Topical Encyclopedia
Blotting, in biblical terms, refers to the act of erasing or removing something, often used metaphorically to describe the removal of sin, guilt, or names from a record. This concept is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative and is significant in understanding the nature of divine forgiveness and judgment.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the idea of blotting is often associated with the removal of sin or the erasure of one's name from a record. One of the earliest mentions is found in
Exodus 32:32-33, where Moses intercedes for the Israelites after they sinned by worshiping the golden calf. Moses pleads with God, saying, "But now, if You would only forgive their sin. But if not, please blot me out of the book You have written." The LORD responds, "Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot out of My book." Here, blotting is linked to divine judgment and the removal of one's name from the book of life, symbolizing exclusion from God's covenant community.
In
Psalm 51:1, David cries out for mercy after his sin with Bathsheba, asking God to "blot out my transgressions." This plea highlights the desire for forgiveness and the removal of sin's stain, emphasizing God's ability to cleanse and restore.
New Testament ContextThe New Testament continues the theme of blotting, particularly in the context of Christ's redemptive work. In
Colossians 2:14, Paul writes about the spiritual transformation brought about by Christ's sacrifice: "having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross." The term "canceled" here is often understood as "blotted out," indicating the complete removal of the record of debt, symbolizing the forgiveness of sins through Christ's atoning death.
Revelation 3:5 also references blotting in the context of the book of life: "The one who overcomes will be clothed in white garments, and I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and His angels." This promise assures believers of their secure standing in Christ, emphasizing the permanence of salvation for those who remain faithful.
Theological SignificanceBlotting, as a theological concept, underscores the seriousness of sin and the necessity of divine intervention for its removal. It reflects the biblical understanding of God's justice and mercy, where sin must be addressed, yet forgiveness is available through repentance and faith. The imagery of blotting out sins conveys the completeness of God's forgiveness, offering believers assurance of their cleansed status before Him.
In summary, blotting in the Bible serves as a powerful metaphor for the removal of sin and the assurance of salvation, highlighting the transformative power of God's grace through Jesus Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Blot.
Library
Moses' Prayer to be Blotted Out of God's Book.
... That such was the purpose of Moses' prayer for himself is clearly indicated by the
answer which was given to it"For theblotting out of God's book, is...
Whether Anyone May be Blotted Out of the Book of Life?
... Objection 3: Further,blotting out is the contrary to inscription.... To this
it is that theblotting out of the book of life refers....
The New Covenant
... New Covenant was of such infinite worth, and its Mediator and High Priest in heaven
of such Divine power, there is promised in it such a Divineblotting out of...
Forgiveness Made Easy
... since Christ hath died. Theblotting out of sin seems hard till we see
the cross, and then it appears easy enough. I have looked...
Article xii (V): of Repentance.
... II. That by attrition we merit grace. III. That for theblotting out of
sin the mere detestation of the crime is sufficient. IV....
The Investigative Judgment.
... The work of the investigative judgment and theblotting out of sins is
to be accomplished before the second advent of the Lord....
Facing Life's Record
... The work of the investigative judgment and theblotting out of sins is
to be accomplished before the second advent of the Lord....
Book ix. In the Last Book we Treated of the Indistinguishable...
... your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, you I say, did He quicken
together with Him, having forgiven you all your trespasses,blotting out the...
Sermon
... help in maintaining our just cause, which we cannot doubt is indeed His cause, we
still must guard our actions and our thoughts, to prevent theblotting out of...
Opening Thoughts.
... The cancelling from our Bibles of the 11th chapter of St John would be like the
blotting out of the brightest planet from the spiritual firmament....
Thesaurus
Blotting (3 Occurrences)...Blotting (3 Occurrences).
... Isaiah 43:25 I -- I 'am' He who is
blotting out Thy
transgressions for Mine own sake, And thy sins I do not remember. (YLT).
...Pad (1 Occurrence)
... (n.) A kind of cushion for writing upon, or forblotting; esp., one formed of many
flat sheets of writing paper, or layers ofblotting paper; a block of paper....
Blot (23 Occurrences)
... Christ'sblotting out the handwriting of ordinances was his fulfilling the law
in our behalf (Colossians 2:14). Noah Webster's Dictionary....
Ink (4 Occurrences)
... The inference from the "blotting out" of Exodus 32:33 and Numbers 5:23 that the
Hebrew ink was a lamp-black and gum, or some other dry ink, is confirmed by the...
Forgiveness (124 Occurrences)
... Remission (Matthew 26:28 Mark 1:4 Luke 1:77; Luke 24:47 Acts 2:38; Acts 10:43 Hebrews
9:22; Hebrews 10:18) andblotting out (Psalm 51:1, 9 Isaiah 43:25...
Blotteth (1 Occurrence)
Cloud (119 Occurrences)
... The infirmities of old age, which come one after another, are compared by Solomon
to "clouds returning after the rain" (Ecclesiastes 12:2). Theblotting out of...
Hand-writing (1 Occurrence)
... Colossians 2:14Blotting out the hand-writing of ordinances that was against us,
which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross...
Handwriting (4 Occurrences)
... (Colossians 2:14). The "blotting out the handwriting" is the removal by the grace
of the gospel of the condemnation of the law which we had broken....
Writing (194 Occurrences)
... The passages which refer toblotting out (see below) or writing on papyrus (see
below) or refer to an ink-horn or ink (see respective articles) imply a pen or...
Resources
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