The term "swalloweth" is an archaic form of the verb "swallow," which appears in various contexts throughout the Bible. It is used to describe the act of consuming or engulfing, often with a connotation of destruction or judgment. The imagery associated with "swalloweth" is vivid and serves to convey the power and finality of God's actions or the consequences of human behavior.

Biblical Usage:

1. Divine Judgment and Power:
· In the context of divine judgment, "swalloweth" is used to illustrate the overwhelming power of God to bring about justice. For example, in Job 6:3, Job laments his suffering, saying, "For now it would be heavier than the sand of the seas; therefore my words are swallowed up." Here, the term conveys the idea of being overwhelmed by the weight of his afflictions, which he perceives as a form of divine judgment.

2. Destruction of the Wicked:
· The term is also used to describe the fate of the wicked. In Proverbs 1:12, the wicked plot against the innocent, saying, "Let us swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole like those descending into the Pit." This verse uses "swalloweth" to depict the complete and sudden destruction that the wicked intend to bring upon the righteous, reflecting the ultimate futility and self-destructive nature of their schemes.

3. Natural Imagery:
· "Swalloweth" is employed in poetic and prophetic literature to describe natural phenomena that symbolize God's might. In Numbers 16:32, the earth "opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households, all Korah’s men and all their possessions." This dramatic event serves as a divine act of judgment against rebellion, illustrating God's sovereign control over creation.

4. Metaphorical Use:
· The term is used metaphorically to describe the consuming nature of certain experiences or emotions. In Isaiah 25:8, it is prophesied, "He will swallow up death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from every face and remove the disgrace of His people from the whole earth." Here, "swalloweth" signifies the ultimate victory over death and the complete eradication of sorrow, highlighting the hope and redemption found in God's promises.

Theological Implications:

The use of "swalloweth" in Scripture underscores the themes of divine justice, the power of God, and the ultimate triumph of good over evil. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and rebellion, as well as the hope of redemption and restoration through God's intervention. The imagery of swallowing conveys both the immediacy and the totality of God's actions, whether in judgment or in salvation.

In the broader biblical narrative, "swalloweth" reflects the tension between human sinfulness and divine holiness, pointing to the need for repentance and faith in God's redemptive plan. Through Christ, believers find assurance that death and sin have been swallowed up in victory, as expressed in 1 Corinthians 15:54, "When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come to pass: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory.'"

Habakkuk's Rhapsody of the Chaldeans
... and that canst not look on perverseness, wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal
treacherously, and holdest thy peace when the wicked swalloweth up the man ...
/.../habakkuks rhapsody of the chaldeans.htm

Psalm CXXIV.
... O inhuman, O cruel men! The Church swalloweth not thus. [5464] To Peter
it was said, "Kill and eat:" [5465] not, Swallow quick. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxiv.htm

Last Things
... jaws of the deep, but he could not forecast or escape himself the last dread storm;
he too must go down into that fathomless deep which swalloweth all mankind. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/last things.htm

The Creator's Joy in his Creation
... He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage; Neither standeth he still at
the voice of the trumpet. As oft as the trumpet soundeth he saith, Aha! ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/ii the creators joy in.htm

The Folly of Slander. Part 1.
... ill-will doth prompt the slanderer to vent his poison; he that by a willing audience
and attention doth readily suck it up, or who greedily swalloweth it down ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/the folly of slander part.htm

Scenes in the Lives of the Patriarchs.
... the shield. He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither
believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet. He saith ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/scenes in the lives of.htm

Psalm LXVI.
... then shall come to pass that which hath been written, Death is swallowed up in
victory.'" [2630] Victory is, as it were, fire divine: when it swalloweth up our ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxvi.htm

Mr. Bunyan's Last Sermon:
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/mr bunyans last sermon .htm

Swalloweth (10 Occurrences)
...Swalloweth (10 Occurrences). Exodus 7:12 and they cast down each his rod, and they
become monsters, and the rod of Aaron swalloweth their rods; (YLT). ...
/s/swalloweth.htm - 9k

Openeth (48 Occurrences)
... Numbers 16:32 and the earth openeth her mouth, and swalloweth them, and their houses,
and all the men who 'are' for Korah, and all the goods, (YLT). ...
/o/openeth.htm - 20k

Swallows (6 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV). Job 39:24 He swalloweth the ground with storm and rage; neither
believeth he that it is the voice of the horn. (See RSV). ...
/s/swallows.htm - 8k

Swallowing (6 Occurrences)

/s/swallowing.htm - 8k

First-fruit (19 Occurrences)
... That 'is' on the head of the fat valley, Hath been as its first-fruit before summer,
That its beholder seeth, While it 'is' yet in his hand he swalloweth it. ...
/f/first-fruit.htm - 12k

Desirable (49 Occurrences)
... (Root in YLT NAS). Proverbs 21:20 There is precious treasure and oil in the dwelling
of the wise; But a foolish man swalloweth it up. (See JPS). ...
/d/desirable.htm - 21k

Mocketh (10 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Proverbs 19:28 A worthless witness mocketh at justice;
And the mouth of the wicked swalloweth iniquity. (See JPS ASV). ...
/m/mocketh.htm - 8k

Monsters (5 Occurrences)
... (See JPS ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV). Exodus 7:12 and they cast down each his rod, and
they become monsters, and the rod of Aaron swalloweth their rods; (YLT). ...
/m/monsters.htm - 7k

Perceiveth (4 Occurrences)
... of the fat valley shall be like an early fig before the summer: as soon as he that
seeth it perceiveth it, scarcely is it in his hand, he swalloweth it down. ...
/p/perceiveth.htm - 7k

Beholder (7 Occurrences)
... That 'is' on the head of the fat valley, Hath been as its first-fruit before summer,
That its beholder seeth, While it 'is' yet in his hand he swalloweth it. ...
/b/beholder.htm - 8k

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