Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Usage in Scripture:The term "marvel" in the Bible is often used to describe a sense of wonder or astonishment, typically in response to the miraculous works of God or the extraordinary actions of Jesus Christ. It conveys a reaction of awe and amazement at events or phenomena that surpass human understanding or expectation.
Old Testament Context:In the Old Testament, the concept of marveling is frequently associated with the mighty acts of God. The Israelites often marveled at God's deliverance and the wonders He performed on their behalf. For instance, in Exodus, the parting of the Red Sea is an event that would have caused great marvel among the people. Although the specific word "marvel" may not always be used, the reaction of awe is implicit in the narrative of God's miraculous interventions.
New Testament Context:In the New Testament, the Greek word "θαυμάζω" (thaumazō) is often translated as "marvel." This term is used to describe the reaction of people to Jesus' teachings and miracles. For example, in the Gospel of Matthew, the crowds marveled at Jesus' authority and wisdom: "When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at His teaching" (
Matthew 22:33). Similarly, in the Gospel of Mark, the disciples marveled at Jesus' command over the wind and the sea: "They were terrified and asked one another, 'Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey Him!'" (
Mark 4:41).
Jesus and Marveling:Interestingly, Jesus Himself is described as marveling on two occasions. In
Matthew 8:10, Jesus marvels at the faith of the centurion, saying, "Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith" . Conversely, in
Mark 6:6, Jesus marvels at the unbelief of the people in His hometown: "And He was amazed at their unbelief" . These instances highlight the significance of faith and belief in the ministry of Jesus.
Theological Implications:The concept of marveling in the Bible underscores the divine nature of God's works and the human response to His power and authority. It serves as a reminder of the transcendence of God and the appropriate human reaction of reverence and awe. The marveling at Jesus' miracles and teachings points to His divine identity and the fulfillment of God's promises through Him.
Application for Believers:For believers, the biblical use of "marvel" encourages a posture of humility and worship in response to God's mighty works. It calls Christians to recognize the extraordinary nature of God's intervention in the world and to respond with faith and trust. The marveling at Jesus' authority and compassion serves as an invitation to deepen one's faith and to acknowledge His lordship in all areas of life.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) That which causes wonder; a prodigy; a miracle.
2. (n.) Wonder.
3. (v. i.) To be struck with surprise, astonishment, or wonder; to wonder.
4. (v. t.) To marvel at.
5. (v. t.) To cause to marvel, or be surprised; -- used impersonally.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
MARVEL; MARVELOUSmar'-vel, mar'-vel-us (tamah, pala'; thaumazo, thaumastos): "To marvel" is the translation of tamah, "to wonder" (Genesis 43:33Psalm 48:5, the Revised Version (British and American) "were amazed";Ecclesiastes 5:8); of thaumazo, "to admire," "wonder" (Matthew 8:10, 27Mark 5:20John 3:7Acts 2:7Revelation 17:7 the King James Version, etc.); "marvel" (substantive) occurs in the plural as translation of pala', "to distinguish," figuratively, "to make wonderful" (Exodus 34:10, "I will do marvels, such as have not been wrought" (the Revised Version margin "created")); and of thaumastos (thauma) (2 Corinthians 11:14).
"Marvelous" is the translation of pala', "marvelous works" (1 Chronicles 16:12, 24Psalm 9:1); "marvelous things" (Job 5:9;Job 10:16Psalm 31:21;Psalm 118:23Isaiah 29:14Daniel 11:36Zechariah 8:6, bis); "marvellously," pala' (Job 37:5Habakkuk 1:5 twice (tamah), "regard and wonder marvelously," literally, "marvel marvelously"); thaumastos, "admirable," "wonderful," is translated "marvelous" (Matthew 21:421 Peter 2:9Revelation 15:1, 3, etc.).
In Apocrypha we have "marvel" (Ecclesiasticus 11:13; 47:17:00; 2 Maccabees 1:22; 7:12); "marvelleth" (Ecclesiasticus 40:7; 43:18); "marvellous" (The Wisdom of Solomon 10:17; 19:8, etc., mostly thaumazo and compounds).
The Revised Version (British and American) has "wonder" for "marvel" (Revelation 17:7)' "the marvel" for a "marvellous thing" (John 9:30); "marvelled" for "wondered" (Luke 8:25;Luke 11:14); "marvelled at" for "admired" (2 Thessalonians 1:10); "marveling" for "wondered" (Luke 9:43); "marvellous" for "wondrous" (1 Chronicles 16:9Psalm 105:2); "marvellous things" for "and wonders" (Job 9:10); "wonderful" for "marvellous" (Psalm 139:14); for "marvelled" (Matthew 9:8), "were afraid," and (Mark 12:17) "marvelled greatly" (different texts).
