Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "backwards" in the Bible often symbolizes a return to a previous state, a regression in spiritual or moral condition, or a turning away from God. This theme is evident in various passages where the term is used both literally and metaphorically.
Literal Use:In some instances, "backwards" is used in a literal sense to describe physical movement or orientation. For example, in
Isaiah 38:8, the prophet Isaiah speaks of a miraculous sign given to King Hezekiah: "I will make the shadow cast by the sun go back the ten steps it has descended on the stairway of Ahaz." This event, where the shadow moves backwards, serves as a divine confirmation of God's promise to extend Hezekiah's life.
Metaphorical Use:More frequently, "backwards" is employed metaphorically to describe a spiritual or moral decline. In
Jeremiah 7:24, the prophet laments the stubbornness of the people of Judah: "Yet they did not listen or incline their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the stubbornness of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward." Here, "backward" signifies a departure from God's ways and a return to sinful behaviors.
Similarly, in
Isaiah 1:4, the prophet Isaiah rebukes the nation of Israel for their rebellion: "Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the LORD, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged." Although the term "backwards" is not explicitly used, the imagery of estrangement and forsaking God conveys a backward movement in their relationship with Him.
Spiritual Implications:The notion of moving backwards spiritually is a warning against apostasy and a call to repentance. In the New Testament, the writer of Hebrews cautions believers against falling away: "But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls" (
Hebrews 10:39). This exhortation underscores the importance of perseverance in faith and the dangers of regressing in one's spiritual journey.
Cultural and Historical Context:In the cultural and historical context of the Bible, moving backwards could also imply a lack of progress or a failure to achieve the goals set by God for His people. The Israelites' repeated cycle of sin, judgment, repentance, and deliverance throughout the Old Testament illustrates this pattern of moving backwards and forwards in their covenant relationship with God.
Theological Reflection:From a theological perspective, the concept of moving backwards serves as a reminder of the human tendency to revert to old ways and the constant need for divine grace and guidance. It highlights the importance of steadfastness in faith and the pursuit of holiness as believers strive to move forward in their walk with God.
In summary, the theme of "backwards" in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing literal, metaphorical, and spiritual dimensions. It serves as a powerful symbol of regression and a call to remain faithful to God's path.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
adv.) With the back in advance or foremost; as, to ride backward.
2. (adv.) Toward the back; toward the rear; as, to throw the arms backward.
3. (adv.) On the back, or with the back downward.
4. (adv.) Toward, or in, past time or events; ago.
5. (adv.) By way of reflection; reflexively.
6. (adv.) From a better to a worse state, as from honor to shame, from religion to sin.
7. (adv.) In a contrary or reverse manner, way, or direction; contrarily; as, to read backwards.
Greek
5288. hupostello -- to draw in, let down, draw back... 5288 (from 5259 , "under" and 4724 , "draw in") -- properly, draw under, pulling
back to (go
backwards); withdraw (shrink from); shun; "back off," especially
...3694. opiso -- back, behind, after
... after. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: opiso Phonetic Spelling:
(op-is'-o) Short Definition: behind, after Definition: behind, after; back,backwards....
Strong's Hebrew
322. achorannith --backwards... 321, 322. achorannith. 323 .
backwards. Transliteration: achorannith Phonetic
Spelling: (akh-o-ran-neeth') Short Definition: backward. Word Origin prol.
...Library
The Lesson of Memory
... They suggest a momentary consciousness of the swift passage of life, and naturally
lead us to a glancebackwards and forwards, both of which occupations ought...
This Region of Light must be Material if it is Joined to the...
... three white and one black; then suppose the three white pieces joined as one, and
conceive them as infinite upwards and downwards, andbackwards in all...
Concerning the Foreknowledge of God and the Free Will of Man, in...
... And further, if there is anything depending on our wills, we must gobackwards by
the same steps of reasoning till we arrive at the conclusion that there is no...
Whether the Operation of Contemplation is Fittingly Divided into a...
... Reply to Objection 3: These varieties of movement that are taken from the distinction
between above and below, right and left, forwards andbackwards, and from...
Memory, Hope, and Effort
... very few of the faculties of our nature which we more seldom try to regulate by
Christian principles than that great power which we have of lookingbackwards....
Acts of Sharbil, who was a Priest of Idols, and was Converted to...
... The judge said: Let his body be bentbackwards, and let straps be tied to his hands
and his feet; and, when he has been bentbackwards, let him be scourged on...
The Adventures of Saint Denis of France.
... after her to utter a tender adieu, instead of the lady, his nose came with such
force in contact with a pillar that he was sent sprawlingbackwards into the...
Missed Ends
... After the third piercing and walk, he throws the potbackwards over his
shoulder, and as it smashes the water all splashes out....
Jesus is Arrested.
... Malchus was instantly converted by the cure wrought upon him, and during the time
of the Passion his employment was to carry messagesbackwards and forwards to...
God did not Make Evil, nor is He at all in any Way the Author of...
... opinion, that the resurrection is without flesh, may find support; supposing rational
bones and flesh, and in different ways changing itbackwards and forwards...
Thesaurus
Backwards (3 Occurrences)... 7. (adv.) In a contrary or reverse manner, way, or direction; contrarily; as, to
read
backwards. Multi-Version Concordance
Backwards (3 Occurrences).
...Backward (39 Occurrences)
... ofBackwards.... Genesis 9:23 Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it on both their
shoulders, went inbackwards, and covered the nakedness of their father....
Nakedness (50 Occurrences)
... Genesis 9:23 Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it on both their shoulders,
went inbackwards, and covered the nakedness of their father....
Faces (158 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Genesis 9:23 Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it on both their
shoulders, went inbackwards, and covered the nakedness of their father....
Shoulders (38 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Genesis 9:23 Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it on both their
shoulders, went inbackwards, and covered the nakedness of their father....
Shem (17 Occurrences)
... Genesis 9:23 Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it on both their shoulders,
went inbackwards, and covered the nakedness of their father....
Japheth (12 Occurrences)
... Genesis 9:23 Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it on both their shoulders,
went inbackwards, and covered the nakedness of their father....
Shoulder (72 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Genesis 9:23 Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it on both their
shoulders, went inbackwards, and covered the nakedness of their father....
Walked (178 Occurrences)
... Genesis 9:23 Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it on both their shoulders,
went inbackwards, and covered the nakedness of their father....
Cover (254 Occurrences)
... Genesis 9:23 Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it on both their shoulders,
went inbackwards, and covered the nakedness of their father....
Resources
What is the kalam cosmological argument for the existence of God? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are some flaws in the theory of evolution? | GotQuestions.orgDoes Deuteronomy 22:28-29 command a rape victim to marry her rapist? | GotQuestions.orgBackwards: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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