Topical Encyclopedia
The term "dissolve" in the Bible is often used metaphorically to describe the breaking down or disintegration of physical, spiritual, or moral structures. It conveys a sense of impermanence and the eventual end of worldly things, aligning with the biblical theme of the transient nature of earthly life and the eternal nature of God's kingdom.
Old Testament UsageIn the Old Testament, the concept of dissolving is frequently associated with the judgment and destruction of nations or cities. For example, in
Isaiah 34:4 , it is written, "All the stars of heaven will be dissolved. The sky will be rolled up like a scroll, and all their stars will fall like withered leaves from the vine, like foliage from the fig tree." This imagery portrays the cosmic upheaval that accompanies divine judgment, emphasizing the power of God to dismantle even the heavens.
The Hebrew word often translated as "dissolve" can also imply a melting or softening, as seen in
Psalm 75:3 : "When the earth and all its dwellers quake, it is I who bear up its pillars." Here, the psalmist speaks of the earth's foundations being shaken, yet upheld by God's sovereign power.
New Testament UsageIn the New Testament, the idea of dissolving is linked to the end times and the transformation of the current world order.
2 Peter 3:10-12 provides a vivid description: "But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be dissolved by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare. Since everything will be dissolved in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to conduct yourselves in holiness and godliness as you anticipate and hasten the coming of the day of God, when the heavens will be dissolved by fire and the elements will melt in the heat."
This passage underscores the temporary nature of the physical world and calls believers to live in holiness and godliness in anticipation of the new heavens and new earth promised by God.
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, the concept of dissolving serves as a reminder of the impermanence of human achievements and the ultimate sovereignty of God. It encourages believers to focus on spiritual realities rather than temporal ones. The dissolution of the current world order is not to be feared by the faithful, as it heralds the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.
Moral and Spiritual LessonsFrom a moral and spiritual perspective, the biblical use of "dissolve" challenges individuals to examine their lives and priorities. It calls for a detachment from material possessions and worldly status, urging a commitment to spiritual growth and readiness for the return of Christ. The imagery of dissolving elements serves as a powerful metaphor for the purification and renewal that God promises to those who remain steadfast in faith.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To diffuse; to break down; to melt into; to separate into competent parts; as, to dissolve sugar; to dissolve a company; to disorganize; to break up; hence, to bring to an end by separating the parts, sundering a relation, etc.; to terminate; to destroy; to deprive of force; as, to dissolve a partnership; to dissolve Parliament.
2. (v. t.) To break the continuity of; to disconnect; to disunite; to sunder; to loosen; to undo; to separate.
3. (v. t.) To convert into a liquid by means of heat, moisture, etc.,; to melt; to liquefy; to soften.
4. (v. t.) To solve; to clear up; to resolve.
5. (v. t.) To relax by pleasure; to make powerless.
6. (v. t.) To annul; to rescind; to discharge or release; as, to dissolve an injunction.
7. (v. i.) To waste away; to be dissipated; to be decomposed or broken up.
8. (v. i.) To become fluid; to be melted; to be liquefied.
9. (v. i.) To fade away; to fall to nothing; to lose power.
Greek
3089. luo -- to loose, to release, todissolve... to loose, to release, to
dissolve. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: luo Phonetic
Spelling: (loo'-o) Short Definition: I loose, untie, release, destroy
...1262. dialuo -- to break up
... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: dialuo Phonetic Spelling: (dee-al-oo'-o) Short
Definition: I break up, disperse Definition: I break up, disperse,dissolve...
2647. kataluo -- to destroy, overthrow
... overthrown (1), tear down (1), torn down (4). destroy,dissolve, lodge, come
to nought. From kata and luo; to loosen down (disintegrate...
Strong's Hebrew
4529. masah -- to melt,dissolve, be liquefied... 4528, 4529. masah. 4530 . to melt,
dissolve, be liquefied. Transliteration:
masah Phonetic Spelling: (maw-saw') Short Definition: consume. Word Origin a prim
...4549. masas -- todissolve, melt
... 4548, 4549. masas. 4550 . todissolve, melt. Transliteration: masas Phonetic
Spelling: (maw-sas') Short Definition: melt. Word Origin a prim....
4127. mug -- to melt
... root Definition to melt NASB Word Usage disheartened (1),dissolve (2), dissolved
(2), melt (3), melted (2), melted away (4), melts (1), soften (1)....
4743. maqaq -- to decay, rot, fester, pine away
... consume away, be corrupt,dissolve, pine away. A primitive root; to melt;
figuratively, to flow, dwindle, vanish -- consume away, be...
