Appendix 9: Miracles of the Bible

by Dr. Henry M. Morris:

(taken from the Defender's Study Bible)

Scientific Allusions in Scripture

The modern scientific enterprise would seek to explain all events, processes and phenomena on a strictly naturalistic basis, alleging that miracles are impossible. Any supposed supernatural occurrence, if examined carefully enough, will prove to have a purely natural explanation, at least potentially explicable in terms of scientific laws and processes.

Yet this approach is tantamount to atheism. If God exists, He created these laws and processes, and can surely intervene in them if He so chooses. The question is one of evidence, not of possibility. God's laws are good and efficient laws, and God would intervene in them only rarely, but always with good reason and good evidence. These two criteria (adequate reason and adequate evidence) are satisfied by all the Biblical miracles.

We need to recognize two basic types of miracles—miracles of creation (which supersede the basic laws of nature) and miracles of providence (which operate within those laws but which manipulate the timing, location or rate of natural processes).

Miracles of creation require negating one or both of the two laws of thermodynamics (conservation of mass/energy, and increase of entropy—see Appendix 3 for discussion of these two universal laws governing all processes). Such miracles would include special creation of matter, energy, order, information, complexity, biological life or spiritual life. Miracles of providence operate within the framework of the two laws, but require control of process rate or timing.

The tables below summarize and categorize all the miracles described in the Bible. The list should be essentially complete, and the assigned categories are somewhat arbitrary, but at least illustrative.

Miracles of Creation

(Miracles of Creation, requiring divine intervention in one or both of the two basic laws ofscience, the law of conservation of mass/energy and the law of increasing entropy)

Creation of Matter

Miracle Reference
1. Creation of the Physical Cosmos Genesis 1:1; 2:4; Colossians 1:16; et al.
2. Fire and Brimstone from Heaven Genesis 19:24
3. The Unconsumed Burning Bush Exodus 3:3
4. Daily Bread from Heaven Exodus 16:35
5. Water from the Rock Exodus 17:6
6. Unfailing Oil and Meal 1 Kings 17:14
7. Elijah's Meal in the Wilderness 1 Kings 19:6
8. Increase of the Widow's Oil 2 Kings 4:2-6
9. Feeding of One Hundred Men 2 Kings 4:42-44
10. Feeding Five Thousand Men Matthew 14:21; Mark 6:44; Luke 9:14-17; John 6:10-11
11. Feeding Four Thousand Men Matthew 15:34-38; Mark 8:4-9

Creation of Energy, Force, or Power

Miracle Reference
1. Energizing the Created Cosmos Genesis 1:2-3
2. Translation of Enoch Genesis 5:24
3. Smoking Furnace and Burning Lamp Genesis 15:17
4. Pillar of Cloud and Fire Exodus 13:21
5. Wall of Water at the Red Sea Exodus 14:29
6. Giving of the Law on Sinai Exodus 24:12-18; 31:18
7. Glory Cloud in the Tabernacle Exodus 40:35
8. Burning of Nadab and Abihu Leviticus 10:1-2
9. Fire of the Lord at Taberah Numbers 11:1-2
10. Sun and Moon Standing Still Joshua 10:11-14
11. Consumption of Gideon's Offering Judges 6:21
12. Glory Cloud in the Temple 1 Kings 8:10-11; 2 Chronicles 7:1-2
13. Fire on Elijah's Sacrifice 1 Kings 18:37-39
14. Elijah's Deliverance by Fire from Heaven 2 Kings 1:10-14
15. Parting of the Waters by Elijah's Mantle 2 Kings 2:8
16. Translation of Elijah 2 Kings 2:11
17. Parting of the Waters by Elisha 2 Kings 2:14
18. The Floating Axhead 2 Kings 6:6
19. Reversing Shadow on the Sun Dial 2 Kings 20:11; Isaiah 38:8
20. Translation of Ezekiel Ezekiel 3:14-15
21. Protection in the Fiery Furnace Daniel 3:20-26
22. Voice from Heaven at Christ's Baptism Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22
23. Walking on the Water Matthew 14:25; Mark 6:48; John 6:19
24. Transfiguration of Christ Matthew 17:2-3; Mark 9:2-3; Luke 9:29-31
25. Darkness at the Cross Matthew 27:45; Mark 15:33; Luke 23:45
26. Rending of the Temple Veil Matthew 27:51; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:45
27. Ascension of Christ Mark 16:19; Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9
28. Translation of Philip Acts 8:39
29. Rapture of Paul to Paradise 2 Corinthians 12:2-4

