Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terms, the concept of a "cycle" can be understood as a recurring sequence of events or a pattern that repeats over time. This idea is evident in various aspects of Scripture, from the natural order established by God to the spiritual and historical patterns observed in the lives of individuals and nations.
Creation and Natural CyclesThe Bible begins with the account of creation, where God establishes the natural order, including cycles that govern the world.
Genesis 1:14 states, "And God said, 'Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years.'" Here, the celestial bodies are set in motion to create cycles of time, such as days, months, and years, which are foundational to human life and agricultural practices.
The cycle of seasons is also a testament to God's providence and faithfulness. In
Genesis 8:22, after the flood, God promises, "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night shall never cease." This assurance of cyclical regularity reflects God's sustaining power over creation.
Spiritual and Moral CyclesThe Bible also illustrates cycles in the spiritual and moral lives of individuals and communities. The Book of Judges, for example, presents a recurring cycle of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance among the Israelites.
Judges 2:18-19 describes this pattern: "Whenever the LORD raised up judges for them, He was with the judge and saved them from the hands of their enemies as long as the judge lived... But when the judge died, the people returned to ways even more corrupt than those of their ancestors."
This cycle highlights the human tendency to fall into sin and the need for divine intervention and leadership. It serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God's commandments.
Prophetic CyclesProphetic literature in the Bible often reveals cycles of judgment and restoration. The prophets frequently warned Israel and Judah of impending judgment due to their disobedience, followed by promises of future restoration and blessing. This cyclical pattern underscores God's justice and mercy, as seen in passages like
Isaiah 1:18-20, where God calls His people to repentance and offers forgiveness and renewal.
Eschatological CyclesIn eschatological terms, the Bible speaks of cycles that culminate in the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan. The Book of Revelation, for instance, describes cycles of judgment and salvation leading to the establishment of a new heaven and a new earth.
Revelation 21:1 states, "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more."
These cycles point to the hope of eternal life and the final victory of God's kingdom, encouraging believers to persevere in faith and righteousness.
ConclusionThe concept of cycles in the Bible reflects the order and purpose inherent in God's creation and His dealings with humanity. Whether in the natural world, spiritual life, or prophetic history, cycles serve as a reminder of God's sovereignty, faithfulness, and the ultimate fulfillment of His promises.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) An imaginary circle or orbit in the heavens; one of the celestial spheres.
2. (n.) An interval of time in which a certain succession of events or phenomena is completed, and then returns again and again, uniformly and continually in the same order; a periodical space of time marked by the recurrence of something peculiar; as, the cycle of the seasons, or of the year.
3. (n.) An age; a long period of time.
4. (n.) An orderly list for a given time; a calendar.
5. (n.) The circle of subjects connected with the exploits of the hero or heroes of some particular period which have served as a popular theme for poetry, as the legend of Arthur and the knights of the Round Table, and that of Charlemagne and his paladins.
6. (n.) One entire round in a circle or a spire; as, a cycle or set of leaves.
7. (n.) A bicycle or tricycle, or other light velocipede.
8. (v. i.) To pass through a cycle of changes; to recur in cycles.
9. (v. i.) To ride a bicycle, tricycle, or other form of cycle.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
JUBILEE, CYCLE OF THEjoo'-bi-le, ju'-bi-le.
See Luni-solar cycle, under ASTRONOMY, sec. I, 5.
Greek
1763. eniautos -- acycle of time, a year... a
cycle of time, a year. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: eniautos
Phonetic Spelling: (en-ee-ow-tos') Short Definition: a year Definition: a year
...165. aion -- a space of time, an age
... a space of time, an age. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: aion Phonetic
Spelling: (ahee-ohn') Short Definition: an age, acycle of time...
5164. trochos -- a wheel
... Souter). 5164 ("cycle") is only used in Js 3:6. Word Origin from trecho
Definition a wheel NASB Word Usage course (1). course. From...
2945. kuklo -- around
... round about. As if dative case of kuklos (a ring, "cycle"; akin to kulioo); ie In
a circle (by implication, of en), ie (adverbially) all around -- round about....
