Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Meaning:Dismay refers to a sudden loss of courage or resolution due to fear or anxiety. In the biblical context, dismay often involves a profound emotional disturbance that can lead to a lack of faith or trust in God. It is frequently associated with fear, discouragement, and a sense of being overwhelmed by circumstances.
Biblical References:1.
Deuteronomy 31:8 : "The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or dismayed."
· This verse is part of Moses' encouragement to Joshua and the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. It emphasizes God's constant presence and support, urging them not to succumb to dismay despite the challenges ahead.
2.
Joshua 1:9 : "Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
· Here, God commands Joshua to reject fear and dismay, reinforcing the assurance of divine accompaniment and strength in fulfilling his leadership role.
3.
Isaiah 41:10 : "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness."
· This promise from God to His people highlights His commitment to support and sustain them, providing a remedy for dismay through His righteous power and presence.
4.
Jeremiah 1:17 : "But you, get yourself ready! Stand up and tell them everything that I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them."
· God instructs Jeremiah to stand firm and not be dismayed by the daunting task of prophesying to a rebellious nation, assuring him of divine backing.
Theological Insights:·
Trust in God: Dismay is often countered in Scripture by a call to trust in God's promises and presence. The antidote to dismay is faith, which redirects focus from the intimidating circumstances to the omnipotent God who controls all things.
·
Divine Assurance: The Bible consistently provides assurance that God is with His people, offering strength and courage. This assurance is a recurring theme meant to dispel dismay and encourage steadfastness.
·
Human Weakness and Divine Strength: Dismay highlights human vulnerability and the need for divine intervention. It serves as a reminder of the limitations of human strength and the necessity of relying on God's power.
·
Courage in Leadership: Biblical leaders like Joshua and Jeremiah are often reminded not to be dismayed, underscoring the importance of courage and reliance on God in fulfilling their divine missions.
Practical Application:·
Prayer and Reflection: Believers are encouraged to combat dismay through prayer, seeking God's guidance and strength in times of fear and uncertainty.
·
Scriptural Meditation: Meditating on God's promises and past faithfulness can help alleviate feelings of dismay, reinforcing trust in His unchanging nature.
·
Community Support: Engaging with a faith community can provide encouragement and support, helping individuals overcome dismay through shared faith and mutual edification.
In summary, dismay is a common human experience addressed throughout Scripture with divine promises of presence, strength, and courage. Believers are called to trust in God, who is ever-present and faithful, to overcome the challenges that lead to dismay.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. i.) To disable with alarm or apprehensions; to depress the spirits or courage of; to deprive or firmness and energy through fear; to daunt; to appall; to terrify.
2. (v. i.) To render lifeless; to subdue; to disquiet.
3. (v. i.) To take dismay or fright; to be filled with dismay.
4. (v. t.) Loss of courage and firmness through fear; overwhelming and disabling terror; a sinking of the spirits; consternation.
5. (v. t.) Condition fitted to dismay; ruin.
Greek
4423. ptoesis -- a fluttering, excitement, hence terror... Noun, Feminine Transliteration: ptoesis Phonetic Spelling: (pto'-ay-sis) Short
Definition: terror, consternation Definition: terror, consternation,
dismay.
...4928. sunoche -- a holding together, fig. distress
... Word Origin from sunecho Definition a holding together, fig. distress NASB
Word Usage anguish (1),dismay (1). anguish, distress....
Strong's Hebrew
1670. deabah -- faintness,dismay... 1669, 1670. deabah. 1671 . faintness,
dismay. Transliteration: deabah
Phonetic Spelling: (deh-aw-baw') Short Definition:
dismay.
...928. behalah --dismay, sudden terror or ruin
... 927, 928. behalah. 929 .dismay, sudden terror or ruin. Transliteration: behalah
Phonetic Spelling: (beh-haw-law') Short Definition: terror....
1205. beathah -- terror,dismay
... 1204, 1205. beathah. 1206 . terror,dismay. Transliteration: beathah
Phonetic Spelling: (beh-aw-thaw') Short Definition: terror....
927. behal -- to alarm,dismay
... 926, 927. behal. 928 . to alarm,dismay. Transliteration: behal Phonetic
Spelling: (be-hal') Short Definition: alarmed. Word Origin...
2865. chathath -- to be shattered or dismayed
... root Definition to be shattered or dismayed NASB Word Usage been shattered (3),
break (1), cracked (1),dismay (1), dismayed (26), frighten (1), shatter (1...
