Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Usage:The term "overflowed" in the biblical context often refers to the abundant and overwhelming presence of water, whether as a blessing or a judgment. It can signify both physical and spiritual phenomena, illustrating God's power and the consequences of human actions.
Biblical Instances:1.
The Great Flood: The most prominent instance of overflowing in the Bible is the Great Flood during Noah's time.
Genesis 7:17-20 describes how the waters "prevailed and greatly increased on the earth," covering even the highest mountains. This event was a divine judgment on humanity's wickedness, demonstrating God's sovereignty and the seriousness of sin.
2.
The Red Sea Crossing: In
Exodus 14:26-28 , the waters of the Red Sea overflowed the Egyptian army as they pursued the Israelites. This miraculous event was a deliverance for God's people and a judgment on their oppressors, showcasing God's protective power and faithfulness to His covenant.
3.
The Jordan River:Joshua 3:15-16 recounts the overflowing of the Jordan River during harvest time, which God miraculously stopped to allow the Israelites to cross on dry ground. This event symbolized God's provision and the fulfillment of His promise to bring His people into the Promised Land.
4.
Prophetic Imagery: Overflowing waters are often used metaphorically in the prophetic books to describe God's judgment or blessing. In
Isaiah 8:7-8 , the Assyrian invasion is likened to an overflowing river, symbolizing the overwhelming force of God's judgment against Judah for their unfaithfulness.
5.
Spiritual Overflow: The concept of overflow is also used to describe spiritual abundance. In
Psalm 23:5 , David declares, "You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." This imagery reflects the overflowing blessings and grace that God bestows upon His faithful servants.
Theological Significance:·
Judgment and Salvation: Overflowing waters often represent God's judgment against sin, as seen in the Flood and the Red Sea. However, they also signify salvation and deliverance for the righteous, highlighting the dual nature of God's justice and mercy.
·
Abundance and Provision: The imagery of overflowing is frequently associated with God's abundant provision and blessings. It serves as a reminder of God's generosity and the spiritual richness available to those who trust in Him.
·
Covenant Faithfulness: Instances of overflowing waters, such as the crossing of the Jordan, underscore God's faithfulness to His covenant promises. They remind believers of God's unwavering commitment to fulfill His word and bring His people into the fullness of His blessings.
Conclusion:The concept of "overflowed" in the Bible is rich with meaning, encompassing themes of judgment, deliverance, abundance, and divine faithfulness. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and the profound impact of His actions in both the physical and spiritual realms.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Overflow.
Greek
4052. perisseuo -- to be over and above, to abound... 1), having abundance (1), increasing (1), lavished (1), left over (4), leftover
(1), live in prosperity (1), make...abound (1),
overflowed (1), overflowing (2
...Strong's Hebrew
6851. tsaphtsaphah -- perhaps willow... willow tree. From tsuwph; a willow (as growing in
overflowed places) -- willow tree.
see HEBREW tsuwph. 6850, 6851. tsaphtsaphah. 6852 . Strong's Numbers.
8257. shaqa -- to sink, sink down
... 8:8); a primitive root; to subside; by implication, to beoverflowed, cease;
causatively, to abate, subdue -- make deep, let down, drown, quench, sink....
Library
A Nation that was Born in a Day.
... The Jordan lay spread before them like a lake, for it was the time of year when
itoverflowed all its banks, but when the feet of the priests who bore the Ark...
No Man Can Serve Two Masters; and that Because it is Necessary...
... man which built a house, and digged and went deep, and laid the [46] foundations
on a rock: [811] and the rain came down, and the riversoverflowed, and the...
First Communion and Confirmation
... Strength. And then my joy became so intense, so deep, that it could not
be restrained; tears of happiness welled up andoverflowed....
First Communion and Confirmation
... Strength. And then my joy became so intense, so deep, that it could not
be restrained; tears of happiness welled up andoverflowed....
Basil -- the Creation of the World
... invisible for two reasons: it may be because man, the spectator, did not yet exist,
or because, being submerged under the waters whichoverflowed the surface...
Praying Men at a Premium
... and constant in prayer. His labours and dispensationoverflowed with fullness
in proportion to His prayers. The possibilities of...
The Living Word
... disappointed. His services as usual attracted large audiences, audiences
that frequentlyoverflowed the spacious sanctuary. But...
Dawn in the Hills
... In one of the high valleys in the hills a great well bubbled up from a hollow by
the road,overflowed the stone basin that the ancients had built for it and...
Dread of Ridicule.
... And one day the flood came. The fountains of the great deep were broken up, and
the windows of heaven opened, and then the wateroverflowed the land....
The Preachings on the Lake.
... first assembly of the saints. They had very little Jewish instruction; but
heart and good-willoverflowed. The beautiful climate of...
Thesaurus
Overflowed (14 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Overflowed (14 Occurrences). Romans 1:29 Their hearts
overflowed with all sorts of dishonesty, mischief, greed, malice.
...Increase (184 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Romans 5:20 Now Law was brought in later on, so that transgression might
increase. But where sin increased, grace hasoverflowed; (WEY NAS RSV NIV)....
Overflow (43 Occurrences)
... conceit. (See RSV). Psalms 78:20 Behold, he struck the rock, so that waters
gushed out, and streamsoverflowed. Can he give bread also?...
Flood (70 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS). Psalms 124:4 Then the waters hadoverflowed us,
The stream passed over our soul, (See RSV NIV). Proverbs...
Noah (55 Occurrences)
... The judgment-threatened now fell on the guilty world, "the world that then was,
beingoverflowed with water, perished" (2 Peter 3:6). The ark floated on the...
Quarrelsome (9 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Quarrelsome (9 Occurrences). Romans 1:29 Their hearts
overflowed with all sorts of dishonesty, mischief, greed, malice....
Valleys (38 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 12:15 These are those who went over the Jordan in the first month,
when it hadoverflowed all its banks; and they put to flight all them of the...
Overfloweth (5 Occurrences)
Greed (19 Occurrences)
... possesses." (See NAS NIV). Romans 1:29 Their heartsoverflowed with all sorts
of dishonesty, mischief, greed, malice. They were full of...
Generosity (6 Occurrences)
... (WEY). 2 Corinthians 8:2 how, while passing through great trouble, their boundless
joy even amid their deep poverty hasoverflowed to increase their generous...
Resources
What does the Bible say about empathy? | GotQuestions.orgIf we are born in sin, how is it fair for God to judge us for our sin? | GotQuestions.orgOverflowed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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