Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical literature, the term "degrees" is often associated with the concept of steps or stages, particularly in the context of ascension or progression. This term is most notably referenced in the context of the "degrees" on the sundial of Ahaz and the Songs of Ascents.
Sundial of AhazThe sundial of Ahaz is mentioned in the context of a miraculous sign given to King Hezekiah. In
2 Kings 20:8-11 and
Isaiah 38:7-8, Hezekiah, who was ill, asked for a sign from the Lord to confirm his healing. The prophet Isaiah offered a choice: should the shadow on the sundial go forward ten degrees or backward ten degrees? Hezekiah chose for the shadow to go backward, and the Lord caused the shadow to retreat ten degrees as a sign of His promise to heal Hezekiah and extend his life by fifteen years. This event underscores God's sovereignty over time and nature, demonstrating His power to alter the natural order as a sign of His faithfulness and mercy.
Songs of AscentsThe term "degrees" is also associated with the "Songs of Ascents," a collection of fifteen psalms (Psalms 120-134) traditionally understood to be sung by pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem for the three major feasts: Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. The Hebrew term "ma'alot," often translated as "ascents" or "degrees," suggests a journey of spiritual elevation and preparation as the faithful approached the holy city and the temple.
These psalms reflect themes of trust in God, the joy of worship, and the anticipation of divine blessing. They capture the essence of pilgrimage, both physical and spiritual, as believers seek a closer relationship with God. The Songs of Ascents emphasize the importance of community, worship, and reliance on God's protection and provision.
Symbolism and InterpretationIn a broader symbolic sense, "degrees" can represent spiritual growth and progression in the life of a believer. Just as the shadow on the sundial moved in response to God's command, so too are believers called to move forward in their faith journey, growing in grace and knowledge of the Lord. The concept of degrees can also be seen in the progressive nature of sanctification, where believers are transformed into the likeness of Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit.
The use of "degrees" in these contexts highlights the dynamic nature of faith, where believers are continually called to ascend in their spiritual walk, drawing nearer to God and experiencing His presence in deeper ways.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Degrees, Song of
Song of steps, a title given to each of these fifteen psalms, 120-134 inclusive. The probable origin of this name is the circumstance that these psalms came to be sung by the people on the ascents or goings up to Jerusalem to attend the three great festivals (Deuteronomy 16:16). They were well fitted for being sung by the way from their peculiar form, and from the sentiments they express. "They are characterized by brevity, by a key-word, by epanaphora [i.e, repetition], and by their epigrammatic style...More than half of them are cheerful, and all of them hopeful." They are sometimes called "Pilgrim Songs." Four of them were written by David, one (127) by Solomon, and the rest are anonymous.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
DEGREES, SONGS OF(shir ha-ma`aloth; Septuagint ode ton anabathmon; Vulgate (Jerome's Latin Bible, 390-405 A.D.) canticum graduum, the Revised Version (British and American) "a song of ascents"): The title prefixed to 15 psalms (Pss 120-134) as to the significance of which there are four views:
(1) The Jewish interpretation. According to the Mishna, Middoth 2 5, Cukkah 51b, there was in the temple a semi-circular flight of stairs with 15 steps which led from the court of the men of Israel down to the court of the women. Upon these stairs the Levites played on musical instruments on the evening of the first day of Tabernacles. Later Jewish writers say that the 15 psalms derived their title from the 15 steps.
(2) Gesenius, Delitzsch and others affirm that these psalms derive their name from the step-like progressive rhythm of their thoughts. They are called Songs of Degrees because they move forward climactically by means of the resumption of the immediately preceding word. But this characteristic is not found in several of the group.
(3) Theodoret and other Fathers explain these 15 hymns as traveling songs of the returning exiles. InEzra 7:9 the return from exile is called "the going up (ha-ma`alah) from Babylon." Several of the group suit this situation quite well, but others presuppose the temple and its stated services.
(4) The most probable view is that the hymns were sung by pilgrim bands on their way to the three great festivals of the Jewish year. The journey to Jerusalem was called a "going up," whether the worshipper came from north or south, east or west. All of the songs are suitable for use on such occasions. Hence, the title Pilgrim Psalms is preferred by many scholars. SeeDIAL OF AHAZ.
John Richard Sampey
SONGS OF DEGREES
SeeDEGREES, SONGS OF;DIAL OF AHAZ, 7.
