Topical Encyclopedia
The term "spread-out" in the Bible often conveys the idea of expansion, covering, or extending over an area. This concept is used both literally and metaphorically throughout the Scriptures, reflecting God's creation, His promises, and His actions in the world.
1.
Creation and Nature: The imagery of spreading out is frequently associated with God's creative power. In
Isaiah 40:22 , it is written, "He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth; its dwellers are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in." This verse highlights God's sovereignty and the vastness of His creation, portraying the heavens as a tent spread out by His hand.
2.
Divine Protection and Provision: The concept of spreading out is also used to describe God's protective and providential care for His people. In
Psalm 105:39 , it states, "He spread a cloud as a covering and a fire to light up the night." Here, the spreading of the cloud and fire symbolizes God's guidance and protection over the Israelites during their wilderness journey.
3.
Blessing and Prosperity: The idea of spreading out is linked to the blessings and prosperity promised to God's people. In
Genesis 28:14 , God promises Jacob, "Your descendants will be like the dust of the earth, and you will spread out to the west and to the east, to the north and to the south. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you and your offspring." This promise of spreading out signifies growth, multiplication, and the far-reaching impact of God's covenant with Jacob.
4.
Judgment and Desolation: Conversely, the imagery of spreading out can also be associated with judgment and desolation. In
Isaiah 42:5 , it is written, "Thus says God the LORD—He who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and its offspring, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it." While this verse primarily emphasizes God's creative authority, the broader context of Isaiah often includes themes of judgment against nations that oppose God's will.
5.
Metaphorical Usage: The metaphorical use of "spread-out" can be seen in the context of influence and impact. In the New Testament, the spread of the Gospel is a central theme. Although the specific term "spread-out" is not used, the concept is evident in passages like
Acts 1:8 , where Jesus instructs His disciples, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." This directive implies the spreading out of the Gospel message to all corners of the world.
In summary, the term "spread-out" in the Bible encompasses a range of meanings, from God's creative acts and protective care to His promises of blessing and the expansion of His kingdom. It serves as a powerful image of God's presence and activity in the world, both in the natural realm and in the spiritual lives of His people.
Greek
1600b. ekpetannumi -- tospread out (as a sail), to stretch forth... 1600a, 1600b. ekpetannumi. 1601 . to
spread out (as a sail), to stretch forth.
Transliteration: ekpetannumi Short Definition: stretched.
...2665. katapetasma -- a curtain (the inner veil of the temple)
... katapetasma Phonetic Spelling: (kat-ap-et'-as-mah) Short Definition: a veil, curtain
Definition: (lit: that which isspread out downwards, that which hangs down...
4385. proteino -- to stretch out
... to stretch out,spread out. From pro and teino (to stretch); to protend, ie Tie
prostrate (for scourging) -- bind. see GREEK pro. (proeteinan) -- 1 Occurrence....
4116. platus -- broad, subst. a street
... a street NASB Word Usage street (4), streets (5), wide (1). wide. From plasso;
spread out "flat" ("plot"), ie Broad -- wide. see GREEK plasso....
Strong's Hebrew
7554. raqa -- to beat, stamp, beat out,spread out... raqa. 7555 . to beat, stamp, beat out,
spread out. Transliteration: raqa Phonetic
Spelling: (raw-kah') Short Definition: spread. Word Origin a prim.
...6566. paras -- tospread out, spread
... 6565b, 6566. paras. 6567 . tospread out, spread. Transliteration: paras Phonetic
Spelling: (paw-ras') Short Definition: spread. Word Origin a prim....
5186. natah -- to stretch out,spread out, extend, incline, bend
... 5185, 5186. natah. 5187 . to stretch out,spread out, extend, incline, bend.
Transliteration: natah Phonetic Spelling: (naw-taw') Short Definition: stretched...
4969. mathach -- tospread out
... tospread out. Transliteration: mathach Phonetic Spelling: (maw-thakh') Short
Definition: spreads.... root Definition tospread out NASB Word Usage spreads (1)....
1238. baqaq -- to be luxuriant
... A primitive root; to pour out, ie To empty, figuratively, to depopulate; by analogy,
tospread out (as a fruitful vine) -- (make) empty (out), fail, X utterly...
6584. pashat -- to strip off, make a dash, raid
... A primitive root; tospread out (ie Deploy in hostile array); by analogy, to strip
(ie Unclothe, plunder, flay, etc.) -- fall upon, flay, invade, make an...
4458. meltachah -- probably wardrobe, wearing apparel
... vestry. From an unused root meaning tospread out; a wardrobe (ie Room where clothing
is spread) -- vestry. 4457, 4458. meltachah. 4459 . Strong's Numbers.
