Topical Encyclopedia
The term "sank" is a past tense form of the verb "sink," which appears in various contexts throughout the Bible. It is often used to describe the physical act of descending or being submerged, typically in water. This entry explores the occurrences and significance of "sank" within the biblical narrative, drawing from the Berean Standard Bible for scriptural references.
Occurrences in Scripture1.
Exodus 15:10 · In the Song of Moses, celebrating the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, the term "sank" is used to describe the fate of the Egyptian army: "But You blew with Your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters." This passage highlights God's power and the miraculous nature of the Israelites' escape, as the pursuing Egyptians were overwhelmed by the returning waters of the Red Sea.
2.
Judges 5:21 · In the Song of Deborah, a poetic account of Israel's victory over the Canaanite forces, the term is used metaphorically: "The river Kishon swept them away, the ancient river, the river Kishon. March on, my soul, in strength!" Here, the river is personified as an agent of divine judgment, and the enemies of Israel are depicted as being swept away, or "sank," by its waters.
3.
Psalm 69:2 · The psalmist uses the imagery of sinking to express a deep sense of distress and desperation: "I have sunk into the miry depths, where there is no footing; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me." This vivid metaphor conveys the overwhelming nature of the psalmist's troubles and his urgent need for divine rescue.
4.
Matthew 14:30 · In the New Testament, the account of Peter walking on water towards Jesus includes the use of "sank": "But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, 'Lord, save me!'" This incident underscores the importance of faith and reliance on Christ, as Peter's fear and doubt lead to his sinking, prompting him to call upon Jesus for salvation.
Theological SignificanceThe concept of sinking in the Bible often serves as a metaphor for human vulnerability and the need for divine intervention. In the Old Testament, it is frequently associated with God's deliverance of His people and the defeat of their enemies. The imagery of sinking conveys the idea of being overwhelmed by forces beyond human control, whether they be physical, emotional, or spiritual.
In the New Testament, the account of Peter sinking while attempting to walk on water illustrates the necessity of faith in Jesus. It serves as a reminder that human strength and resolve are insufficient without trust in the Lord. The act of sinking, therefore, becomes a catalyst for seeking God's help and experiencing His saving power.
ConclusionWhile the term "sank" may appear in various forms and contexts throughout the Bible, its underlying message remains consistent: it is a powerful reminder of human frailty and the need for divine assistance. Whether describing the physical submersion of enemies or the metaphorical descent into despair, the concept of sinking ultimately points to the hope and deliverance found in God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v.) imp. of Sink.
2. (p. p.) of Sink.
Strong's Hebrew
6749. tsalal -- to sink, be submerged... 6748, 6749. tsalal. 6750 . to sink, be submerged. Transliteration: tsalal Phonetic
Spelling: (tsaw-lal') Short Definition:
sank. Word Origin a prim.
...4355. makak -- to be low or humiliated
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to be low or humiliated NASB Word Usage brought
low (1), sag (1),sank down (1). be brought low, decay....
2658. chaphar -- to dig, search for
... root Definition to dig, search for NASB Word Usage 76,500* (1), dig (2), digs (1),
dug (11), hollowed (1), look around (1), paws (1),sank (1), search (3...
3766. kara -- to bow down
... me very low (1), couches (2), crouch (1), feeble (1), fell (1), kneel down (2),
kneeled down (1), kneeled* (1), kneeling (1), kneels* (1),sank (1), subdued (3...
5123. num -- to be drowsy, slumber
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to be drowsy, slumber NASB Word Usagesank
(1), sleeping (1), slumber (3), slumbers (1). sleep, slumber....
2883. taba -- to sink, sink down
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to sink, sink down NASB Word Usage drowned
(1),sank (2), settled (1), sink (1), sunk (4), sunk down (1)....
7290a. radam -- to be in or fall into heavy sleep
... into heavy sleep NASB Word Usage cast into a dead sleep (1), dead sleep (1), deep
sleep (2), fallen sound asleep (1), fell into a deep sleep (1),sank into a...