Creation of Order, Information, or Complexity

Miracle Reference
1. Formation of Atmosphere and Hydrosphere Genesis 1:6-8
2. Formation of Lithosphere and Biosphere Genesis 1:9-13
3. Formation of Astrophere Genesis 1:14-19
4. Formation of Air and Water Animals Genesis 1:20-23
5. Formation of Land Animals Genesis 1:24-25
6. Formation of Man and Woman Genesis 1:26-27
7. Formation of New Tongues at Babel Genesis 11:9
8. Restoration of Moses' Leprous Hand Exodus 4:7
9. Turning of Rivers into Blood Exodus 7:20
10. Balaam's Ass Enabled to Speak Numbers 22:28
11. Healing of Naaman's Leprosy 2 Kings 5:14
12. Healing the Leper Matthew 8:3; Mark 1:40-41; Luke 5:12-14
13. Healing of the Centurion's Servant Matthew 8:13; Luke 7:1-10
14. Healing of Two Blind Men Matthew 9:29-30
15. Healing a Withered Hand Matthew 12:13; Mark 3:5; Luke 6:10
16. Healing of the Blind and Dumb Demoniac Matthew 12:22; Luke 11:14
17. Healing of Two Blind Men at Jericho Matthew 20:30-34
18. Healing of the Ten Lepers Luke 17:12-14
19. Turning Water into Wine John 2:9-11
20. Healing of the Nobleman's Son John 4:46-52
21. Healing of the Crippled Man at Bethesda John 5:9
22. Sight for the Man Born Blind John 9:1-7
23. The Great Catch of Fishes John 21:11
24. Healing at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple Acts 3:6-8
25. Healing of the Cripple at Lystra Acts 14:8-10

Creation of Biological Life

Miracle Reference
1. Creation of Life (nephesh) Genesis 1:21
2. Conception of Isaac Genesis 21:1-2
3. Transformation of Rod into Serpent xodus 4:2-4
4. Budding of Aaron's Rod Numbers 17:8
5. Raising of Samuel by the Witch of Endor 1 Samuel 28:11-12
6. Raising the Widow's Son 1 Kings 17:22
7. Raising the Shunammite's Son 2 Kings 4:33-36
8. Raising at the Tomb of Elisha 2 Kings 13:21
9. The Handwriting on the Wall Daniel 5:5
10. Raising of Jairus's Daughter Matthew 9:25
11. Bodies of the Saints Rising Matthew 27:52
12. Raising of the Widow's Son Luke 7:15
13. Raising of Lazarus John 11:43-44
14. Raising of Tabitha by Peter Acts 9:40-41
15. Raising of Paul after Stoning Acts 14:19-20
16. Raising of Eutychus by Paul Acts 20:9-12

Creation of Spiritual Life, or Spiritual Renewal

Miracle Reference
1. Creation of Man in the Image of God Genesis 1:27
2. Entering of the Holy Spirit into Ezekiel Ezekiel 2:2
3. Virgin Birth of Christ Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38
4. Resurrection of Christ Matthew 28:6; Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 15:42-45
5. Coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost Acts 2:2-6
6. Reception of the Holy Spirit by Laying on of Hands Acts 8:17
7. Conversion of Saul Acts 9:3-7
8. Holy Spirit Received at the House of Cornelius Acts 10:44-46
9. Holy Spirit Received by the Disciples of John Acts 19:6

Miracles of Providence

(Miracles performed within the two basic laws governing natural processes,but requiring divine or angelic control of process rate or timing)

