Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, "openings" can refer to various physical, spiritual, and metaphorical concepts. The term is used to describe literal openings, such as doors and gates, as well as figurative openings, such as opportunities or revelations from God.
Physical Openings1.
Doors and Gates: In the Bible, doors and gates often symbolize access and protection. For instance, in
Revelation 3:8 , Jesus says, "I have placed before you an open door, which no one can shut." This passage highlights the idea of divine opportunity and access granted by God. Similarly, in
Psalm 24:7 , the psalmist declares, "Lift up your heads, O gates, be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may enter." Here, the opening of gates signifies the welcoming of God's presence.
2.
Windows: Windows are mentioned in the context of blessings and divine provision.
Malachi 3:10 states, "Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this," says the LORD of Hosts, "and see if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure." This verse uses the imagery of windows to convey the abundance of God's blessings when His people are faithful.
Spiritual and Metaphorical Openings1.
Opportunities: The concept of openings as opportunities is prevalent throughout Scripture. In
Colossians 4:3 , Paul requests prayer for an opportunity to share the gospel: "And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains." This reflects the belief that God orchestrates circumstances to advance His purposes.
2.
Revelation and Understanding: Openings can also refer to the unveiling of spiritual truths. In
Luke 24:45 , after His resurrection, Jesus "opened their minds to understand the Scriptures." This opening signifies the divine act of granting insight and comprehension of God's Word.
3.
Hearts and Minds: The Bible speaks of God opening hearts to receive His message. In
Acts 16:14 , it is recorded that "The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul's message," referring to Lydia's conversion. This highlights the necessity of divine intervention for spiritual receptivity.
Symbolic Openings1.
The Red Sea and Jordan River: The miraculous parting of the Red Sea (
Exodus 14:21-22) and the Jordan River (
Joshua 3:16) are significant openings that symbolize deliverance and the fulfillment of God's promises. These events demonstrate God's power to create a way where there seems to be none.
2.
Heavenly Visions: In the book of Revelation, John describes a vision of heaven being opened: "After this I looked and saw a door standing open in heaven" (
Revelation 4:1). This opening represents the revelation of divine mysteries and the invitation to witness heavenly realities.
ConclusionThe concept of "openings" in the Bible encompasses a wide range of meanings, from physical access points to spiritual revelations and opportunities. These openings often signify God's intervention, guidance, and the unfolding of His divine plan. Through both literal and metaphorical openings, Scripture reveals the ways in which God interacts with His creation, providing access to His presence, blessings, and truth.
Greek
2440. himation -- an outer garment, a cloak, robe... [2440 ("a robe") was often made of wool with
openings for the head and arms, and
worn loosely the 5509 ("the under-tunic").]. Word Origin dim.
...Strong's Hebrew
699. arubbah -- a lattice, window, sluice... lurking); a lattice; (by implication) a window, dove-cot (because of the
pigeon-holes), chimney (with its apertures for smoke), sluice (with
openings for
...6607. pethach -- opening, doorway, entrance
... doorway at the entrance (1), doorways (3), entrance (43), entrances (1), entry
(1), gate (1), gates (1), gateway (1), gateway* (2), opening (1),openings (3)....
Library
The Early Life of St. Joseph
... There were no windows to be seen in the lower story of the dwelling house itself,
but high up there were circularopenings. I saw one door....
Work Development
... Christianity. We very soon found ourselves quite overwhelmed by the manyopenings
and opportunities which presented themselves on all sides....
The Cross and the Winepress.
... Upon this bag there was fastened a pestle, surmounted by a weight; and on both sides
of the trunk were arms joined to the bag, throughopenings made for the...
The Conquest of Babylon.
... There was a breast-work or low wall along the banks of it on either side, withopenings
at the terminations of the streets leading to the water, and flights of...
The Cause and Cure of Earthquakes
... In many places the earth would crack, and open and shut quick and fast, of which
openings, two or three hundred might be seen at a time; in some whereof the...
Coornhert and the Collegiants --A Movement for Spiritual Religion...
... experience and on inward insight he nevertheless, like Franck, was suspicious {108}
and wary of mystical "enthusiasm" and of "privateopenings." He criticized...
The Scaffolding Left in the Body
... to allow the aerated water, which has been taken in at the mouth, to pass out again
after bathing the gills"an equal number of slits oropenings is provided...
The Child Samuel.
... Before long the black tents were taken down by the women of the tribes, the crowds
of men and animals passed away through theopenings in the hills, and the...
The Economic Challenge to the Church
... lands have been abandoned by thousands of acres, indicates that urban opportunities
have far outbid the rural in financial returns, variety ofopenings, and in...
1879-1880. Experiences among Indians --Picnic in the Bush...
... We foundopenings for mission work all around, farmers and their families willing
to gather and sit any length of time with Bible and hymn-book in hand....
Thesaurus
Openings (27 Occurrences)...Openings (27 Occurrences).
... Exodus 28:36 And thou hast made a flower of pure gold,
and hast opened on it --
openings of a signet -- 'Holy to Jehovah;' (YLT).
...Cherubs (52 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 6:29 and all the walls of the house round about he hath carved withopenings
of carvings, cherubs, and palm trees, andopenings of flowers, within and...
Carvings (6 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 6:18 And the cedar for the house within 'is' carvings of knobs andopenings
of flowers; the whole 'is' cedar, there is not a stone seen. (YLT)....
Flower (33 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:36 And thou hast made a flower of pure gold, and hast opened
on it --openings of a signet -- 'Holy to Jehovah;' (YLT)....
Embroidered (26 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Exodus 28:11 the work of an engraver in stone,openings of a signet, thou
dost open the two stones by the names of the sons of Israel; turned round...
Nineveh (23 Occurrences)
... Numerousopenings occur in the walls, many of them ancient, though some
seem to have been made after the abandonment of the site....
Opening (242 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) A thinly wooded space, without undergrowth, in the midst of a forest; as,
oakopenings. Multi-Version Concordance Opening (242 Occurrences)....
Openly (52 Occurrences)
Opened (182 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:36 And thou hast made a flower of pure gold, and hast opened
on it --openings of a signet -- 'Holy to Jehovah;' (YLT)....
Nostril (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) One of the externalopenings of the nose, which give passage to the air
breathed and to secretions from the nose and eyes; one of the anterior nares....
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