Topical Encyclopedia
In the Bible, the concept of noise is often associated with both literal and metaphorical meanings, reflecting the diverse ways in which sound and clamor are perceived in the spiritual and physical realms. The term "noisy" can denote a range of sounds, from the tumultuous clamor of battle to the joyful noise of worship and celebration.
1. Noisy in the Context of Battle and JudgmentThe Bible frequently uses the imagery of noise to describe the chaos and tumult of warfare. In the prophetic literature, noise often symbolizes the impending judgment of God upon nations. For instance, in
Isaiah 17:12-13 , the prophet declares, "Oh, the raging of many nations—they rage like the raging sea! Oh, the uproar of the peoples—they roar like the roaring of mighty waters. Although the peoples roar like the roar of surging waters, when He rebukes them, they flee far away, driven before the wind like chaff on the hills, like tumbleweed before a gale."
This passage illustrates how the noise of nations is likened to the overwhelming and uncontrollable forces of nature, yet it is ultimately subdued by the power of God. The noise here is a metaphor for the tumultuous and often chaotic nature of human conflict, which stands in contrast to the peace and order that God brings.
2. Noisy Celebrations and WorshipConversely, noise is also associated with joy and celebration, particularly in the context of worship. The Psalms frequently exhort the faithful to make a joyful noise unto the Lord.
Psalm 100:1-2 states, "Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth. Serve the LORD with gladness; come into His presence with joyful songs."
In this context, noise is not a negative disturbance but a positive expression of exuberant praise and thanksgiving. The joyful noise is an outward manifestation of inner joy and reverence for God, reflecting the communal and celebratory aspects of worship in the life of the believer.
3. Noisy as a Symbol of Distraction and WorldlinessIn the wisdom literature, noise can also symbolize the distractions and vanities of the world that can lead one away from a life of righteousness.
Ecclesiastes 7:5 advises, "It is better to heed a wise man’s rebuke than to listen to the song of fools." Here, the "song of fools" can be understood as the noisy distractions that offer temporary pleasure but ultimately lead to folly.
The New Testament also warns against the clamor of worldly concerns that can drown out the voice of God. In
1 Corinthians 13:1 , the Apostle Paul writes, "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal." This metaphor highlights how noise, devoid of love and spiritual substance, is empty and meaningless.
4. The Eschatological NoiseIn eschatological passages, noise often accompanies the dramatic events of the end times. The book of Revelation describes the sounds associated with the final judgment and the coming of the new heaven and new earth.
Revelation 19:6 proclaims, "Then I heard a sound like the roar of a great multitude, like the rushing of many waters, and like a mighty rumbling of thunder, crying out: 'Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.'"
This eschatological noise signifies the ultimate triumph of God and the fulfillment of His divine plan. It is a noise that heralds the culmination of history and the establishment of God's eternal kingdom.
In summary, the concept of noise in the Bible encompasses a wide range of meanings, from the chaos of human conflict to the joyful expressions of worship, and from the distractions of worldly life to the awe-inspiring sounds of the end times. Each instance of noise serves to underscore the broader spiritual truths and realities conveyed throughout Scripture.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
superl.) Making a noise, esp. a loud sound; clamorous; vociferous; turbulent; boisterous; as, the noisy crowd.
2. (superl.) Full of noise.
Greek
5182. turbazo -- to disturb, to trouble.... 5182 (from , "a
noisy, tumultuous crowd"; cf. Latin, , "confusion") -- properly,
to be in (a ). (5182 is related to 2351 , "uproar.").
...2358. thriambeuo -- to triumph
... From a prolonged compound of the base of throeo; and a derivative of haptomai (meaning
anoisy iambus, sung in honor of Bacchus); to make an acclamatory...
2278. echeo -- to make a loud noise, to sound
... as the sea). Word Origin from echos Definition to make a loud noise, to
sound NASB Word Usagenoisy (1). roar, sound. From echos...
2350b. thorubeo -- to make an uproar
... Word Origin from thorubos Definition to make an uproar NASB Word Usage make a commotion
(1),noisy disorder (1), set (1), troubled (1), uproar (1)....