Control of Physical Process Rates or Timing

Miracle Reference
1. Simultaneous Eruption of Fountains of the Deep Genesis 7:11
2. Forty-day Global Rain Genesis 7:12
3. Global Wind to Assuage the Flood Genesis 8:1
4. Establishment of the Rainbow Genesis 9:13
5. Removal of the Plague of Flies Exodus 8:31
6. Plague of Hail and Fire Exodus 9:23-24
7. Stopping of the Hail and Fire Exodus 9:33
8. Wind to Remove the Locusts Exodus 10:19
9. Plague of Thick Darkness Exodus 10:23
10. Sweetening of the Waters of Marah Exodus 15:25
11. Wind to Bring the Quails Numbers 11:31
12. Earthquake to Swallow Korah Numbers 16:31-33
13. Water from the Rock at Meribah Numbers 20:10-11
14. Non-aging Raiment Deuteronomy 8:4
15. Drying of the Jordan Joshua 3:15-17
16. Collapse of the Walls of Jericho Joshua 6:20
17. Stars Fighting Against Sisera Judges 5:20-21
18. Consummation of Gideon's Offering Judges 6:21
19. Wet Fleece and Dry Ground Judges 6:38
20. Dry Fleece and Wet Ground Judges 6:40
21. Consummation of Manoah's Offering Judges 13:19-20
22. Thunder on the Philistines 1 Samuel 7:10
23. Thunder and Rain for Samuel 1 Samuel 12:18
24. The Great Trembling Among the Philistines 1 Samuel 14:15-16
25. Going Sound in the Mulberry Trees 2 Samuel 5:24
26. Elijah's Three-and-one-half-year Drought 1 Kings 17:1
27. End of the Drought 1 Kings 18:42-45
28. Wind, Earthquake, and Fire 1 Kings 19:11-12
29. Healing of the Waters 2 Kings 2:21
30. Water Seen as Blood 2 Kings 3:22
31. Meal to Heal Death in the Pot 2 Kings 4:40-41
32. Jonah's Ship and the Tempest Jonah 1:4
33. Star of Bethlehem Matthew 2:2-9
34. Stilling of the Waves Matthew 8:26; Mark 4:39; Luke 8:24
35. Earthquake at Calvary Matthew 27:51
36. Earthquake at the Tomb Matthew 28:2
37. Opening of the Tomb Matthew 28:2; Mark 16:4; Luke 24:2; John 20:1
38. Shaking in the Disciple's Room Acts 4:31
39. Opening of Prison Doors Acts 5:19
40. Release of Peter from Prison Acts 12:5-7
41. Earthquake in Philippian Prison Acts 16:25-26

Control of Biological Process Rates or Timing

Miracle Reference
1. Migration of Animals to Noah's Ark Genesis 6:20
2. Transmutation of Lot's Wife into Salt Genesis 19:26
3. Plague of Frog Multiplication Exodus 8:6
4. Death of Frogs Exodus 8:13
5. Plague of Lice Exodus 8:17
6. Plague of Flies Exodus 8:24
7. Plague of Murrain on Cattle Exodus 9:3
8. Plague of Locusts Exodus 10:13-15
9. Non-swelling Feet Deuteronomy 8:4
10. Jonah Preserved in the Whale Jonah 2:10
11. The Gourd and the Worm Jonah 4:6-7
12. Withering of the Fig Tree Matthew 21:19; Mark 11:20-21
13. Heavy Draught of Fishes Luke 5:6

Acceleration of Decay Processes in Human Bodies

Miracle Reference
1. Mark on Cain Genesis 4:15
2. Plague on Pharaoh's House Genesis 12:17
3. Blindness of the Sodomites Genesis 19:11
4. Barrenness of Abimelech's Wives Genesis 20:18
5. Shrinking of Jacob's Thigh Genesis 32:25
6. Leprosy in Moses' Hand Exodus 4:6
7. Plague of Boils Exodus 9:10
8. Plague of Firstborn Death Exodus 12:29
9. Plague from Eating Quail Numbers 11:33
10. Miriam's Leprosy Numbers 12:10
11. Plague from Following Balaam Numbers 25:8-9
12. Destruction of Samson's Strength Judges 16:17-19
13. Plague from Presence of the Ark 1 Samuel 5:2-11; 6:19
14. Death of Uzzah from Touching the Ark 2 Samuel 6:6-7
15. Plague from David's Census 2 Samuel 24:15-16
16. Leprosy on Elisha's Servant 2 Kings 5:27
17. Blindness of the Syrians 2 Kings 6:18
18. Slaying of Sennacherib's Army 2 Kings 19:35
19. Uzziah's Leprosy 2 Chronicles 26:19-20
20. Madness of Nebuchadnezzar Daniel 4:31-33
21. Death of Christ Matthew 27:50; Mark 15:37; Luke 23:46; John 19:30
22. Dumbness of Zacharias Luke 1:20
23. Death of Ananias Acts 5.5
24. Death of Sapphira Acts 5:10
25. Death of Herod Acts 12:23
26. Blindness of Elymas Acts 13:11

