Topical Encyclopedia
The term "descendeth" is an archaic form of the verb "descend," which means to move downward or to come down from a higher place. In the context of the Bible, "descendeth" often refers to divine or spiritual actions, particularly those involving God, the Holy Spirit, or heavenly beings. This term is used to describe both literal and metaphorical descents, emphasizing the movement from the divine realm to the earthly or human sphere.
Biblical Usage:1.
Divine Presence and Revelation: · In the Old Testament, the concept of God descending is often associated with His presence and revelation to His people. For example, in
Exodus 19:20 , "The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the summit." Here, God's descent signifies His willingness to communicate directly with Moses and the Israelites, establishing His covenant and delivering His law.
2.
The Holy Spirit: · The New Testament frequently uses the imagery of descent to describe the coming of the Holy Spirit. In
Matthew 3:16 , during the baptism of Jesus, "As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him." This descent of the Holy Spirit signifies divine approval and empowerment for Jesus' ministry.
3.
Christ's Incarnation and Ascension: · The descent of Christ is a central theme in Christian theology, particularly concerning His incarnation. In
John 6:38 , Jesus states, "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me." This descent underscores the humility and obedience of Christ, who left His heavenly glory to fulfill the Father's redemptive plan.
· Additionally,
Ephesians 4:9-10 speaks of Christ's descent and subsequent ascent: "What does 'He ascended' mean, except that He also descended to the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is the very One who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things." This passage highlights the completeness of Christ's work, from His incarnation to His exaltation.
4.
Angelic Activity: · Angels are also described as descending to carry out God's will. In
Genesis 28:12 , Jacob dreams of a ladder reaching to heaven, "and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it." This vision reassures Jacob of God's ongoing presence and activity in the world, mediated through His heavenly messengers.
Theological Significance:The concept of "descendeth" in the Bible carries profound theological implications. It illustrates the movement of the divine toward humanity, emphasizing God's initiative in bridging the gap between heaven and earth. This descent is not merely a physical movement but a demonstration of God's love, grace, and desire to dwell among His people. Whether through the giving of the law, the incarnation of Christ, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, or the ministry of angels, the act of descending signifies God's active involvement in the redemption and sanctification of His creation.
Library
Let all Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
... For with blessing in his hand,. Christ our God to earthdescendeth,. Our full homage
to demand.... As the Light of Lightdescendeth. From the realms of endless day,...
Psalm XCVI.
... For He who falleth notdescendeth unto thee: thou hadst fallen: Hedescendeth, He
hath stretched forth His hand unto thee; thou canst not rise by thy own...
But they Answer and Speak, Saying, "If the Will of Man Without any...
... Therefore, as we said above, this is not the patience whichdescendeth from above,
but the patience of the godly is from above, coming down from the Father of...
David and Araunah.
... And still God marks the faithful prayer, The careful work, the costly pains; The
Spirit's firedescendeth there, And there, as in a shrine, remains....
James iii. 14-16
... "This wisdomdescendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual [natural], devilish.
For where envying and strife is, there is confusion, and every evil work."....
Christ, Unser Herr, Zum Jordan Kam. To Jordan came Our Lord the...
... 4. In tender manhood Jesus straight To holy Jordan wendeth; The Holy Ghost from
heaven's gate In dovelike shapedescendeth; That thus the truth be not denied...
On all the Saints.
... Then the angels were ascending and descending; but now the Angel of the great counsel
neither ascendeth nordescendeth: for whence or where shall He change His...
That Our Peace is not to be Placed in Men
... solace. The deeper also hedescendeth into himself, and the viler he appeareth
in his own eyes, the higher he ascendeth towards God....
Christmas a Song of Joy at Dawn
... Of His birth. Who the earth. Rescues from her sorrow. God to wear our form
descendeth,. Of His grace. To our race. Here His Son He lendeth:...
Of the Union of the Blessed with God in the vision of the...
... on the head, that ran down upon the beard, the beard of Aaron, which ran down to
the skirt of his garment: as the dew of Hermon, whichdescendeth upon Mount...
Thesaurus
Descendeth (3 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Descendeth (3 Occurrences). James 3:15 This wisdom
descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. (KJV WBS).
...Descending (23 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS NAS RSV NIV). Numbers 11:9 And in the descending of the
dew on the camp by night, the mannadescendeth upon it. (YLT)....
Devilish (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Devilish (1 Occurrence). James 3:15 This wisdomdescendeth
not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. (KJV ASV DBY RSV)....
Demoniacal (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Demoniacal (1 Occurrence). James 3:15 This wisdomdescendeth
not from above, but is earthly, sensual, demoniacal. (WBS)....
Descended (64 Occurrences)
Devil (58 Occurrences)
... James 3:15 This wisdomdescendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
(Root in KJV ASV DBY RSV NIV). James 4:7 Be subject therefore to God....
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