Strong's Hebrew
1949. hum -- to murmur, roar, defeat in battle... hum or him. 1950 . to murmur, roar, defeat in battle. Transliteration: hum or
him Phonetic Spelling: (hoom) Short Definition:
noisy. Word Origin a prim.
...770. Arnan -- a descendant of David
... of David NASB Word Usage Arnan (1). Arnan. Probably from the same as 'Arnown;noisy;
Arnan, an Israelite -- Arnan. see HEBREW 'Arnown. 769, 770. Arnan. 771 >...
3220. yam -- sea
... From an unused root meaning to roar; a sea (as breaking innoisy surf) or large
body of water; specifically (with the article), the Mediterranean Sea...
1993. hamah -- to murmur, growl, roar, be boisterous
... 2), growl (1), howl (2), intones (1), made an uproar (1), make an uproar (2), making
such an uproar (1), mourning (1), murmur (1),noisy (1), pounding (1...
Library
The Son of Thunder
... Do not fancy that it means merely a loud andnoisy person.... Can those whose mouths
are full ofnoisy and violent talk, be true Sons of Thunder, if St....
In the House of Kimberker
... And Paul was a pretty gay blade. Rough, boisterous, wild in manner, he picked
companions like himself. Kimberker' 5 house soon became anoisy place....
Treatise v. An Address to Demetrianus.
... 1. I had frequently, Demetrianus, treated with contempt your railing andnoisy clamour
with sacrilegious mouth and impious words against the one and true God...
Building in Silence
... 'The Kingdom of God cometh not with observation.'. (1) In reference to its advance
in the world. Destructive work isnoisy, constructive work is silent....
Paul in the Temple
... promptitude he turned out a detachment and 'ran down upon them.' The contrast between
the quiet power of the legionaries and thenoisy feebleness of the mob is...
Silence to God
... He cannot say, 'My soul is silent unto God,' whose whole being is buzzing
with vanities andnoisy with the din of the market-place....
At the Well
... The ragged rout approached, singing and shouting,noisy and of doubtful temper.
A cloud of dust came with them and the odor of stall and of quarry sweat....
The Unchangeable Christ
... perplexed by all the apparent contradictions and cross purposes and opposing powers
and principles of this strange, dark,noisy time, remember to your comfort...
Jacob's Waking Exclamation
... soon come crowding o'er your mind, and you may find yourself as much alone with
God in crowded Cheapside, or in the thronging Borough ornoisy Whitechapel, as...
Letter L. To Domnio.
... to me of these"nay, of one in particular"a lounger who is to be seen in the streets,
at crossings, and in public places; a monk who is anoisy news-monger...
Thesaurus
Noisy (14 Occurrences)... 1. (superl.) Making a noise, esp. a loud sound; clamorous; vociferous; turbulent;
boisterous; as, the
noisy crowd.
...Noisy (14 Occurrences).
...Rattle (2 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) A rapid succession of sharp, clattering sounds; as, the rattle of a drum.
9. (n.)Noisy, rapid talk.... 11. (n.) Anoisy, senseless talker; a jabberer....
Breakdown (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) Anoisy, rapid, shuffling dance engaged in competitively by a number of
persons or pairs in succession, as among the colored people of the Southern...
Boisterous (5 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Exhibiting tumultuous violence and fury; acting withnoisy turbulence;
violent; rough; stormy. 3. (a.)Noisy; rough; turbulent...
Raven (7 Occurrences)
... diet as any bird. It isnoisy, with a loud, rough, emphatic cry, and its
young are clamorous feeding time. Aristotle wrote that...
Noisome (7 Occurrences)
Noisily (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In anoisy manner. Multi-Version Concordance
Noisily (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 28:28 Bread grain is...
Nomad (1 Occurrence)
Unholy (23 Occurrences)
... doing of the things which the Gentiles delight in-- pursuing, as you did, a course
of habitual licence, debauchery, hard drinking,noisy revelry, drunkenness...
Utters (26 Occurrences)
... squares. (WEB). Proverbs 1:21 She calls at the head ofnoisy places. At the
entrance of the city gates, she utters her words: (WEB NAS)....
Resources
What does it mean to make a joyful noise unto the Lord? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about rioting? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of a city gate in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgNoisy: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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