W. L. Walker
Greek
2296. thaumazo -- tomarvel, wonder... to
marvel, wonder. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: thaumazo Phonetic Spelling:
(thou-mad'-zo) Short Definition: I wonder, admire Definition: (a) intrans
...5059. teras -- a wonder,marvel
... a wonder,marvel. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: teras Phonetic Spelling:
(ter'-as) Short Definition: a wonder, portent Definition: a wonder...
2295. thauma -- a wonder
... a wonder. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: thauma Phonetic Spelling:
(thos'-mah) Short Definition: amarvel, wonder Definition: (a) concr: amarvel...
2298. thaumastos -- wonderful
... marvelous. From thaumazo; wondered at, ie (by implication) wonderful --
marvel(-lous). see GREEK thaumazo. (thaumasta) -- 1 Occurrence....
Strong's Hebrew
4159. mopheth -- a wonder, sign, portent... Word Origin from an unused word Definition a wonder, sign, portent NASB Word Usage
marvel (1), marvels (3), miracle (1), miracles (1), sign (8), symbol (1
...8539. tamah -- to be astounded or dumbfounded
... be amazed, be astonished, marvelously, wonder. A primitive root; to be in consternation
-- be amazed, be astonished,marvel(-lously), wonder. 8538, 8539....
Library
Marvel Not
...MARVEL NOT. "Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.""John 3:7....
Marvel not at all, says ignorance, because you cannot know at all....
TheMarvel Is, not that Men have Failed to Know Christ...
... Book IV. Chapter I. Themarvel is, not that men have failed to know Christ?
Themarvel is, not that men have failed to know Christ...
But IMarvel, If, as it is Allowed to Put Away a Wife Who...
... Section 7. But Imarvel, if, as it is allowed to put away a wife who?
7. But Imarvel, if, as it is allowed to put away a wife...
But whatMarvel that I was Thus Carried Away to Vanities...
... Book I Chapter XVIII But whatmarvel that I was thus carried away to vanities?
But whatmarvel that I was thus carried away to...
"I Will Make Use of Another not DissimilarMarvel in a Like Kind...
... Dialogues of Sulpitius Severus. Chapter IX. "I will make use of another
not dissimilarmarvel in a like kind of work? "I will...
2 Cor. xi. 13
... Ver.14, 15. "And nomarvel; for if even Satan fashioneth... So that if one ought to
marvel, this is what he ought tomarvel at, and not at their transformation....
That Ghostly Song Accords not with Bodily: and the Cause and the...
... outward voice to be heard with bodily ears; but among angels' tunes it has an
acceptable melody, and by them that have known it, it is commended withmarvel....
Hosanna!
... Themarvel is, that the like had not occurred before; for our Lord had healed many
sick folk, and these and their friends must have felt favourably towards him...
Blessed be He who was Baptized that He Might Baptize You, that Ye...
... 3. Amarvel it is that surpasses all!"To the water He went down and was
baptized."The seas declared it blessed,"that river wherein Thou wast baptized...
Love's Commendation
... But on this occasion I conceive that they ceased not tomarvel. "What! wilt thou
die, O Word! Creator! Master!... Do you not wonder? What, will you notmarvel?...
Thesaurus
Marvel (20 Occurrences)... 4. (vt) To
marvel at. 5. (vt) To cause to
marvel, or be surprised; -- used
impersonally. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
MARVEL; MARVELOUS.
...Marvelous (30 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Partaking of the character of miracle, or supernatural power; incredible.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.MARVEL; MARVELOUS....
Wonder (148 Occurrences)
... a miracle. 3. (vi) To be affected with surprise or admiration; to be struck
with astonishment; to be amazed; tomarvel. 4. (vi) To...
Wonderful (71 Occurrences)
... Other frequent words are pala', pele', a "marvel," "miracle" (Exodus 3:20; Exodus
15:11 Joshua 3:5 Isaiah 9:6, margin "wonderful counselor," etc.)....
Admire (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To regard with wonder or astonishment;
to view with surprise; tomarvel at. 2. (vt) To regard...
Admiration (2 Occurrences)
... ad-mi-ra'-shun (thauma, "amarvel" or "wonder"; thaumazo, "to wonder"): A term thrice
used in the King James Version in the New Testament, to express a wonder...
Marveled (31 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofMarvel. Multi-Version Concordance
Marveled (31 Occurrences). Matthew 8:10 When Jesus heard...
Amazed (75 Occurrences)
... spirit. (YLT). John 3:7 Don'tmarvel that I said to you,'You must be born
anew.' (See NAS). John 4:27 At this, his disciples came....
Astonished (92 Occurrences)
... the schools?" (WEY NAS). John 7:21 Jesus answered them, "I did one work,
and you allmarvel because of it. (See NIV). Acts 2:7 They...
Loveth (88 Occurrences)
... John 5:20 For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself
doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye maymarvel....
Resources
What does it mean that we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)? | GotQuestions.orgI am a Muslim, why should I consider becoming a Christian? | GotQuestions.orgDoes John 3:5 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation? | GotQuestions.orgMarvel: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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