Topical Encyclopedia
The term "brink" is not explicitly found in the Berean Standard Bible , but the concept of being on the edge or verge of something significant is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures. The idea of a brink often symbolizes a critical point of decision, a moment of impending change, or a threshold between two states of being. This concept can be seen in various narratives and teachings within the Bible.
Biblical Instances and Symbolism1.
The Brink of the Promised Land: One of the most vivid examples of a brink in the Bible is the Israelites standing on the edge of the Promised Land. After wandering in the wilderness for forty years, the Israelites, under the leadership of Joshua, stood at the brink of entering Canaan. This moment represented a transition from a nomadic life to settling in a land flowing with milk and honey, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham. The brink here symbolizes a moment of faith and obedience, as the Israelites had to trust in God's provision and guidance to conquer the land (
Joshua 1:2-6).
2.
The Brink of Destruction: The Bible also speaks of individuals and nations standing on the brink of destruction due to sin and disobedience. For instance, the city of Nineveh was on the brink of divine judgment when God sent Jonah to proclaim its impending doom. The people of Nineveh, however, repented, and God relented from bringing disaster upon them (
Jonah 3:4-10). This narrative highlights the brink as a point of potential disaster that can be averted through repentance and turning back to God.
3.
The Brink of Decision: In the New Testament, the rich young ruler stands on the brink of a life-changing decision when he encounters Jesus. Jesus tells him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me" (
Matthew 19:21). The young man, however, chooses to walk away, unable to part with his wealth. This moment illustrates the brink as a point of decision where one's choices determine their spiritual trajectory.
4.
The Brink of Redemption: The crucifixion of Jesus Christ represents humanity standing on the brink of redemption. As Jesus hung on the cross, He bore the sins of the world, offering salvation to all who would believe in Him. The thief on the cross next to Jesus experienced this brink firsthand. In his final moments, he recognized Jesus as Lord and was promised, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise" (
Luke 23:43). This moment signifies the brink as a transition from death to eternal life through faith in Christ.
Theological ImplicationsThe concept of the brink in the Bible often involves a test of faith, obedience, and the readiness to embrace God's will. It serves as a reminder of the importance of making godly choices when faced with pivotal moments in life. The brink can be a place of fear and uncertainty, but it is also an opportunity for growth, transformation, and the fulfillment of God's promises. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's sovereignty and guidance when standing on the brink, knowing that He is faithful to lead them through every challenge and into His purposes.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) The edge, margin, or border of a steep place, as of a precipice; a bank or edge, as of a river or pit; a verge; a border; as, the brink of a chasm. Also Fig.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BRINKbrink: saphah, or sepheth = "the lip," "margin," "bank," "edge" (Genesis 41:3Exodus 2:3;Exodus 7:15); qatseh, or qetseh = "an extremity," "border," "brim" (Joshua 3:8, 15Isaiah 19:7Daniel 12:5).
SeeBRIM.
Greek
5491. cheilos -- a lip, an edge... Transliteration: cheilos Phonetic Spelling: (khi'-los) Short Definition: a lip,
mouth, shore Definition: a lip, mouth, shore, edge,
brink; meton: language
...3790. ophrus -- an eyebrow
... Perhaps from optanomai (through the idea of the shading or proximity to the organ
of vision); the eye-"brow" or forehead, ie (figuratively) thebrink of a...
Strong's Hebrew
7097. qatseh -- end, extremity... end, extremity. Transliteration: qatseh Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-tseh') Short Definition:
after. after, border, brim,
brink, edge, end, infinite, frontier,
...8193. saphah -- lip, speech, edge
... 12), talk (1), talkative (1), words (2). band, bank, binding, border, brim,
brink, edge, language,. Or (in dual and plural) sepheth...
1428. gidyah -- bank
... Word Origin the same as gadah, qv. bank Or gadyah {gad-yaw'}; the same as gadah;
a riverbrink -- bank. see HEBREW gadah. 1427, 1428. gidyah. 1429 ....
Library
Argument. Perpetua, when Besieged by Her Father, Comforts Him when...
... And moreover, in the same place where Dinocrates was, there was a pool full of water,
having itsbrink higher than was the stature of the boy; and Dinocrates...
The Divine Pleader.
... from his moral slumber, and in the agonies of conviction, exclaiming, "What must
I do to be saved?""The Procrastinator sending up from thebrink of despair...
Christianity and Slavery.
... empire: "As many slaves, so many enemies." Hence the constant danger of servile
insurrections, which more than once brought the republic to thebrink of ruin...
Baptism unto Repentance
... Then we are led to thebrink of the precipice, and compelled to see the point at
which the primrose-path we are travelling ends in the fatal abyss....
Introduction.
... different, that you can bring fruit from their union. We stand here on the
brink of a great deep. For wise ends the system of nature has...
"O Wretched Man that I Am!"
... And now he is on thebrink of deliverance!... This man is on thebrink of that great
deliverance; the way has been prepared for the glorious eighth chapter....
Joseph and his Brethren
... And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river, ill favoured
and leanfleshed; and stood by the other kine upon thebrink of the river....
"Love and I" --A Mystery
... with the eleven whom he had chosen, and who had consorted with him from the beginning;
a prayer under such circumstances, when he was just on thebrink of the...
An Address to the Man who is Down
... young men. There are men here who are lost in the abyss; but there are
more men who are on thebrink of the precipice. Temptation...
The Believing Thief
... Behold the wonder wrought by the Saviour when emptied of all his glory,
and hanged up a spectacle of shame upon thebrink of death!...
Thesaurus
Brink (11 Occurrences)... (n.) The edge, margin, or border of a steep place, as of a precipice; a bank or
edge, as of a river or pit; a verge; a border; as, the
brink of a chasm.
...BRINK.
...Border (233 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The outer part or edge of anything, as
of a garment, a garden, etc.; margin; verge;brink. 2. (n...
Kine (24 Occurrences)
... parah, ie, "fruitful"), mentioned in Pharaoh's dream (Genesis 41:18). Here the word
denotes "buffaloes," which fed on the reeds and sedge by the river'sbrink....
Borders (104 Occurrences)
... yerekhdh = "the flank," "the side," "the coast," hence, "the border" occurs in Genesis
49:13; qatseh = "an extremity" "brim," "brink," "edge" (Exodus 16:35...
Brim (9 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The edge or margin, as of a fountain, or of the water contained in it; the
brink; border. 3. (n.) The rim of a hat. 4. (vi) To be full to the brim....
Shore (45 Occurrences)
... 11:4 Judges 7:12 1 Samuel 13:5 1 Kings 4:29); the shore of the Red Sea or Gulf of
`Aqabah by Ezion-geber (1 Kings 9:26 2 Chronicles 8:17); thebrink of the...
River (189 Occurrences)
... Genesis 41:3 Behold, seven other cattle came up after them out of the river, ugly
and thin, and stood by the other cattle on thebrink of the river....
Ugly (7 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Genesis 41:3 Behold, seven other cattle came up after them out of the
river, ugly and thin, and stood by the other cattle on thebrink of the river....
Jordan's (4 Occurrences)
... Joshua 3:8 And thou shalt command the priests that bear the ark of the covenant,
saying: When ye are come to thebrink of the waters of the Jordan, ye shall...
Lean-fleshed (3 Occurrences)
... Genesis 41:3 And, behold, seven other kine came up after them out of the river,
ill-favored and lean-fleshed, and stood by the other kine upon thebrink of the...
Resources
What does it mean that even the demons believe (James 2:19)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about near death experiences? | GotQuestions.orgDoes the Bible say anything about how to deal with puberty? | GotQuestions.orgBrink: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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