3381. yarad -- to come or go down, descend
... 1), let us down (1), let...down (1), lowered (3), once (1), poured (1), poured down
(1), pull down (1), put down (1), put off (1), run down (5),sank down (1...
3318. yatsa -- to go or come out
... 1), put away (2), put forth (1), reach (1), released (1), reported (1), revert
(3), reverts (2), risen (1), rises (1), rising (1), said* (1),sank (1), send (1...
Library
Two Sunsets
... In the distant west the sunsank quietly and serenely toward the horizon.... A little
while she was quiet. Then her life's sunsank to its rest....
Methodism on the Stage
... actors went on. In the middle of the second act, all the shilling seats
gave a crack, andsank several inches down. A great noise...
Jesus on Mount Golgotha.
... The fall was a dreadful one, but the guards only struck him the harder to force
him to get up, and no sooner did he reach Calvary that hesank down again for...
"I do Indeed Live by Preaching!"
... When he rose from his knees, John, who was swimming, called him again and, treading
the water, said, 'See, it is only breast-high.' He stepped in andsank....
Wesley Covered with Mud
... I was inclined to turn back; but Duncan telling me I needed only go a little
to the left, I did so andsank at once to my horse's shoulders....
"A Terrible Sight"
... She immediatelysank down as sleep; but, as soon as we left off, broke out again,
with inexpressible vehemence: "Stony hearts, break! I am a warning to you....
CM Mrs. Hemans. Christ Stilling the Tempest.
... 2 But the wind ceased,"it ceased,"a word Passed through the gloomy sky; The
troubled billows knew their Lord, Andsank beneath his eye....
Women who Saved a Nation
... pierced his temples. At her feet hesank down and lay still, At her feet he
sank, he fell; There he fell, a victim slain! "Through the...
Entire Sanctification as Taught by Paul.
... senselessness they changed the glory of the incorruptible God into the baser image
of "birds and four-footed beasts and creeping things." Theysank into the...
Andromeda
... his people, Came to the mountain of oaks, to the house of the terrible sea-gods,
Hard by the gulf in the rocks, where of old the world-wide delugeSank to the...
Thesaurus
Sank (19 Occurrences)... 1. (v.) imp. of Sink. 2. (pp) of Sink. Multi-Version Concordance
Sank (19 Occurrences).
... Be still!" The wind
sank, and a perfect calm set in. (WEY).
...Sanctuary (250 Occurrences)
... TEMPLE. kort,sank'-tu-a-ri: By "court" (chatser) is meant a clear space
enclosed by curtains or walls, or surrounded by buildings....
Jehoram (27 Occurrences)
... But Jehoram, becoming confident in his own power,sank into idolatry, and brought
upon himself and his land another Syrian invasion, which led to great...
Siddim (3 Occurrences)
... In 1819 an area of 2,000 square miles about the delta of the Indussank beneath
the level of the sea, so that the tops of the houses were barely seen above the...
Vale (20 Occurrences)
... In 1819 an area of 2,000 square miles about the delta of the Indussank beneath
the level of the sea, so that the tops of the houses were barely seen above the...
Covered (325 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). Exodus 15:5 The depths have covered them:
theysank into the bottom as a stone.... Theysank like lead in the mighty waters....
Lowered (14 Occurrences)
... down Jeremiah with cords. In the dungeon there was no water, but mire; and
Jeremiahsank in the mire. (See NIV). Ezekiel 1:24 When...
Legislation
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SANCTITY, LEGISLATION OF.sank'-ti-ti,
lej-is-la'-shun. See ASTRONOMY, sec. I, 5, (6). LEGISLATION, OF SANCTITY....
Guardhouse (6 Occurrences)
... down Jeremiah with cords. And in the pit there was no water, but mire; and
Jeremiahsank in the mire. (See NAS). Jeremiah 38:13 So...
Gideon (45 Occurrences)
... After the victory gained by Deborah and Barak over Jabin, Israel once moresank
into idolatry, and the Midianites (qv) and Amalekites, with other "children of...
Resources
Who was Jael in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgIs the account of Jesus taken from the story of Serapis Christus? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was a prophet in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.orgSank: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
