Topical Encyclopedia
The term "abated" is used in the Bible to describe the reduction or subsiding of something, often referring to water levels or intensity of emotions. It is derived from the Hebrew word "שָׁכַךְ" (shakak) and the Greek word "καταπαύω" (katapauō), both of which convey the idea of diminishing or ceasing.
Biblical Context and Usage:1.
The Flood Narrative: The most notable use of "abated" in the Bible is found in the account of Noah's Flood. After the rain ceased, the waters began to recede.
Genesis 8:1-3 states, "Then God remembered Noah and all the animals and livestock that were with him in the ark, and He sent a wind over the earth, and the waters began to subside. The springs of the deep and the floodgates of the heavens were closed, and the rain from the sky was restrained. The waters receded steadily from the earth, and after 150 days the waters had gone down." Here, "abated" describes the process of the floodwaters diminishing.
2.
Emotional Intensity: The term is also used metaphorically to describe the reduction of emotions or wrath. In
Esther 7:10 , after Haman is hanged, it is said, "So they hanged Haman on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided." In this context, "abated" refers to the calming of King Xerxes' anger.
3.
Other References: In
Numbers 17:5 , the term is used in the context of a sign to quell rebellion: "The staff belonging to the man I choose will sprout, and I will rid Myself of this constant grumbling against you by the Israelites." The idea here is that the grumbling or complaints would be abated or diminished.
Theological Implications:The concept of abatement in the Bible often signifies divine intervention or the natural resolution of a crisis. In the case of the Flood, the abatement of waters marks the beginning of a new covenant between God and humanity. Similarly, the abatement of anger or conflict often signifies reconciliation or the restoration of order.
Symbolism:Abatement can symbolize the transition from chaos to peace, judgment to mercy, or wrath to forgiveness. It reflects the biblical theme of God’s control over nature and human affairs, demonstrating His ability to bring about change and renewal.
Related Concepts:·
Subsiding: Often used interchangeably with abating, particularly in the context of water or emotions.
·
Ceasing: The act of stopping or coming to an end, closely related to the concept of abatement.
·
Diminishing: The process of becoming less, which is central to the idea of abatement.
Conclusion:The term "abated" in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of the transient nature of trials and the enduring presence of divine providence. Whether referring to the physical world or the human heart, abatement signifies a return to balance and order under God's sovereign will.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Abate.
Strong's Hebrew
2637. chaser -- to lack, need, be lacking, decrease... be
abated, bereave, decrease, cause to fail, have lack, make lower, want.
A primitive root; to lack; by implication, to fail, want
...7043. qalal -- to be slight, swift or trifling
... root Definition to be slight, swift or trifling NASB Word Usageabated (2), accursed
(1), brought a curse (1), contempt (1), contemptible (1), curse (15...
5127. nus -- to flee, escape
... root Definition to flee, escape NASB Word Usageabated (1), drives (1), escape
(1), escaped (2), fled (78), flee (54), flee away (1), fleeing (5), flees (5...
Library
'Clear Shining after Rain'
... rain from heaven was restrained; And the waters returned from off the earth continually:
and after the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters wereabated...
Chapter viii
... remembered Noah and all the wild animals and domestic animals which were with him
in the ark, and God caused a wind to pass over the earth and the watersabated...
Praying Saints of the Old Testaments
... Nearing home it occurred to him that he must meet his brother Esau, whose anger
had notabated notwithstanding the passage of many years....
The Glorious Master and the Swooning Disciple
... the atonement made for sin. Christian activity for right is alsoabated;
as well as holy horror of wrong. He who thinks lightly...
On the Advisableness of Improving Natural Knowledge.
... inhabited this great and ancient city, took breath between the shocks of two fearful
calamities, one not quite past, although its fury hadabated; the other to...
Preface
... different manner. The difficulties, which, for a season, perplexed him, on
some points, are either removed, or considerablyabated. On...
Thoughts Upon Striving to Enter at the Strait Gate.
... gnawed and tormented with the remembrance of their former Sins, and the Fire of
God's Wrath is continually burning in them, never to be quenched orabated....
The Last Two Decades.
... "In the case of Mr. Stronach the language concerning Moses may be literally applied,
'His eye is not dim, nor his natural forceabated.' He does not yet have...
Addresses on Holiness,
... They insist upon it that the requirements of the Adamic law have never beenabated;
that we are not under the evangelical law of love, or the law of Christ, as...
The Image of Jealousy
... I returned when I could.". "Our interest in you as our guest has notabated.
Philadelphus is ready to see you, at any time," she said, watching his face....
Thesaurus
Abated (10 Occurrences)...Abated (10 Occurrences).
... Genesis 8:8 He sent forth a dove from him, to see if the
waters were
abated from the surface of the ground, (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS NAS).
...Abate (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To reduce; to decrease; to diminish; as, the windsabated; to contract;
to moderate; to cut short; as, to abate a demand; to abate pride, zeal, hope....
Abatement (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) The act of abating, or the state of beingabated; a lessening, diminution,
or reduction; removal or putting an end to; as, the abatement of a nuisance...
Subsided (9 Occurrences)
... The waters subsided. (WEB DBY NAS RSV). Genesis 8:8 He sent forth a dove from him,
to see if the waters wereabated from the surface of the ground, (See RSV)....
Receded (6 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Genesis 8:8 He sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were
abated from the surface of the ground, (See NIV). Genesis...
Dove (27 Occurrences)
... In Genesis 8:8-12, we read, "And he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters
wereabated." Noah first sent out a raven, because it was a strong...
Returned (328 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Genesis 8:3 And the waters returned from off the earth continually: and after
the end of the hundred and fifty days the waters wereabated....
Weak (102 Occurrences)
... imperfect) and past participle by adding to the present the suffix -ed, -d, or the
variant form -t; as in the verbs abash, abashed; abate,abated; deny, denied...
Waters (386 Occurrences)
... Genesis 8:8 He sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters wereabated from
the surface of the ground, (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT RSV)....
Resources
Why did Noah release a raven? Why did he later release a dove (Genesis 8)? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Haman the Agagite? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a pariah? | GotQuestions.orgAbated: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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