Topical Encyclopedia
The term "sudden" in the Bible often conveys the idea of an unexpected or swift occurrence, typically associated with divine intervention or judgment. The concept of suddenness underscores the sovereignty and omnipotence of God, who acts according to His will and timing, often beyond human anticipation or understanding.
Old Testament ReferencesIn the Old Testament, the suddenness of God's actions is frequently highlighted in the context of judgment or deliverance. For instance, in
Isaiah 29:5-6, the prophet speaks of the sudden judgment that will come upon the enemies of Israel: "But the multitude of your foes will be like fine dust, the multitude of the ruthless like blowing chaff. Then suddenly, in an instant, you will be visited by the LORD of Hosts with thunder and earthquake and loud noise, with whirlwind and tempest and flames of consuming fire."
The sudden nature of God's deliverance is also evident in the Exodus narrative. The plagues upon Egypt, culminating in the sudden death of the firstborn (
Exodus 12:29-30), demonstrate God's power to act swiftly and decisively in favor of His people.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, the suddenness of divine action is often associated with the return of Christ and the establishment of God's kingdom. Jesus Himself warns of the unexpected nature of His second coming, likening it to the days of Noah when people were unaware until the flood came suddenly (
Matthew 24:37-39). In
1 Thessalonians 5:2-3, Paul echoes this theme: "For you are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, 'Peace and security,' destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape."
The suddenness of God's intervention is also seen in the events of Pentecost.
Acts 2:2 describes the coming of the Holy Spirit: "Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting." This sudden outpouring marks the birth of the Church and the empowerment of believers to spread the Gospel.
Theological ImplicationsThe sudden actions of God serve as a reminder of His ultimate authority and the unpredictability of His plans from a human perspective. Believers are called to live in a state of readiness, aware that God's intervention in history can occur at any moment. This awareness encourages a life of faithfulness, vigilance, and hope, trusting in God's perfect timing and sovereign will.
The suddenness of divine action also serves as a warning to those who are complacent or unprepared. The Bible consistently emphasizes the need for spiritual alertness and preparedness, as seen in the parable of the ten virgins (
Matthew 25:1-13), where the bridegroom's sudden arrival catches some unprepared.
In summary, the concept of "sudden" in the Bible highlights the unexpected and often dramatic nature of God's interventions, whether in judgment or salvation. It calls believers to a posture of readiness and trust in the sovereign purposes of God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Happening without previous notice or with very brief notice; coming unexpectedly, or without the common preparation; immediate; instant; speedy.
2. (a.) Hastily prepared or employed; quick; rapid.
3. (a.) Hasty; violent; rash; precipitate.
4. (adv.) Suddenly; unexpectedly.
5. (n.) An unexpected occurrence; a surprise.
Greek
160. aiphnidios --sudden...sudden. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: aiphnidios Phonetic Spelling:
(aheef-nid'-ee-os) Short Definition: unexpected,
sudden Definition: unexpected
...2978. lailaps -- a hurricane
... a hurricane. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: lailaps Phonetic Spelling:
(lah'-ee-laps) Short Definition: asudden storm, squall Definition: a...
4496. rhipto -- to throw, cast, spec. to throw off, toss
... A primary verb (perhaps rather akin to the base of rhapizo, through the idea of
sudden motion); to fling (properly, with a quick toss, thus differing from ballo...
3709. orge -- impulse, wrath
... [" comes from the verb meaning, 'to teem, to '; and thus implies that it is not
asudden outburst, but rather (referring to God's) , controlled, passionate...
1819. exapina -- suddenly
... suddenly. From ek and a derivative of the same as aiphnidios; of asudden, ie
Unexpectedly -- suddenly. Compare exaiphnes. see GREEK ek. see GREEK aiphnidios....
1810. exaiphnes -- suddenly
... suddenly. From ek and the base of aiphnidios; of asudden (unexpectedly) -- suddenly.
Compare exapina. see GREEK ek. see GREEK aiphnidios. see GREEK exapina....
Strong's Hebrew
928. behalah -- dismay,sudden terror or ruin... 927, 928. behalah. 929 . dismay,
sudden terror or ruin. Transliteration: behalah
Phonetic Spelling: (beh-haw-law') Short Definition: terror.
...5575. sanverim --sudden blindness
... 5574, 5575. sanverim. 5576 .sudden blindness. Transliteration: sanverim
Phonetic Spelling: (san-vare') Short Definition: blindness....
6597. pithom -- suddenness, suddenly
... Word Origin from the same as petha Definition suddenness, suddenly NASB Word Usage
immediately (1),sudden (2), suddenly (22). straightway, suddenly....
