Topical Encyclopedia
The term "upwards" in the Bible often signifies movement or direction towards a higher place, both physically and spiritually. It is used to describe physical ascension, spiritual elevation, and the pursuit of divine things. This concept is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating the believer's journey towards God and heavenly things.
Physical AscensionIn a literal sense, "upwards" is used to describe physical movement to a higher location. For example, in the construction of the Tower of Babel, the people aimed to build a tower "with its top in the heavens" (
Genesis 11:4), symbolizing their desire to reach upwards towards the divine realm. Similarly, the ascent of Mount Sinai by Moses to receive the Ten Commandments (
Exodus 19:3) is a physical journey upwards, representing a movement towards God's presence.
Spiritual ElevationSpiritually, "upwards" signifies the elevation of the heart and mind towards God. The Psalms frequently express this upward movement in worship and prayer.
Psalm 121:1-2 states, "I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth." This lifting of the eyes is a metaphor for seeking divine assistance and focusing on God's sovereignty.
The New Testament continues this theme, encouraging believers to set their minds on things above.
Colossians 3:1-2 exhorts, "Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." This passage emphasizes the believer's call to focus upwards, aligning their thoughts and actions with heavenly priorities.
Pursuit of Divine ThingsThe upward call of God is a central theme in the Christian life, representing the pursuit of holiness and the ultimate goal of eternal life with God.
Philippians 3:13-14 captures this pursuit: "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have laid hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus." The apostle Paul describes his life as a race, pressing upwards towards the heavenly prize.
Symbolism of Upwards MovementThe upward movement is also symbolic of resurrection and ascension. Jesus' resurrection and subsequent ascension into heaven (
Acts 1:9-11) are the ultimate expressions of upward movement, signifying victory over death and the promise of eternal life. Believers are called to follow in this pattern, looking forward to their own resurrection and ascension to be with Christ.
In summary, "upwards" in the Bible encompasses both physical and spiritual dimensions, symbolizing the believer's journey towards God, the pursuit of holiness, and the hope of eternal life. It is a call to elevate one's thoughts, actions, and aspirations towards the divine, reflecting a life oriented towards God's kingdom.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
adv.) In a direction from lower to higher; toward a higher place; in a course toward the source or origin; -- opposed to downward; as, to tend or roll upward.
2. (adv.) In the upper parts; above.
3. (adv.) Yet more; indefinitely more; above; over.
Greek
303. ana -- as a preposition denotesupwards, up, as a prefix...... as a preposition denotes
upwards, up, as a prefix denotes up, again, back. Part
of Speech: Preposition Transliteration: ana Phonetic Spelling: (an-ah') Short
...310. anaboao -- to cry out
... to cry out. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: anaboao Phonetic Spelling:
(an-ab-o-ah'-o) Short Definition: I shoutupwards, cry out, raise my voice...
Strong's Hebrew
4605. maal -- above,upwards... 4604, 4605. maal. 4606 . above,
upwards. Transliteration: maal Phonetic
Spelling: (mah'al) Short Definition: upward. Word Origin
...Library
LookingUpwards in a Storm.
... III. CONFLICT. Hymn 19 Lookingupwards in a storm. William Cowper 8,8,8,8.
Lookingupwards in a storm. God of my life, to thee I call,....
That a Man Shall not Take Ensample at the Bodily Ascension of...
... BEGINNETH THE NINE AND FIFTIETH CHAPTER That a man shall not take ensample at the
bodily ascension of Christ, for to strain his imaginationupwards bodily in...
That a Man Shall not Take Ensample of Saint Martin and of Saint...
... THE EIGHT AND FIFTIETH CHAPTER That a man shall not take ensample of Saint Martin
and of Saint Stephen, for to strain his imagination bodilyupwards in the...
The Roman Empire at the Time of the Birth of Christ.Upwards of a...
... CHAPTER I. THE ROMAN EMPIRE AT THE TIME OF THE BIRTH OF CHRIST.Upwards of
a quarter of a century before the Birth of Christ. CHAPTER...
That the High and the Next Way to Heaven is Run by Desires, and...
... For thee thinkest that thou hast very evidence that heaven isupwards; for Christ
ascended the air bodilyupwards, and sent the Holy Ghost as He promised...
Why the Holy Spirit was Only "Borne Over" the Waters.
... Fire tendsupwards, a stone downwards.... By Thy Gift we are inflamed, and
are borneupwards; we wax hot inwardly, and go forwards....
More Difficulties of the Atomic Theory.
... any one say that atoms of a fiery quality, being joined together, formed a body,
and because the quality of fire does not tend downwards, butupwards, that the...
Origin of the World; Basilides' Account of the "Sonship. "
... in the first place, simultaneously with the earliest deposition of the Seed by the
non-existent one, immediately burst forth [822] and wentupwards and hurried...
Whether the Soul Understands all Things through Innate Species?
... principle of an action, as it is to that action: for instance, if upward motion
is from lightness, then that which only potentially movesupwards must needs be...
Whether the Notion of a State Denotes a Condition of Freedom or...
... Objection 3: Further, the word "state" seems to indicate height of a kind;
because to stand is to be raisedupwards. Now one man...
Thesaurus
Upwards (18 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Upwards (18 Occurrences).
... Genesis 7:20 fifteen cubits
upwards have the waters become mighty, and the mountains are covered; (YLT).
...Upward (74 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (adv.) Alt. ofUpwards. 2. (a.) Directed toward
a higher place; as, with upward eye; with upward course....
Ur (5 Occurrences)
Ox (197 Occurrences)
... than the peaceful husbandman. The one I saw was of the `oak of Bashan,'
and measuredupwards of ten feet in length. At one end was...
Lapwing (2 Occurrences)
... It has long and broad wings, and is noted for its rapid, irregular fight,upwards,
downwards, and in circles. Its back is coppery or greenish bronze....
Timnath-serah (2 Occurrences)
... chamber beyond. A great number of lamp-niches cover the walls of the porch,
upwards of two hundred, arranged in vertical rows. A...
Trellis (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Trellis (1 Occurrence). Psalms 74:5 It seemed as
when men wieldupwards axes in a thicket of trees. (See RSV)....
Timnathserah (2 Occurrences)
... chamber beyond. A great number of lamp-niches cover the walls of the porch,
upwards of two hundred, arranged in vertical rows. A...
Target (14 Occurrences)
... to the captains of thousands and the captains of hundreds, throughout Judah and
Benjamin; and he numbered them from twenty years old andupwards, and found...
River (189 Occurrences)
... In less than two hours a dry desert wadyupwards of 300 yards broad was turned into
a foaming torrent from 8 to 10 feet deep, roaring and tearing down and...
Resources
Why is leprosy talked about so much in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgIs religion the cause of most wars? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of Bethany in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgUpwards: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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