Topical Encyclopedia
The term "yonder" is an archaic English word that is used to indicate something at a distance, often within sight but not immediately close. In the context of the Bible, "yonder" is used to direct attention to a specific location or object that is not near the speaker. This term appears in several passages, often in the context of divine instruction or significant events.
Biblical Usage:1.
Genesis 22:5 : In the account of Abraham's test of faith, the word "yonder" is used when Abraham speaks to his servants before he and Isaac ascend Mount Moriah. Abraham says, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you." The term "over there" is often translated as "yonder" in older versions, indicating the place where Abraham intended to offer Isaac as a sacrifice. This usage underscores the separation between the mundane activities of the servants and the sacred act of worship and obedience that Abraham was about to perform.
2.
Matthew 17:20 : While the Berean Standard Bible does not use the word "yonder," the concept is present in Jesus' teaching about faith. Jesus tells His disciples, "Truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." The phrase "from here to there" captures the essence of "yonder," emphasizing the power of faith to transcend physical limitations and accomplish what seems distant or unattainable.
Theological Significance:The use of "yonder" in Scripture often highlights moments of transition or transformation. It marks a boundary between the known and the unknown, the present and the future, the earthly and the divine. In
Genesis 22, the "yonder" place is where Abraham's faith is tested and ultimately affirmed, leading to God's provision of a ram as a substitute for Isaac. This event foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (
John 1:29).
In the New Testament, the concept of moving "from here to there" through faith illustrates the believer's journey. It is a call to trust in God's promises and to act upon that trust, even when the outcome is not immediately visible. This movement from the present to the "yonder" place of God's provision and promise is a recurring theme in the life of faith.
Cultural and Linguistic Context:The word "yonder" is not commonly used in modern English, but its presence in older translations of the Bible reflects the language of the time. It conveys a sense of direction and purpose, often associated with divine guidance. In a broader cultural context, "yonder" evokes a sense of adventure and exploration, as it points to a destination that requires faith and courage to reach.
In summary, "yonder" in the biblical narrative serves as a linguistic marker of faith's journey. It invites believers to look beyond their immediate circumstances and to trust in God's leading to places of deeper understanding and spiritual growth.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
adv.) At a distance, but within view.
2. (a.) Being at a distance within view, or conceived of as within view; that or those there; yon.
Greek
1563. ekei -- there, by ext. to there... to there. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: ekei Phonetic Spelling: (ek-i')
Short Definition: there,
yonder, thither Definition: (a) there,
yonder, in
...2546. kakei -- and there
... and there. Part of Speech: Adverb, Correlative Transliteration: kakei Phonetic Spelling:
(kak-i') Short Definition: and there, andyonder Definition: and there...
1565. ekeinos -- that one (or neut. that thing), often intensified...
... Part of Speech: Demonstrative Pronoun Transliteration: ekeinos Phonetic Spelling:
(ek-i'-nos) Short Definition: that, that one there,yonder Definition: that...
1900. epekeina -- farther on, beyond
... on, beyond. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: epekeina Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-ek'-i-nah) Short Definition: beyond Definition: beyond, onyonder side....
Strong's Hebrew
1973. haleah -- out there, onwards, further... back, beyond, hence, forward, hitherto, thence, forth,
yonder. From the
primitive form of the article (hal); to the distance, ie
...3541. koh -- thus, here
... also, here, + hitherto, like, on the other side, so (and much), such, on that manner,
(on) this (manner, side, way, way and that way), + mean while,yonder....
Library
The Saints of God inYonder Realm,
... VICTORY The saints of God inyonder realm,. tr., John Brownlie 8.6.8.6.8.8. I.
The saints of God inyonder realm,. Have crowns of varied gem;...
"Yonder Comes Wesley, Galloping"
... Chapter 3. Field-Preaching; "All the World my Parish"; Whitefield; Wales;
Experience with Demons "Yonder Comes Wesley, Galloping"....
August 11. "All the Land which Thou Seest" (Gen. xiii. 15).
... He who puts the instinct in the bosom ofyonder bird to cross the continent in search
of summer sunshine inyonder Southern clime is too good to deceive it...
Heavenly Contemplation Exemplified, and the Whole Work Concluded.
...Yonder is thy Father's glory;yonder, O my soul, must thou remove when thou departest
from this body; and when the power of thy Lord hath raised it again and...
The Rewards of the Trading Servants
... over five cities.' Well, that rests upon the thought that all our present life here
is a stewardship, which in its nature is preparatory to larger workyonder....
Whether Even vices Themselves as Objects of Intellectual...
... Whence I should have gathered that by as much asyonder light excels other corporeal
and sensible things, by so much is sight more noble than the other senses....
Jacob's Waking Exclamation
... Inyonder province of conviction, where hard-hearted ones are weeping penitential
tears, where proud ones who said they would never have this man to reign over...
Hebrews ii. 16-17
... brethren" (he says "whence" instead of "for this cause"), "partakers of an heavenly
calling""(seek nothing here, if ye have been calledyonder"yonder is...
Life of Bunyan
... But old Bunyan's donkey is still browzing there, andyonder is old Bunyan's
self"the brawny tramper dispread on the settle, retailing to the more clownish...
The True Tabernacle, and Its Glory of Grace and Peace
... heart of their camp. Do you seeyonder tent with its curtains of goats' hair
in the center of the canvas city? You cannot see within...
Thesaurus
Yonder (15 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Yonder (15 Occurrences).
... Genesis 22:5 Abraham said to his
young men, "Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go
yonder.
...Yon (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) At a distance, but within view;yonder. 2.
(adv.)Yonder. Multi-Version Concordance Yon (2 Occurrences)....
Ezel (3 Occurrences)
... The Septuagint reads "this mound" (the Revised Version (British and American), margin),
or "yonder cairn"; and in 1 Samuel 20:41 instead of "out of a place...
Beyond (209 Occurrences)
... or quality of any kind. 5. (adv.) Further away; at a distance;yonder. Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BEYOND. be-yond': Found in...
You (86697 Occurrences)
Lad (66 Occurrences)
... Genesis 22:5 And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and
I and the lad will goyonder and worship, and come again to you....
Gethsem'ane (2 Occurrences)
... Then come with them doth Jesus to a place called Gethsemane, and he saith to the
disciples, 'Sit ye here, till having gone away, I shall prayyonder.' (See RSV...
Geha'zi (11 Occurrences)
... And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi
his servant: 'Behold,yonder is that Shunammite. (See RSV)....
Whilst (21 Occurrences)
... Matthew 26:36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane. And He said
to the disciples, "Sit down here, whilst I goyonder and there pray." (WEY)....
Resources
How should Christians view the Book of Mormon? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to be blessed? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8)? | GotQuestions.orgYonder: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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