Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Usage:The term "astonied" is an archaic English word that appears in some translations of the Bible, including the King James Version (KJV). It is derived from the Old English word "astoned," which means to be stunned, amazed, or bewildered. In modern English, it is often rendered as "astonished" or "amazed." The term is used to describe a state of being struck with sudden and great wonder or surprise, often in response to a divine or miraculous event.
Biblical Context:In the Bible, the term "astonied" is used to convey the profound impact of witnessing God's power, judgment, or revelation. It reflects the human response to the divine, highlighting the awe and reverence that God's actions inspire.
Scriptural References:1.
Daniel 3:24 : In the account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace, King Nebuchadnezzar is described as being "astonied" when he sees four men walking unharmed in the fire. The Berean Standard Bible translates this as "astonished": "Then King Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and asked his advisers, 'Did we not throw three men, firmly bound, into the fire?' 'Certainly, O king,' they replied."
2.
Ezra 9:3-4 : Ezra is described as being "astonied" upon hearing about the unfaithfulness of the Israelites. The Berean Standard Bible uses "appalled": "When I heard this report, I tore my tunic and cloak, pulled out some of the hair from my head and beard, and sat down appalled. Then everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered around me because of the unfaithfulness of the exiles, while I sat there appalled until the evening offering."
Theological Significance:The use of "astonied" in the Bible underscores the human reaction to the divine presence and actions. It serves as a reminder of the majesty and power of God, which often surpasses human understanding and expectation. This reaction of being "astonied" is not merely an emotional response but a recognition of God's sovereignty and the miraculous nature of His works.
Reflection in Christian Life:For believers, the concept of being "astonied" can be a call to maintain a sense of wonder and reverence towards God. It encourages Christians to remain open to the unexpected ways in which God may reveal Himself and to respond with awe and humility. The term invites believers to reflect on their own experiences of God's presence and to cultivate a heart that is sensitive to His workings in the world.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. p.) Stunned; astonished. See Astony.
2. (imp. & p. p.) of Astony.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ASTONISHED; ASTONIEDas-ton'-isht, as-ton'-id (shamem, "astonished," the root idea being "silent," i.e. struck dumb with amazement; ekplessomai, "to be struck with astonishment," as if by a blow or a shock; existemi, "to amaze," "to throw into wonderment"; thambeomai, "to astonish" to the point of fright): The state of being surprised, startled, stunned by some exceptional wonder, some overwhelming event or miracle, as e.g. Nebuchadnezzar's amazement at the miracle in the burning fiery furnace (Daniel 3:24) (tewah, "astonished"); of the passer-by at the desolation of Babylon (Jeremiah 50:13). The personality, teaching and works of Jesus were so wonderful, Divine, supernatural, as to awaken emotions of surprise and awe never before known in the presence of man.
The people "were astonished out of measure" at His doctrine (Mark 10:26 the King James Version); "astonished with a great astonishment" at His raising the dead (Mark 5:42 the King James Version). The gift of the Holy Ghost to the Gentiles was in like manner a source of astonishment to those Jews who believed through the power of Peter's preaching (Acts 10:45 the King James Version). The miracle of regeneration today, which renews and transforms debased and fallen men into saints, makes the same impression on an observing world.
Dwight M. Pratt
Strong's Hebrew
8429. tevah -- to be startled or alarmed... By implication) take alarm -- be
astonied. see HEBREW tamahh. see HEBREW sha'ah.
see HEBREW tavah. 8428, 8429. tevah. 8430 . Strong's Numbers.
8075. shemam -- to be appalled
... be astonished. (Aramaic) corresponding to shamem -- beastonied. see HEBREW
shamem. 8074, 8075. shemam. 8076 . Strong's Numbers.
8074. shamem -- to be desolated or appalled
... root; to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), ie Devastate or (figuratively) stupefy
(both usually in a passive sense) -- make amazed, beastonied, (be an...
Library
Jesus, the Great Object of Astonishment.
... As many wereastonied at Thee; His visage was so marred more than any man, and His
form more than the sons of men; so shall He sprinkle many nations; the kings...
The Fulfilment of the Prophecies Concerning Christ.
... As many shall beastonied at Thee; so shall Thy marred visage, nevertheless,
be seen by all, and Thine honour by men. For so shall...
Triumphant Prayer
... aside to tarry for a night? 9. Why shouldest Thou be as a manastonied,
as a mighty man that cannot save? yet Thou, O Lord, art in...
A Spiritual Revival
... "When I heard this thing," he says, "I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked
off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat downastonied....
The Pearl, Seven Hymns on the Faith. Hymn i. On a Certain Day a...
... 2. It was greater to me than the ark, for I wasastonied thereat: I saw therein
folds without shadow to them because it was a daughter of light, types vocal...
Here Beginneth the Life of Isaac
... To whom he answered, I am thy first begotten son Esau. Isaac then was greatly abashed
andastonied, and marvelled more than can be thought credible....
The Dream of the Tree Cut Down
... is in thee. 'Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, wasastonied for
a while, and his thoughts troubled him. The king answered...
Rhapsody
... aside to tarry for a night? Why shouldest thou be as a manastonied, as
a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, O LORD, art in...
"I Saw . . . As it were in the Time of his Passion . . . And in...
... This I said for reverence in my meaning, with mighty voice; and full greatly was
astonied for wonder and marvel that I had, that He that is so reverend and...
Harmless Fires
... Then Nebuchadnezzar the king wasastonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and
said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of...
Thesaurus
Astonied (12 Occurrences)... See Astony. 2. (imp. & pp) of Astony. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ASTONISHED;
ASTONIED.
... Dwight M. Pratt. Multi-Version Concordance
Astonied (12 Occurrences
...Visage (4 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 52:14 As many wereastonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any
man, and his form more than the sons of men: (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)....
Counsellors (21 Occurrences)
... Daniel 3:24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king wasastonied, and rose up in haste, and
spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the...
Astir (3 Occurrences)
Astonish (1 Occurrence)
Astonished (92 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Astonish. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. ASTONISHED;ASTONIED. as-ton'-isht, as-ton'-id...
Hypocrite (10 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS WBS). Job 17:8 Upright men shall beastonied at this, and the innocent
shall stir up himself against the hypocrite. (KJV WBS)....
Affrighted (60 Occurrences)
... Job 18:20 They that come after him shall beastonied at his day, as they
that went before were affrighted. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)....
Transgression (70 Occurrences)
... me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the
transgression of those that had been carried away; and I satastonied until the...
Mantle (35 Occurrences)
... Ezra 9:3 And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked
off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat downastonied....
Resources
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