Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "bridge" does not appear explicitly in the text. However, the concept of a bridge, as a structure that connects two separate points, can be metaphorically related to various biblical themes and narratives. The idea of bridging gaps, whether physical, spiritual, or relational, is prevalent throughout Scripture.
Metaphorical Bridges in Scripture1.
Reconciliation through Christ: One of the most profound metaphorical bridges in the Bible is the reconciliation between God and humanity through Jesus Christ. Sin created a chasm between God and man, but Christ's sacrificial death and resurrection serve as the bridge that restores this broken relationship. As stated in
2 Corinthians 5:18-19 , "All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men’s trespasses against them."
2.
Unity among Believers: The early church faced divisions between Jews and Gentiles, yet the Gospel served as a bridge to unite all believers into one body.
Ephesians 2:14-16 highlights this unity: "For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing in His flesh the law of commandments and decrees. He did this to create in Himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and reconciling both of them to God in one body through the cross, by which He extinguished their hostility."
3.
Bridging the Gap of Understanding: The role of the Holy Spirit can also be seen as a bridge, providing believers with understanding and wisdom. In
John 16:13 , Jesus promises, "However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come."
Bridges in Biblical NarrativesWhile physical bridges are not mentioned, the Bible contains accounts of crossings that required divine intervention, symbolizing God's provision and guidance:
1.
The Red Sea Crossing: In
Exodus 14, God miraculously parts the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. This event serves as a powerful symbol of God's ability to bridge seemingly insurmountable obstacles for His people.
2.
The Jordan River Crossing: In
Joshua 3, the Israelites cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land. The priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant step into the river, and the waters are halted, allowing the people to cross. This crossing signifies God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises.
Bridges in Christian LifeIn the life of a believer, the concept of a bridge can be applied to the call to be peacemakers and agents of reconciliation.
Matthew 5:9 states, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." Christians are encouraged to bridge gaps in relationships, fostering peace and understanding in a divided world.
ConclusionWhile the Bible does not mention physical bridges, the metaphorical and narrative elements related to bridging gaps are rich and significant. These themes underscore God's desire for reconciliation, unity, and understanding among His people, ultimately pointing to the redemptive work of Christ as the ultimate bridge between God and humanity.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A structure, usually of wood, stone, brick, or iron, erected over a river or other water course, or over a chasm, railroad, etc., to make a passageway from one bank to the other.
2. (n.) Anything supported at the ends, which serves to keep some other thing from resting upon the object spanned, as in engraving, watchmaking, etc., or which forms a platform or staging over which something passes or is conveyed.
3. (n.) The small arch or bar at right angles to the strings of a violin, guitar, etc., serving of raise them and transmit their vibrations to the body of the instrument.
4. (n.) A device to measure the resistance of a wire or other conductor forming part of an electric circuit.
5. (n.) A low wall or vertical partition in the fire chamber of a furnace, for deflecting flame, etc.; -- usually called a bridge wall.
6. (v. t.) To build a bridge or bridges on or over; as, to bridge a river.
7. (v. t.) To open or make a passage, as by a bridge.
8. (v. t.) To find a way of getting over, as a difficulty; -- generally with over.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BRIDGEbrij (gephura, 2 Maccabees 12:13 the King James Version; the Revised Version (British and American) GEPHYRUN): Does not occur in the canonical Scriptures, unless it be indirectly in the proper name Geshur (geshur,2 Samuel 3:3;2 Samuel 13:37;2 Samuel 15:81 Chronicles 2:23, and others). The so-called Jacob's bridge is said to mark the site where Jacob crossed the upper Jordan on his return from Paddan-aram, but, of course, does not date from the time of the patriarch. There are traces of ancient bridges across the Jordan in the vicinity of the Lake of Gennesaret, over the Arnon and over other rivers which enter the Jordan from the east; but none of them seem to date farther back than the Roman period.Nahum 2:6, in which the Chaldaic paraphrase renders "bridges," evidently refers to dikes or weirs. Judas Maccabeus is said to have planted a bridge in order to besiege the town of Casphor (2 Maccabees 12:13). Josephus (Ant., V, i, 3) tells us that the Jordan, before the passage of the Israelites, had never been bridged, evidently implying that in his own time bridges had been constructed over it, which was the case, under the Romans. The bridge connecting the temple with the upper part of the city of which Josephus speaks (War, VI, vi, 2; Ant, XV, xi, 5) probably was a viaduct.
