Topical Encyclopedia
Amazement, as depicted in the Bible, often refers to a profound sense of wonder, awe, or astonishment in response to the divine acts and teachings of God. This emotional response is frequently encountered in both the Old and New Testaments, illustrating the human reaction to God's power, wisdom, and presence.
Old Testament InstancesIn the Old Testament, amazement is often associated with the miraculous works of God. For example, in Exodus, the Israelites experience amazement at the parting of the Red Sea, a divine intervention that allowed them to escape from the Egyptians. This event is a testament to God's power and His ability to deliver His people from danger. The psalmist also captures this sense of wonder in
Psalm 66:5 : "Come and see the works of God; how awesome are His deeds toward mankind."
The prophets frequently speak of the amazement that will accompany the fulfillment of God's promises. In
Isaiah 29:14 , God declares, "Therefore I will again confound these people with wonder upon wonder. The wisdom of the wise will vanish, and the intelligence of the intelligent will be hidden." This passage highlights the awe-inspiring nature of God's plans, which surpass human understanding.
New Testament InstancesIn the New Testament, amazement is often linked to the ministry of Jesus Christ. The Gospels record numerous instances where people are astonished by His teachings and miracles. In
Mark 1:27 , after Jesus casts out an unclean spirit, the people are described as being amazed: "All the people were amazed and began to ask one another, 'What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him!'"
The resurrection of Jesus is another pivotal event that evokes amazement. In
Luke 24:12 , after hearing the report of the empty tomb, Peter runs to the tomb and is left in wonder: "Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. And after bending down and seeing only the linen cloths, he went away, wondering to himself what had happened."
Amazement in the Early ChurchThe early church also experienced amazement as the apostles performed miracles in Jesus' name. In
Acts 3:10 , after Peter heals a lame beggar, the people are filled with wonder and amazement: "they recognized him as the man who used to sit begging at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him."
Theological ImplicationsAmazement in the biblical context often serves as a catalyst for faith and deeper understanding of God's nature. It is a recognition of the divine breaking into the ordinary, prompting individuals to acknowledge God's sovereignty and majesty. This response is not merely emotional but often leads to a transformation in belief and action, as seen in the lives of those who witnessed Jesus' miracles and the works of the apostles.
In summary, amazement in the Bible is a profound response to the divine, reflecting the human encounter with God's extraordinary power and presence. It is a recurring theme that underscores the awe-inspiring nature of God's interaction with His creation.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The condition of being amazed; bewilderment [Obs.]; overwhelming wonder, as from surprise, sudden fear, horror, or admiration.
2. (n.) Frenzy; madness.
Greek
2285. thambos --amazement...amazement. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: thambos Phonetic Spelling:
(tham'-bos) Short Definition: astonishment Definition: astonishment
...1611. ekstasis -- a displacement (of the mind), ie bewilderment...
... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: ekstasis Phonetic Spelling:
(ek'-stas-is) Short Definition: bewilderment,amazement Definition: (properly...
4423. ptoesis -- a fluttering, excitement, hence terror
... Word Origin from ptoeo Definition a fluttering, excitement, hence terror NASB Word
Usage fear (1).amazement. From ptoeo; alarm --amazement. see GREEK ptoeo....
2296. thaumazo -- to marvel, wonder
... properly, wonder at, be amazed (marvel), ie astonished ; , "wondering very greatly"
(Souter); to cause "wonder; . .to withamazement, and with a...
1839. existemi -- to displace, to stand aside from
... Word Origin from ek and histemi Definition to displace, to stand aside from NASB
Word Usage amazed (10),amazement (1), astonished (2), astonishing (1...
2295. thauma -- a wonder
... Transliteration: thauma Phonetic Spelling: (thos'-mah) Short Definition: a marvel,
wonder Definition: (a) concr: a marvel, wonder, (b) abstr: wonder,amazement...
1769. enneos -- speechless.
... of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: enneos Phonetic Spelling: (en-neh-os') Short
Definition: dumb, speechless Definition: dumb, speechless (as withamazement...
