Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the concept of "sweeps" is not directly mentioned as a specific term, but the idea can be related to various practices and principles found throughout Scripture. The notion of sweeping or cleansing is often associated with purification, renewal, and the removal of impurities, both in a physical and spiritual sense.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the act of sweeping or cleansing is frequently connected to the purification rituals prescribed by the Mosaic Law. These rituals were essential for maintaining ceremonial cleanliness and were symbolic of spiritual purity. For instance, in Leviticus, the Israelites were instructed to cleanse themselves and their surroundings to remain holy before God.
Leviticus 14:52 states, "He shall thus cleanse the house with the blood of the bird, the fresh water, the live bird, the cedar wood, the hyssop, and the scarlet yarn."
The concept of sweeping away impurities is also metaphorically used in the prophetic books. The prophets often spoke of God's judgment as a sweeping away of sin and corruption. In
Isaiah 14:23 , God declares, "I will make her a place for owls and for swamplands; I will sweep her away with the broom of destruction," illustrating the thoroughness of divine judgment.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the idea of sweeping or cleansing takes on a more spiritual dimension. Jesus Christ's ministry emphasized the importance of inner purity and the cleansing of the heart. In
Matthew 23:25-26 , Jesus rebukes the Pharisees, saying, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, so that the outside may become clean as well."
The parable of the lost coin in
Luke 15:8-10 also highlights the act of sweeping as a diligent search for something valuable. The woman in the parable sweeps her house to find the lost coin, symbolizing God's relentless pursuit of lost souls: "Or what woman who has ten silver coins and loses one of them does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?"
Spiritual ImplicationsFrom a spiritual perspective, the act of sweeping can be seen as a metaphor for repentance and the cleansing of one's life from sin. The Bible encourages believers to examine their hearts and remove anything that hinders their relationship with God. In 1
John 1:9 , it is written, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
The imagery of sweeping also serves as a reminder of the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, who works within believers to purify and sanctify them.
Titus 3:5 affirms this, stating, "He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit."
In summary, while the specific term "sweeps" is not found in the Bible, the concept is richly woven into the biblical narrative through themes of cleansing, purification, and divine judgment. These themes underscore the importance of spiritual renewal and the pursuit of holiness in the life of a believer.
Greek
537. hapas -- all, the whole... 537 (from 260 , "all " and 3956 , "each, every") -- (as a ), ie "" making up a .
537 () focuses on the individual parts their totality and thus "
sweeps with a
...Strong's Hebrew
3472. Yishpah -- "Hesweeps," a Benjamite... 3471, 3472. Yishpah. 3473 . "He
sweeps," a Benjamite. Transliteration: Yishpah
Phonetic Spelling: (yish-paw') Short Definition: Ishpah.
...1197a. baar -- to burn, consume
... make (2), make a clean sweep (1), make fires (1), purge (9), remove (3), removed
(4), set (1), set ablaze (1), sets it afire (1), started (1),sweeps away (1...
Library
The Night Bird: a Myth
... 'The currentsweeps the old world, The currentsweeps the new; The wind will blow,
the dawn will glow Ere thou hast sailed them through.'. Eversley, 1848....
The Foundation of God
... earthly calamities, changes, disappointments, sorrows, losses, nor the scourge that
is wielded because of our sins, nor the last wild tempest thatsweeps a man...
The Forgotten Preacher.
... One thatsweeps and sways his mind and culture and life like the strong windsweeps
the thin young saplings in the storm"clearly he knows nothing of that....
In his Temple
... His eyesweeps over the multitude, taking in every individual.... A panicsweeps
over the multitude, who feel the overshadowing of His divinity....
Measureless Power and Endless Glory
... His prayer rises like some songbird, in ever-wideningsweeps, each higher in the
blue, and nearer the throne; and at each a sweeter, fuller note....
The Regenerating Work of the Holy Spirit.
... trifling soul. The doctrine of the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit
is a glorious doctrine. Itsweeps away false hopes. It comes...
The Solar Eclipse
... When pestilence stalks through the land andsweeps away its myriads, think not that
God has done an unthought-of act without an intention in it....
The Impending Conflict
... Satan delights in war, for it excites the worst passions of the soul and then
sweeps into eternity its victims steeped in vice and blood....
The Impending Conflict.
... Satan delights in war; for it excites the worst passions of the soul, and then
sweeps into eternity its victims steeped in vice and blood....
Jesus, Pilate and Herod.
... just To fall to its desire. Oh, woe to those whom passionsweeps Helpless
and bound into the deeps. Then went the high priests and...
Thesaurus
Sweeps (10 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Sweeps (10 Occurrences).
... Job 27:21 The east wind carries
him away, and he departs. It
sweeps him out of his place. (WEB RSV NIV).
...Sweep (34 Occurrences)
... along or off with a broom or a brush, or as if with a broom; to remove by, or as
if by, brushing; as, to sweep dirt from a floor; the windsweeps the snow from...
Urinates (6 Occurrences)
... who urinates on a wall, he who is shut up and he who is left at large in Israel,
and will utterly sweep away the house of Jeroboam, as a mansweeps away dung...
Lifts (26 Occurrences)
... all diligence. (See NIV). Job 27:21 The east wind carries him away, and he
departs. Itsweeps him out of his place. (See RSV). Job 39...
Gilboa (8 Occurrences)
... of the mountain is Jebel Faqu`a. It rises on the eastern edge of the plain of Esdraelon,
and, running from Zer`in to the Southeast, it thensweeps southward to...
Whirls (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Whirls (1 Occurrence). Job 27:21 The east wind carries
him away, and he departs. Itsweeps him out of his place. (See NAS)....
Injustice (32 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS NIV). Proverbs 13:23 An abundance of food is in poor people's fields,
but injusticesweeps it away. (WEB ASV NAS RSV NIV)....
Esdraelon
... These sides of the triangle are, respectively, about 15, 15 and 20 miles in length.
North of Jenin a bay of the plainsweeps eastward, hugging the foot of Mt....
Departs (16 Occurrences)
... You change his face, and send him away. (WEB NAS). Job 27:21 The east wind carries
him away, and he departs. Itsweeps him out of his place. (WEB)....
Burns (34 Occurrences)
... who urinates on a wall, he who is shut up and he who is left at large in Israel,
and will utterly sweep away the house of Jeroboam, as a mansweeps away dung...
Resources
What does the Bible say about forgiveness? What does it mean to forgive? | GotQuestions.orgWhy can't I stop sinning? Please help! | GotQuestions.orgSweeps: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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