Topical Encyclopedia
The term "signified" in biblical context often refers to the act of making known or revealing something through signs, symbols, or other forms of communication. This concept is particularly significant in the realm of prophecy and divine revelation, where God communicates His will and purposes to humanity.
Biblical UsageThe word "signified" is notably used in the Book of Revelation.
Revelation 1:1 states, "The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon come to pass. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John." Here, "made it known" is translated from the Greek word "σημαίνω" (sēmainō), which means to signify or to indicate by a sign. This indicates that the revelation given to John was communicated through symbolic visions and signs, which required interpretation.
Prophetic ContextIn the prophetic books of the Bible, God often uses symbolic language and imagery to convey His messages. This method of communication serves multiple purposes: it veils the message from those who are not spiritually discerning, it invites deeper contemplation and study, and it reveals the multifaceted nature of God's plans. For instance, the visions of Daniel and Ezekiel are filled with symbolic imagery that is "signified" to the prophets, requiring divine interpretation.
The Role of AngelsIn Revelation, the role of angels as messengers who "signify" God's messages is prominent. Angels are often depicted as intermediaries who deliver God's revelations to humans. This is consistent with other biblical accounts where angels communicate divine messages, such as the angel Gabriel's announcements to Mary and Zechariah in the Gospel of Luke.
Interpretation and UnderstandingThe concept of "signified" revelation underscores the importance of seeking divine wisdom and guidance in understanding God's messages. The Apostle Paul emphasizes the need for spiritual discernment in
1 Corinthians 2:14 : "The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." This highlights the necessity of the Holy Spirit's illumination in interpreting the signs and symbols used in God's communication.
Historical and Theological SignificanceThroughout church history, the interpretation of "signified" messages has been a central task of theologians and scholars. The symbolic nature of biblical prophecy has led to various interpretations and eschatological views. The early church fathers, such as Augustine and Jerome, engaged deeply with the symbolic language of Scripture, seeking to understand and explain the mysteries of God's revelation.
In summary, the term "signified" in the Bible refers to the method by which God communicates His divine will through signs and symbols. This form of communication requires spiritual insight and discernment, emphasizing the need for reliance on the Holy Spirit to understand the depths of God's revealed truth.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Signify.
Library
Fragment Xliii. In These Things There wasSignified by Prophecy...
... Fragment XLIII. In these things there wassignified by prophecy that the
people? In [4887] these things there wassignified by...
By "Breath" isSignified Sometimes the Holy Spirit.
... A Treatise on the soul and its origin, Chapter 18."By "Breath" IsSignified
Sometimes the Holy Spirit. How, again, does he know...
The Two Advents wereSignified by the Two Goats Other Figures of...
... Chapter CXI."The two advents weresignified by the two goats Other figures of the
first advent, in which the Gentiles are freed by the blood of Christ....
Predestination is SometimesSignified under the Name of...
... A Treatise on the gift of perseverance, Chapter 47."Predestination is
SometimesSignified Under the Name of Foreknowledge. These...
How we are to Conform Ourselves to that Divine Will, which is...
... BOOK VIII. OF THE LOVE OF CONFORMITY, BY WHICH WE UNITE OUR WILL TO THE WILL OF
GOD,SIGNIFIED UNTO US BY HIS COMMANDMENTS, COUNSELS AND INSPIRATIONS....
That the Love of God's WillSignified in the Commandments Moves us...
... BOOK VIII. OF THE LOVE OF CONFORMITY, BY WHICH WE UNITE OUR WILL TO THE WILL OF
GOD,SIGNIFIED UNTO US BY HIS COMMANDMENTS, COUNSELS AND INSPIRATIONS....
Of the Conformity of Our Will to that Will of God's which is...
... BOOK VIII. OF THE LOVE OF CONFORMITY, BY WHICH WE UNITE OUR WILL TO THE WILL OF
GOD,SIGNIFIED UNTO US BY HIS COMMANDMENTS, COUNSELS AND INSPIRATIONS....
Of the Babylonish Captivity, and the ThingsSignified Thereby.
... Chapter 21."Of the Babylonish Captivity, and the ThingsSignified Thereby.
37. "Howbeit, after the lapse of some generations, another...
He Explains More Fully what the Mystery is which isSignified...
... Book V. Chapter XII. He explains more fully what the mystery is which is
signified under the name of the man and wife. What then...
Of the Conformity of Our Will to that Will of God which is...
... BOOK VIII. OF THE LOVE OF CONFORMITY, BY WHICH WE UNITE OUR WILL TO THE WILL OF
GOD,SIGNIFIED UNTO US BY HIS COMMANDMENTS, COUNSELS AND INSPIRATIONS....
Thesaurus
Signified (5 Occurrences)...Signified (5 Occurrences).
... Acts 23:22 So the chief captain let the young man go,
charging him, Tell no man that thou hast
signified these things to me. (ASV).
...Name (10157 Occurrences)
... to a "people" or "nation" (which might be "blotted out," ie destroyed (Deuteronomy
7:24, etc.)); to speak or write "in the name"signified authority (Exodus 5...
Water (4571 Occurrences)
... Used in cases of ceremonial cleansings at the consecration of the Levites (Numbers
8:7). Itsignified, figuratively, that purifying of the heart which must...
Province (66 Occurrences)
... In the most comprehensive official sense itsignified a magistrate's sphere of
administrative action, which in one instance might be the direction of...
Signification (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) That which issignified or made known; that meaning which a sign, character,
or token is intended to convey; as, the signification of words....
Gesture
... of friendship and fidelity (2 Kings 10:15 Proverbs 11:21) was the origin of the
widespread custom of "shaking hands"; "striking hands"signified the clenching...
Circumcision (98 Occurrences)
... It had a spiritual meaning. Itsignified purification of the heart, inward
circumcision effected by the Spirit (Deuteronomy 10:16; 30:6; Ezek....
Quicken (16 Occurrences)
... As the translation of ruach (Isaiah 11:3) "quick" as found in the King James Version
signified "acute." In this passage the Revised Version (British and...
Quick (49 Occurrences)
... As the translation of ruach (Isaiah 11:3) "quick" as found in the King James Version
signified "acute." In this passage the Revised Version (British and...
Naioth (5 Occurrences)
... The term has often been taken as meaning "houses" or "habitations"; but this cannot
be justified. There is no certainty as to exactly what the wordsignified....
Resources
What was the significance of the temple veil being torn in two when Jesus died? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of sackcloth and ashes? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the right hand of fellowship (Galatians 2:9)? | GotQuestions.orgSignified: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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