1569a. ekthambos -- utterly astounded, amazed
... Word Origin from ek and thambos Definition utterly astounded, amazed NASB Word Usage
full ofamazement (1). 1569, 1569a. ekthambos. 1569b . Strong's Numbers
Strong's Hebrew
4923. meshammah -- devastation, waste, horror... astonishment, desolate. From shamem; a waste or
amazement -- astonishment, desolate.
see HEBREW shamem. 4922, 4923. meshammah. 4924 . Strong's Numbers.
8159. shaah -- to gaze
... to gaze at or about (properly, for help); by implication, to inspect, consider,
compassionate, be nonplussed (as looking around inamazement) or bewildered...
Library
O whatAmazement Befel the Evil One, of a Sudden, My Brethren...
... Hymn LX. O whatamazement befel the Evil One, of a sudden, my brethren:
when the sinful woman was corrected, and gained Wisdom!...
Whether the Species of Fear is Suitably Assigned?
... Orth. ii, 15); namely, "laziness, shamefacedness, shame,amazement, stupor,
and anxiety." Because, as the Philosopher says (Rhet....
The Vagaries of Basilides and Valentinus as to Fear Being the...
... this expression, say, "that the Prince, [2237] having heard the speech of the Spirit,
who was being ministered to, was struck withamazement both with the...
Our Lord in the Garden
... No. Not one. We should all have to stand back when the heaviness and the exceeding
sorrow, and theamazement and the great agony came, and the bloody sweat....
Of the Question as to the Consistency of the Several Notices Given...
... it was when they saw the earthquake that the centurion and those who were with him
were thus astonished, whereas Luke represents the man'samazement to have...
Third Withdrawal from Herod's Territory.
... Undoubtedly theamazement was caused by the sudden and opportune return of
Jesus. Those who urge that this was not enough to produce...
Before the Sanhedrin
... crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension. Priests and rulers heard withamazement
the clear, bold testimony of the apostles. The power of...
Acts III
... Beautiful gate of the temple. And they were filled with wonder andamazement
at that which had happened unto him.". This is by no...
But when Simon Cephas Saw this He Fell Before the Feet of Jesus...
... [447] Andamazement took possession of him, and of all who were with him,
[3] because of the draught of the fishes which they had taken....
The Burial and Assumption of the Blessed virgin
... the Apostles and holy women praying before the tomb saw all this in the same manner,
but I saw them looking upwards in adoration andamazement, or throwing...
Thesaurus
Amazement (32 Occurrences)...Amazement (32 Occurrences). Matthew 7:28 When Jesus had concluded this discourse,
the crowds were filled with
amazement at His teaching, (WEY).
...Magus
... which accompanied the introduction of the gospel into this city did not cease, and
Simon seeing them "was amazed." The word denoting Simon'samazement at the...
Astonishment (51 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The overpowering emotion excited when something unaccountable, wonderful,
or dreadful is presented to the mind; an intense degree of surprise;amazement...
Filled (336 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NIV). Matthew 7:28 When Jesus had concluded this discourse,
the crowds were filled withamazement at His teaching, (WEY)....
Amazed (75 Occurrences)
... Its Scripture originals range in meaning fromamazement accompanied with terror
and trembling to an astonishment full of perplexity, wonder, awe and joyous...
Waves (43 Occurrences)
... Matthew 8:27 and the men, filled withamazement, exclaimed, "What kind of man
is this? for the very winds and waves obey him!" (WEY NIV)....
Exclaimed (45 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Matthew 8:27 and the men, filled withamazement, exclaimed, "What
kind of man is this?... Mark 7:37 Theamazement was extreme....
Meanwhile (38 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Acts 9:7 Meanwhile the men who travelled with Saul were standing dumb
withamazement, hearing a sound, but seeing no one. (WEY)....
Crowds (62 Occurrences)
... Matthew 7:28 When Jesus had concluded this discourse, the crowds were filled
withamazement at His teaching, (WEY DBY NAS RSV NIV)....
Astonied (12 Occurrences)
... as-ton'-isht, as-ton'-id (shamem, "astonished," the root idea being "silent," ie
struck dumb withamazement; ekplessomai, "to be struck with astonishment," as...
Resources
Who was Nathanael in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgShould Mark 16:9-20 be in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of “Physician, heal thyself” in Luke 4:23? | GotQuestions.orgAmazement: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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