Bartholomew says: "The thunderbolt is a fiery vapor, compact and solid, falling violently, with greater force than lightning, for it cuts what it touches, it penetrates and burns or melts it, it divides and cuts, and nothing corporeal withstands it. Accordingly Isidore says [Etymologies 13.9], “to strike with a thunderbolt” (fulgurare) is the same as “to strike” (ferire). As he says, it is composed of the more subtle parts of the elements, from which it inherits its great penetrating strength. Therefore Isidore [Etymologies 13.9] calls it a blow from a heavenly javelin. It is produced from thick vapor, composed of diverse, contrary [particles] lifted, ignited and inflamed by powerful heat, driven by the collision of the winds and the friction between clouds. Like a fiery stone it is forced downwards violently from the hollow of the clouds, moving like a javelin.
"Therefore, we detect thunderbolts that crash together as they rush through the air with the glittering power of their burning. And although their nature is fiery, nevertheless they are forced by the violence of the motion to descend downward, contrary to the nature of fire, as Bede says
. When it flames and burns in its descent, is called lightning, as Isidore says [Etymologies 13.9]; when it penetrates and divides, it is called a thunderbolt, as he also says."
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