Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terminology, the term "channels" often refers to natural or man-made waterways that direct the flow of water. These channels can be literal, such as rivers and streams, or metaphorical, symbolizing spiritual or divine pathways. The concept of channels is significant in understanding the physical and spiritual landscapes of the Bible.
Literal Channels1.
Rivers and Streams: In the Bible, channels are frequently associated with rivers and streams, which are vital for sustaining life and agriculture. For instance, the Euphrates River is one of the four rivers mentioned in the Garden of Eden (
Genesis 2:14). The channels of these rivers provided water necessary for the flourishing of early civilizations.
2.
Irrigation and Agriculture: Channels were also used for irrigation, a critical aspect of agriculture in ancient times. The Israelites, like other ancient peoples, relied on channels to bring water to their crops, ensuring food security and prosperity. This is reflected in the description of the Promised Land as "a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive oil and honey" (
Deuteronomy 8:8), which would have required effective water management.
Metaphorical Channels1.
Divine Provision and Guidance: Channels can symbolize the means by which God provides for and guides His people. In
Isaiah 43:19, God declares, "Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert" . Here, channels represent God's provision and the miraculous ways He sustains His people.
2.
Spiritual Pathways: Channels can also denote spiritual pathways or conduits through which God's blessings and grace flow. In
Psalm 1:3, the righteous man is likened to "a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither, and who prospers in all he does" . The channels of water here symbolize the spiritual nourishment and stability provided by a life rooted in God's Word.
Symbolism in Prophecy and Vision1.
Ezekiel's Vision: In
Ezekiel 47, the prophet describes a vision of a river flowing from the temple, bringing life and healing wherever it goes. This river, with its channels, symbolizes the life-giving presence of God and the restoration of His people. "Wherever the river flows, there will be swarms of living creatures, and there will be a great multitude of fish, because it flows there and makes the waters fresh" (
Ezekiel 47:9).
2.
Revelation: In the book of Revelation, the imagery of channels is present in the depiction of the New Jerusalem.
Revelation 22:1-2 describes "the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city" . This river represents the eternal life and unending blessings that flow from God to His people.
Practical and Spiritual ImplicationsThe concept of channels in the Bible underscores the importance of both physical and spiritual sustenance. Just as physical channels are essential for the survival and prosperity of a community, spiritual channels are vital for the growth and flourishing of one's faith. Believers are encouraged to remain connected to these spiritual channels through prayer, scripture, and community, ensuring a continuous flow of divine grace and guidance in their lives.
Greek
3853. paraggello -- to transmit a message, to order... 3853 (from 3844 , "from close-beside" and , "inform") -- properly, to charge, give
a command that is because it has gone through all the (necessary)
channels.
...Strong's Hebrew
650. aphiq -- a channel... Word Origin from aphaq Definition a channel NASB Word Usage brooks (3),
channels (3), ravines (6), streams (3), strong (1), torrents (1), tubes (1).
...6388. peleg -- a channel, canal
... streams. Word Origin from palag Definition a channel, canal NASB Word Usage
channels (1), stream (1), streams (8). river, stream....
8585a. tealah -- a watercourse
... Word Origin from alah Definition a watercourse NASB Word Usage channel (1),channels
(1), conduit (4), trench (3). 8585, 8585a. tealah. 8585b ....
2975. yeor -- stream (of the Nile), stream, canal
... Word Origin of foreign origin Definition stream (of the Nile), stream, canal NASB
Word Usage canals (1),channels (1), Nile (44), Nile canals (1), river (5...
Library
ChokedChannels.
... CHOKEDCHANNELS. An Odd Distinction. A few years ago I was making a brief
tour among the colleges of Missouri. I remember one morning...
The Most Ordinary Things areChannels of Grace.
... RENDERED BY THE FATHERLY PROVIDENCE OF GOD TO THOSE SOULS WHO HAVE ABANDONED THEMSELVES
TO HIM: SECTION IV."The Most Ordinary Things areChannels of Grace....
"Make this Valley Full of Ditches. " 2 Kings, iii. , 16
... was no water." Application was made to the prophet Elisha, who declared that there
should soon be plenty, but that the army must at once makechannels for it...
Israel and the Nations.
... With Him all saints are connected by thechannels of faith. And when, after
His ascension, this connection with His saints was completed...
Simon's Interpretation of the Mosaic Hexaemeron; his Allegorical...
... This navel, he says, is separated into four principles; for on either side of the
navel are situated two arteries,channels of spirit, and two veins,channels...
The Means of Grace
... the gospel? Are there, under the Christian dispensation, any means ordained
of God, as the usualchannels of his grace? This question...
None of These Answers Will You Give Us. You Turn to Other Things...
... after the Apostle, spiritual bodies forever; and not only the bodies, but the actual
flesh, with blood infused into it, and passing bychannels through the...
The Great Reservoir
... sage counsellor should propose that all the piping had better be taken up and fresh
pipes laid down so that the water might run through freshchannels; but who...
Voyage to Benares.
... north-west (we believe none ply now) had to make a great detour, to go down the
Hoogly to Saugor Island, and then to proceed by one of thechannels there found...
The Great Reservoir
... counsellor should propose that all the piping had better be taken up, and fresh
pipes laid down, so that the water might run through freshchannels; but who...
Thesaurus
Channels (10 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Channels (10 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 22:16 Then the
channels of the sea appeared.
... Job 28:10 He cuts out
channels among the rocks.
...Channel (3 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) That through which anything passes; means of passing, conveying, or
transmitting; as, the news was conveyed to us by differentchannels....
Quarries (4 Occurrences)
... Another method, which is employed where stones of great size are wanted, is to carve
the stones out of the rock by cuttingchannels around them with the pick....
Flute (16 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A channel of curved section; -- usually applied to one of a vertical series
of suchchannels used to decorate columns and pilasters in classical...
Exposed (39 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). 2 Samuel 22:16 Then thechannels of the sea appeared. The... (See
NIV). Psalms 18:15 Then thechannels of waters appeared. The...
Canals (5 Occurrences)
... Thus ye'orim, Niles, came to be used. As only the mainchannels of the Nile had
much current, the ye'orim came naturally to convey the idea of sluggishness....
Foundations (49 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). 2 Samuel 22:16 Then thechannels of the
sea appeared.... Psalms 18:15 Then thechannels of waters appeared....
Euphrates (36 Occurrences)
... numerous other ancient cities. Originally the Euphrates and Tigris entered
into the Persian Gulf by separatechannels. At that time...
Discovered (46 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 22:16 And thechannels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world
were discovered, at the rebuking of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of...
Graecia
... the rivers of Greece were much like the arroyos of the Southwest portion of the
USA, which are in winter raging mountain torrents, and in summer drychannels....
Resources
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