Acceleration of Healing Processes in Human Bodies

Miracle Reference
1. Removal of Plague from Pharaoh's House Genesis 12:17
2. Healing of Wombs of Abimelech's Wives Genesis 20:17
3. Rebekah's Barrenness Healed Genesis 25:21
4. Rachel Made Fertile Genesis 30:22
5. Healing of the Serpent Bites Numbers 21:8
6. Restoration of Samson's Strength Judges 16:28-30
7. Conception of Samuel 1 Samuel 1:27
8. Stopping of the Numbering Plague 2 Samuel 24:16
9. Conception by the Shunammite 2 Kings 4:17
10. Healing of Hezekiah 2 Kings 20:5-7
11. Removal of Nebuchadnezzar's Madness Daniel 4:34-36
12. Healing of Peter's Mother-in-law Matthew 8:15; Mark 1:31; Luke 4:39
13. Healing of the Palsied Man Matthew 9:6; Mark 2:12; Luke 5:25
14. Stopping the Issue of Blood Matthew 9:22; Mark 5:29; Luke 8:47
15. Healing of the Deaf and Dumb Man Mark 7:32-35
16. The Blind Man at Bethsaida Mark 8:22-25
17. Blind Bartimaeus Mark 10:46-52; Luke 18:35-43
18. Conception of John the Baptist Luke 1:24
19. Removal of Zacharias's Dumbness Luke 1:64
20. Man with the Dropsy Luke 14:4
21. Restoration of the Severed Ear Luke 22:51
22. Removal of Saul's Blindness Acts 9:18
23. Healing of Aeneas Acts 9:33-34
24. Healing of Viper Bite Acts 28:3-6
25. Healing of Publius's Father Acts 28:8

Casting Out Demons

Miracle Reference
1. Evil Spirit in Saul 1 Samuel 16:23
2. Two Men in the Gaderene Tombs Matthew 8:28-32; Mark 5:2-13; Luke 8:26-33
3. Dumb Man in Capernaum Matthew 9:32-33
4. Blind and Dumb Man Matthew 12:22; Luke 11:14
5. Syro-Phoenician Woman's Daughter Matthew 15:22-28; Mark 7:25-30
6. Demon-possessed Child Matthew 17:14-18; Mark 9:17-27; Luke 9:38-42
7. Capernaum Synagogue Demoniac Mark 1:23-26; Luke 4:31-37
8. Mary Magdalene Luke 8:2
9. Woman with Spirit of Infirmity Luke 13:11-13
10. Damsel at Philippi Acts 16:18

Providential Timing of Events

Miracle Reference
1. Meeting of Rebekah and the Servant Genesis 24:14-15
2. Growth of Jacob's Flocks Genesis 31:9
3. Holding Up Moses' Hands Exodus 17:11
4. Identification of Guilty Achan Joshua 7:18
5. Blessings on House of Obed-Edom 2 Samuel 6:12
6. Prophet Slain by the Lion 1 Kings 13:24
7. Elijah Fed by Ravens 1 Kings 17:6
8. Elisha and the Bears 2 Kings 2:24
9. Deliverance of Jehoshaphat 2 Chronicles 20:22-24
10. Daniel in the Lions' Den Daniel 6:22
11. Preparation of Jonah's Fish Jonah 1:17
12. Tribute Money and the Fish Matthew 17:27

Satanic and Demonic Miracles

(Control of rate or timing of natural process by Satan orSatanic angels, including hypnotic delusion)

Counterfeit Miracles of Creation

Miracle Reference
1. Giants in the Earth Genesis 6:4
2. Magicians Making Rods Seem as Serpents Exodus 7:11-12
3. Giants in the Land Numbers 13:33
4. Evil Spirit in Saul 1 Samuel 16:23
5. Lying Spirits of Ahab 1 Kings 22:23; 2 Chronicles 18:22
6. Spirit Message to Eliphaz Job 4:15-16
7. Translation of Christ to Temple Pinnacle Matthew 4:5; Luke 4:9
8. Translation of Christ to High Mountain Matthew 4:8; Luke 4:5

Counterfeit Miracles of Providence

Miracle Reference
1. Magicians Making Water as Blood Exodus 7:22
2. Magicians Causing Frogs to Multiply Exodus 8:7
3. Destruction of Job's Oxen Job 1:14-15
4. Destruction of Job's Sheep Job 1:16
5. Death of Job's Servants Job 1:17
6. Death of Job's Children Job 1:19
7. Boils on Job's Body Job 2:7
8. Paul's Thorn in the Flesh 2 Corinthians 12:7

Taken from The Biblical Basis for Modern Science, by Henry M. Morris (Green Forest, AR: Master Books, 2002), pp. 433-438.