Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the concept of a "target" is not explicitly mentioned in the same way it is understood in modern contexts, such as a goal or an object to aim at. However, the idea of aiming or focusing on a specific objective can be inferred from various passages and narratives throughout the Scriptures. The term "target" can be associated with themes of purpose, direction, and precision in the spiritual and moral life of believers.
Biblical Context and Symbolism1.
Archery and Warfare: The imagery of archery is prevalent in the Bible and can be related to the concept of a target. In ancient warfare, archers aimed at specific targets to defeat their enemies. This imagery is used metaphorically in the Scriptures to describe God's judgment and precision. For example, in
Jeremiah 50:9 , it is written, "For behold, I will stir up and bring against Babylon an assembly of great nations from the land of the north. They will line up against her; from there she will be captured. Their arrows will be like skilled warriors who do not return empty-handed."
2.
Moral and Spiritual Aim: The idea of having a target can also be applied to the moral and spiritual life of believers. The Apostle Paul often uses athletic metaphors to describe the Christian life as a race with a clear goal. In
Philippians 3:14 , Paul writes, "I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus." Here, the "goal" can be seen as a spiritual target that believers strive to reach through faith and perseverance.
3.
Divine Purpose and Calling: The concept of a target can also be understood in terms of God's purpose and calling for individuals. Each person is seen as having a specific role or mission in God's plan, and fulfilling this purpose can be likened to hitting a target.
Ephesians 2:10 states, "For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life." This verse suggests that believers have a divinely ordained target or purpose to fulfill through their actions and lives.
4.
Sin as Missing the Mark: In biblical theology, sin is often described as "missing the mark," which can be related to the concept of failing to hit a target. The Greek word for sin, "hamartia," conveys the idea of missing the intended goal or standard set by God.
Romans 3:23 declares, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." This understanding emphasizes the need for redemption and grace to align one's life with God's will and hit the spiritual target.
Practical ApplicationBelievers are encouraged to set their sights on spiritual targets that align with God's will, such as living a life of holiness, pursuing righteousness, and fulfilling the Great Commission.
Hebrews 12:1-2 exhorts Christians to "run with endurance the race set out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith." This passage highlights the importance of focus and determination in reaching the ultimate target of Christlikeness.
In summary, while the term "target" is not directly used in the Bible, its underlying principles are woven throughout the Scriptures, emphasizing the importance of purpose, direction, and precision in the life of faith.
ATS Bible Dictionary
Target1 Samuel 17:6, a small round shield. The same word in1 Samuel 17:45 is translated a shield, and elsewhere a javelin. SeeARMOR.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(
1 Samuel 17:6, A.V., after the LXX. and Vulg.), a kind of small shield. The margin has "gorget," a piece of armour for the throat. The Revised Version more correctly renders the Hebrew word (kidon) by "javelin." The same Hebrew word is used in
Joshua 8:18 (A.V., "spear;" R.V., "javelin");
Job 39:23 (A.V., "shield;" R.V., "javelin"); 41:29 (A.V., "spear;" R.V., "javelin").
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A kind of small shield or buckler, used as a defensive weapon in war.
2. (n.) A butt or mark to shoot at, as for practice, or to test the accuracy of a firearm, or the force of a projectile.
3. (n.) The pattern or arrangement of a series of hits made by a marksman on a butt or mark; as, he made a good target.
4. (n.) The sliding crosspiece, or vane, on a leveling staff.
5. (n.) A conspicuous disk attached to a switch lever to show its position, or for use as a signal.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
TARGETtar'-get.
SeeMARK.
Greek
4649. skopos -- a watchman, a mark (on which to fix the eye)... 4649 (the root of the English term, "scope," like the zoom-scope on a rifle to hit
the
target) -- properly, the "end-marker" of a foot-race; (figuratively) the
...264. hamartano -- to miss the mark, do wrong, sin
... due to . Like 266 , 264 () is regularly used in ancient times of an archer
missing thetarget (Homer, Aesch., etc). Every decision...
795. astocheo -- to miss the mark
... make a false aim, fail. 795 (from 1 "not" and , "atarget") -- properly,
(without aim); figuratively, ; (). 795 ("swerve out of line...