Strong's Hebrew
5237. nokri -- foreign, alien... From neker (second form); strange, in a variety of
degrees and applications (foreign,
non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful) -- alien, foreigner
...Library
Whether theDegrees of Affinity Extend in the Same Way as the...
... OF THE IMPEDIMENT OF AFFINITY (ELEVEN ARTICLES) Whether thedegrees of affinity
extend in the same way as thedegrees of consanguinity?...
Whether theDegrees of Consanguinity that are an Impediment to...
... OF THE IMPEDIMENT OF CONSANGUINITY (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether thedegrees of consanguinity
that are an impediment to marriage could be fixed by the Church?...
Degrees of Sin
... 3. THE LAW AND SIN 3.2Degrees of Sin. Are all transgressions of the law
equally heinous? Some sins in themselves, and by reason...
Whether Affinity in Itself Admits ofDegrees?
... OF THE IMPEDIMENT OF AFFINITY (ELEVEN ARTICLES) Whether affinity in itself admits
ofdegrees?... For any kind of propinquity can itself be the subject ofdegrees....
SeveralDegrees and Stations in an Internal Life; as the Three...
... MEDITATION. CHAPTER I. Severaldegrees and stations in an internal life; as the
three ways? Sec. Sec.... The grounds of the severaldegrees of prayer. Sec. Sec....
Whether theDegrees of Prophecy Can be Distinguished According to...
... OF THE DIVISION OF PROPHECY (SIX ARTICLES) Whether thedegrees of prophecy
can be distinguished according to the imaginary vision?...
Degrees of Happiness in Heaven.
... CHAPTER XIV.DEGREES OF HAPPINESS IN HEAVEN. Having seen that the Light
of glory is the new power, or medium, through which the...
Whether theDegrees of Beatitude Should be Called Mansions?
... OF THE HAPPINESS OF THE SAINTS AND THEIR MANSIONS (THREE ARTICLES) Whether
thedegrees of beatitude should be called mansions? Objection...
Perfect in Parts, Imperfect inDegrees.
... First Chapter. SANCTIFICATION. X. Perfect in Parts, Imperfect inDegrees.... Yet it
is not perfect indegrees, ie, it has not attained its full growth....
Whether Consanguinity is Fittingly Distinguished byDegrees and...
... OF THE IMPEDIMENT OF CONSANGUINITY (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether consanguinity
is fittingly distinguished bydegrees and lines? Objection...
Thesaurus
Degrees (18 Occurrences)... Easton's Bible Dictionary
Degrees, Song of. Song of steps, a
... are anonymous.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
DEGREES, SONGS OF. (shir ha
...Cyprus (12 Occurrences)
... It lies in 34degrees 30'-35degrees 41' North latitude and 32degrees 15'-34degrees
36' East longitude, only 46 miles distant from the nearest point of the...
Crete (7 Occurrences)
... South. It stretches from 34degrees 50' to 35degrees 40' North latitude
and from 23degrees 30' to 26degrees 20' East long. With...
Achmetha (1 Occurrence)
... 1. Location: This, the ancient capital of Media, stood (lat 34degrees 50'
North-long. 48degrees... 36degrees 28' North, long. 47degrees...
Degree (19 Occurrences)
... of a series of progressive steps upward or downward, in quality, rank, acquirement,
and the like; a stage in progression; grade; gradation; as,degrees of vice...
Graecia
... While the Romans included Macedonia and Epirus, it will be well for us to limit
Greece to the territory lying roughly below 40degrees, and extending almost to...
Arabia (9 Occurrences)
... The whole of Arabia stretches from about 13degrees to about 36degrees north of
the equator, and it lies between 33degrees and 60degrees east of Greenwich....
Sunlight (5 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 38:8 behold, I will cause the shadow of the dial, which is gone down on the
sun-dial of Ahaz, to return backward tendegrees.' So the sun returned ten...
Sun's (3 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 38:8 behold, I will cause the shadow of the dial, which is gone down on the
sun-dial of Ahaz, to return backward tendegrees.' So the sun returned ten...
Battle (282 Occurrences)
... Joshua must have been at Gibeon when he spoke, and that it must have been noonday
of summer when the sun in southern Palestine is only about 8degrees or 12...
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