Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "intensify" in the biblical context often relates to the deepening or strengthening of spiritual experiences, emotions, or divine actions. While the term "intensify" itself may not be explicitly used in the Bible, the idea is present in various passages where God's actions, human emotions, or spiritual experiences are described as becoming more profound or fervent.
Divine Actions and JudgmentsThroughout Scripture, God's actions often intensify in response to human behavior, particularly in the context of judgment or deliverance. In the book of Exodus, the plagues upon Egypt serve as a prime example of divine actions intensifying. Initially, Pharaoh's heart is hardened, and as he continues to resist God's command to let the Israelites go, the plagues increase in severity.
Exodus 9:12 states, "But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not listen to them, just as the LORD had said to Moses." This intensification of plagues demonstrates God's escalating response to persistent disobedience.
Spiritual Zeal and FervorThe New Testament encourages believers to intensify their spiritual zeal and fervor. In
Romans 12:11, Paul exhorts the church, "Do not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." This call to maintain and even increase one's spiritual intensity is a recurring theme in the epistles, urging believers to remain steadfast and passionate in their faith and service.
Prayer and SupplicationThe intensity of prayer is another significant theme in the Bible.
James 5:16 highlights the power of fervent prayer: "The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail." This verse underscores the belief that intensified, earnest prayer can lead to powerful outcomes, reflecting a deep trust in God's ability to act.
Trials and PerseveranceThe Bible also speaks to the intensification of trials and the corresponding call for perseverance. In
1 Peter 1:6-7, believers are reminded that trials serve to refine faith: "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials, so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." Here, the intensification of trials is seen as a means to strengthen and purify faith.
Love and DevotionThe intensification of love and devotion is a central theme in the teachings of Jesus. In
Matthew 22:37-38, Jesus commands, "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment." This commandment calls for an all-encompassing, intensified love for God, reflecting total devotion and commitment.
ConclusionThe biblical narrative frequently illustrates the concept of intensification, whether in divine actions, spiritual fervor, prayer, trials, or love. These examples serve to encourage believers to deepen their faith and commitment, trusting in God's sovereignty and purpose.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To render more intense; as, to intensify heat or cold; to intensify colors; to intensify a photographic negative; to intensify animosity.
2. (v. i.) To become intense, or more intense; to act with increasing power or energy.
Strong's Hebrew
3254. yasaph -- to add... 2), give (1), give you increase (1), grow (1), increase (4), increase you a more
(1), increased (6), increases (3), increasing (2),
intensify (1), join (1
...8027. shalash -- to do a third time, divide into three parts
... A primitive root perhaps originally tointensify, ie Treble; but apparently used
only as denominative from shalowsh, to be (causatively, make) triplicate (by...
Library
The Face of Jesus
... sympathy. Those forty days in the wilderness wouldintensify the purity and
strength, and bring evidence of struggle and of victory....
Introduction.
... of a family in which all the rest could sing well), the missionary stations he planted,
the life he lived, will widen out, and deepen andintensify through all...
Eternal Life.
... his steps in the right direction may find even now in the still dim twilight of
the scientific world much that will illuminate andintensify his sublimest faith...
Some Use to Jesus.
... mine.". Since them art good, so good, to me, I beg to be some use to thee:
Intensify thy love divine Within my heart, that I may shine....
The Papacy not the Antichrist
... But this only served tointensify their enmity against Him, for we read, "Therefore
the Jews sought the more to kill Him, because He not only had broken the...
Chapter xiii.
... my own eyes. Then, when the word "right" is added, it is meant perhaps to
intensify the strength of the affection. [123] For although...
The Real Thing of Light.
... Light. And John goes on tointensify yet more what he is thinking and saying:
there was the true light, the real thing of light....
Gethsemane, the Oil-Press
... The strange word translated by the Revisers 'sore troubled' is of uncertain derivation,
and may possibly be simply intended tointensify the idea of sorrow...
In the Garden
... warning, and persisted in trusting the hearts He knew to be so fearful, their
professions of loyalty could only deepen His distress, andintensify His isolation...
A Treatise to Prove that no one Can Harm the Man who Does not...
... groans, and lamentations, and weeping of the sufferers are universal; and the judges
who are appointed to reform such evils, themselvesintensify the tempest...
Thesaurus
Intensify (1 Occurrence)... 1. (vt) To render more intense; as, to
intensify heat or cold; to
intensify colors;
to
intensify a photographic negative; to
intensify animosity.
...Intensely (9 Occurrences)
Intent (37 Occurrences)
Own (5782 Occurrences)
... to; peculiar; -- most frequently following a possessive pronoun, as my, our, thy,
your, his, her, its, their, in order to emphasize orintensify the idea of...
Irritate (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To annoy; to inflame; to render null and void. 2. (vt) To increase the action
or violence of; to heighten excitement in; tointensify; to stimulate....
Intend (30 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To stretch' to extend; to distend. 2. (vt) To strain; to make tense. 3.
(vt) Tointensify; to strengthen. 4. (vt) To apply with energy....
Inflame (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) Fig.: To kindle orintensify, as passion or appetite; to excite to an
excessive or unnatural action or heat; as, to inflame desire....
Raise (175 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To increase the strength, vigor, or vehemence of; to excite; tointensify;
to invigorate; to heighten; as, to raise the pulse; to raise the voice; to...
Exalt (56 Occurrences)
... 6. (vt) To render pure or refined; tointensify or concentrate; as, to exalt
the juices of bodies. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. EXALT....
Eyelid
... as centered in her eyes (Proverbs 6:25 Isaiah 3:16): "Neither let her take thee
with her eyelids." Painting the eyelids was resorted to tointensify the beauty...
Resources
What is the Great Tribulation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the history of Christianity? | GotQuestions.orgHow can the light of stars billions of light years away from the earth have reached us if the earth is only thousands of years old? | GotQuestions.orgIntensify: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