4555. mispachah -- a long veil
... 2). kerchief. From caphach; a veil (asspread out) -- kerchief. see HEBREW
caphach. 4554, 4555. mispachah. 4556 . Strong's Numbers.
7704. sadeh -- field, land
... Or saday {saw-dah'-ee}; from an unused root meaning tospread out; a field (as flat) --
country, field, ground, land, soil, X wild. 7703, 7704. sadeh. 7705 >...
6447. pas -- palm (of the hand)
... participle. (Aramaic) from a root corresponding to pacac; the palm (of the hand,
as beingspread out) -- participle. see HEBREW pacac. 6446, 6447. pas. 6448...
Library
At the Other End.
... Then the question wasspread out some.... The praying man can as really touch these
cities as he kneels in his room, with map and Bookspread out before him....
Why the Cross, of all Deaths? -1 He had to Bear the Curse for Us....
... For it is only on the cross that a man dies with his handsspread out.
Whence it was fitting for the Lord to bear this also and...
A Shepherd Boy who was Called to Lead a Nation
... When the Philistines came andspread out over the Valley of Rephaim, David
asked of Jehovah: "Shall I go out against the Philistines?...
The Cost of Being Cruel and Stubborn
... and hail, and I will let you go, and you shall stay no longer." Moses said to him,
"As soon as I have gone out of the city, I willspread out my hands in...
Since it Has Been Proved that the Son is True God...
... Whether therefore the Son made the heavens, as also the Apostle would have it
understood, whilst He Himself certainly did not alonespread out the heavens...
Annas and Caiaphas, Summas and Datam, Gamaliel, Judas, Levi...
... for the runner, too, seeing him, has adored him, and hasspread out before him on
the ground the cloak which he held in his hand, and has said to him: My lord...
Having Called a Council, the High Priests and Scribes Annas and...
... And Pilate having called the runner, says to him: Why hast thou done this, andspread
out thy cloak upon the earth, and made Jesus walk upon it?...
Letter iii. True Religion a Work of Grace in the Heart; but it...
... But the figure is carried out still farther,""and spreadeth out her roots by the
river." When the roots of the tree arespread out along the bed of the river...
The Rise of the Hierarchy Connected with the Spread of Heresies.
... This writer informs us that, though in the beginning the disciples were agreed in
sentiment, they became, in his days, when "spread out into a multitude...
Hyrcanus Receives the High Priesthood, and Ejects Ptolemy Out of...
... However, his motherspread out her hands, and begged of him that he would not grow
remiss on her account, but indulge his indignation so much the more, and...
Thesaurus
Spread-out (1 Occurrence)Spread-
out. Spreadings,
Spread-
out. Spreads . Multi-Version
Concordance
Spread-
out (1 Occurrence). Numbers 16:38 even
...Spread (257 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV). Romans 10:21 But as to Israel he saith, All the day long did Ispread
out my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people. (ASV)....
Spreads (31 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 25:11 He willspreadout his hands in its midst, like one who swims spreads
out hands to swim, but his pride will be humbled together with the craft of...
Excellency (53 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 14:11 Brought down to Sheol hath been thine excellency, The noise of thy
psaltery, Under theespreadout hath been the worm, Yea, covering thee is the...
Mantle (35 Occurrences)
... 10. (vi) To unfold andspreadout the wings, like a mantle; -- said of hawks. Also
used figuratively. 11. (vi) Tospreadout; -- said of wings. 12....
Wings (81 Occurrences)
... Exodus 25:20 The cherubim shallspreadout their wings upward, covering the mercy
seat with their wings, with their faces toward one another....
Veil (67 Occurrences)
... (2.) Massekah (Isaiah 25:7; in Isaiah 28:20 rendered "covering"). The word denotes
somethingspreadout and covering or concealing something else (Comp....
Upward (74 Occurrences)
... Exodus 25:20 The cherubim shallspreadout their wings upward, covering the mercy
seat with their wings, with their faces toward one another....
Overshadowing (5 Occurrences)
... Exodus 25:20 And the cherubim shallspreadout their wings on high, screening the
ark-cover with their wings, with their faces one to another; toward the ark...
Machinations (1 Occurrence)
... Isaiah 25:11 And hespreadout his hands in its midst, Asspreadout doth the swimmer
to swim; And He hath humbled his excellency With the machinations of his...
Resources
What does “perfect love casts out fear” mean? | GotQuestions.orgWhat did it mean to spread the corner of your garment over someone? | GotQuestions.orgCan a child who is conceived out of wedlock be saved? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
