Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "opens" in the Bible often signifies the act of God or individuals making something accessible or revealing something hidden. This term can be understood both literally and metaphorically, encompassing physical openings, spiritual revelations, and divine interventions.
Physical OpeningsIn the literal sense, "opens" is used to describe the act of opening doors, gates, or other physical barriers. For instance, in the narrative of Peter's miraculous escape from prison, an angel of the Lord opens the prison doors: "Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. 'Quick, get up!' he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists. Then the angel said to him, 'Put on your clothes and sandals.' And Peter did so. 'Wrap your cloak around you and follow me,' the angel told him. Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it" (
Acts 12:7-10).
Spiritual RevelationsMetaphorically, "opens" is often used to describe the unveiling of spiritual truths or the enlightening of the mind and heart. In the Psalms, the psalmist prays for understanding: "Open my eyes that I may see wondrous things from Your law" (
Psalm 119:18). This plea reflects a desire for divine insight and comprehension of God's Word.
In the New Testament, Jesus frequently opens the understanding of His disciples. After His resurrection, He appears to them and "opened their minds to understand the Scriptures" (
Luke 24:45). This act of opening signifies the impartation of spiritual wisdom and the ability to grasp the deeper meanings of the Scriptures.
Divine InterventionsThe Bible also uses "opens" to describe God's intervention in human affairs, often in miraculous ways. In the book of Genesis, God opens the heavens to provide for Hagar and Ishmael: "Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink" (
Genesis 21:19). This opening of Hagar's eyes to see the well signifies God's provision and care in times of distress.
Similarly, in the account of Balaam, God opens the mouth of Balaam's donkey to speak, revealing divine intervention and warning: "Then the LORD opened the donkey’s mouth, and she said to Balaam, 'What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?'" (
Numbers 22:28). This miraculous event underscores God's sovereignty and ability to use any means to communicate His will.
Open Doors and OpportunitiesThe New Testament frequently uses the metaphor of open doors to describe opportunities for ministry and the spread of the Gospel. The Apostle Paul writes to the Corinthians about such an opportunity: "But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me" (
1 Corinthians 16:8-9). Here, the open door represents a divinely appointed opportunity for evangelism and service, despite opposition.
In the book of Revelation, Jesus speaks to the church in Philadelphia, saying, "See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut" (
Revelation 3:8). This assurance of an open door signifies the certainty of God's promises and the unstoppable nature of His plans for His people.
ConclusionThe theme of "opens" in the Bible is rich with meaning, encompassing God's power to reveal, provide, and create opportunities. Whether through physical openings, spiritual enlightenment, or divine interventions, the act of opening is a testament to God's active presence and work in the world.
Greek
455. anoigo -- to open... Word Origin from ana and oigo (to open) Definition to open NASB Word Usage break
(1), broke (7), open (22), opened (41), opening (2),
opens (4), spoken freely
...1272. dianoigo -- to open up completely
... Word Origin from dia and anoigo Definition to open up completely NASB Word Usage
explaining (2), opened (5),opens (1). to open up completely....
Strong's Hebrew
6363a. peter -- that which separates or firstopens... 6363, 6363a. peter. 6363b . that which separates or first
opens.
Transliteration: peter Short Definition: offspring. Word Origin
...6363b. pitrah -- that which separates or firstopens
... 6363a, 6363b. pitrah. 6364 . that which separates or firstopens.
Transliteration: pitrah Short Definition: issue. Word Origin from...
3316. Yiphtach -- "Heopens," a Gileadite, also a city of Judah
... Yiphtach. 3317 . "Heopens," a Gileadite, also a city of Judah. Transliteration:
Yiphtach Phonetic Spelling: (yif-tawkh') Short Definition: Jephthah....
3317. Yiphtach-el -- "Godopens," a valley between Zebulun and...
... Yiphtach-el. 3318 . "Godopens," a valley between Zebulun and Asher. Transliteration:
Yiphtach-el Phonetic Spelling: (yif-tach-ale') Short Definition: Iphtahel...
6363. peter -- that which separates or firstopens
... 6362, 6363. peter. 6363a . that which separates or firstopens. Transliteration:
peter Phonetic Spelling: (peh'-ter) Short Definition: firstling....
6475. patsah -- to part, open
... root Definition to part, open NASB Word Usage given (2), open (1), open wide
(1), opened (5),opens (2), rescue (2), rescues (1), uttered (1)....
