Topical Encyclopedia
The term "flashed" in the context of the Bible often refers to the sudden and intense appearance of light or brightness, typically associated with divine revelation, the presence of God, or significant spiritual events. This imagery is used to convey the power, majesty, and holiness of God, as well as the awe-inspiring nature of His interventions in the world.
Divine Revelation and TheophanyOne of the most prominent uses of "flashed" is in descriptions of theophanies, where God's presence is manifested in a visible and often overwhelming manner. In
Ezekiel 1:14, the prophet describes the living creatures he saw in his vision: "The creatures were darting back and forth as quickly as flashes of lightning." This imagery underscores the speed, power, and divine nature of the beings associated with God's throne.
Similarly, in the New Testament, the appearance of angels is often accompanied by a flash of light, signifying their heavenly origin and the divine message they bring. In
Luke 24:4, when the women visit Jesus' tomb, they encounter two men in dazzling apparel, indicating the presence of angels: "While they were puzzling over this, suddenly two men in radiant apparel stood beside them."
Judgment and PowerThe imagery of flashing light is also used to depict God's judgment and power. In
Psalm 144:6, the psalmist calls upon the Lord to act against his enemies: "Flash forth Your lightning and scatter them; shoot Your arrows and rout them." Here, the flashing of lightning symbolizes God's might and His ability to defeat the forces of evil.
In the prophetic literature, flashes of lightning often accompany descriptions of God's judgment upon the earth.
Revelation 8:5 describes a scene of divine judgment: "Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it to the earth; and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake." These natural phenomena serve as manifestations of God's wrath and the seriousness of His decrees.
Symbol of God's GloryFlashes of light are also symbolic of God's glory and holiness. In the vision of the New Jerusalem,
Revelation 21:23 states, "The city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb." The imagery of light and flashes here represents the pure and eternal radiance of God's presence, which illuminates the heavenly city.
Spiritual EnlightenmentIn a metaphorical sense, the concept of "flashed" can also relate to spiritual enlightenment and the sudden understanding of divine truth. The Apostle Paul, in his conversion experience on the road to Damascus, encountered a flash of light from heaven, which led to his transformation and calling as an apostle (
Acts 9:3-6). This event signifies the moment of spiritual awakening and the profound impact of encountering Christ.
In summary, the term "flashed" in the Bible is rich with meaning, often associated with divine presence, judgment, glory, and spiritual revelation. It serves as a powerful symbol of God's interaction with the world and His people, highlighting His majesty, authority, and the transformative power of His light.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Flash.
Greek
4015b. periastrapto -- to flash around... 4015a, 4015b. periastrapto. 4016 . to flash around. Transliteration:
periastrapto Short Definition:
flashed. Word Origin from peri
...Strong's Hebrew
1980. halak -- to go, come, walk... back (1), depart (14), departed (55), departs (1), desires (1), die (1), disappears
(1), down (2), down* (1), enter (2), extended (2),
flashed (1), fled (1
...Library
Divine Destruction and Protection
... when this round world and all the things that be upon it, had not come from his
hand; when the sun flamed not in his strength, and the starsflashed not in...
A Staircase of Three Steps
... My love can never be anything else than an answer to His. It can only be secondary
and derived, or I would rather say reflected andflashed back from His....
The Temptation
... in a moment of time' describes a physical impossibility, and most likely is meant
to indicate some sort of diabolic phantasmagoria,flashed before Christ's...
Dawn in the Hills
... She looked up and saw the less kindly man first,flashed white with terror, sprang
to her feet with a cry, and whirled to flee up the other side....
Memory in Another World
... hear them: if these are not enough, it will not be enough for you if all the glories
of heaven and all the ghastliness of hell areflashed and flamed before you...
Acts IX
... (3) "And as he journeyed, he came near to Damascus, and suddenly thereflashed around
him a light from heaven." This occurred at noon, when the sun was shining...
The False Prophet
... There was no sound of his footfall. His garmentsflashed in the light of the beacons,
but there was not even a whisper of their motion. But he had changed....
Grace and Truth
... before our eyes; and instead of a mere verbal revelation, which is so imperfect
and so worthless, grace and truth, the living realities, areflashed upon a...
In his Temple
... When divinityflashed through humanity, not only did they see indignation on
Christ's countenance; they realized the import of His words....
From Jezreel to Horeb
... had been for three years withheld from the earth; he had been signally honored of
God as, in answer to his prayer on Carmel, fire hadflashed from heaven and...
Thesaurus
Flashed (12 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Flashed (12 Occurrences).
... Yet fear
flashed through their
minds and they said, "We have seen strange things to-day." (WEY).
...Flash (19 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To burst or break forth with a sudden and transient flood of flame and
light; as, the lighting flashes vividly; the powderflashed....
Lightning (49 Occurrences)
... Luke 24:4 At this they were in great perplexity, when suddenly there stood by
them two men whose raimentflashed like lightning. (WEY NIV)....
Flashes (16 Occurrences)
Thunder (48 Occurrences)
... Exodus 9:23 Moses stretched forth his rod toward the heavens, and Yahweh
sent thunder, hail, and lightningflashed down to the earth....
Feeling (59 Occurrences)
... "Glory to God!" was the abiding feeling. Yet fearflashed through their minds
and they said, "We have seen strange things to-day." (WEY)....
To-day (208 Occurrences)
... "Glory to God!" was the abiding feeling. Yet fearflashed through their minds and
they said, "We have seen strange things to-day." (WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT)....
Rained (11 Occurrences)
... Exodus 9:23 Moses stretched forth his rod toward the heavens, and Yahweh
sent thunder, hail, and lightningflashed down to the earth....
Resounded (5 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Psalms 77:17 The clouds poured out water. The skies resounded
with thunder. Your arrows alsoflashed around. (WEB NIV)....
Raiment (75 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Luke 24:4 At this they were in great perplexity, when suddenly there
stood by them two men whose raimentflashed like lightning. (WEY DBY)....
Resources
Summary of the Book of Acts - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.orgFlashed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
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