Strong's Hebrew
5362b. naqaph -- to go around... root Definition to go around NASB Word Usage circling (2), closed around (1), completed
cycle (1), encircling (1), encompassed (3), go around (1), gone around
...Library
ThisCycle of Nineteen Years is not Approved of by Certain African...
... Section XV. Thiscycle of nineteen years is not approved of by certain
African investigators who have? Thiscycle of nineteen...
Of the Revolution of the Ages, which Some Philosophers Believe...
... Chapter 13."Of the Revolution of the Ages, Which Some Philosophers Believe Will
Bring All Things Round Again, After a Certain FixedCycle, to the Same Order...
Job.
... (2) The firstcycle of discussion with his three friends in which they charge Job
with sin and he denies the charge. (3) The secondcycle of discussion....
Excursus on the Subsequent History of the Easter Question.
... It is a fact, proved by the ancient Easter table of the Roman Church, that thecycle
of eighty-four years continued to be used at Rome as before....
The Festal Epistles of Dionysius, in which He Also Gives a Paschal...
... 11, note 25. Eusebius quotes from the epistle in that chapter. [2308] That is, an
eight-yearcycle for the purpose of determining the time of the full moon....
The Works of Hippolytus which have Reached Us.
... ed.), Vol. V., under the title the Refutation of All Heresies. [1948] This
chronological work on the passover, which contained acycle for the purpose of...
But Since Our views Regarding the Resurrection Have, as Far as...
... however, who evinced their respect for this doctrine have said that there will be
a change, although exceedingly slight, at the end of thecycle, from what...
Job
... Then follow three cycles of speeches between Job and his friends (iii.-xiv.;
xv.-xxi.; xxii.-xxxi). Firstcycle. Job... xiv.). Secondcycle....
Four Miracles
... That intention is to represent the effect, intense and exalting, produced
by such acycle of wonders on the minds of His disciples....
The Syrian Enrollment in 8 Bc
... Further, there is a certain amount of positive evidence that "Enrollments" according
to the Fourteen-Years'-Cycle were made in Syria and elsewhere....
Thesaurus
Cycle (3 Occurrences)... again and again, uniformly and continually in the same order; a periodical space
of time marked by the recurrence of something peculiar; as, the
cycle of the
...Period (43 Occurrences)
... of time; more generally, an interval of time specified or left indefinite; a certain
series of years, months, days, or the like; a time; acycle; an age; an...
Easter (1 Occurrence)
... There are also involved the Golden Numbers and the Epacts, the first being the numbers
from 1 to 19, thecycle of the moon when its phases recur on the same...
Course (87 Occurrences)
... Psalm 82:5). (7) (The tongue) "setteth on fire the course (the Revised Version
(British and American) "wheel") of nature" (James 3:6). Thecycle of generation...
Jubilee (25 Occurrences)
... The Simple Life: The Jubilee Year, being the crowning point of all sabbatical
institutions, gave the finishing touch as it were to the wholecycle of sabbatic...
Fasts (3 Occurrences)
... The Eighth Day of Assembly immediately following the last day of Tabernacles (Leviticus
23:36 Numbers 29:35 John 7:37) and closing the longcycle of Tishri...
Feasts (45 Occurrences)
... The Eighth Day of Assembly immediately following the last day of Tabernacles (Leviticus
23:36 Numbers 29:35 John 7:37) and closing the longcycle of Tishri...
Battle (282 Occurrences)
... The conditions are not sufficient to fix the year, since from the nature of the
luni-solarcycle there will always be one or two years in eachcycle of 19 that...
Bethhoron (12 Occurrences)
... The conditions are not sufficient to fix the year, since from the nature of the
luni-solarcycle there will always be one or two years in eachcycle of 19 that...
Beth-horon (12 Occurrences)
... The conditions are not sufficient to fix the year, since from the nature of the
luni-solarcycle there will always be one or two years in eachcycle of 19 that...
Resources
Can God break the cycle of generational sin? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Shemitah? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that the one who is unwilling to work shall not eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10)? | GotQuestions.orgCycle: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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