Topical Encyclopedia
In the Bible, the concept of "muddy" is often used metaphorically to describe impurity, confusion, or a lack of clarity. The imagery of mud and mire is employed to convey spiritual and moral lessons, emphasizing the need for purity and righteousness in the life of a believer.
Old Testament References1.
Psalm 40:2: "He lifted me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay; He set my feet upon a rock, and made my footsteps firm." In this verse, the psalmist David speaks of God's deliverance from a place of instability and danger, symbolized by "miry clay." The imagery of being stuck in mud represents a state of helplessness and sin, from which only God can rescue.
2.
Jeremiah 38:6: "So they took Jeremiah and cast him into the cistern of Malchiah, the king’s son, which was in the courtyard of the guard. They lowered Jeremiah with ropes. Now there was no water in the cistern, but only mud, and Jeremiah sank into the mud." Here, the prophet Jeremiah is thrown into a cistern filled with mud, symbolizing the rejection and persecution he faced for speaking God's truth. The mud signifies the depth of his suffering and the dire circumstances from which he needed divine intervention.
3.
Isaiah 57:20: "But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud." This passage uses the imagery of a restless sea churning up mud to describe the nature of the wicked. The mud represents the chaos and moral filth that result from a life lived in opposition to God's will.
New Testament ReferencesWhile the New Testament does not explicitly use the term "muddy," the concept is echoed in teachings about spiritual purity and the dangers of moral compromise. The call to live a life free from the "mire" of sin is a consistent theme.
1.
2 Peter 2:22: "Of them the proverbs are true: 'A dog returns to its vomit,' and, 'A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.'" This verse warns against returning to sinful behaviors after having been cleansed by Christ. The image of a sow wallowing in mud serves as a powerful metaphor for the futility and degradation of returning to a sinful lifestyle.
Theological ImplicationsThe use of "muddy" in Scripture underscores the importance of spiritual clarity and purity. Just as physical mud can obscure and entrap, spiritual "mud" can cloud judgment and hinder one's relationship with God. Believers are called to seek God's cleansing and to stand firm on the "rock" of His truth, avoiding the mire of sin and confusion.
Practical ApplicationIn the life of a Christian, the imagery of mud serves as a reminder to avoid situations and behaviors that lead to spiritual compromise. It encourages believers to seek God's guidance and strength to remain steadfast in faith, ensuring that their spiritual "footsteps" are firm and secure.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
superl.) Abounding in mud; besmeared or dashed with mud; as, a muddy road or path; muddy boots.
2. (superl.) Turbid with mud; as, muddy water.
3. (superl.) Consisting of mud or earth; gross; impure.
4. (superl.) Confused, as if turbid with mud; cloudy in mind; dull; stupid; also, immethodical; incoherent; vague.
5. (superl.) Not clear or bright.
6. (v. t.) To soil with mud; to dirty; to render turbid.
7. (v. t.) Fig.: To cloud; to make dull or heavy.
Strong's Hebrew
98. agam -- a marsh,muddy pool... 97, 98. agam. 99 . a marsh,
muddy pool. Transliteration: agam Phonetic
Spelling: (ag-am') Short Definition: pool. Word Origin from
...1804. dalach -- to make turbid
... 1803b, 1804. dalach. 1805 . to make turbid. Transliteration: dalach Phonetic
Spelling: (daw-lakh') Short Definition:muddy. Word Origin a prim....
Library
Brooks -- the Pride of Life
... The skilful workers of Rome or Venice put in the same ingredients in nature and
amount, and the composition comes out at one time dull andmuddy and at another...
The Zeal of Celestine and Sixtus, Bishops of Rome...
... Let not the clear faith and belief of our forefathers be fouled by any
muddy admixture." A truly apostolic sentiment! He enhances...
Nature Cannot be Without Some Good. The Manich??ans Dwell Upon the...
... I can conceive of waters withoutmuddy commotion; but without settled continuity
of parts no material form is an object of thought or of sensation in any way....
"Alas for Us, if Thou Wert All, and Nought Beyond, O Earth"
... We must have some pleasure. Well then, there is a vessel filled withmuddy filthy
water which the camels' feet have stirred: shall I drink it?...
Pride and Humility
... sunlight looked pure and beautiful. When he descended he found it wasmuddy,
and the water utterly unfit for drinking. Hard by he saw...
Pride and Humility
... sunlight, looked pure and beautiful. When he descended, he found it wasmuddy,
and the water utterly unfit for drinking. Hard by he saw...
Beside the Still Waters.
... dig out the relics of so much that has been dear and precious to us; we fail to
notice how every running stream, from the tiniest mountain rill tomuddy Po and...
The Memphite Empire
... In a few moments streams ofmuddy water rushing down the ravines, through the gulleys
and along the slightest depressions, hurry to the low grounds, and...
The Wise Man, Having Found that Wisdom Brought with it but...
... Not a coming once and then departing from Him once more to try again themuddy,
stagnant pools of this world: no, but to pitch our tents by the palm-trees and...
The Sixth Season
... a few minutes since plunged in the world, now in the presence of God) as it is with
the sea after a storm, which still continues working,muddy and disquiet...
Thesaurus
Muddy (3 Occurrences)... 1. (superl.) Abounding in mud; besmeared or dashed with mud; as, a
muddy road or
path;
muddy boots. 2. (superl.) Turbid with mud; as,
muddy water.
...Mud (15 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Earth and water mixed so as to be soft and adhesive. 2. (vt) To bury in
mud. 3. (vt) To makemuddy or turbid. Multi-Version Concordance...
Trampling (8 Occurrences)
... Zechariah 10:5 They shall be as mighty men, treading downmuddy streets in the battle;
and they shall fight, because Yahweh is with them; and the riders on...
Thick (129 Occurrences)
... 4. (superl.) Not transparent or clear; hence, turbid,muddy, or misty;
as, the water of a river is apt to be thick after a rain....
Turbid (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Having the lees or sediment disturbed; roiled;muddy; thick; not clear; --
used of liquids of any kind; as, turbid water; turbid wine....
Riders (13 Occurrences)
... Zechariah 10:5 They shall be as mighty men, treading downmuddy streets in the battle;
and they shall fight, because Yahweh is with them; and the riders on...
Deep (237 Occurrences)
... crimson. 8. (superl.) of low tone; full-toned; not high or sharp; grave; heavy.
9. (superl.)Muddy; boggy; sandy; -- said of roads. 10....
Miry (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Abounding with deep mud; full of mire;muddy; as,
a miry road. Multi-Version Concordance Miry (6 Occurrences)....
Muddied (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofMuddy. Multi-Version Concordance
Muddied (4 Occurrences). Proverbs 25:26 Like a muddied...
Muddying (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) ofMuddy. Multi-Version Concordance
Muddying (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel 32:2 Son of man, take...
Resources
What are the most common things people think are in the Bible that are not actually in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Gedaliah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Tammuz? | GotQuestions.orgMuddy: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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