Topical Encyclopedia
Bleatings refer to the characteristic cries or sounds made by sheep and goats. In the Bible, the sound of bleating is often used metaphorically and literally to convey various spiritual and moral lessons. The bleating of sheep and goats is mentioned in several passages, serving as a vivid illustration of themes such as obedience, sacrifice, and discernment.
Biblical References:1.
1 Samuel 15:14 : "But Samuel replied, 'Then what is this bleating of sheep and lowing of cattle that I hear?'" This passage occurs in the context of King Saul's disobedience to God's command to completely destroy the Amalekites and all their possessions. The bleating of sheep serves as evidence of Saul's failure to fully obey God's instructions, highlighting the importance of complete obedience to divine commands.
2.
Isaiah 53:7 : "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so He did not open His mouth." While this verse does not explicitly mention bleating, it uses the imagery of a sheep to describe the suffering servant, traditionally understood as a prophecy of Jesus Christ. The silence of the sheep before its shearers contrasts with the typical bleating, emphasizing submission and sacrifice.
3.
Matthew 25:31-33 : "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on His left." While the passage does not directly mention bleating, the separation of sheep and goats is a powerful metaphor for judgment and discernment. The distinct sounds of bleating could symbolize the differences in behavior and character between the righteous (sheep) and the unrighteous (goats).
Theological Significance:In biblical literature, the sound of bleating often serves as a reminder of the need for discernment and obedience to God's will. The bleating of sheep and goats can symbolize the presence of sin or disobedience, as seen in the account of Saul's incomplete obedience. Conversely, the imagery of sheep in silence, as in
Isaiah 53:7, points to the virtues of submission and sacrifice, ultimately fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ.
The metaphorical use of sheep and goats in
Matthew 25 underscores the importance of righteous living and the ultimate judgment that awaits humanity. The distinct sounds of bleating may serve as a reminder of the need to live in accordance with God's commandments, distinguishing oneself as a faithful follower of Christ.
Cultural Context:In ancient Near Eastern culture, sheep and goats were common livestock, integral to the agrarian lifestyle of the Israelites. Their bleating would have been a familiar sound, making the biblical references to bleating accessible and relatable to the original audience. The use of such imagery would have resonated deeply, providing a tangible connection to the spiritual truths being conveyed.
Overall, the concept of bleatings in the Bible serves as a multifaceted symbol, rich with spiritual meaning and practical application for believers seeking to live in obedience to God's will.
Library
The Marvels of Holy Scripture, --Moral and Physical. --Jael's Deed...
... Asher had kept aloof from the encounter;"the first, in his rich pasture-land east
of the Jordan, abiding "among the sheepfolds, to hear thebleatings of the...
Christ Our Passover
... chosen to be offered, was taken away from the rest of the flock and kept alone by
itself, for two reasons: partly that by its constantbleatings they might be...
A view of God's Glory
... summits wave with adoration. Ye valleys, fill the air with thebleatings
of your sheep and the lowing of your cattle. Ye that have...
Job's Regret and Our Own
... How grievously often will the pastor hear this among the otherbleatings of the
sheep: "Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me...
The Creation of Luminous Bodies.
... beast. Why then should we frighten ourselves by the names of these stars
and undertake to persuade ourselves with thesebleatings?...
Thesaurus
Bleatings (1 Occurrence)... Multi-Version Concordance
Bleatings (1 Occurrence). Judges 5:16 Why abodest thou
among the sheepfolds, to hear the
bleatings of the flocks?
...Bleeding (9 Occurrences)
Bleating (1 Occurrence)
Abodest (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Abodest (1 Occurrence). Judges 5:16 Why abodest thou
among the sheepfolds, to hear thebleatings of the flocks?...
Sheep-folds (4 Occurrences)
... Judges 5:16 Why abodest thou among the sheep-folds, to hear thebleatings of the
flocks? For the divisions of Reuben there were great searchings of heart....
Divisions (92 Occurrences)
... heart. (KJV JPS BBE WBS YLT NAS). Judges 5:16 Why abodest thou among the
sheepfolds, to hear thebleatings of the flocks? For the...
Abode (112 Occurrences)
... the people. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Judges 5:16 Why abodest thou among the
sheepfolds, to hear thebleatings of the flocks? For the...
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