Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context:Surprise, in a biblical context, refers to an unexpected event or revelation that elicits a reaction of astonishment or wonder. The Bible, while not frequently using the term "surprise" explicitly, is replete with instances where God’s actions or the unfolding of His plans bring about unexpected outcomes for individuals and nations. These surprises often serve to reveal God's sovereignty, wisdom, and the unfolding of His divine purposes.
Biblical Instances of Surprise:1.
Abraham and Sarah: One of the most notable surprises in the Bible is the birth of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah in their old age. Despite Sarah's initial laughter and disbelief, God fulfilled His promise, demonstrating that nothing is too difficult for Him.
Genesis 21:1-2 states, "Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him."
2.
The Annunciation to Mary: The angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary that she would conceive and bear the Son of God was a profound surprise. This event underscores the miraculous and unexpected ways in which God intervenes in human history.
Luke 1:30-31 records, "So the angel told her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus.'"
3.
The Resurrection of Jesus: The resurrection of Jesus Christ is perhaps the most significant surprise in the New Testament. Despite Jesus' predictions of His resurrection, His followers were initially bewildered and astonished by the empty tomb. This event is central to Christian faith, affirming Jesus' victory over death.
Matthew 28:5-6 recounts, "The angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He lay.'"
4.
Paul’s Conversion: Saul of Tarsus, a fierce persecutor of Christians, experienced a dramatic and unexpected conversion on the road to Damascus. This surprise transformation highlights God's power to change hearts and redirect lives for His purposes.
Acts 9:3-5 describes, "As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?' 'Who are You, Lord?' Saul asked. 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' He replied."
Theological Implications:Surprises in the Bible often serve to remind believers of God's omnipotence and His ability to work beyond human understanding. They challenge individuals to trust in God's timing and His plans, even when circumstances seem improbable or impossible. These divine surprises are a testament to God's faithfulness and His commitment to fulfilling His promises.
Practical Application:For believers, the surprises recorded in Scripture encourage a posture of faith and readiness to embrace God's unexpected interventions in their lives. They serve as a reminder to remain open to the ways God might choose to reveal His will and to trust in His perfect plan, even when it defies human expectations.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The act of coming upon, or taking, unawares; the act of seizing unexpectedly; surprisal; as, the fort was taken by surprise.
2. (n.) The state of being surprised, or taken unawares, by some act or event which could not reasonably be foreseen; emotion excited by what is sudden and strange; a suddenly excited feeling of wonder or astonishment.
3. (n.) Anything that causes such a state or emotion.
4. (n.) A dish covered with a crust of raised paste, but with no other contents.
5. (n.) To come or fall suddenly and unexpectedly; to take unawares; to seize or capture by unexpected attack.
6. (n.) To strike with wonder, astonishment, or confusion, by something sudden, unexpected, or remarkable; to confound; as, his conduct surprised me.
7. (n.) To lead (one) to do suddenly and without forethought; to bring (one) into some unexpected state; -- with into; as, to be surprised into an indiscretion; to be surprised into generosity.
8. (n.) To hold possession of; to hold.
Greek
1436. ea -- ah! ha! (interj. expressingsurprise, indignation...... expressing
surprise, indignation, fear). Part of Speech: Interjection Transliteration:
ea Phonetic Spelling: (eh'-ah) Short Definition: an interjection: ho!
...3758. oua -- ah! ha! (an expression of wonder orsurprise)
... ah! ha! (an expression of wonder orsurprise). Part of Speech: Interjection
Transliteration: oua Phonetic Spelling: (oo-ah') Short Definition: ah!, aha!...
3579. xenizo -- to receive as a guest, tosurprise
... to receive as a guest, tosurprise. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: xenizo
Phonetic Spelling: (xen-id'-zo) Short Definition: I entertain a stranger, I...
4301. prolambano -- to take beforehand
... am-ban'-o) Short Definition: I take before, anticipate, am overtaken Definition:
I take before, anticipate; pass: I am caught or overtaken, taken bysurprise....
2396. ide -- see! behold!
... behold, see. Second person singular imperative active of eido; used as an interjection
to denotesurprise; lo! -- behold, lo, see. see GREEK eido. 2395, 2396...
5035. tachu -- quickly
... Neuter singular of tachus (as adverb); shortly, ie Without delay, soon, or (bysurprise)
suddenly, or (by implication, of ease) readily -- lightly, quickly....
2284. thambeo -- to astonish
... amaze, astonish. From thambos; to stupefy (withsurprise), ie Astound -- amaze,
astonish. see GREEK thambos. (ethambethesan) -- 1 Occurrence....
