Topical Encyclopedia
The term "devoureth" is an archaic form of the verb "devour," which appears in various contexts throughout the Bible. It is used to describe the act of consuming or destroying with great intensity and often carries a connotation of judgment or divine retribution. The imagery of devouring is frequently employed in Scripture to convey the severity of God's wrath, the destructive nature of sin, or the voraciousness of enemies.
Old Testament UsageIn the Old Testament, "devoureth" is often associated with the consuming fire of God's judgment. For instance, in
Isaiah 1:7, the prophet laments the desolation of the land, saying, "Your land is desolate; your cities are burned with fire; foreigners devour your fields before you, laid waste as they are overthrown by strangers." Here, the term illustrates the complete and devastating destruction brought upon the land due to the people's disobedience.
The imagery of devouring is also used to describe the consequences of sin and rebellion. In
Hosea 8:7, the prophet warns, "For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind. The stalk has no bud; it shall yield no flour. Were it to yield, strangers would devour it." This passage highlights the futility and destructive outcome of Israel's idolatry and unfaithfulness.
New Testament UsageIn the New Testament, the concept of devouring is often linked to spiritual warfare and the adversary's attempts to destroy the faithful.
1 Peter 5:8 cautions believers, "Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." This vivid metaphor underscores the vigilance required of Christians to resist the devil's schemes and remain steadfast in their faith.
Symbolism and ThemesThe theme of devouring in the Bible is rich with symbolic meaning. It often represents the consuming nature of sin, the inevitability of divine judgment, and the relentless pursuit of evil against the righteous. The imagery serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the need for repentance and obedience.
In addition to its negative connotations, the concept of devouring can also be seen in a positive light when referring to God's protection and provision. In
Malachi 3:11, God promises, "I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your land, and the vine in your field will not fail to produce fruit," declares the LORD of Hosts. Here, God assures His people of His power to protect and sustain them against forces that seek to consume their blessings.
ConclusionThe term "devoureth" in the Bible serves as a potent illustration of both the destructive power of sin and the protective power of God. It calls believers to a life of vigilance, faithfulness, and reliance on God's promises, while also warning of the dire consequences of straying from His path.
Library
Joel's Rhapsody of the Locust Plague
... A firedevoureth before them; And behind them a flame burneth: The land is as the
garden of Eden before them, And behind them a desolate wilderness!...
The Mystery
... "Whoever would hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, anddevoureth their
adversaries." Numbers xvi.2 Kings i. Zech. iv. Now let us come to the text....
Creation's Groans and the Saints' Sighs
... God pronounced to be "very good." We hear of tornadoes, of earthquakes, of tempests,
of volcanoes, of avalanches, and of the sea whichdevoureth its thousands...
The Testament of Dan Concerning Anger and Lying.
... is slain. This is the spirit of anger that counselled me, that even as
a leoparddevoureth a kid, so should I devour Joseph. But...
The Testament of Gad Concerning Hatred.
... Moreover, I hated him yet more because of his dreams; and I would have devoured
him out of the land of the living, even as a calfdevoureth the grass from the...
The Seventh Season,
... And as men are naturally cruel and oppressive one to another, so the wicked conspire
to abuse and wrong the people of God. "The wickeddevoureth the man that...
Faith (Preached Before the Queen at Windsor, December 5, 1865)
... pathetic expostulation with God Himself: 'Wherefore lookest Thou upon them that
deal treacherously, and holdest Thy tongue when the wickeddevoureth the man...
From the Eleventh Chapter.
... 5. "If any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, anddevoureth
their enemies."] That fire proceedeth out of the mouth of those prophets...
Second Sunday Before Lent
... 19 For ye bear with the foolish gladly, being wise yourselves.20 For ye bear with
a man, if he bringeth you into bondage, if hedevoureth you, if he taketh you...
A Prophet's Woes
... 24. Therefore as the firedevoureth the stubble, and the flame consumeth the chaff,
so their root shall be as rottenness, and their blossom shall go up as dust...
Thesaurus
Devoureth (27 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Devoureth (27 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians
11:20 For ye bear with a man, if he bringeth you into bondage
...Devouring (20 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Genesis 49:27 Benjamin is a wolf that raveneth; in the morning hedevoureth
the prey, and at even he divideth the spoil.' (See RSV)....
Devours (26 Occurrences)
... (WEB WEY DBY NAS NIV). Genesis 49:27 Benjamin is a wolf that raveneth; in the morning
hedevoureth the prey, and at even he divideth the spoil.' (See NAS NIV)....
Kindleth (9 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 9:18 For wickedness burneth as the fire; itdevoureth the briers and thorns;
yea, it kindleth in the thickets of the forest, and they roll upward in a...
Masters (59 Occurrences)
... Judges 9:20 and if not -- fire cometh out from Abimelech anddevoureth the masters
of Shechem and the house of Millo, and fire cometh out from the masters of...
Burneth (67 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 32:22 For a fire is kindled in mine anger, And burneth unto the lowest
Sheol, Anddevoureth the earth with its increase, And setteth on fire the...
Nether-world (41 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 32:22 For a fire is kindled in mine anger, And burneth unto the lowest
Sheol, Anddevoureth the earth with its increase, And setteth on fire the...
Nostril (4 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 32:22 For a fire is kindled in mine anger, And burneth unto the lowest
Sheol, Anddevoureth the earth with its increase, And setteth on fire the...
Freemen (17 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 32:42 I make drunk Mine arrows with blood, And My sworddevoureth flesh,
From the blood of the pierced and captive, From the head of the freemen of...
Roots (31 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 5:24 Therefore as the tongue of firedevoureth the stubble, and as the chaff
is consumed in the flame, so their root shall be as rottenness, and their...
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