Frank E. Hirsch
Greek
1492. eido -- be aware, behold, consider, perceive... 1492 () then is physical seeing (sight) which should be the constant
bridge to
mental and spiritual seeing (). Word Origin see eidon and oida.
...Strong's Hebrew
1650. Geshur -- a territory East of the upper Jordan, also inhab....... Geshur, Geshurite. From an unused root (meaning to join);
bridge; Geshur, a district
of Syria -- Geshur, Geshurite. 1649, 1650. Geshur. 1651 .
...Library
Death of ArchdeaconBridge
... Death of ArchdeaconBridge.... ArchdeaconBridge was prematurely carried off, in the
midst of his zealous and successful labours, at the end of February, 1856....
Death of Maxentius on theBridge of the Tiber.
... The Life of the blessed emperor constantine, by eusebius pamphilus. Book I. Chapter
XXXVIII."Death of Maxentius on theBridge of the Tiber....
1877-1879. "They Helped Every one his Neighbour" --Miss Child, a...
... helped every one his neighbour""Miss Child, a fellow-labourer "The work in Ratcliff
Highway"Strangers' Rest for Sailors""Welcome Home"""Bridge of Hope...
"Keep Step. "
... easy task. I remember one October morning walking across an old
smoke-begrimedbridge that spans the Ohio at Cincinnati. My eye...
Mobbed by Masons
... friends to keep at a distance. Some masons were at work on the firstbridge,
who gave us some coarse words. We had abundance more as...
Chapter twenty-two
... It was midnight on BlackfriarsBridge.... The figure of a child came upon thebridge
and stood there for a moment peering about as if looking for some one....
The Little Girl who Died to Save Her Father's Life
... A huge rock had fallen down the mountain side, and lodged in the ravine, and thus
made a naturalbridge, so that those who wished to pass from one side of the...
And Now a Civil War Broke Out Between Constantine and Maxentius. ....
... with steady courage and a mind prepared for every event, led his whole forces to
the neighbourhood of Rome, and encamped them opposite to the Milvianbridge....
The Buildings of More Eminent Note in Sion.
... III. There was abridge, leading from the Xystus unto the Temple, and joining
the Temple to Sion. "Abridge joined the Temple to...
How St Francis Converted Certain Robbers and Assassins, who Became...
... preparest for me another horrible and dangerous journey." Then the angel touching
him, he became whole and strong; after which he led him to abridge, which it...
Thesaurus
Bridge... 5. (n.) A low wall or vertical partition in the fire chamber of a furnace,
for deflecting flame, etc.; -- usually called a
bridge wall.
...Jordan (188 Occurrences)
... A few miles farther up the river on the road leading from Jericho to es-Salt, near
the mouth of the Wady Nimrin, there is now abridge where the dependence was...
Kishon (6 Occurrences)
... Here it is now spanned by a substantialbridge, while the railway crosses a little
higher up.... The main traffic here is now carried by a woodenbridge....
Geshur (11 Occurrences)
...Bridge, the name of a district or principality of Syria near Gilead, between Mount
Hermon and the Lake of Tiberias (2 Samuel 15:8; 1 Chronicles 2:23)....
Tyropoeon
... This valley, now filled up with a vast accumulation of rubbish, and almost a plain,
was spanned by bridges, the most noted of which was ZionBridge, which was...
Euphrates (36 Occurrences)
... portion the river formed the ancient boundary between the Assyrians and Hittites
whose capital was at Carchemish, where there are the remains of an oldbridge....
Anchor (4 Occurrences)
... contrivance serving a purpose like that of a ship's anchor, as an arrangement of
timber to hold a dam fast; a contrivance to hold the end of abridge cable, or...
Arch (24 Occurrences)
... There are also still found the remains of an arch, known as Robinson's Arch, of
thebridge connecting Zion and Moriah. (see TYROPOEON VALLEY.)....
Babel (3 Occurrences)
... affairs. Other works were abridge across the Euphrates, and a tomb for
herself over the most frequented gate of the city. Both...
Babylon (270 Occurrences)
... affairs. Other works were abridge across the Euphrates, and a tomb for
herself over the most frequented gate of the city. Both...
Resources
What does it mean that even the demons believe (James 2:19)? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I overcome a crisis of faith? | GotQuestions.orgDo human beings truly have a free will? | GotQuestions.orgBridge: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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