8271. shera -- to loosen, abide
... 1), solve (1), solving (1), went slack (1). begin,dissolve, dwell, loose.
(Aramaic) a root corresponding to that of sheruwth; to...
1638. garas -- to be crushed
... break. A primitive root; to crush; also (intransitively and figuratively) todissolve --
break. 1637, 1638. garas. 1639 . Strong's Numbers.
2490. chalal -- to bore, pierce
... A primitive root (compare chalah); properly, to bore, ie (by implication) to wound,
todissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break...
6565. parar -- to break, frustrate
... figuratively, ie To violate, frustrate -- X any ways, break (asunder), cast off,
cause to cease, X clean, defeat, disannul, disappoint,dissolve, divide, make...
Library
Whether Other SinsDissolve Marriage?
... OF DISPARITY OF WORSHIP AS AN IMPEDIMENT TO MARRIAGE (SIX ARTICLES) Whether
other sinsdissolve marriage? Objection 1: It would...
He Explains what it Means to Confess, and what it Means to...
... Book V. Chapter X. He explains what it means to confess, and what it means
todissolve Jesus. For this it is which John, the man...
Whether a Solemn Vow Dissolves a Marriage Already Contracted?
... the Divine acceptance. Therefore since a simple vow does notdissolve marriage,
neither will a solemn vowdissolve it. Objection 2...
Whether it is Fitting that Impediments Should be Assigned to...
... Therefore if anything prevent a marriage being contracted, it will "de facto"dissolve
it after it has been contracted; and thus impediments should not be...
Whether the Believer who Leaves his Unbelieving Wife Can Take...
... cannot take another wife. Objection 2: Further, a crime subsequent to
marriage does notdissolve the marriage. Now, if the wife...
Ezra, the Praying Reformer
... What force was there which could recover them to God so that they woulddissolve
business partnerships, divorce wives and husbands, cut acquaintances and...
To Brother Raimondo of Capua of the Order of the Preachers
... dead! Thou givest life, thou dostdissolve the shadows that darken the minds
of reasonable creatures, and dost give us light! Sweet...
Whether Christ's Body was Reduced to Dust in the Tomb?
... But directly after death our bodies begin todissolve into dust, and are disposed
towards putrefaction, because when the natural heat departs, there supervenes...
Whether the Husband, Being Converted to the Faith, May Remain with...
... lawfully remain together. I answer that, The faith of a married person does
notdissolve but perfects the marriage. Wherefore, since...
Whether Slavery Can Supervene to Marriage?
... Therefore if it could supervene to marriage it woulddissolve it; which is unreasonable.
On the contrary, Everyone can give another that which is his own....
Thesaurus
Dissolve (4 Occurrences)... 1. (vt) To diffuse; to break down; to melt into; to separate into competent parts;
as, to
dissolve sugar; to
dissolve a company; to disorganize; to break up
...Resolve (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To separate the component parts of; to reduce to the constituent elements; --
said of compound substances; hence, sometimes, to melt, ordissolve....
Relent (15 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To become less rigid; to yield; todissolve;
to melt; to deliquesce.... 4. (vt) To soften; todissolve....
Dissolved (12 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofDissolve. Multi-Version Concordance
Dissolved (12 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians 5:1 For we...
Divorce (18 Occurrences)
... It seems that it was not uncommon for the Jews at that time todissolve the union
on very slight pretences (Matthew 5:31, 32; 19:1-9; Mark 10:2-12; Luke 16:18...
Break (257 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To interrupt; to destroy the continuity of; todissolve or terminate; as,
to break silence; to break one's sleep; to break one's journey....
Knots (2 Occurrences)
... Daniel 5:16 But I have heard of thee, that thou canst give interpretations, and
dissolve doubts; now if thou canst read the writing, and make known to me the...
Leach (1 Occurrence)
... 5. (vt) Todissolve out; -- often used with out; as, to leach out alkali from
ashes. 6. (vi) To part with soluble constituents by percolation....
Wearied (36 Occurrences)
... YLT). Psalms 6:6 I am wearied with my groaning; all the night make I my bed
to swim; Idissolve my couch with my tears. (DBY). Psalms...
Inscription (18 Occurrences)
... Daniel 5:16 But I have heard of you, that you can give interpretations, anddissolve
doubts; now if you can read the writing, and make known to me its...
Resources
What does the Bible say about an unhappy marriage? | GotQuestions.orgI am a Hindu, why should I consider becoming a Christian? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that Jesus fulfilled the law, but did not abolish it? | GotQuestions.orgDissolve: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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