Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terms, the concept of being "branded" can be understood both literally and metaphorically, often relating to ownership, identity, and spiritual condition. While the term "branded" itself does not appear explicitly in the Berean Standard Bible, the underlying themes are present throughout Scripture.
Ownership and IdentityIn ancient times, branding was a common practice to signify ownership, particularly of livestock and slaves. This concept is mirrored in the Bible, where believers are often described as belonging to God. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul speaks to this idea in
Galatians 6:17 : "From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus." Here, Paul refers to the physical scars and sufferings he endured for the sake of Christ, symbolizing his total dedication and belonging to Jesus.
Spiritual ConditionThe notion of being branded can also relate to one's spiritual condition. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were marked as God's chosen people through the covenant of circumcision, a physical sign of their unique relationship with Him. This idea of a spiritual mark is further developed in the New Testament, where believers are said to be sealed with the Holy Spirit.
Ephesians 1:13 states, "And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit."
False Teachings and ApostasyThe concept of branding is also used metaphorically to describe those who have deviated from the truth. In
1 Timothy 4:1-2 , Paul warns, "Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron." Here, the imagery of a seared conscience suggests a branding that marks individuals as having departed from sound doctrine, indicating a hardened state against the truth.
Mark of the BeastIn eschatological contexts, branding is vividly depicted in the Book of Revelation.
Revelation 13:16-17 describes the "mark of the beast," a symbol of allegiance to the Antichrist: "And the second beast required all people small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their forehead, so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark—the name of the beast or the number of its name." This mark signifies a spiritual and economic allegiance that stands in stark contrast to the seal of God on His faithful.
ConclusionThe biblical concept of being branded encompasses themes of ownership, identity, spiritual condition, and allegiance. Whether through the marks of suffering for Christ, the seal of the Holy Spirit, or the ominous mark of the beast, branding in Scripture serves as a powerful metaphor for one's relationship with God or opposition to Him.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Brand.
Strong's Hebrew
3793. kethobeth -- an imprint... a letter or other mark
branded on the skin. From kathab; a letter or other mark
branded on the skin -- X any (mark). see HEBREW kathab. 3792, 3793.
...Library
Prophets and the Prophet
... The longing is here recognised as legitimate, while the methods arebranded as bad,
and Israel is warned from them, by being pointed to the merciful divine...
You Allude to vigilantius. What Dream this is that You have...
... Next, you might complain that he had sent to the East a letter aimed at you which
branded you with the mark of heresy, and said that by your translation of...
Fourth Sunday after Trinity Consolation in Suffering, and Patience...
... the Galatians (ch.6, 17): Henceforth let no one confuse me, say nothing to me about
the doctrine that friendship is rewarded on earth; for I bearbranded on my...
Political Religion
... in Scripture as idolatry pure and simple; and though it is clearly distinguished
from the worship of false gods, it is none the lessbranded as rebellion...
But Let this Pass, for what Follows is of More Importance. I Thank...
... use reasonable speech as lash with the scourge of his tongue whomsoever he pleases;
and any one who refuses to flatter him must expect to bebranded at once as...
A Few Sighs from Hell;
... and reckoning those that are most serious about, and earnest after the world to
come, men of foolish spirits, giddy brains, and worthy to bebranded in the...
Letter xii. Leo, Bishop of the City of Rome, to all the Bishops of...
... improper to attain to the world's dignities without the help of time and without
the merit of having toiled, and if the seeking of office isbranded unless it...
If, with the Object of Convicting the Rivals and Persecutors of...
... in a mere affectation of judgment and wisdom, he sets himself to reject their
ceremonies, or to convicting the world of its sin, he is sure to bebranded as a...
Argument. --He First of all Asserts that the Law is Spiritual; and...
... But a grave fault isbranded on those who attach earthly and human doctrine to
sacred and spiritual words; and this we must beware of doing....
And it came to Pass that the Festival of the Dedication was at...
... in his teeth, retired to the shepherds, who were in their pastures with their flocks;
nor would he return home, lest perchance he might bebranded with the...
Thesaurus
Branded (2 Occurrences)...Branded (2 Occurrences). Galatians 6:17 From now on, let no one cause me any trouble,
for I bear the marks of the Lord Jesus
branded on my body. (WEB WEY ASV).
...Branding (3 Occurrences)
... Branding (3 Occurrences). 1 Timothy 4:2 through the hypocrisy of men who speak lies,
branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron; (See NAS)....
Sear
... "Criminals arebranded on their forehead, so that all men may know their
infamy. The consciences of certain men arebranded just...
Bacchus
... His worship had been introduced into Egypt, perhaps by the Ptolemies, and Ptolemy
Philopator (222-204 BC) hadbranded the Jews there with his emblem, the sign...
Mark (182 Occurrences)
... (6) stigma, "a mark pricked orbranded upon the body." Slaves and soldiers, in ancient
times, were stamped orbranded with the name of their master....
Brand (4 Occurrences)
Onward (25 Occurrences)
... (Root in WEY NAS). Galatians 6:17 From this time onward let no one trouble me; for,
as for me, I bear,branded on my body, the scars of Jesus as my Master....
Lies (208 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 4:2 through the hypocrisy of men who speak lies,branded in their
own conscience as with a hot iron; (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT)....
Liars (14 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 4:2 through the hypocrisy of men who speak lies,branded in their
own conscience as with a hot iron; (See NAS RSV NIV)....
Infamous (2 Occurrences)
... corruption. 3. (a.)Branded with infamy by conviction of a crime; as, at
common law, an infamous person can not be a witness. 4. (a...
Resources
What is the antilegomena? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a scarlet letter? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is heavy shepherding? | GotQuestions.orgBranded: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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