6343. pachad -- dread
... From pachad; a (sudden) alarm (properly, the object feared, by implication, the
feeling) -- dread(-ful), fear, (thing) great (fear, -ly feared), terror....
6342. pachad -- to dread, be in dread or in awe
... A primitive root; to be startled (by asudden alarm); hence, to fear in general --
be afraid, stand in awe, (be in) fear, make to shake. 6341b, 6342....
1091. ballahah -- terror, dreadful event, calamity, destruction
... Word Origin from balah Definition terror, dreadful event, calamity, destruction
NASB Word Usagesudden terrors (1), terrified (2), terror (1), terrors (6)....
Library
Sudden Conversions.
...Sudden Conversions.... 1. First; some men turn to religion all at once from somesudden
impulse of mind, some powerful excitement, or some strong persuasion....
The World's Consternation at theSudden and Secret Removal of the...
... Chapter Nine The Worldward Results of the Redeemer's Return 1. The World's
Consternation at thesudden and secret Removal of the Church....
WhetherSudden Things are Especially Feared?
... OF THE OBJECT OF FEAR (SIX ARTICLES) Whethersudden things are especially
feared?... Thereforesudden things are less to be feared....
Whether Fortitude Deals Chiefly withSudden Occurrences?
... TREATISE ON FORTITUDE AND TEMPERANCE (QQ -170) cOF FORTITUDE (TWELVE ARTICLES)
Whether fortitude deals chiefly withsudden occurrences?...
Sudden Death. April 19.
...Sudden Death. April 19. "What better can... his work?" "But, Master Yeo, asudden
death?". "And why not asudden death, Sir John? Even...
How those are to be Admonished who Sin fromSudden Impulse and...
... How those are to be admonished who sin fromsudden impulse and those who sin
deliberately. (Admonition 33.). Differently to be admonished...
That no one is Dashed to the Ground by aSudden Fall.
... II. Second Conference of Abbot Moses. Chapter XVII. That no one is dashed
to the ground by asudden fall. But we must not imagine...
O what Amazement Befel the Evil One, of aSudden, My Brethren...
... Hymn LX. O what amazement befel the Evil One, of asudden, my brethren:
when the sinful woman was corrected, and gained Wisdom!...
But the Blessed Cyprian Shows that it was no New orSudden Thing.....
... Book III. Chapter 12. " 17. But the blessed Cyprian shows that it was
no new orsudden thing? "17. But the blessed Cyprian...
The Project of French Empire and Evangelization --Its Wide and...
... A HISTORY OF AMERICAN CHRISTIANITY. CHAPTER III. THE PROJECT OF FRENCH EMPIRE AND
EVANGELIZATION"ITS WIDE AND RAPID SUCCESS"ITSSUDDEN EXTINCTION....
Thesaurus
Sudden (33 Occurrences)...Sudden (33 Occurrences).
... Luke 1:44 For, truly, when the sound of your voice came
to my ears, the baby in my body made a
sudden move for joy. (BBE).
...Flash (19 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To burst or break forth with asudden and transient flood of flame and
light; as, the lighting flashes vividly; the powder flashed....
Panic (22 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Extreme orsudden and causeless; unreasonable; -- said of fear
or fright; as, panic fear, terror, alarm. 3. (n.) Asudden...
Start (50 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To leap; to jump. 2. (vi) To move suddenly, as with a spring or leap, from
surprise, pain, or othersudden feeling or emotion, or by a voluntary act....
Shock (6 Occurrences)
... n.) A quivering or shaking which is the effect of a blow, collision, or violent
impulse; a blow, impact, or collision; a concussion; asudden violent impulse...
Impulse (18 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of impelling, or driving onward withsudden force; impulsion;
especially, force so communicated as to produced motion suddenly, or immediately....
Fright (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A state of terror excited by thesudden appearance of danger;sudden
and violent fear, usually of short duration; asudden alarm....
Alarm (26 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Asudden attack; disturbance; broil. 4. (n.)Sudden surprise with
fear or terror excited by apprehension of danger; in the...
Downfall (46 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Asudden fall; a body of things falling. 2. (n.) Asudden descent from
rank or state, reputation or happiness; destruction; ruin....
Gust (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) Asudden squall; a violent blast of wind; asudden and brief rushing or
driving of the wind.... 2. (n.) Asudden violent burst of passion....
Resources
How does the Cambrian Explosion fit within the framework of young-earth creationism? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did Jesus mention the tower of Siloam in Luke 13:4? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about safety? | GotQuestions.orgSudden: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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