Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terms, the concept of "wallow" is often associated with actions that involve rolling around or immersing oneself in a particular substance, typically mud or mire. This imagery is used metaphorically in Scripture to describe a state of moral or spiritual degradation, as well as the stubborn persistence in sinful behavior.
Old Testament ReferencesThe Hebrew word often translated as "wallow" is "סָפַק" (saphak), which can mean to clap, slap, or wallow. In the Old Testament, the imagery of wallowing is used to depict a state of uncleanness or defilement. For example, in
Ezekiel 24:13 , the prophet uses the imagery of wallowing in filth to describe the persistent impurity of Jerusalem: "Because of the indecency of your uncleanness—since I tried to cleanse you, but you would not be cleansed from your filth—you will not be clean again until My wrath against you has subsided."
The act of wallowing in the mire is also used to illustrate the stubbornness of Israel in their sinful ways, despite God's repeated calls for repentance and purification.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, the concept of wallowing is used metaphorically to describe a return to sinful behavior after having known the way of righteousness.
2 Peter 2:22 states, "Of them the proverbs are true: 'A dog returns to its vomit,' and, 'A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.'" This passage highlights the tragic nature of apostasy, where individuals who have been cleansed by the knowledge of Christ return to their former sinful ways, akin to a pig returning to wallow in the mire after being washed.
Theological ImplicationsThe imagery of wallowing serves as a powerful reminder of the human tendency to revert to sin despite divine intervention and cleansing. It underscores the need for genuine repentance and transformation through the power of the Holy Spirit. The act of wallowing in sin is portrayed as a conscious choice to reject the sanctifying work of God, leading to spiritual stagnation and decay.
From a theological perspective, wallowing is not merely a physical act but a spiritual condition that reflects the heart's inclination towards sin. It calls believers to vigilance in their spiritual walk, urging them to remain steadfast in their faith and to resist the temptation to return to their former ways.
Practical ApplicationFor believers, the biblical concept of wallowing serves as a cautionary tale against complacency in one's spiritual life. It encourages Christians to pursue holiness and to rely on God's grace for continual cleansing and renewal. The imagery of wallowing challenges individuals to examine their lives for areas where they may be resisting God's transformative work and to seek His strength to overcome the pull of sin.
In summary, the biblical use of "wallow" provides a vivid depiction of the consequences of sin and the importance of remaining committed to a life of righteousness and purity in Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) To roll one's self about, as in mire; to tumble and roll about; to move lazily or heavily in any medium; to flounder; as, swine wallow in the mire.
2. (n.) To live in filth or gross vice; to disport one's self in a beastly and unworthy manner.
3. (n.) To wither; to fade.
4. (v. t.) To roll; esp., to roll in anything defiling or unclean.
5. (n.) A kind of rolling walk.
Greek
2947. kulio -- to roll... to roll. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: kulio Phonetic Spelling:
(koo-lee-o'-o) Short Definition: I roll Definition: I roll, roll along,
wallow.
...2946. kulismos -- a rolling
... wallowing, rolling. From kulioo; awallow (the effect of rolling), ie Filth --
wallowing. see GREEK kulioo. (kulismon) -- 1 Occurrence. 2945, 2946....
Strong's Hebrew
6428. palash -- (act of mourning) perhaps to roll in... Word Origin a prim. root Definition (act of mourning) perhaps to roll in
NASB Word Usage roll (2),
wallow (2). roll
wallow self.
...5606. saphaq -- to slap, clap
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to slap, clap NASB Word Usage clap (2), claps
(1), smote (1), strike (2), strikes (1), struck together (1),wallow (1)....
1556. galal -- to roll, roll away
... A primitive root; to roll (literally or figuratively) -- commit, remove, roll (away,
down, together), run down, seek occasion, trust,wallow. 1555, 1556....
Library
The Prairie Pasture
... Now, thewallow was very shallow all the way across, and Will was soon on the
opposite side.... Thatwallow must have been deep out in the middle....
In the Next Place, that He May have the Appearance of Knowing...
... he says, agreeably to his usual custom, that "there are others who have wickedly
invented some being as their teacher and demon, and whowallow about in a...
"Wash You, Make You Clean, Put Away the Evil of Your Doings from...
... sanctification, &c. And if ye would know what sanctification is, "cease to
do evil," do not return to the old puddle towallow in it. Ye...
Christian Stewardship.
... solicitude, love, and interest; the adopted sons and daughters of the missionaries,
must be sent back"in Ceylon three thousand in a day"towallow again in...
The Children of the Poor.
... legion; and death looks no more terrible under a Babylonian helmet, than it does
upon the gaunt faces of men who die upon the bare floor orwallow in rags....
The Spoiler
... reference to the Man of Sin under this title of the Spoiler is found in Jer.6:26:
"O daughter of My people, gird thee with sackcloth, andwallow thyself in...
Antichrist in Jeremiah
... In 6:26, 27 there is a remarkable statement made concerning the Antichrist: "O daughter
of My people, gird thee with sackcloth, andwallow thyself in ashes...
The Procedure of the Last Judgment, and Its Awards, Only Possible...
... that this flesh of ours should be torn by martyrdom, and another wear the crown;
or, on the other hand, that this flesh of ours shouldwallow in uncleanness...
2 Cor. vi. 1, 2
... For, for one who hath been freed from sins and made a friend towallow in the former
things, is to return again unto enmity, and to "receive the grace in vain...
The Publicans' Friend
... To go down in the filth in order towallow there is vile; to go down in order
to lift others up is Christ's mission and Christ-like....
Thesaurus
Wallow (5 Occurrences)... 1. (n.) To roll one's self about, as in mire; to tumble and roll about; to move
lazily or heavily in any medium; to flounder; as, swine
wallow in the mire.
...Ashes (44 Occurrences)
...wallow thyself in ashes" (Jeremiah 6:26), or as Ezekiel in his lamentation for Tyre
pictures her mariners as doing, crying bitterly and `casting up dust upon...
Wail (50 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 25:34 Wail, you shepherds, and cry; andwallow in ashes, you principal
of the flock; for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are fully...
Vomit (12 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 48:26 Make him drunken; for he magnified himself against Yahweh: and Moab
shallwallow in his vomit, and he also shall be in derision....
Laughingstock (10 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 48:26 Make him drunken; for he magnified himself against Yahweh: and Moab
shallwallow in his vomit, and he also shall be in derision. (See NAS)....
Wallets (1 Occurrence)
Wallowed (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofWallow. Multi-Version Concordance
Wallowed (1 Occurrence). Mark 9:20 And they brought him...
Ridicule (14 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Jeremiah 48:26 Make him drunken; for he magnified himself against Yahweh:
and Moab shallwallow in his vomit, and he also shall be in derision....
Defied (20 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Jeremiah 48:26 Make him drunken; for he magnified himself against Yahweh:
and Moab shallwallow in his vomit, and he also shall be in derision....
Resources
What does the Bible say about forgiving yourself / self-forgiveness? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is sexual ethics? | GotQuestions.orgIs it possible for a person's name to be erased from the Book of Life? | GotQuestions.orgWallow: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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