Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context: In biblical terms, prodigies refer to extraordinary events or phenomena that are perceived as signs or wonders, often indicating divine intervention or the presence of God's power. These events are typically beyond human explanation and serve to reveal God's glory, authority, and purpose.
Biblical References: The Bible contains numerous accounts of prodigies, often described as signs and wonders. These events are frequently associated with God's deliverance, judgment, or revelation.
1.
Exodus and the Plagues: One of the most prominent examples of prodigies in the Bible is the series of plagues in Egypt, which God used to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage. These plagues, including the turning of the Nile into blood, the infestation of frogs, and the death of the firstborn, are described as signs and wonders. In
Exodus 7:3 , God says, "But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I will multiply My signs and wonders in the land of Egypt."
2.
The Parting of the Red Sea: Another significant prodigy is the parting of the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to escape from the pursuing Egyptian army. This miraculous event is a testament to God's power and His ability to deliver His people. In
Exodus 14:21-22 , it is written, "Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left."
3.
Miracles of Jesus: The New Testament is replete with prodigies performed by Jesus Christ, which serve to affirm His divine nature and authority. These include healing the sick, raising the dead, and feeding the multitudes. In
John 2:11 , the turning of water into wine at the wedding in Cana is described as the first of the signs through which Jesus revealed His glory: "Jesus performed this first sign at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him."
4.
The Resurrection: The resurrection of Jesus is the ultimate prodigy, demonstrating His victory over sin and death. This event is central to Christian faith, as it confirms Jesus' divinity and the promise of eternal life for believers. In
Matthew 28:5-6 , the angel at the tomb declares, "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."
Purpose and Significance: Prodigies in the Bible serve multiple purposes. They are a means by which God communicates with His people, providing guidance, assurance, and evidence of His sovereignty. They also act as a catalyst for faith, encouraging belief and trust in God's promises. In
Deuteronomy 4:34 , Moses reminds the Israelites of God's mighty acts: "Or has any god tried to take as his own a nation from the midst of another nation, by trials, signs, and wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, and by great terrors, as the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your very eyes?"
Theological Implications: Prodigies underscore the belief in a God who is actively involved in the world and capable of altering the natural order to fulfill His divine will. They affirm the transcendence and immanence of God, highlighting His ability to operate beyond human understanding while remaining intimately involved in the lives of His people.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) Plural of Prodigy.
Library
Prodigies of the Astrologers; System of the Astronomers; Chaldean...
... Book IV. Chapter VIII."Prodigies of the Astrologers; System of the Astronomers;
Chaldean Doctrine of Circles; Distances of the Heavenly Bodies....
Simon'sProdigies.
... Homily II. Chapter XXXII."Simon'sProdigies. Aquila having thus spoken,
I Clement inquired: "What, then, are theprodigies that...
That the Whole Plenitude of the Human Race was Embraced in the...
... They who do not believe them, ought not to believe anyprodigies; for these would
not be calledprodigies did they not happen out of the ordinary course of...
Signs and Wonders.
... offer"and as too many have pretended since to do"to change the courses of the elements,
to bring down tempests or thunderbolts, to shewprodigies in the...
Synopsis. --Biblical Miracles the Effluence of Extraordinary Lives...
... Biblical miracles the effluence of extraordinary lives."Life the world's magician
and miracle worker; its miracles now termedprodigies."Miracle the...
Plagiarism by the Greeks of the Miracles Related in the Sacred...
... And now they are convicted not only of borrowing doctrines from the Barbarians,
but also of relating asprodigies of Hellenic mythology the marvels found in...
Of the Last Times.
... To these evils will also be addedprodigies from heaven, that nothing may be
wanting to men for causing fear. Comets will frequently appear....
Good and Evil in Pairs.
... For if he is simple, and believes him who comes first, though moved thereto by signs
andprodigies, he must of necessity, for the same reason, believe him who...
Whether those Angels who Demand that we Pay them Divine Honor, or...
... As for those miracles which history ascribes to the gods of the heathen,"I do not
refer to thoseprodigies which at intervals happen from some unknown...
That it is Effrontery to Impute the Present Troubles to Christ and...
... And those other disasters, which were of so strange a nature that they were reckoned
prodigies, had they happened since the Christian era, to whom but to the...
Thesaurus
Prodigies (2 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural of Prodigy. Multi-Version Concordance
Prodigies (2 Occurrences). Matthew 24:24 For there will
...Displaying (4 Occurrences)
... Matthew 24:24 For there will rise up false Christs and false prophets, displaying
wonderful signs andprodigies, so as to deceive, were it possible, even God's...
God's (602 Occurrences)
... Matthew 24:24 For there will rise up false Christs and false prophets, displaying
wonderful signs andprodigies, so as to deceive, were it possible, even God's...
Giants (18 Occurrences)
... The word may also be derived from a root signifying "wonder," and hence "monsters"
or "prodigies." In Numbers 13:33 this name is given to a Canaanitish tribe...
Wonderful (71 Occurrences)
... Matthew 24:24 For there will rise up false Christs and false prophets, displaying
wonderful signs andprodigies, so as to deceive, were it possible, even God's...
Expiation (9 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) An act by which the treats ofprodigies were averted among the ancient
heathen. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. EXPIATION....
Prodded (1 Occurrence)
Apocryphal
... deeds of that nature constantly recur, there are other miracles wrought by the apostles
which remind one of the bizarre and non-moralprodigies of the...
General (9 Occurrences)
... deeds of that nature constantly recur, there are other miracles wrought by the apostles
which remind one of the bizarre and non-moralprodigies of the...
Indeed (628 Occurrences)
... Mark 13:22 For there will rise up false Christs and false prophets, displaying signs
andprodigies with a view to lead astray--if indeed that were possible...
Resources
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