Topical Encyclopedia
The term "pours" in the Bible often refers to the act of pouring out liquid, such as water, oil, or blood, and is used both literally and metaphorically. This action is significant in various contexts, including religious rituals, divine judgment, and expressions of emotion or spiritual states.
1. Ritual and Sacrificial Contexts:In the Old Testament, pouring is frequently associated with sacrificial offerings. The act of pouring out a drink offering is a common practice in the worship rituals of ancient Israel. For instance, in
Genesis 35:14, Jacob sets up a pillar and "poured out a drink offering on it; he also poured oil on it." This act signifies dedication and consecration to God.
The pouring of oil is also significant in anointing ceremonies, symbolizing the Holy Spirit's presence and empowerment. In
1 Samuel 16:13, Samuel anoints David with oil, and "the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David from that day forward."
2. Divine Judgment and Wrath:The imagery of pouring is used to describe the outpouring of God's wrath and judgment. In the prophetic literature, God’s judgment is often depicted as a cup of wrath being poured out upon the nations. For example, in
Jeremiah 25:15, the LORD instructs Jeremiah, "Take from My hand this cup of the wine of wrath and make all the nations to whom I send you drink it."
Similarly, in Revelation, the bowls of God's wrath are poured out upon the earth as part of the final judgment (
Revelation 16:1).
3. Expressions of Emotion and Spiritual States:The act of pouring is also used metaphorically to describe the outpouring of emotions or spiritual states. In the Psalms, the psalmist often speaks of pouring out his soul before God, expressing deep anguish or fervent prayer.
Psalm 62:8 encourages believers to "Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge."
In the New Testament, the concept of pouring is used to describe the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. On the day of Pentecost, Peter explains the event as the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy: "I will pour out My Spirit on all people" (
Acts 2:17, quoting
Joel 2:28).
4. Generosity and Blessing:The act of pouring is also associated with generosity and blessing. In
Malachi 3:10, God promises to "pour out for you a blessing until there is no more need" if the people bring the full tithe into the storehouse. This imagery conveys the abundance and overflowing nature of God's provision.
5. Jesus Christ and the New Covenant:In the New Testament, Jesus uses the imagery of pouring to describe His sacrificial death. During the Last Supper, He speaks of His blood being "poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins" (
Matthew 26:28). This act establishes the New Covenant, signifying the ultimate sacrifice for humanity's redemption.
The concept of pouring in the Bible, therefore, encompasses a wide range of meanings, from ritualistic practices and divine judgment to expressions of emotion and the abundant blessings of God. Each instance reflects a deeper spiritual truth, illustrating the multifaceted nature of God's interaction with His creation.
Greek
1632a. ekcheo -- to pour out, fig. to bestow... to bestow NASB Word Usage pour (1), pour forth (2), poured (10), poured forth (1),
pours (1), shed (1). 1632, 1632a. ekcheo. 1632b . Strong's Numbers.
Strong's Hebrew
5042. naba -- to flow, spring, bubble up... root Definition to flow, spring, bubble up NASB Word Usage belch forth (1), bubbling
(1), eagerly utter (1), pour (1), pour forth (1),
pours (1),
pours forth (1
...8210. shaphak -- to pour out, pour
... root Definition to pour out, pour NASB Word Usage cast (5), cast up a siege (1),
dump (1), gushed (1), pour (34), poured (26), pouring (1),pours (5), raise (1...
5064. nagar -- to pour, flow, run
... root Definition to pour, flow, run NASB Word Usage deliver (1), delivered (1),
delivered over (1), flow (1), pour down (2), poured down (1),pours (1), spilled...
Library
He NextPours Down Upon us a Heap of Names...
... Chapter LXII. He nextpours down upon us a heap of names? He nextpours
down upon us a heap of names, saying that he knows of...
Having Prayed to God, HePours Forth a Shower of Tears, And...
... Book VIII. Chapter XII."Having Prayed to God, HePours Forth a Shower of Tears,
And, Admonished by a Voice, He Opens the Book and Reads the Words in Rom....
What Nonsense is this Out of which they Fabricate a Charge against...
... Epiphanius: the chagrin engendered in his heart because Epiphanius in the letter
which he wrote to the bishop John had called him a heretic, hepours out in...
The Comforts Belonging to Mourners
... comfort. While the penitentpours out tears, Godpours in joy. If... joy. God
pours the golden oil of comfort into broken vessels. The...
The Future State a Self-Conscious State.
... of Italy is a part of the common crust of the globe, that the Apennines are like
other mountains which I have seen, that the Italian sunlightpours through the...
The Disciple, -- Sometimes this Question is Asked, "Since God is...
... 2. Prayer is, as it were, a breathing in of the Holy Spirit, and God sopours His
Holy Spirit into the life of the prayerful that they become "living souls...
Joy
... The Jews had a custom at their feasts of pouring ointment on their guests and kissing
them; in the Eucharist, God oftenpours the oil of gladness on the saints...
He was Transfigured
... no farther. Stepping a little aside from them, the Man of Sorrowspours out
His supplications with strong crying and tears. He prays...
Herdsmen Keeping Lonely vigil
... For a Sun of high renown.Pours His light upon our darkness,.... For the morn has risen
today,. And the light that hailed His birth,.Pours its glory on the earth....
On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xviii. 1,"They Ought Always to...
... Faithpours out prayer, and the pouring out of prayer obtains the strengthening
of faith. Faith, I say,pours out prayer, the pouring...
Thesaurus
Pours (21 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Pours (21 Occurrences).
... (See RSV). Job 12:21 He
pours contempt
on princes, and loosens the belt of the strong. (WEB NAS RSV NIV).
...Contempt (55 Occurrences)
... (WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV NIV). Job 12:21 Hepours contempt on princes, and loosens the
belt of the strong. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Pouring (21 Occurrences)
Calls (62 Occurrences)
... Pleiades and Orion, and turns the shadow of death into the morning, and makes the
day dark with night; who calls for the waters of the sea, andpours them out...
Surface (71 Occurrences)
... Pleiades and Orion, and turns the shadow of death into the morning, and makes the
day dark with night; who calls for the waters of the sea, andpours them out...
Vault (2 Occurrences)
... Amos 9:6 It is he who builds his chambers in the heavens, and has founded his vault
on the earth; he who calls for the waters of the sea, andpours them out on...
Unpunished (24 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 19:5 A false witness shall not be unpunished. He whopours out
lies shall not go free. (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS NAS RSV NIV)....
Unceasingly (7 Occurrences)
... you in my prayers, (WEY DBY YLT). Lamentations 3:49 My eyepours down, and
doesn't cease, without any intermission, (See NAS NIV)....
Orion (3 Occurrences)
... Pleiades and Orion, and turns the shadow of death into the morning, and makes the
day dark with night; who calls for the waters of the sea, andpours them out...
Lament (44 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Psalms 102:1 A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed and
pours out his complaint before Yahweh. Hear my prayer, Yahweh!...
Resources
What are the seven bowls/vials of Revelation? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did Isa/Jesus have to die? | GotQuestions.orgDoes God hate gays / homosexuals? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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