key Word | Snow — a command from God that alters human plans and reminds us of Him |
| Application | God uses even weather to slow us down, awaken reverence, and teach dependence |
New Testament Scriptures & Quotes About Winter
John 10:22 (NIV)
22 Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter,
Context:
| Verse | John 10:22 |
| Theme | Identity, public ministry, historical setting |
| Author | Apostle John |
| Audience | Jewish readers and early Christian believers |
| Key Word | Dedication — refers to the rededication of the temple |
| Application | Jesus walks among His people even in the “winter” — spiritually and literally |
Matthew 24:20 (NIV)
20 Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath.
Context:
| Verse | Matthew 24:20 |
| Theme | End-times urgency, tribulation, divine foresight |
| Author | Apostle Matthew |
| Audience | Jesus’ disciples (Mount of Olives discourse) |
| Key Word | Winter — physical hardship and increased vulnerability |
| Application | In crisis, pray for mercy not only spiritually, but in very practical terms |
2 Timothy 4:21 (NIV)
21 Do your best to get here before winter. Eubulus greets you, and so do Pudens, Linus, Claudia and all the brothers and sisters.
Context:
| Verse | 2 Timothy 4:21 |
| Theme | Urgency, personal connection, end-of-life reflection |
| Author | Apostle Paul |
| Audience | Timothy, Paul’s close protégé and young pastor |
| Key Word | Winter — symbolic of closing opportunity, literal danger in travel |
| Application | Don’t delay what God prompts you to do—seasonal windows can close quickly |
Titus 3:12 (NIV)
12 As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there.
Context:
| Verse | Titus 3:12 |
| Theme | Ministry logistics, leadership handoff, seasonal planning |
| Author | Apostle Paul |
| Audience | Titus, a trusted ministry leader in Crete |
| Key Word | Winter — linked to travel strategy and time-sensitive ministry plans |
| Application | Ministry work must often be done within seasonal limits—plan wisely |
Final Encouragement
God does some of His best work in winter. Don’t rush out of the season. Receive its quiet gifts: clarity, dependence, pruning, deeper trust. The cold won’t last, but the strength He builds in you will.
