Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "revive" in the Bible is closely associated with renewal, restoration, and a return to spiritual vitality. It is a theme that runs throughout both the Old and New Testaments, reflecting God's desire to restore His people to a state of spiritual health and fervor.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "revive" is "chayah," which means to live, to have life, or to restore to life. This concept is frequently associated with God's intervention in the lives of His people, bringing them back from physical or spiritual death.
One of the most poignant uses of "revive" is found in the Psalms, where the psalmists often cry out for God to restore their spiritual vitality.
Psalm 85:6 pleads, "Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?" This verse captures the essence of revival as a divine act that leads to renewed joy and worship among God's people.
The prophets also speak of revival, often in the context of national restoration. In
Habakkuk 3:2 , the prophet prays, "LORD, I have heard the report of You; I stand in awe of Your deeds. Revive Your work in our time; in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy." Here, revival is linked to God's mighty acts and His mercy, even amidst judgment.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the theme of revival is closely tied to the work of the Holy Spirit and the transformative power of the Gospel. While the specific term "revive" is less frequently used, the concept is evident in the life-giving work of Christ and the Spirit.
The Apostle Paul speaks to the idea of spiritual revival in
Ephesians 2:4-5 , where he writes, "But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved!" This passage highlights the transformative power of God's grace, bringing believers from spiritual death to life in Christ.
Revival in the New Testament is also seen in the context of the early church, where the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost (Acts 2) led to a powerful renewal and expansion of the Christian community. This event is often viewed as a model for subsequent revivals throughout church history, characterized by a renewed zeal for God, repentance, and a deep sense of community.
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, revival is understood as a sovereign work of God, initiated by His Spirit and resulting in a profound transformation of individuals and communities. It involves a return to foundational truths, a renewed commitment to holiness, and an increased fervor for evangelism and discipleship.
Revival is often preceded by a period of spiritual decline or apathy, making it a critical aspect of God's redemptive plan. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and His desire for His people to live in a vibrant relationship with Him.
Practical ApplicationIn practical terms, believers are encouraged to seek personal and corporate revival through prayer, repentance, and a renewed focus on God's Word. The call to revival is a call to return to the heart of worship, to seek God's presence earnestly, and to live out the implications of the Gospel in every area of life.
The concept of revival remains a powerful and relevant theme for the church today, as it seeks to navigate the challenges of a rapidly changing world while remaining faithful to its mission and calling.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. i.) To return to life; to recover life or strength; to live anew; to become reanimated or reinvigorated.
2. (v. i.) Hence, to recover from a state of oblivion, obscurity, neglect, or depression; as, classical learning revived in the fifteenth century.
3. (v. i.) To recover its natural or metallic state, as a metal.
4. (v. i.) To restore, or bring again to life; to reanimate.
5. (v. i.) To raise from coma, languor, depression, or discouragement; to bring into action after a suspension.
6. (v. i.) Hence, to recover from a state of neglect or disuse; as, to revive letters or learning.
7. (v. i.) To renew in the mind or memory; to bring to recollection; to recall attention to; to reawaken.
8. (v. i.) To restore or reduce to its natural or metallic state; as, to revive a metal after calcination.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
REVIVE; REVIVINGre-viv', reviv'-ing: revive is the translation of chayah, "to live," "cause to live," used of restoration to life (Genesis 45:27Judges 15:19, etc.); of rebuilding (Nehemiah 4:2); of restoration to well-being (Psalm 85:6 (the Revised Version (British and American) "quicken");Psalm 138:7Isaiah 57:15Hosea 6:2;Hosea 14:7); of Yahweh's gracious work for His people (Habakkuk 3:2, "revive thy work in the midst of the years," etc.); "reviving" is the translation of michydh "preservation" or "means of life" (Ezra 9:8, 9). "Revive" occurs in the New Testament as the translation of anazao, "to live again" (Romans 7:9, 14:9, the King James Version "Christ both died, and rose, and revived," the Revised Version (British and American) (omitting "and rose") "Christ died and lived again" zao).
In 1 Maccabees 13:7 the Revised Version (British and American) we have "And the spirit of the people revived," anazopureo, "to stir or kindle up as a fire," the same word as in2 Timothy 1:6, the Revised Version (British and American) "stir up the gift of God, which is in thee," margin "Greek: `stir into flame.' "
In view of the frequent modern use of "revive" and "revival," it is worthy of notice that it is to Timothy himself the exhortation is addressed. We too often merely pray for "revivals," forgetting that it is for us to "stir into flame" the gift of the Spirit which we have already received of God. It is ours from Him, but we let it lie dormant, as a slumbering ember merely.
