Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical contexts, the term "clearing" can refer to the act of making something free from obstruction or impurity, both in a physical and spiritual sense. This concept is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating God's desire for purity and holiness among His people.
Physical ClearingIn the Old Testament, physical clearing often involved the removal of idols and pagan altars from the land. This was a necessary step for the Israelites to maintain their covenant relationship with God. For instance, in
2 Chronicles 34:3-4, during the reign of King Josiah, it is recorded: "In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, Josiah began to seek the God of his father David. In the twelfth year, he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, Asherah poles, carved idols, and cast images." This act of clearing was essential for restoring true worship and obedience to God.
Spiritual ClearingSpiritually, clearing is associated with repentance and the removal of sin from one's life. The New Testament emphasizes the importance of clearing one's heart and mind to be in right standing with God. In
2 Corinthians 7:1, Paul exhorts believers: "Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." This call to spiritual clearing is a continuous process of sanctification, aligning one's life with the holiness of God.
Clearing in WorshipThe concept of clearing is also evident in the context of worship. In the Old Testament, the preparation of the temple and the priesthood involved a meticulous process of cleansing and sanctification. In
Leviticus 16, the Day of Atonement required the high priest to make atonement for himself and the people, symbolically clearing them of their sins before entering the Holy of Holies.
Jesus and ClearingJesus Christ exemplified the ultimate act of clearing through His sacrificial death and resurrection. He cleared the way for humanity to have direct access to God, removing the barrier of sin. In
John 2:14-16, Jesus cleared the temple of money changers, declaring, "Take these things away! Stop turning My Father’s house into a marketplace!" This act symbolized the need for purity in worship and foreshadowed the spiritual clearing He would accomplish through His atoning work.
Application for BelieversFor believers today, the concept of clearing involves both a personal and communal responsibility. Individually, Christians are called to examine their lives, confess sins, and seek God's forgiveness, as stated in 1
John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Communally, the church is tasked with maintaining doctrinal purity and encouraging one another in the faith, as seen in
Hebrews 10:24-25.
In summary, clearing in the biblical sense encompasses the removal of physical and spiritual impurities, aligning oneself with God's standards of holiness and righteousness. It is a recurring theme that underscores the necessity of purity in the life of a believer and the community of faith.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Clear.
2. (n.) The act or process of making clear.
3. (n.) A tract of land cleared of wood for cultivation.
4. (n.) A method adopted by banks and bankers for making an exchange of checks held by each against the others, and settling differences of accounts.
5. (n.) The gross amount of the balances adjusted in the clearing house.
Greek
627. apologia -- a speech in defense... answer for oneself,
clearing of self, defense. From the same as apologeomai; a plea
("apology") -- answer (for self),
clearing of self, defence.
...4297. prokope -- progress
... obstacles . [This root () is also used in antiquity of and --clearing away
(chopping down) forests in order to reach their destination.]....
Strong's Hebrew
5352. naqah -- to be empty or clean... unpunished (1), without guilt (1). acquit at all, altogether, be blameless,
cleanse, be
clearing, cut off. A primitive root; to be
...5047. negad -- to stream, flow
... issue. (Aramaic) corresponding to nagad; to flow (through the idea ofclearing the
way) -- issue. see HEBREW nagad. 5046, 5047. negad. 5048 . Strong's Numbers
Library
Clearing Showers. May 30.
...Clearing Showers. May 30. When a stream is swelled by a flood, a shower
of rain clears it. So in trouble, when the heart is turbid...
AClearing-Up Storm in the Realm
... VI."ACLEARING-UP STORM IN THE REALM. (Revelation, Chapters vi.-viii.).... The
clearing-up storm in his realm lasted a good while before good weather came....
The Introduction, with Some General Observations from the Cohesion...
... Theclearing up then of this truth cannot but be most seasonable now, when Satan
is prevailing with many, whom he cannot get tempted to looseness and profanity...
How Shall the Soul Make Use of Christ, as the Life, which is under...
... INFIDELITY. That we may help to give someclearing to a poor soul in this case,
we shall,... case. And for theclearing of this, consider,....
But Origen Also, You Will Tell Us, in Composing his Work Called...
... You used the expression: "This is notclearing yourself but only seeking abettors
of your crime." Apply this to yourself; your business is not to seek abettors...
The Outlook Changed.
... It was a bright October day, and he was riding along enjoying the air and view,
when all at once he came across a bit of aclearing in the trees, and in the...
Rom. vii. 14
... result, and after having thrown the hearer into a great deal of perplexity, he goes
on next to give the rationale of these events, after firstclearing the Law...
As He is Going to Reply to the Slanders of his Opponents He...
... For as they make our road difficult but do not close it, there is before us the
trouble ofclearing them away, rather than the fear of not being able to do so....
How to Make Use of Christ for Steadfastness, in a Time when Truth...
... 7. They should study much, and suck at the grand promise of his coming again, and
of finally dispelling all clouds, and of fullyclearing up his glorious truths...
Letter vii.
... itself beginning from the east, and going towards the edge of the sun's disc, then
receding back, and again, both the contact and the re-clearing [84] , not...
Thesaurus
Clearing (11 Occurrences)... 5. (n.) The gross amount of the balances adjusted in the
clearing house.
Multi-Version Concordance
Clearing (11 Occurrences).
...Vehement (10 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 7:11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly
sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, whatclearing of yourselves...
Untiled (1 Occurrence)
... 2:4 Finding themselves unable, however, to bring him to Jesus because of the crowd,
they untiled the roof just over His head, and afterclearing an opening...
Undertook (14 Occurrences)
... of his rule, while he was still young, his heart was first turned to the God of
his father David; and in the twelfth year he undertook theclearing away of all...
Unable (102 Occurrences)
... 2:4 Finding themselves unable, however, to bring him to Jesus because of the crowd,
they untiled the roof just over His head, and afterclearing an opening...
Opening (242 Occurrences)
... 2:4 Finding themselves unable, however, to bring him to Jesus because of the crowd,
they untiled the roof just over His head, and afterclearing an opening...
Long-suffering (23 Occurrences)
... Numbers 14:18 The LORD is long-suffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity
and transgression, and by no meansclearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity...
Lowered (14 Occurrences)
... 2:4 Finding themselves unable, however, to bring him to Jesus because of the crowd,
they untiled the roof just over His head, and afterclearing an opening...
Good-for-nothing (22 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Judges 20:13 Now give up those good-for-nothing persons in Gibeah so that
we may put them to death,clearing away the evil from Israel....
Woodlands (3 Occurrences)
... Joshua 17:15 Then Joshua said to them, If you are such a great people, go up into
the woodlands,clearing a place there for yourselves in the land of the...
Resources
Is God imaginary? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about meditation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Christian meditation? | GotQuestions.orgClearing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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