Topical Encyclopedia
The term "shrill" is often used to describe a high-pitched, piercing sound that can be unsettling or grating to the ears. While the word "shrill" itself does not appear frequently in the Bible, the concept of loud, piercing sounds is present in various contexts, often associated with alarm, urgency, or distress.
Biblical Contexts:1.
Prophetic Warnings: In the prophetic books, loud and piercing sounds are often used metaphorically to convey the urgency and seriousness of God's messages to His people. For example, the sound of a trumpet is frequently mentioned as a call to attention or a warning of impending judgment. In
Joel 2:1 , it is written, "Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on My holy mountain! Let all who dwell in the land tremble, for the Day of the LORD is coming; indeed, it is near."
2.
Expressions of Distress: The Bible also uses vivid imagery to describe the cries of those in distress. In
Isaiah 15:8 , the prophet describes the cries of Moab: "For their outcry echoes to the border of Moab. Their wailing reaches Eglaim; it is heard in Beer-elim." The intensity of the cries reflects the depth of their suffering and the seriousness of their plight.
3.
Calls to Repentance: The piercing nature of a shrill sound can also symbolize the call to repentance. In the New Testament, John the Baptist's voice is described as one crying out in the wilderness, preparing the way for the Lord (
Matthew 3:3). His message was urgent and compelling, calling people to turn from their sins and prepare for the coming of the Messiah.
4.
Expressions of Joy and Triumph: Conversely, loud and piercing sounds are not always negative. They can also signify joy and triumph. In
Exodus 15:20-21 , Miriam and the women of Israel sing and dance with tambourines after the Lord delivers them from the Egyptians, a scene likely filled with loud, jubilant sounds.
Theological Implications:The use of shrill or piercing sounds in the Bible often serves to capture attention and convey the gravity of a situation. Whether it is a call to repentance, a warning of judgment, or an expression of deep emotion, these sounds are meant to provoke a response from the hearer. They remind believers of the importance of being attentive to God's voice, whether it comes as a gentle whisper or a loud trumpet call.
In a broader sense, the concept of shrillness can also be seen as a metaphor for the clarity and urgency with which God communicates His will to humanity. Just as a shrill sound cannot be easily ignored, so too are God's messages designed to penetrate the hearts and minds of His people, urging them to respond in faith and obedience.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. i.) Acute; sharp; piercing; having or emitting a sharp, piercing tone or sound; -- said of a sound, or of that which produces a sound.
2. (n.) A shrill sound.
3. (v. i.) To utter an acute, piercing sound; to sound with a sharp, shrill tone; to become shrill.
4. (v. t.) To utter or express in a shrill tone; to cause to make a shrill sound.
Strong's Hebrew
2980. yabab -- to cry in ashrill voice... 2979, 2980. yabab. 2981 . to cry in a
shrill voice. Transliteration: yabab
Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-bab) Short Definition: lamented. Word Origin a prim.
...7440. rinnah -- a ringing cry
... From ranan; properly, a creaking (orshrill sound), ie Shout (of joy or grief) --
cry, gladness, joy, proclamation, rejoicing, shouting, sing(-ing), triumph....
8319. sharaq -- to hiss, whistle, pipe
... hiss. A primitive root; properly, to beshrill, ie To whistle or hiss (as a call
or in scorn) -- hiss. 8318, 8319. sharaq. 8320 . Strong's Numbers.
6873. tsarach -- to cry, roar
... cry, roar. A primitive root; to be clear (in tone, ieShrill), ie To whoop --
cry, roar. 6872c, 6873. tsarach. 6874 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
Again the Council of the Covenant was in Session. ...
...Shrill and trembling with emotion, it thrilled many with a feeling of religious
awe.... Then his voice broke into ashrill, piping laugh. "Ha, ha!...
A Savage Duel.
... him go as harmless. Instantly the air is filled with their fierceshrill
cries, "Away with Him: Away with Him.". But Pilate seems...
Protest and Agony. (I, iv. 10, 19, vi. 11, xi. 18-xii. 6, xv. 10...
... time he reminds us of one of those fatal shells which rend the air as they shoot,
distinct even through the roar of battle by their swift,shrill anguish and...
The Exile.
... But a new dynasty resting on military pre-eminence cannot afford to let a successful
soldier stand on the steps of the throne; and theshrill chant of the...
Practical Hints for Speakers
... Endeavor to keep your voice free from such undesirable qualities as the harsh, breathy,
sharp, rough, rigid, throaty, guttural, thin,shrill, nasal, unmusical...
Our Lord's Solemn Enquiry
... lived. There is no doubt that at certain times they would come to us again,
ringingshrill and clear through the thick darkness....
Vergilius had Thought Wisely of his Temptation. ...
... they would bring confusion or death upon me. I must not be there, and yet"and yet
I must. They wait for theshrill voice to declare the fulness of time....
Hymn at Cock-Crow
... The Lord to Peter once foretold What meaning thatshrill strain should hold, How
he before cock-crow would lie And thrice his Master dear deny....
Chapter twenty-two
... Just as she was stealthily mounting the parapet to throw herself into the river,
the child caught sight of her, ran forward with ashrill cry more animal than...
The Perseverance of Faith
... When she cried, "Have mercy upon me, O Lord, thou Son of David!" it was with
ashrill and piteous voice. She could not bear to be refused....
Thesaurus
Shrill (1 Occurrence)... 2. (n.) A
shrill sound. 3. (vi) To utter an acute, piercing sound; to sound
with a sharp,
shrill tone; to become
shrill. 4. (vt) To
...Whistle (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To make ashrill sound with a wind or steam instrument, somewhat
like that made with the lips; to blow a sharp,shrill tone....
Scream (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (vi) To cry out with ashrill voice; to utter a sudden, sharp outcry, orshrill,
loud cry, as in fright or extreme pain; to shriek; to screech....
Shriek (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To utter a loud, sharp,shrill sound or cry, as do some birds and beasts;
to scream, as in a sudden fright, in horror or anguish....
Pipe (13 Occurrences)
... whistle carried by a boatswain. 14. (vi) To emit or have ashrill sound
like that of a pipe; to whistle. 15. (vi) To become hollow...
Piping (3 Occurrences)
... fife. 4. (v.) Emitting a high,shrill sound. 5. (v... house. 8. (n.) The act
of playing on a pipe; theshrill noted of birds, etc. 9. (n...
Screech (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (v.) To utter a harsh,shrill cry; to make a sharp
outcry, as in terror or acute pain; to scream; to shriek....
Shrine (34 Occurrences)
Katydid (1 Occurrence)
... During the summer and autumn, in the evening, the males make a peculiar, loud,shrill
sound, resembling the combination Katy-did, whence the name....
Flat (33 Occurrences)
... a flat seventh; A flat. 9. (superl.) Not sharp orshrill; not acute; as,
a flat sound. 10. (superl.) Sonant; vocal; -- applied to...
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