Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context:Bewilderment refers to a state of confusion or perplexity, often resulting from a lack of understanding or clarity. In the biblical context, bewilderment can arise from various situations, including divine actions, human decisions, or spiritual experiences that challenge human comprehension.
Biblical Instances and Themes:1.
Divine Actions and Human Perception: Throughout Scripture, God's actions often lead to human bewilderment due to His ways being higher than human ways (
Isaiah 55:8-9). For instance, the Israelites frequently experienced bewilderment during their exodus from Egypt. Despite witnessing miraculous events, they struggled to understand God's plans, leading to confusion and doubt (
Exodus 14:10-12).
2.
Prophetic Visions and Messages: Prophets in the Bible often received visions and messages that were initially bewildering. Daniel, for example, was perplexed by the visions he received, which required divine interpretation (
Daniel 8:27). Similarly, Ezekiel experienced bewilderment when confronted with the complex and symbolic visions of God's glory (
Ezekiel 1:1-28).
3.
Jesus' Teachings and Actions: The teachings and actions of Jesus Christ frequently left His followers and the crowds bewildered. His parables, such as the Parable of the Sower, often required deeper reflection and explanation (
Matthew 13:10-17). Additionally, His miracles, such as calming the storm, left the disciples in awe and confusion about His true identity (
Mark 4:41).
4.
The Early Church and Spiritual Gifts: The early church experienced bewilderment as they encountered the work of the Holy Spirit. On the day of Pentecost, the outpouring of the Spirit and the speaking in tongues left many in the crowd bewildered, questioning the meaning of these events (
Acts 2:12).
5.
Human Decisions and Consequences: Bewilderment can also result from human decisions that lead to unexpected consequences. King Saul's disobedience and subsequent rejection by God left him in a state of confusion and despair (
1 Samuel 15:24-28). Similarly, the Babylonian exile was a period of bewilderment for the Israelites as they grappled with the consequences of their unfaithfulness (
Lamentations 1:1-3).
Spiritual Implications:·
Trust in God's Sovereignty: In times of bewilderment, believers are encouraged to trust in God's sovereignty and wisdom.
Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
·
Seeking Divine Guidance: Prayer and seeking God's guidance are crucial when facing bewilderment.
James 1:5 promises, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him."
·
Faith and Perseverance: Faith is essential in navigating bewildering circumstances.
Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see," encouraging believers to persevere despite confusion.
Conclusion:While bewilderment is a common human experience, the Bible provides guidance and assurance that God is in control, even when His ways are beyond our understanding. Through faith, prayer, and reliance on God's wisdom, believers can navigate the complexities of life with confidence and hope.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The state of being bewildered.
2. (n.) A bewildering tangle or confusion.
Greek
1611. ekstasis -- a displacement (of the mind), iebewilderment...... a displacement (of the mind), ie
bewilderment, ecstasy. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: ekstasis Phonetic Spelling: (ek'-stas-is) Short
...687. ara -- an untranslatable interrog. particle implying anxiety...
... and the . Depending on the context, 687 () will emphasize the aspect of
hesitation,bewilderment, etc. (JB Lightfoot). Word Origin...
Strong's Hebrew
8541. timmahon --bewilderment... 8540, 8541. timmahon. 8542 .
bewilderment. Transliteration: timmahon Phonetic
Spelling: (tim-maw-hone') Short Definition:
bewilderment.
...Library
A Dialogue with God
... The 'Wherefore?' of our text is widely asked in the present day as an expression
of utterbewilderment at the miseries of humanity, both in the wide area of...
Blessed be He who Became Beyond Measure Low, that He Might Make us...
... too narrow to hold, the greatness of the Firstborn."How then sufficed for it, that
bosom of Mary?"Marvellous if it sufficed,bewilderment if it sufficed not...
Why Christ Speaks
... Of course, there could be nothing more productive of intellectualbewilderment,
and more likely to lead to doubt as to one's own convictions, than to find...
The Risen Lord's Self-Revelation to Wavering Disciples
... broken, out flows a torrent of speech, in which love and grief, disciples' pride
in their Master, and shattered hopes, incredulousbewilderment and questioning...
The Note of Edification.
... Of course there is truth in it all, but it is also true that men need, most of all,
the knowledge of God, and that, whateverbewilderment may exist in relation...
The Holy Spirit's Intercession
... divine help. and hence he is "a very present help in time of trouble.". Coming
to our aid in ourbewilderment he instructs us. This is...
The Method of the New Theology, and Some of Its Applications
... Never has there been fresher air in that dusty realm than there is to-day; and if
we pay the price for our freedom inbewilderment or doubt, in the suspicion...
Forward
... For how many have said inbewilderment at the richness of language and profusion
of figure which both conceal and reveal its meaning, "How can I understand...
Alive or Dead --Which?
... he found that a description of the inner work must be accompanied by the publication
of the gospel of faith, or it would only causebewilderment and depression...
Prepositional Phrases
... beggared of faith. bent of mind. betrayal of trust. bevy of maidens.bewilderment
of feeling. birds of prey. bit of portraiture. bitterness of anguish....
Thesaurus
Bewilderment (7 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Bewilderment (7 Occurrences).
... Psalms 60:3 Thou hast shewn
thy people hard things; thou hast made us to drink the wine of
bewilderment.
...Goblet (6 Occurrences)
... of his fury. Thou hast drunk, hast drained out the goblet-cup ofbewilderment:
(DBY YLT NIV). Isaiah 51:22 thus saith thy Lord, Jehovah...
Bewitch (1 Occurrence)
Bewildered (11 Occurrences)
Nicodemus (5 Occurrences)
... see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). This was interpreted by Nicodemus only in its
materialistic sense, and therefore caused himbewilderment and confusion...
Goblet-cup (1 Occurrence)
... Isaiah 51:22 thus saith thy Lord, Jehovah, and thy God, who pleadeth the cause of
his people, Behold, I take out of thy hand the cup ofbewilderment, the goblet...
Wild (147 Occurrences)
... 7. (superl.) Indicating strong emotion, intense excitement, or /bewilderment; as,
a wild look. 8. (superl.) Hard to steer; -- said of a vessel....
Trance (7 Occurrences)
... 15). In Shakespearean English, "trance" means a dream (Taming of the Shrew,
I, i, 182), or simply abewilderment (Lucrece, 1595)....
Perplexity (8 Occurrences)
... state of being perplexed or puzzled; complication; intricacy; entanglement; distraction
of mind through doubt or difficulty; embarrassment;bewilderment; doubt...
Billow (1 Occurrence)
... Luke 21:25 "There will be signs in sun, moon, and stars; and on earth anguish among
the nations in theirbewilderment at the roaring of the sea and its billows...
Resources
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