Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the concept of "resembling" often pertains to the likeness or similarity between individuals, objects, or spiritual truths. This theme is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating both physical and spiritual resemblances that carry significant theological implications.
Creation in God's ImageThe foundational biblical concept of resembling is found in the creation narrative.
Genesis 1:26-27 states, "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness... So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.'" This passage underscores the unique resemblance humans have to God, not in physical form, but in spiritual and moral capacities, such as rationality, morality, and the ability to form relationships.
Christ as the Image of GodThe New Testament further develops the theme of resembling through the person of Jesus Christ.
Colossians 1:15 declares, "The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." Here, Christ is portrayed as the perfect representation of God, embodying divine attributes and serving as the ultimate example for believers to emulate.
Transformation into Christ's LikenessBelievers are called to resemble Christ in their lives.
Romans 8:29 states, "For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers." This transformation is a work of the Holy Spirit, who sanctifies believers, molding them into the likeness of Christ in character and conduct.
Moral and Spiritual ResemblanceThe epistles frequently exhort Christians to live in a manner that reflects their identity in Christ.
Ephesians 5:1-2 instructs, "Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children, and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God." This call to imitation emphasizes moral and spiritual resemblance, urging believers to embody the love and holiness of God in their daily lives.
Resemblance to the WorldConversely, Scripture warns against resembling the sinful patterns of the world.
Romans 12:2 admonishes, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This verse highlights the tension between worldly conformity and spiritual transformation, encouraging believers to pursue a life that reflects God's will rather than worldly values.
Eschatological ResemblanceThe Bible also speaks of a future resemblance that believers will share with Christ. 1
John 3:2 offers hope, stating, "Beloved, we are now children of God, and what we will be has not yet been revealed. We know that when Christ appears, we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He is." This eschatological promise assures believers of their ultimate transformation into Christ's likeness, both in character and in glorified bodies.
In summary, the biblical theme of resembling encompasses the initial creation of humanity in God's image, the perfect representation of God in Christ, the ongoing transformation of believers into Christ's likeness, and the ultimate fulfillment of this resemblance in the eschaton. Through these dimensions, Scripture presents a comprehensive view of resemblance that is both a present reality and a future hope for believers.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Resemble.
Greek
3664. homoios -- like,resembling, the same as... like,
resembling, the same as. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: homoios
Phonetic Spelling: (hom'-oy-os) Short Definition: like, similar to Definition
...3897. paraplesios -- coming near, nearlyresembling
... coming near, nearlyresembling. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: paraplesios
Phonetic Spelling: (par-ap-lay'-see-on) Short Definition: near to, nearly...
2215. zizanion -- zizanium (a kind of darnelresembling wheat)
... zizanium (a kind of darnelresembling wheat). Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: zizanion Phonetic Spelling: (dziz-an'-ee-on) Short Definition...
2452. Ioudaikos -- in Jewish fashion
... as do the Jews. Adverb from Ioudaikos; Judaically or in a mannerresembling a Judaean --
as do the Jews. see GREEK Ioudaikos. (ioudaikos) -- 1 Occurrence....
3649. ololuzo -- to cry aloud
... 3649 -- an onomatopoetic term,resembling the sound of an ecstatic (exuberant) cry
or shriek; meaning , , expressing feelings (used only in Js 5:1)....
1141. daimoniodes -- demon-like
... Cognate: 1141 (an adjective derived from 1140 ) -- properly, ("demonic"), ieresembling
a demon or influenced by one; demoniacal, devilish, "such as even...
5178. tumpanizo -- to beat a drum, to torture by beating
... torture. From a derivative of tupto (meaning a drum, "tympanum"); to stretch on
an instrument of tortureresembling a drum, and thus beat to death -- torture....
5350. phtheggomai -- to utter
... 5350 -- properly, to make a generic or unintelligible sound (resembling the whinny
of a horse, ); (figuratively) to to the ("unintelligible")....
2451. Ioudaikos -- Jewish
... Word Origin from Ioudaios Definition Jewish NASB Word Usage Jewish (1). Jewish.
From Ioudaios; Judaic, ieResembling a Judaean -- Jewish. see GREEK Ioudaios....
Strong's Hebrew
1823. demuth -- likeness, similitude... Word Origin from damah Definition likeness, similitude NASB Word Usage figure (1),
figures like (1), figures
resembling (1), form (4), like (4), likeness (8
...3619. kelub -- a basket, cage
... From the same as keleb; a bird-trap (as furnished with a clap-stick or treadle to
spring it); hence, a basket (asresembling a wicker cage) -- basket, cage....
