Topical Encyclopedia
The term "headlong" is used in the Bible to describe a sudden, uncontrolled, or reckless action, often leading to a downfall or destruction. It conveys a sense of rushing forward without consideration or caution, typically resulting in negative consequences. This concept is illustrated in several passages throughout Scripture, highlighting the dangers of impulsive behavior and the importance of wisdom and discernment.
One of the most notable uses of "headlong" is found in the account of Judas Iscariot's demise. In
Acts 1:18 , it is written: "With the reward for his wickedness, Judas bought a field; and there he fell headlong and burst open in the middle, and all his intestines spilled out." This vivid description underscores the tragic end of Judas, who, after betraying Jesus, met a violent and ignominious death. His fall "headlong" symbolizes the ultimate consequence of his betrayal and the reckless path he chose.
The concept of acting headlong is also reflected in the wisdom literature of the Old Testament. Proverbs frequently warns against hasty decisions and actions.
Proverbs 19:2 states, "Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark." This verse emphasizes the folly of rushing into actions without proper understanding or consideration, which can lead to failure or sin.
In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul cautions believers against impulsive behavior. In
1 Timothy 5:22 , he advises, "Do not be too quick in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure." Here, Paul warns Timothy to avoid hasty decisions, particularly in appointing church leaders, as such actions can have serious spiritual implications.
The theme of headlong actions is a reminder of the biblical principle that wisdom and patience are virtues to be cultivated. The Scriptures consistently encourage believers to seek God's guidance and to act with prudence and discernment. The consequences of acting headlong serve as a cautionary tale, urging individuals to consider the long-term effects of their choices and to avoid the pitfalls of rashness and impulsivity.
In summary, the biblical use of "headlong" serves as a powerful metaphor for the dangers of reckless behavior and the importance of thoughtful decision-making. Through various scriptural examples, believers are reminded to seek wisdom and to act with care, avoiding the destructive outcomes that often accompany hasty actions.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a. & adv.) With the head foremost; as, to fall headlong.
2. (a. & adv.) Rashly; precipitately; without deliberation.
3. (a. & adv.) Hastily; without delay or respite.
4. (a.) Rash; precipitate; as, headlong folly.
5. (a.) Steep; precipitous.
Greek
4248. prenes --headlong...headlong. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: prenes Phonetic Spelling:
(pray-nace') Short Definition: falling
headlong Definition: falling
headlong...4312. propetes -- falling forward,headlong
... falling forward,headlong. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: propetes Phonetic
Spelling: (prop-et-ace') Short Definition: impulsive, rash, reckless...
2630. katakremnizo -- to throw over a precipice
... a precipice. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: katakremnizo Phonetic Spelling:
(kat-ak-rame-nid'-zo) Short Definition: I cast downheadlong Definition: I...
1632b. ekchunno -- to pour out, fig. to bestow
... Word Origin from the same as ekcheo Definition to pour out, fig. to bestow NASB
Word Usage gushed (1), poured (5), rushedheadlong (1), shed (3), spilled (1)....
4936. suntrecho -- to run with
... run together. From sun and trecho (including its alternate); to rush together (hastily
assemble) orheadlong (figuratively) -- run (together, with)....
Strong's Hebrew
2925. taltelah -- a hurling... 2924, 2925. taltelah. 2926 . a hurling. Transliteration: taltelah Phonetic
Spelling: (tal-tay-law') Short Definition:
headlong.
...4116. mahar -- to hasten
... be carriedheadlong, fearful, cause to make, in, make hasten be hasty, fetch.
A primitive root; properly, to be liquid or flow easily...
6440. panim -- face, faces
... 4), favor (9), favor* (3), former times (2), formerly (14), forward (3), front
(86), front line (1), gaze (1), ground* (1), head (2),headlong (1), honor* (1...
2904. tul -- to hurl, cast
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to hurl, cast NASB Word Usage cast (2), hurl
(3), hurled (4), hurledheadlong (1), laid low (1), threw (2), throw (1)....
3399. yarat -- to be precipitate, to precipitate
... be perverse, turn over. A primitive root; to precipitate or hurl (rush)headlong;
(intransitively) to be rash -- be perverse, turn over. 3398, 3399....