6605a. pathach -- to open
... 1), free (1), freeing (1), freely open (2), loose (3), loosed (4), loosen (2), loosens
(1), open (50), opened (46), opened wide (1),opens (4), release (1...
1540. galah -- to uncover, remove
... led him captive (1), led away (3), led away into exile (3), led...away into exile
(2), lift (1), made (1), make (2), open (4), opened (1),opens (3), published...
6589. pasaq -- to part, open wide
... Definition: wide. Word Origin a prim. root Definition to part, open wide
NASB Word Usageopens wide (1), spread (1). open wide. A...
6491b. paqach -- to open (eyes)
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to open (eyes) NASB Word Usage open (10), opened
(7),opens (2), watch* (1). 6491a, 6491b. paqach. 6492 ....
Library
Whether ConfessionOpens Paradise?
... OF THE EFFECT OF CONFESSION (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether confessionopens paradise?
Objection 1: It would seem that confession does not open Paradise....
WesleyOpens a New Church
... WesleyOpens a New Church; Comments on Rousseau; Geology; Swedenborg, and Riding
Horseback; Gwennap and 20,000 People; Death of Whitefield WesleyOpens a New...
He Therefore thatOpens a Field of Controversy to the Deist...
... [Way-1-25] He therefore thatopens a field of controversy to the Deist?
He therefore thatopens a field of controversy to the...
Leaves College. Goes to Alexandria, Ky. An Adventure in Ohio. A...
... A Baby not Baptized. Peril in Crossing the River.Opens His School. Makes Some Money....
Peril in Crossing the River.Opens His School. Makes Some Money....
Marcion Rejected the Preceding Portion of St. Luke's Gospel...
... St. Luke's Gospel Therefore This ReviewOpens with an Examination of the
Case of the Evil Spirit in the Synagogue of Capernaum....
Having Prayed to God, He Pours Forth a Shower of Tears, And...
... Book VIII. Chapter XII."Having Prayed to God, He Pours Forth a Shower of Tears,
And, Admonished by a Voice, HeOpens the Book and Reads the Words in Rom....
The Pelagians Argue that God Sometimes Closes the Womb in Anger...
... Book II. Chapter 27."The Pelagians Argue that God Sometimes Closes the Womb
in Anger, andOpens It When Appeased. Carefully consider...
'The Matter of a Day in Its Day'
... He does not start us, at the beginning of our days, with a fund of physical vitality
upon which we thereafter draw, but moment by moment Heopens His hand, and...
The Power that Never Fails.
... Heopens the Word, making its meaning stand clearly out.... Heopens doors; the doors
of circumstances that we find locked and double-padlocked against us....
Spelling God.
... will. This is the master-key to the Book of God. Itopens every lock and
page. Itopens us to the Book, andopens the Book to us. It...
Thesaurus
Opens (30 Occurrences)...Opens (30 Occurrences). Luke 2:23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every
male who
opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord"), (WEB DBY NAS RSV)
...Womb (84 Occurrences)
... Luke 2:23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male whoopens the womb
shall be called holy to the Lord"), (WEB KJV ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV)....
Males (51 Occurrences)
... Exodus 13:12 that you shall set apart to Yahweh all thatopens the womb, and
every firstborn which you have that comes from an animal....
Philadelphia (2 Occurrences)
... Revelation 3:7 "To the angel of the assembly in Philadelphia write: "He who is holy,
he who is true, he who has the key of David, he whoopens and no one can...
Shuts (12 Occurrences)
... Revelation 3:7 "To the angel of the assembly in Philadelphia write: "He who is holy,
he who is true, he who has the key of David, he whoopens and no one can...
Seals (10 Occurrences)
... Behold, the Lion who is of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome;
he whoopens the book and its seven seals." (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS...
Jacob's (34 Occurrences)
... Amorites. Where the pass of Shechemopens to the East, near the northern
edge of the valley, lies the traditional tomb of Joseph....
Key (8 Occurrences)
... Revelation 3:7 "To the angel of the assembly in Philadelphia write: "He who is holy,
he who is true, he who has the key of David, he whoopens and no one can...
Firstborn (119 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS DBY NAS NIV). Exodus 13:2 "Sanctify to me all of the firstborn, whatever
opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of animal....
Male (303 Occurrences)
... Luke 2:23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male whoopens the womb
shall be called holy to the Lord"), (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV...
Resources
What are the seven seals of Revelation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was Jesus' message to the church in Philadelphia in Revelation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat did Jesus mean when He said, “I stand at the door and knock” (Revelation 3:20)? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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