Topical Encyclopedia
The term "river-side" in the Bible often refers to the banks or vicinity of a river, which are significant locations for various events and activities in biblical narratives. Rivers in the biblical context are not only geographical features but also hold symbolic and practical importance.
Biblical References:1.
Acts 16:13 · "On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river, where it was customary to find a place of prayer. After sitting down, we spoke to the women who had gathered there."
In this passage, the river-side serves as a place of prayer and gathering for early Christians. The Apostle Paul and his companions find a group of women praying by the river in Philippi, which leads to the conversion of Lydia, a significant event in the spread of Christianity in Europe.
2.
Psalm 137:1 · "By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion."
Here, the river-side is a place of mourning and reflection for the Israelites in exile. The rivers of Babylon symbolize the foreign land where the Israelites long for their homeland, Zion. This setting underscores the deep sorrow and yearning for deliverance and return.
3.
Ezekiel 1:1 · "In the thirtieth year, on the fifth day of the fourth month, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God."
The river-side is the setting for Ezekiel's prophetic vision. The Kebar River, where the exiles are located, becomes a place of divine revelation. This highlights the river-side as a location where God communicates with His people, even in exile.
Symbolic and Practical Significance:·
Symbol of Life and Provision: Rivers are often seen as symbols of life, sustenance, and divine provision. In the arid regions of the Near East, rivers were crucial for agriculture, drinking water, and transportation. The river-side, therefore, represents a place of nourishment and growth.
·
Place of Gathering and Worship: As seen in
Acts 16:13, river-sides were customary places for prayer and worship, especially in areas where synagogues were not present. The natural setting provided a serene environment conducive to spiritual reflection and community gathering.
·
Boundary and Transition: Rivers often serve as natural boundaries and are associated with transitions or crossings in biblical narratives. The crossing of the Jordan River by the Israelites into the Promised Land (Joshua 3) is a significant event that marks a transition from wilderness wandering to the fulfillment of God's promise.
·
Judgment and Cleansing: Rivers can also symbolize judgment and cleansing. The Nile River, for instance, was turned to blood as a sign of judgment against Egypt (
Exodus 7:20). Conversely, the act of baptism, often performed in rivers, symbolizes spiritual cleansing and renewal.
In summary, the river-side in biblical texts is a multifaceted symbol and setting, representing life, transition, divine encounter, and community. It serves as a backdrop for significant spiritual events and teachings, reflecting the deep connection between the natural world and the divine narrative.
Greek
3844. para -- from beside, by the side of, by, beside... among (4), anyone's* (1), aside* (1), before (4), beside (6), beyond (2), contrary
(5), give (1), had (1), rather than (2), reason (2),
riverside* (1), sent (1
...4215. potamos -- a river
... Word Origin from pino Definition a river NASB Word Usage floods (2), River
(2), river (6), rivers (4),riverside* (1), torrent (2)....
Library
Pagan and Christian Rome
... PROFUSELY ILLUSTRATED. [Illustration: TheRiverside Press]. BOSTON AND NEW YORK
HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN AND COMPANY =TheRiverside Press, Cambridge= 1893....
Acts xvi. 13, 14
... Homily XXXV. Acts XVI. 13, 14. Acts XVI.13, 14 "And on the sabbath we went out
of the city by ariver side, where prayer was wont (Chrys....
Paul at Philippi
... on the sabbath day we went forth without the gate, by ariver side, where we... in Europe
that morning was when the Apostle sat down by theriverside, 'and spake...
The Child Moses.
... hymn to the morning, the poor Hebrews flocked in thousands out of their little yellow
huts, to do their heavy tasks amongst the wet, brown clay by theriverside...
The City of Benares.
... The fact thus certified is entirely at variance with the conjecture made by those
who look at the crowds bathing at theriverside, and frequenting the temples...
One Argument which Has Been Much Relied Upon but not More than Its...
... XIV. [p.235.] Acts 16:13. "And (at Philippi) on the Sabbath we went out of the city
by ariver-side, where prayer was wont to be made," or... by ariver-side....
First Day in New York
... he could decorate a little chapel around the corner and make it look as artistic
as he could decorate a rich mansion in the most exclusiveRiverside Drive....
The Chief End of Man
... BY. GEORGE S. MERRIAM. BOSTON AND NEW YORK. HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN AND COMPANY. The
Riverside Press, Cambridge. 1897. Copyright, 1897,. BY GEORGE S. MERRIAM....
Hymns and Meditations
... Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts.
RIVERSIDE, CAMBRIDGE STEREOTYPED AND PRINTED BY HO HOUGHTON....
Moses.
... Soon after this, Pharaoh's daughter came with her maidens to theriver-side, and
when she saw the beautiful child, she sent one of her maidens to bring it to...
Thesaurus
Riverside (4 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Riverside (4 Occurrences).
... Exodus 2:5 Pharaoh's daughter
came down to bathe at the river. Her maidens walked along by the
riverside.
...River-side (2 Occurrences)
River-side.Riverside,River-side. Rivulet . Multi-Version Concordance... (See
JPS ASV).Riverside,River-side. Rivulet . Reference Bible.
River's (5 Occurrences)
... Exodus 2:5 And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and
her maidens walked along by theriver'sside; and when she saw the ark among...
Aloes (5 Occurrences)
... As valleys are they spread forth, As gardens by theriver-side, As lign-aloes which...
6 As valleys they are spread forth, as gardens by theriverside, as aloes...
River (189 Occurrences)
... Acts 16:13 On the Sabbath day we went forth outside of the city by ariverside,
where we supposed there was a place of prayer, and we sat down, and spoke to...
Valleys (38 Occurrences)
... Numbers 24:6 As valleys they are spread forth, as gardens by theriverside, as aloes
which Yahweh has planted, as cedar trees beside the waters....
Lign-aloes (1 Occurrence)
... Numbers 24:6 As valleys are they spread forth, As gardens by theriver-side, As
lign-aloes which Jehovah hath planted, As cedar-trees beside the waters....
Lydia (5 Occurrences)
... She was in the habit of frequenting a place of prayer by ariverside, a situation
convenient for the necessary ablutions required by the Jewish worship, and...
Lignaloes
... As valleys are they spread forth, As gardens by theriver-side, As lign-aloes which
Yahweh hath planted, As cedar-trees beside the waters." As the aloes in...
Lign (1 Occurrence)
... Numbers 24:6 As the valleys are they spread forth, as gardens by theriver'sside,
as the trees of lign aloes which the LORD hath planted, and as cedar trees...
Resources
What is the significance of the Jordan River in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did God have the cherubim guard just the east side of Eden (Genesis 3:24)? | GotQuestions.orgWhere was Jesus baptized? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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