2866. chathath -- terror
... Word Origin from chathath Definition terror NASB Word Usage terror (1). casting
down. From chathath;dismay -- casting down. see HEBREW chathath. 2865, 2866....
8173. sha'a' -- to be smeared over, blinded
... primitive root; (in a good acceptation) to look upon (with complacency), ie Fondle,
please or amuse (self); (in a bad one) to look about (indismay), ie Stare...
8047. shammah -- waste, horror
... Definition waste, horror NASB Word Usage appalling (1), desolate (2), desolation
(10), desolations (1), destroyed (1), destruction (1),dismay (1), horror (9...
Library
A Moment's Flashing Glance of Half-AmusedDismay at Angela...
... A moment's flashing glance of half-amuseddismay at Angela? A moment's flashing
glance of half-amuseddismay at Angela, and the Comtesse Sylvie had vanished....
Death's Dark and Moonless Night,
... Its fearful journey makes; Let not a spirit ofdismay. Depress me on the awful way.
II.... Let not a spirit ofdismay. Depress me on the awful way. III....
Significant Phrases
... confession and doubt. confidence and loyalty. confusion anddismay. congratulations
and welcomings.... disgrace and ruin. disgust anddismay. dishonor and ruin....
The King's Courts
... 'Thou shalt not commit adultery.'". Every hearer stood aghast. A death-like
hush fell on the assembly, which probably broke up indismay....
Peter's Denial and Repentance.
... and that he was now in the place of all others where it was likely to be avenged,
suddenly in a moment of infatuation, and doubtless to thedismay of his fellow...
The Advance of Xerxes into Greece.
... the Greek fleet."Jealousy of the Athenians."Situation of the Athenians."Eurybiades
appointed commander."Debates in the Greek council."Dismay of the...
Never! Never! Never! Never! Never!
... must be his grief when he says""I have trodden the wine-press alone!" "My God, why
hast thou forsaken me?" is the cry of human nature in its uttermostdismay...
The Adventures of Saint David of Wales.
... When the spectators beheld what had occurred, loud cries of grief, anger, anddismay
rent the air; the great Emperor and all his courtiers, from the highest to...
The Reward of Obedience.
... Let no one start withdismay at the idea of a reward of righteousness, saying
virtue is its own reward. Is not virtue then a reward?...
The Burning of Athens.
... the soldiers, awakened from their slumbers by these unearthly-looking troops, screamed
with fright, and fled in all directions, in utter confusion anddismay....
Thesaurus
Dismay (16 Occurrences)... 2. (vi) To render lifeless; to subdue; to disquiet. 3. (vi) To take
dismay or fright;
to be filled with
dismay.
... 5. (vt) Condition fitted to
dismay; ruin.
...Appalment (10 Occurrences)
... Appalment (10 Occurrences). Jeremiah 8:21 For the hurt of the daughter of my people
am I hurt: I mourn;dismay hath taken hold on me. (See JPS)....
Fearfulness (7 Occurrences)
... break the staff of bread in Jerusalem: and they shall eat bread by weight, and with
fearfulness; and they shall drink water by measure, and indismay: (WEB ASV...
Jehoiakim (37 Occurrences)
... the king destroyed; 2 Kings 45, an appendix from the 4th year, reassuring Baruch
the scribe, in terms of the larger prophetic scale, for hisdismay at what he...
Dismayed (69 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofDismay. Multi-Version Concordance
Dismayed (69 Occurrences). John 14:27 Peace I leave with...
Horror (51 Occurrences)
... break the staff of bread in Jerusalem: and they shall eat bread by weight, and with
fearfulness; and they shall drink water by measure, and indismay: (See NAS...
Josiah (51 Occurrences)
... of Yahweh," that is, in the temple proper; which book, when Shaphan read therefrom
to the king, caused the latter to rend his robe indismay and consternation....
Zophar (4 Occurrences)
... of the wicked man's woes to the extreme (20:5-29), and calls forth a straight
contradiction from Job, who, not in wrath, but indismay, is constrained by...
Jacob (361 Occurrences)
... He now hears withdismay of the approach of his brother Esau with a band of 400
men to meet him. In great agony of mind he prepares for the worst....
Loathed (13 Occurrences)
... why have you struck us, and there is no healing for us? We looked for peace, but
no good came; and for a time of healing, and behold,dismay!...
Resources
What is the cause of church splits? How can healing occur after a church split? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Seventh-day Adventism (SDA), and what do Seventh-day Adventists believe? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Ellen G. White? | GotQuestions.orgDismay: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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