W. L. Walker
Greek
330. anathallo -- torevive... to
revive. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: anathallo Phonetic Spelling:
(an-ath-al'-lo) Short Definition: I thrive or flourish again Definition: I thrive
...326. anazao -- to live again
... to live again. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: anazao Phonetic Spelling:
(an-ad-zah'-o) Short Definition: I come to life again,revive Definition: I come...
404. anapsucho -- to refresh
... to refresh. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: anapsucho Phonetic Spelling:
(an-aps-oo'-kho) Short Definition: I refresh,revive, comfort Definition: I...
2282. thalpo -- to warm, hence to cherish
... foster, comfort. 2282 -- properly, warm; (figuratively) "warm someone up" (=
revive their health) by and . Word Origin a prim. verb...
Strong's Hebrew
2421. chayah -- to live... A primitive root (compare chavah, chayah); to live, whether literally or figuratively;
causatively, to
revive -- keep (leave, make) alive, X certainly, give
...2421a. chayah -- to live
... 1), preserves the lives (1), raise (1), recover (4), recovered (1), recovery (1),
remained alive (1), repaired (1), restored to life (4),revive (20), revived...
7304. ravach -- to be wide or spacious
... A primitive root (identical with ruwach); properly, to breathe freely, ieRevive;
by implication, to have ample room -- be refreshed, large. see HEBREW ruwach....
2425. chayay -- live, save life
... live, save life A primitive root (compare chayah); to live; causatively torevive --
live, save life. see HEBREW chayah. 2424, 2425. chayay. 2425a ....
Library
Revive us Again.
... 315Revive Us Again. 10s & 11s. Praise for Salvation. (529) We praise thee, O God!...
Amen. Hallelujah! thine the glory,Revive us again. 2 We praise thee, O God!...
Revive us Again.
... 316Revive Us Again. 10s & 11s. Rejoicing in Christ. Rejoice and be glad the Redeemer
has come! Go look on his cradle, his cross and his tomb....
Ember Days and Ordination 452.Revive Thy Work, O Lord
... IV. SPECIAL OCCASIONS Ember Days and Ordination 452.Revive thy work, O Lord. SM...
Albert Midlane, 1858.Revive thy work, O Lord,. Thy mighty arm make bare;...
Zion. 8S, 7S, and 4S.
... (923) Savior, visit thy plantation; Grant us, Lord, a gracious rain; All will come
to desolation, Unless thou return again. Lord,revive us!... Lord,revive us!...
State Street. SM
... (912)Revive thy work, O Lord! Thy mighty arm make bare; Speak, with the voice that
wakes the dead, And make thy people hear. 2Revive thy work, O Lord!...
The Coming Revival
... "Wilt Thou notrevive us again: that Thy people may rejoice in Thee?""Psalm 85:6.
"O Lord,revive Thy work in the midst of the years.""Habakkuk 3:2....
The Loftiness of God
... that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy, I dwell in the high and holy place;
with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, torevive the spirit...
What a Revival of Religion Is
... Text."O Lord,revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of
the years make known; in wrath remember mercy."Habakkuk 3:2....
8Th Day. Reviving Grace.
... Reviving Grace. "Wilt thou notrevive us, O Lord?" My soul! art thou conscious of
thy declining state? Is thy walk less with God, thy frame less heavenly?...
Thirteenth Day. Holiness and Humility.
... One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the High and Holy place,
with him that is of a contrite and humble spirit, torevive the spirit of...
Thesaurus
Revive (31 Occurrences)... 6. (vi) Hence, to recover from a state of neglect or disuse; as, to
revive letters
or learning.
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
REVIVE; REVIVING.
...Reviving (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) ofRevive. 2. (a. & n.) Returning or restoring to life or vigor;
reanimating. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.REVIVE; REVIVING....
Inhabiteth (6 Occurrences)
... that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place,
with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, torevive the spirit...
Inhabits (2 Occurrences)
... One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place,
with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit, torevive the spirit...
Inhabiting (23 Occurrences)
... exalted One, Inhabiting eternity, and holy 'is' His name: 'In the high and holy
place I dwell, And with the bruised and humble of spirit, Torevive the spirit...
Revived (14 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofRevive. Multi-Version Concordance
Revived (14 Occurrences). Romans 7:9 I was alive apart...
Contrite (5 Occurrences)
... One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place,
with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit, torevive the spirit...
Ahaziah (34 Occurrences)
... In his reign the Moabites revolted from under his authority (2 Kings 3:5-7). He
united with Jehoshaphat in an attempt torevive maritime trade by the Red Sea...
Eternity (23 Occurrences)
... that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place,
with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, torevive the spirit...
Precepts (40 Occurrences)
... Psalms 119:40 Behold, I long for your precepts!Revive me in your righteousness....
Revive me, Yahweh, according to your loving kindness....
Resources
What is revivalism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does quicken mean in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to be contrite? What is contrition? | GotQuestions.orgRevive: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
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