Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context: Gazing refers to the act of looking steadily and intently, often with admiration, curiosity, or contemplation. In the biblical context, gazing can denote a range of human experiences, from awe and wonder to scrutiny and judgment. The act of gazing is often associated with significant spiritual or divine encounters, as well as moments of introspection and revelation.
Biblical Instances:
1.
Moses and the Burning Bush: One of the most profound instances of gazing in the Bible is Moses' encounter with the burning bush. In
Exodus 3:2-3 , it is written, "There the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that the bush was on fire but was not consumed. So Moses thought, 'I must go over and see this marvelous sight. Why is the bush not burning up?'" Here, Moses' gaze leads to a divine encounter, marking the beginning of his mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.
2.
The Ascension of Jesus: In
Acts 1:10-11 , the disciples are described as gazing into the sky as Jesus ascends into heaven: "They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 'Men of Galilee,' they said, 'why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.'" This moment of gazing signifies both the awe of witnessing a miraculous event and the anticipation of Christ's promised return.
3.
The Bronze Serpent: In
Numbers 21:8-9 , the Israelites are instructed to gaze upon the bronze serpent to be healed from snake bites: "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Make a fiery serpent and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will live.' So Moses made a bronze serpent and mounted it on a pole. If anyone who was bitten looked at the bronze serpent, he lived." This act of gazing is an act of faith and obedience, prefiguring the salvific gaze upon Christ crucified.
4.
The Transfiguration: During the Transfiguration of Jesus, Peter, James, and John gaze upon the glorified Christ alongside Moses and Elijah. In
Matthew 17:2 , it states, "There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light." This gaze reveals the divine nature of Christ and the fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.
Theological Significance: Gazing in the Bible often signifies a deeper spiritual insight or revelation. It is an act that transcends mere physical sight, inviting the observer into a deeper understanding of God's presence and purpose. The act of gazing can be a moment of transformation, where the observer is called to respond in faith, obedience, or worship.
Moral and Spiritual Lessons: From a moral and spiritual perspective, the act of gazing encourages believers to fix their eyes on Jesus, as stated in
Hebrews 12:2 : "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith." This exhortation calls Christians to maintain a steadfast focus on Christ amidst life's distractions and challenges, drawing strength and guidance from His example and teachings.
Cultural and Historical Context: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, gazing upon a deity or a divine manifestation was often considered a privilege or a sign of favor. The biblical narratives reflect this cultural understanding, where gazing upon God or His works is both a moment of revelation and a call to action.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Gaze.
Greek
2301. theatrizo -- to make a spectacle of... to put to shame, expose publicly. From theatron; to expose as a spectacle -- make
a
gazing stock. see GREEK theatron. (theatrizomenoi) -- 1 Occurrence.
...3706. horasis -- the act of seeing, a vision, appearance
... sight, vision. From horao; the act ofgazing, ie (externally) an aspect or (internally)
an inspired appearance -- sight, vision. see GREEK horao....
816. atenizo -- to look fixedly, gaze
... extend) Definition to look fixedly, gaze NASB Word Usage fixed (1), fixed...gaze
(4), fixing...gaze (2), gaze (1), gazed intently (1),gazing intently (1...
Strong's Hebrew
6837. Tsiphyon -- perhaps "gazing," a son of Gad... 6836, 6837. Tsiphyon. 6838 . perhaps "
gazing," a son of Gad. Transliteration:
Tsiphyon Phonetic Spelling: (tsif-yone') Short Definition: Ziphion.
...6825. Tsepho -- perhaps "gazing," an Edomite
... 6824, 6825. Tsepho or Tsephi. 6826 . perhaps "gazing," an Edomite. Transliteration:
Tsepho or Tsephi Phonetic Spelling: (tsef-o') Short Definition: Zepho....
7583. shaah -- to gaze
... to gaze. Transliteration: shaah Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-aw') Short Definition:
gazing. Word Origin a prim. root Definition to gaze NASB Word Usagegazing (1)....
Library
AGazing-Stock.
... AGAZING-STOCK. In Heb.10:33 it is said that Christians are agazing-stock.
The world is looking upon your life. You have taken...
A SoulGazing on God
... A SOULGAZING ON GOD. 'A glorious high throne from the beginning is the
place of our sanctuary.'"Jeremiah 17:12. I must begin by...
Hebrews x. 32-34
... the former days, in which after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of
afflictions; [3175] partly, whilst ye were made agazing stock both by...
Of the Threefold Prayer of Christ, that we Might be one with God
... And further, though thegazing and tendency of the spirit towards God must give
place to fruition in simplicity; yet thisgazing and this tendency continue to...
How Our Spirit is Called to Go Out in Contemplation and Fruition
... God-seeing men will go out in the way of contemplation, above reason and above
distinction and above their created being, through an eternal intuitivegazing....
Do You Know Him?
... The populace assemble with delight. There they are, tens of thousands of them,
gazing down from the living sides of the capacious Colosseum....
Coming Again.
... The Ascension: Back Home Again Until"" Coming Again. They continuegazing, held
spellbound by the sight, thinking maybe they may get another look....
The Purifying Influence of Hope
... And there is such a thing, here on earth and now, asgazing upon Christ with an
intensity of affection, and simplicity of trust, and rapture of aspiration, and...
How Peter Told Paul.
... All at once there came a cloud and received Him out of sight. I stood right here
gazing up into the heavens, in hopes I might see Him again and hear Him speak....
Triumphant Prayer
... The ploughmen are standing among the cracked furrows,gazing with despair on the
brown chapped earth, and in the field the very dumb creatures are sharing in...
Thesaurus
Gazing (11 Occurrences)... (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Gaze. Multi-Version Concordance
Gazing (11 Occurrences).
... Acts
1:11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye
gazing up into heaven?
...Gazing-stock (2 Occurrences)
Gazing-stock. Gazingstock,Gazing-stock. Gazite . Int. Standard Bible
EncyclopediaGAZING-STOCK. gaz'-ing-stok: This obsolete...
Gazingstock (2 Occurrences)
... (n.) A person or thing gazed at with scorn or abhorrence; an object of curiosity
or contempt. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.GAZING-STOCK....
Zephi (1 Occurrence)
... ZEPHI; ZEPHO. ze'-fi, ze'-fo (tsephi, perhaps "gaze," or "gazing," in 1 Chronicles
1:36; tspho, the same meaning in Genesis 36:11, 15): A duke of Edom....
Zepho (3 Occurrences)
... ZEPHI; ZEPHO. ze'-fi, ze'-fo (tsephi, perhaps "gaze," or "gazing," in 1 Chronicles
1:36; tspho, the same meaning in Genesis 36:11, 15): A duke of Edom....
Outstretched (40 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Romans 8:19 For all creation,gazing eagerly as if with outstretched neck,
is waiting and longing to see the manifestation of the sons of God. (WEY)....
Officer (70 Occurrences)
... Luke 4:20 And having folded the roll, having given 'it' back to the officer, he
sat down, and the eyes of all in the synagogue weregazing on him. (YLT)....
Longing (40 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Romans 8:19 For all creation,gazing eagerly as if with outstretched neck,
is waiting and longing to see the manifestation of the sons of God....
Gazite (1 Occurrence)
Resources
What can we learn from the account of Potiphar's wife? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that Jesus will come in the clouds (Revelation 1:7)? | GotQuestions.orgGazing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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