CATARACTS. The Latin word Cataracta comes from the Greek, Cataractes, which signifies something that falls with swiftness and impetuosity. A fall of Water, a Cascade, or River which runs with rapidity down some rock, are what is principally so called. The Cataracts of Nile, which fall from a very high precipice, are celebrated. Moses says, that God opened the Cataracts of Heaven, and caused a deluge of water to fall from Gen. vii. 11. viii. 1. ארבות Καταῤῥακτα,thence in order to drown the wicked world. The Hebrew word Aruboth, which is translated Cataracts, may be taken for Windows, Openings contrived in some elevated place; and the Scripture makes use of the same term to denote a Storm or abundance of Rain falling from the Heavens. It is said that the Cataracts of Heaven were opened for this purpose. Isai. xxiv. 18. Mal. iii. 10.
The Psalmist, to express the misfortunes with which he was as it were overwhelmed, Ps. xlii 9. לקול צנוריןsays, One deep calleth another at the noise of the Cataracts of Heaven which were opened, in order to drown him. The Hebrew word made use of in this place, is different from that used in the other passages, where we meet with the word Cataracta. That in Psalm xlii. is Zenor, which signifies Channels, Gutters. The deep of the waters in the Sea hath called the deep of the waters of Heaven, at the noise of thy gutters, to overflow me. The waters of the Sea, and those of Heaven are, as I may say, called, that they may altogether overwhelm me.