6677. tsavvar -- neck, back of neck
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition neck, back of neck NASB Word Usageheadlong
(1), neck (30), necks (8), pride (1), support* (1). neck....
Library
After These Matters, Celsus Brings the Following Charges against...
... "Once in your cause I felt his matchless might,. Hurledheadlong downward from the
ethereal height." [4486]....Headlong I hurled them from the Olympian hall,....
The Manich??ans are Reduced to the Choice of a Tortuous, or Curved...
... that, on the rise of any mischief in that race, although the chiefs of darkness
might have the foolhardy wish to cross over, they would fallheadlong into the...
Of the Ways of Life, of Pleasures, Also of the Hardships of...
... there is now no return, it is so suddenly removed, together with all its beauty,
that no one is able to foresee the fraud before that he fallsheadlong into a...
The Decision of the Fathers that Free Will is not Equal to Save a...
... the perfecting of goodness; and now saves men, even against their will and without
their knowledge, from ruin that is close at hand, and aheadlong fall; and...
Arius is Charged with the First of the Above-Mentioned Errors...
... 124. For Arius' bowels also gushed out"decency forbids to say where"and so he burst
asunder in the midst, fallingheadlong, and besmirching those foul lips...
Of his Picture Surmounted by a Cross and Having Beneath it a...
... and below it that hateful and savage adversary of mankind, who by means of the tyranny
of the ungodly had wasted the Church of God, fallingheadlong, under the...
Tumult Raised by Saul.
... Why are ye ledheadlong by most miserable men, who are deceived by Simon, a magician?'
While he was thus speaking, and adding more to the same effect, and...
History and Doctrines of Heresies.
... How Simon, Desiring to Fly by Some Magical Arts, Fell DownHeadlong from on High
at the Prayers of Peter, and Brake His Feet, and Hands, and Ankle-Bones. IX....
Epistle Lxiii. To Epictetus and to the Congregation of Assur??...
... that they receive no light from the wholesome precepts, but, once turned away from
the direct path of the true way, they are hurriedheadlong and suddenly by...
How the Meek and the Passionate are to be Admonished.
... For, when rage drives themheadlong, they know not what they do in their anger,
they know not what in their anger they suffer from themselves....
Thesaurus
Headlong (15 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a. & adv.) With the head foremost; as, to fall
headlong.
... 4. (a.) Rash; precipitate; as,
headlong folly.
...Prone (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (a.) Prostrate; flat; esp., lying with the face down; -- opposed to
supine. 3. (a.)Headlong; running downward orheadlong. 4...
Plunge (4 Occurrences)
... Also used figuratively; as, to plunge into debt. 5. (vi) To pitch or throw
one's selfheadlong or violently forward, as a horse does....
Judas (42 Occurrences)
... The statement in Acts 1:18 that he "fellheadlong and burst asunder in the midst,
and all his bowels gushed out," is in no way contrary to that in Matthew 27:5...
Unrighteousness (57 Occurrences)
... Acts 1:18 this one, indeed, then, purchased a field out of the reward of
unrighteousness, and fallingheadlong, burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels...
Undeniable (2 Occurrences)
... Undeniable (2 Occurrences). Acts 19:36 These things therefore being undeniable,
it is necessary that ye should be calm and do nothingheadlong. (DBY NAS NIV)....
Obtained (61 Occurrences)
... Acts 1:18 Now this man obtained a field with the reward for his wickedness, and
fallingheadlong, his body burst open, and all his intestines gushed out....
Gushed (6 Occurrences)
... Acts 1:18 Now this man obtained a field with the reward for his wickedness, and
fallingheadlong, his body burst open, and all his intestines gushed out....
Wily (2 Occurrences)
... Wily (2 Occurrences). Job 5:13 He taketh the wise in their own craftiness; And the
counsel of the cunning is carriedheadlong. (See JPS DBY RSV NIV)....
Whereon (45 Occurrences)
... 4:29 And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the
hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him downheadlong....
Resources
How did Judas die? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about stoning? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Judas Iscariot? | GotQuestions.orgHeadlong: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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