Strong's Hebrew
4307. mattara -- a guard, ward, prison,target, mark... a guard, ward, prison,
target, mark. Transliteration: mattara or mattarah Phonetic
Spelling: (mat-taw-raw') Short Definition: guardhouse.
...3591. kidon -- a dart, javelin
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition a dart, javelin NASB Word Usage
javelin (8), spear (1). lance, shield, spear,target....
4645. miphga -- something hit, a mark
... 4644, 4645. miphga. 4646 . something hit, a mark. Transliteration: miphga
Phonetic Spelling: (mif-gaw') Short Definition:target....
6793. tsinnah -- probably a hook, barb
... tsinnah. 6793a . probably a hook, barb. Transliteration: tsinnah Phonetic Spelling:
(tsin-naw') Short Definition: buckler. buckler, cold, hook, shield,target...
Library
Israel's Hope; Or, the Centre of theTarget
... Israel's Hope; or, The Centre of theTarget. A Sermon (No.2199). Intended for Reading
on Lord's-day, April 19th, 1891,. Delivered by. CH SPURGEON,....
Apostolic Exhortation
... his message. He did not beat the bush; he did not shoot his arrow far afield,
but he hit the very centre of thetarget. He preached...
Our Reception at Hwochow
... The competitor was required to exhibit great skill in archery, shooting at thetarget
from the back of a galloping horse, and to lift stones of immense weight...
Earnest Expostulation
... and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?" Well did the apostle
aim that piercing arrow; it hits the center of thetarget and strikes a...
Christian Sympathy
... Practical sympathy is my aim; I trust your liberality, at the end of the
sermon, will prove that I have hit the center of mytarget....
A Message from God for Thee
... whose range is as wide as fallen humanity, there are at the same time a still larger
number of texts which are aimed like arrows at an appointedtarget....
The Doctrines of Grace do not Lead to Sin
... No sooner is this doctrine set forth in a clear light than men begin to cavil
at it. It is thetarget for all carnal logic to shoot at....
The Fire of Love
... have not been reproduced, and in a few cases words have been modernized by substituting
the footnote contents for the archaic word that was thetarget of the...
Children Brought to Christ, and not to the Font
... They do not so much as touch thetarget in its extreme corners, much less in its
centre. The whole question is, Do you believe that baptism regenerates?...
Protest and Agony. (I, iv. 10, 19, vi. 11, xi. 18-xii. 6, xv. 10...
... He makes us feel that he has been charged against his will and he hurtles on his
career like one slung at atarget who knows that in fulfilling his commission...
Thesaurus
Target (14 Occurrences)... 3. (n.) The pattern or arrangement of a series of hits made by a marksman on a butt
or mark; as, he made a good
target.
...TARGET. tar'-get. See MARK.
...Targets (7 Occurrences)
... Targets (7 Occurrences). 1 Kings 10:16 And king Solomon made two hundred targets
of beaten gold: six hundred shekels of gold went to onetarget....
Mark (182 Occurrences)
... As a noun the term "mark" may signify, according to its various Hebrew and Greek
originals, a sign, "atarget" an object of assault, a brand or stigma cut or...
Outer (98 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The part of atarget which is beyond the circles surrounding the
bull's-eye. 3. (n.) A shot which strikes the outer of atarget....
Alloyed (4 Occurrences)
... Alloyed (4 Occurrences). 1 Kings 10:16 And king Solomon maketh two hundred targets
of alloyed gold -- six hundred of gold go up on the onetarget; (YLT)....
Applied (22 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV). 1 Kings 10:16 And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten
gold, he applied six hundred shekels of gold to onetarget; (DBY)....
Armour (32 Occurrences)
... There were the great shield ortarget (the tzinnah), for the protection of the whole
person (Genesis 15:1; Psalm 47:9; 1 Samuel 17:7; Proverbs 30:5), and the...
Tares (9 Occurrences)
Upwards (18 Occurrences)
... numbered them from twenty years old and upwards, and found them three hundred thousand
choice men, able for military service, that could handle spear andtarget...
Greaves (1 Occurrence)
... Greaves (1 Occurrence). 1 Samuel 17:6 And he had greaves of brass upon his legs,
and atarget of brass between his shoulders. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)....
Resources
What does the Bible say about terrorism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the relationship between David and Jonathan? | GotQuestions.orgIs faith in God religulous? | GotQuestions.orgTarget: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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