Topical Encyclopedia
The term "astounding" refers to something that causes amazement or wonder, often due to its extraordinary nature. In the context of the Bible, events, miracles, and teachings that evoke a sense of awe and wonder can be considered astounding. The Bible is replete with instances where God's power and wisdom are displayed in ways that leave witnesses in awe.
Old Testament Examples1.
Creation: The creation account in Genesis is one of the most astounding narratives in the Bible. God's ability to create the universe and everything in it by His word alone is a testament to His omnipotence.
Genesis 1:1-3 states, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light."
2.
The Exodus: The deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt is filled with astounding miracles, such as the parting of the Red Sea.
Exodus 14:21-22 describes this event: "Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left."
3.
Prophetic Revelations: The prophecies given to the prophets, such as Isaiah and Daniel, often contained astounding visions and messages about future events.
Daniel 7:13-14 records a vision of the coming of the Son of Man: "In my vision in the night I continued to watch, and I saw One like the Son of Man coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into His presence. And He was given dominion, glory, and kingship, that the people of every nation and language should serve Him."
New Testament Examples1.
The Incarnation: The birth of Jesus Christ is an astounding event, marking the moment when God became flesh. The angel's announcement to Mary in
Luke 1:30-31 highlights this: "So the angel told her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus.'"
2.
Miracles of Jesus: The miracles performed by Jesus during His earthly ministry were astounding to those who witnessed them. For example, the calming of the storm in
Mark 4:39-41 left the disciples in awe: "Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. 'Silence!' He commanded. 'Be still!' And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm. 'Why are you so afraid?' He asked. 'Do you still have no faith?' Overwhelmed with fear, they asked one another, 'Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?'"
3.
The Resurrection: The resurrection of Jesus is perhaps the most astounding event in the New Testament, serving as the cornerstone of Christian faith. In
Matthew 28:5-6 , the angel announces the resurrection: "But the angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said! Come, see the place where He lay.'"
Theological SignificanceAstounding events in the Bible often serve to reveal God's character, power, and plan for humanity. They demonstrate His sovereignty over creation, His ability to intervene in human history, and His ultimate purpose of redemption through Jesus Christ. These events are not merely historical accounts but are intended to inspire faith and trust in God, encouraging believers to recognize His hand at work in both the miraculous and the mundane aspects of life.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Astound.
2. (a.) of a nature to astound; astonishing; amazing; as, an astounding force, statement, or fact.
Library
The Fear Felt by the Inhabitants of Jerusalem.
... Pilate sent for some of the ancients and asked them what they thought theastounding
darkness could possible portend, and said that he himself considered it a...
David's Gratitude
... divine inspiration, in David, as contained in Nathan's message But this thanksgiving
prayer, which was the immediate reflection of theastounding new message...
His Public Life.
... We should naturally suppose that such an uncommon personage, setting up the most
astounding claims and proposing the most extraordinary work, would surround...
Holding Fast and Held Fast
... He had not become accustomed to theastounding miracle of walking, nor learned to
balance himself and accomplish the still moreastounding feat of standing...
Christ
... all these utterances are remarkable enough, but these are not theastounding
thing he said. Theastounding, the unspeakably extraordinary...
Period ii. The Church from the Permanent Division of the Empire...
... He wrote also other works on Martin. Theastounding miracles they contain present
curious problems for the student of ethics as well as of history. As St....
The Epistle Written by Malchion,
... thing of the quackery which he practises in the ecclesiastical assemblies, in the
way of courting popularity and making a great parade, andastounding by such...
The Church and the Young Man.
... Notwithstanding theastounding character of Absalom's rebellion; though the mind
of the sovereign and father of his people is torn with indignation at this...
Answers to Prayer
... DL MOODY. Had there been a direct revelation from heaven, it could not have been
moreastounding than this, to the heart of that Christian....
Lives of Faith and Trust
... The record is the mostastounding in the faith of the Christian religion, and the
power and providence of God to answer prayer, that modern times can show....
Thesaurus
Astounding (2 Occurrences)... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Astound. 2. (a.) of a nature to astound; astonishing; amazing;
as, an
astounding force, statement, or fact.
...Astounding (2 Occurrences).
...Astounded (12 Occurrences)
Rousing (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Having power to awaken or excite; exciting. 3. (a.) Very great; violent;
astounding; as, a rousing fire; a rousing lie. Multi-Version Concordance...
Astray (116 Occurrences)
Parousia
... Anti-eschatological: Sharman, The Teaching of Jesus about the Future (minute criticism,
inadequate premises, someastounding exegesis); Bacon, The Beginnings...
Joseph (248 Occurrences)
... that he claims two exodi, two Josephs, two Aarons, two lawgivers called Moses, and
two givings of the law, a case of critical doublets moreastounding than any...
Resources
Who was Hudson Taylor? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did God command Abraham to sacrifice Isaac? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about overcoming grief? | GotQuestions.orgAstounding: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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