2285. thambos -- amazement
... amazed, astonished, wonder. Akin to an obsolete tapho (to dumbfound); stupefaction
(bysurprise), ie Astonishment -- X amazed, + astonished, wonder....
Strong's Hebrew
8610. taphas -- to lay hold of, wield... catch, handle, lay, take hold on, over, stop, surely,
surprise,. A primitive
root; to manipulate, ie Seize; chiefly to capture, wield
...253. ach -- ah!, alas!
... NASB Word Usage Ah (1), alas (1). ah, alas. A variation for 'ahahh; Oh! (expressive
of grief orsurprise) -- ah, alas. see HEBREW 'ahahh. 252, 253. ach. 254...
2005. hen -- lo! behold!
... behold, if, lo, though. A primitive particle; lo!; also (as expressingsurprise)
if -- behold, if, lo, though. 2004, 2005. hen. 2006 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
TheSurprise Party.
... THE VALUE OF A PRAYING MOTHER CHAPTER XIV. THESURPRISE PARTY.... She supposed she was
to be the only guest, but found that asurprise had been planned for her....
TheSurprise of the Righteous
... SERMON XXXVII. THESURPRISE OF THE RIGHTEOUS. Preached at Southsea for the Mission
of the Good Shepherd. October 1871. St Matthew 25:34-37....
I must Express MySurprise that Celsus Should Class the Odrysians....
... Chapter XVI. I must express mysurprise that Celsus should class the
Odrysians? I must express mysurprise that Celsus should...
And it is not Matter ofSurprise that in Certain Generations There...
... Chapter VIII. And it is not matter ofsurprise that in certain generations
there have existed prophets? And it is not matter of...
Great Surprises.
... S. Luke 16:23. "In hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments.". INTRODUCTION."
What a greatsurprise for Dives! So utterly unawaited!...Surprise number one....
The Surprising Jew.
... Some Surprising Results of the Tragic Break The Surprising Jew. There is a third
surprise growing out of this tragic break, the greatest of all"the Jew....
But, if it Does not Weary You, Let the Point Out as Briefly as...
... the faith may have these testimonies written on their hearts, lest any doubt concerning
the things which they believe should at any time take them bysurprise....
Sowing and Reaping.
... Theirsurprise well illustrates the state in which woman was held before Christ
lifted her to the side of man as his equal and companion....
The Anointing of Jesus.
... This token of affection took the company bysurprise.... It was the manner
of the acknowledgment which took the company bysurprise....
The Surprised Church.
... Anothersurprise is for the church, that is, the church of later generations, including
our own. The old Jew saw only a triumphant king, not a suffering king....
Thesaurus
Surprise (27 Occurrences)... 1. (n.) The act of coming upon, or taking, unawares; the act of seizing unexpectedly;
surprisal; as, the fort was taken by
surprise.
...Surprise (27 Occurrences).
...Ambush (39 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of lying in wait, for the purpose of attacking bysurprise.... 4.
(vt) To station in ambush with a view tosurprise an enemy....
Wonder (148 Occurrences)
... or the presentation to the sight or mind of something new, unusual, strange, great,
extraordinary, or not well understood;surprise; astonishment; admiration...
Retribution (14 Occurrences)
... All things considered, the fact of punishment for sinners need notsurprise;
the fact of pardon is the surprising thing. Thesurprise...
Alarm (26 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) Suddensurprise with fear or terror excited by apprehension of danger; in
the military use, commonly, sudden apprehension of being attacked bysurprise...
Startle (2 Occurrences)
... start. 2. (vt) To excite by sudden alarm,surprise, or apprehension; to frighten
suddenly and not seriously; to alarm; tosurprise. 3...
Attack (221 Occurrences)
... as you did to Jericho and its king: but their goods and their cattle you may take
for yourselves: let a secret force be stationed to make asurprise attack on...
Sounds (64 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 18:16 Making their land a thing of wonder, causing sounds ofsurprise for
ever; everyone who goes by will be overcome with wonder, shaking his head....
Laughter (14 Occurrences)
... LAUGHTER. laf'-ter (chaq, tsachaq, "to laugh," sechoq, "laughter"; gelao, katagelao):
(1) Laughter as the expression of gladness, pleasurablesurprise, is the...
Lapse (9 Occurrences)
... 10. (vt) Tosurprise in a fault or error; hence, tosurprise or catch, as an
offender. Multi-Version Concordance Lapse (9 Occurrences)....
Resources
What does it mean that Jesus will return like a thief in the night? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is divine impassibility? | GotQuestions.orgTotal depravity - is it biblical? | GotQuestions.orgSurprise: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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