Whirlwind--a great storm or tempest.
A. used literally of:
Elijah's translation: 2 Kin. 2:1; It's fury: Is 17:13.
Used figuratively of:
Sudden destruction...Prov. 1:27
Suddenness: Is. 5:28
God's anger Jer. 23:19
God's might: Nah 1:3.
I was wondering if you thought it was a deliberate choice of words or an ignorant choice?
I think the phrase was chosen for rhetorical value, without knowledge of what it truly conveys. Which is also why I consider its possible nature as a prophetic utterance upon the nation if it chooses to remain impenitent. Of course, repentance averted the judgment upon Nineveh, but have we yet seen our bleached Jonah?