7351. rahit -- perhaps rafters, boards
... rafter. From the same as rahat; a panel (asresembling a trough) -- rafter. see
HEBREW rahat. 7350, 7351. rahit. 7352 . Strong's Numbers.
8389. toar -- outline, form
... Word Origin from taar Definition outline, form NASB Word Usage appearance (2), form
(7), handsome (1), handsome* (1),resembling (1). be drawn, mark out....
1821. demah -- to be like
... like. Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding to damah Definition to be like
NASB Word Usage like (1),resembling (1). be like. (Aramaic...
Library
There is Also a Species of NarrativeResembling Description...
... Book 2 Chapter 45. There is also a species of narrativeresembling description?
45. There is also a species of narrativeresembling...
Of Man, and the Brute Animals, and Religion.
... that he wished to appear wise, reduced a rational animal to the level of the mute
and irrational; which some ignorant persons do,resembling the brutes...
Justinus' Triad of Principles; his Angelography Founded on this...
... in every respect answering (the description of) the girl in the legend of Herodotus,
as far as the groin a virgin, and (in) the parts below (resembling) a snake...
Of the Parts of Man: the Eyes and Ears.
... And thus the right reason and elevated position of man alone, and his countenance,
shared with and closelyresembling God his Father, bespeak his origin and...
Divine Calls.
... Very different in its circumstances was St. Paul's call, butresembling Samuel's
in this respect, that, when God called, he, too, promptly obeyed. When St....
On the Beginning of the World, and Its Causes.
... immediately follow, and there will be again, for the correction and improvement
of those who stand in need of it, another world, eitherresembling that which...
Different Degrees of Knowledge.
... So also the philosopher,resembling the wild olive, in having much that is undigested,
on account of his devotion to the search, his propensity to follow, and...
The First Theban Empire
... the town of Shodu, and is then subdivided into numerous canals and ditches, whose
ramifications appear on the map as a networkresembling the reticulations of...
Of the Pharisees who Sit in the Seat of Moses, and Enjoin Things...
... Narrative Agrees Here with Those Which are Given by the Other Two Evangelists, and
in Particular with that of Luke, Who Introduces a PassageResembling This One...
The Phoenix
... ashes. And these ashes collected in death it fuses, [2042] as it were, into
a mass, and has an effect [2043]resembling seed. From...
Thesaurus
Resembling (19 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Resemble. Multi-Version Concordance
Resembling (19 Occurrences). Romans 1:23 and, instead
...Worshipping (49 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Romans 1:23 and, instead of worshipping the imperishable God, they worshipped
imagesresembling perishable man orresembling birds or beasts or reptiles....
Wax (32 Occurrences)
... Its natural color is pale or dull yellow. 4. (n.) Hence, any substanceresembling
beeswax in consistency or appearance. 5. (n.) Cerumen, or earwax....
Worshipped (81 Occurrences)
... Romans 1:23 and, instead of worshipping the imperishable God, they worshipped images
resembling perishable man orresembling birds or beasts or reptiles. (WEY)....
Imperishable (11 Occurrences)
... Romans 1:23 and, instead of worshipping the imperishable God, they worshipped images
resembling perishable man orresembling birds or beasts or reptiles. (WEY)....
Reptiles (6 Occurrences)
... Romans 1:23 and, instead of worshipping the imperishable God, they worshipped images
resembling perishable man orresembling birds or beasts or reptiles....
Marble (5 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A thing made of, orresembling, marble, as a work of art, or record, in
marble; or, in the plural, a collection of such works; as, the Arundel or...
Perishable (9 Occurrences)
... Romans 1:23 and, instead of worshipping the imperishable God, they worshipped images
resembling perishable man orresembling birds or beasts or reptiles....
Blue (51 Occurrences)
... 1. (superl.) Having the color of the clear sky, or a hueresembling it, whether
lighter or darker; as, the deep, blue sea; as blue as a sapphire; blue violets....
Amber (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A yellowish translucent resinresembling copal, found as a fossil in alluvial
soils, with beds of lignite, or on the seashore in many places....
Resources
Who were the Essenes? Was John the Baptist an Essene? | GotQuestions.orgContemporary Christian music - is it honoring to God? Should it be used in church services? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is an alabaster box? | GotQuestions.orgResembling: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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