Topical Encyclopedia
The term "lowered" in the context of the Bible often refers to the act of physically lowering something or someone, typically using ropes or other means, from a higher place to a lower one. This action is depicted in several biblical narratives, illustrating themes of deliverance, humility, and divine intervention.
1. Lowering of the Paralytic (Mark 2:1-12;Luke 5:17-26):One of the most notable instances of lowering in the New Testament is the account of the paralytic man. In
Mark 2:4 , it is recorded, "Since they were unable to get to Jesus through the crowd, they uncovered the roof above Him, made an opening, and lowered the paralytic on his mat." This act of faith by the man's friends led to his healing and forgiveness of sins by Jesus, demonstrating the power of faith and the compassion of Christ.
2. Paul's Escape from Damascus (Acts 9:23-25;2 Corinthians 11:32-33):The Apostle Paul experienced being lowered in a basket to escape danger. In
Acts 9:25 , it states, "One night his disciples took him and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall." This event highlights God's providential care and the early church's commitment to protecting its leaders. Paul's escape allowed him to continue his ministry and spread the Gospel.
3. Lowering of Jeremiah into the Cistern (Jeremiah 38:6-13):The prophet Jeremiah was lowered into a cistern as a form of punishment for his prophecies against Jerusalem.
Jeremiah 38:6 recounts, "So they took Jeremiah and lowered him into the cistern of Malchiah, the king’s son, which was in the courtyard of the guard. They lowered Jeremiah by ropes into the cistern; it had no water, only mud, and Jeremiah sank into the mud." This act of lowering was intended to silence Jeremiah, but he was later rescued, signifying God's protection over His prophets.
4. Symbolism and Themes:The act of lowering in these biblical accounts often symbolizes humility and vulnerability. It is a physical manifestation of being brought low, either by circumstances or by choice, to receive divine intervention or protection. In each instance, the individuals involved are either delivered from peril or brought into the presence of Jesus, underscoring themes of faith, salvation, and God's sovereignty.
5. Spiritual Implications:From a spiritual perspective, the concept of being "lowered" can also be seen as a metaphor for humility before God.
James 4:10 encourages believers, "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you." This principle is evident in the narratives where those who are physically lowered are ultimately lifted up by God's grace and power.
In summary, the biblical instances of lowering serve as powerful reminders of God's deliverance and the importance of faith and humility in the believer's life.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
imp. & p. p.) of Lower.
2. (imp. & p. p.) of Lower.
Greek
2524. kathiemi -- to let down... Word Origin from kata and hiemi (to send) Definition to let down NASB Word Usage
down (1), let...down (2),
lowered (2), lowering* (1). to let down, lower.
...Strong's Hebrew
3381. yarad -- to come or go down, descend... 2), goes down (2), going down (3), gone below (1), gone down (9), indeed came down
(1), let them down (1), let us down (1), let...down (1),
lowered (3), once (1
...Library
The Babe that I Carry Carries Me, Saith Mary, and He HasLowered...
... Hymn XII. The Babe that I carry carries me, saith Mary, and He haslowered His wings,
and taken and placed me between His pinions, and mounted into the air....
Jesus Heals a Paralytic at Capernaum.
... broken up." Moreover, the man was let down "through the tiles," which seems to indicate
that the remaining tiles encased an opening through which he waslowered...
Blessed be that Child, who Gladdened Bethlehem To-Day!
... Blessed be the Babe Who made manhood young again to-day! Blessed be the
Fruit, Wholowered Himself to our famished state! Blessed...
Paul's Shipwreck
... of the ship. As they were afraid that they might run ashore on the African
quicksands, theylowered the sail and drifted. But as...
Honour and Glory unto Him.
... Peter had spoken once more in the impulsiveness of the flesh. By putting the Lord
of Glory alongside of Moses and Elias, he hadlowered the dignity of Him....
The Epistle of St. James
... for gold is tested in fire, and men acceptable to God in the furnace of adversity'
(adversity being the same word as James renders in ver.9 by beinglowered)....
Whether the Seller is Bound to State the Defects of the Thing Sold...
... Now sometimes the price would belowered for some other reason, without any defect
in the thing sold: for instance, if the seller carry wheat to a place where...
Psalm VIII.
... Therefore hath Godlowered the Scriptures even to the capacity of babes and sucklings,
as it is sung in another Psalm, "And Helowered the heaven, and came down...
Excursus on the Chorepiscopi.
... 2d. That sometimes by accident a chorepiscopus might be a bishop, but only
through having been canonicallylowered to that rank....
2 Corinthians v. 17, 18
... and of assurance; that men are not all so bad as to require the one, 'nor so good
as to deserve the other; that in both cases it should belowered, to agree...
Thesaurus
Lowered (14 Occurrences)...Lowered (14 Occurrences).
... Fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis sand
bars, they
lowered the sea anchor, and so were driven along.
...Lower (72 Occurrences)
... interest, etc. 8. (vi) To fall; to sink; to grow less; to diminish; to decrease;
as, the riverlowered as rapidly as it rose. 9. (vi...
Untiled (1 Occurrence)
... unable, however, to bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they untiled the roof
just over His head, and after clearing an opening theylowered the mat on...
Unable (102 Occurrences)
... unable, however, to bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they untiled the roof
just over His head, and after clearing an opening theylowered the mat on...
Under-girding (1 Occurrence)
... 27:17 and when they had hoisted it up, they used helps, under-girding the ship;
and, fearing lest they should be cast upon the Syrtis, theylowered the gear...
Opening (242 Occurrences)
... unable, however, to bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, they untiled the roof
just over His head, and after clearing an opening theylowered the mat on...
Lowereth (1 Occurrence)
Lifeboat (3 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:30 As the sailors were trying to flee out of the ship, and hadlowered the
boat into the sea, pretending that they would lay out anchors from the bow...
Gear (3 Occurrences)
... hoisting it on board, they used frapping-cables to undergird the ship, and, as they
were afraid of being driven on the Syrtis quicksands, theylowered the gear...
Intending (24 Occurrences)
... Acts 27:30 As the sailors were trying to flee out of the ship, and hadlowered the
boat into the sea, pretending that they would lay out anchors from the bow...
Resources
What does the Bible say about eating/drinking blood? | GotQuestions.orgWhy, when, and for how long was the apostle Paul in Arabia? | GotQuestions.orgHow was Jesus' death a real sacrifice if He knew He would be resurrected? | GotQuestions.orgLowered: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
