In biblical terminology, the term "alighted" is often used to describe the act of descending or coming down from a higher place or position. This term is frequently associated with divine or angelic appearances, as well as with individuals dismounting from animals or vehicles. The concept of alighting carries with it a sense of purpose and intentionality, often marking significant moments of interaction between the divine and the human realm.

Divine and Angelic Appearances

One of the most profound uses of the term "alighted" in the Bible is in reference to divine or angelic beings descending to earth. In the Old Testament, the presence of God or His messengers often involves a descent from heaven, symbolizing God's intervention in human affairs. For instance, in Genesis 28:12, Jacob dreams of a ladder reaching to heaven with angels of God ascending and descending on it, illustrating the connection between heaven and earth.

Human Actions

The term is also used in more mundane contexts to describe individuals dismounting from animals or vehicles. In the ancient world, where travel was often conducted on foot or by animal, the act of alighting marked the transition from travel to rest or engagement in a new activity. For example, in 1 Samuel 25:23, Abigail alights from her donkey to address David, demonstrating humility and respect.

Symbolism and Significance

The act of alighting often carries symbolic weight, representing a change in status or the beginning of a significant event. When divine beings alight, it signifies God's direct involvement in human history, often heralding a message or a mission. Similarly, when individuals alight, it can indicate readiness to engage in dialogue, negotiation, or action.

Biblical Examples

· Exodus 19:18 : "Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. The smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently." Here, the LORD's descent upon Mount Sinai is a pivotal moment in the history of Israel, marking the giving of the Law.

· Judges 13:20 : "As the flame blazed up from the altar toward heaven, the angel of the LORD ascended in the flame. When Manoah and his wife saw this, they fell facedown to the ground." This passage describes the angel of the LORD ascending, but the context implies a prior descent, emphasizing the divine nature of the encounter.

· Acts 8:38 : "And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and Philip baptized him." While the term "alighted" is not used directly, the act of stopping the chariot and descending into the water signifies a moment of spiritual significance and transformation.

In summary, the concept of alighting in the Bible is rich with meaning, often denoting divine intervention, the commencement of significant events, or the readiness of individuals to engage in important actions. Whether describing the descent of heavenly beings or the simple act of dismounting, alighting serves as a powerful symbol of transition and divine presence.(imp. & p. p.) of Alight.6795. tsanach -- to descend
... 6794b, 6795. tsanach. 6796 . to descend. Transliteration: tsanach Phonetic
Spelling: (tsaw-nakh') Short Definition: alighted. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/6795.htm - 6k

3381. yarad -- to come or go down, descend
... root Definition to come or go down, descend NASB Word Usage alighted (1), bowed
(1), bring (1), bring him down (2), bring his down (1), bring it down (1 ...
/hebrew/3381.htm - 7k

The Oracles.
... There it alighted on a beech-tree, and said, in a human voice, that that
spot was divinely appointed for the seat of a sacred oracle. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter vi the oracles.htm

His Writings and his Character
... to the Corinthians. 116. We have thus alighted on the portion of his life
most signalized by literary work. Overpowering as is the ...
/.../stalker/the life of st paul/chapter vii his writings and.htm

Prayer and Devotion
... III. PRAYER AND DEVOTION. "Once as I rode out into the woods for my health, in 1737,
having alighted from my horse in a retired place, as my manner commonly had ...
/.../bounds/the essentials of prayer/iii prayer and devotion.htm

His First Continental Journey.
... in the neighborhood. The Friends alighted, and sent for a member of this
little society who resided in the town. He informed them ...
/.../chapter vi his first continental.htm

Appendix (H).
... MS.5647 in the British Museum, (our Evan.72,) I alighted on the following Scholion,
which I have since found that Wetstein duly published; but which has ...
/.../burgon/the last twelve verses of the gospel according to s mark/appendix h.htm

Group --The Two Sons, the Wicked Husbandmen, and the Marriage of ...
... pearl. Something alien and irritating has alighted upon life, and forthwith
a covering of pure and precious matter is thrown over it. ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/groupthe two sons the wicked.htm

A Child's Prayer Answered
... of the store. The lady richly dressed in silk, alighted from her carriage,
went quickly to the boy, and said: "My little fellow ...
/.../a childs prayer answered.htm

The Story of Rebekah.
... When the man told her it was his master Isaac, she alighted from the camel, and
covered her face with a veil, according to the custom of the East. ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/the story of rebekah.htm

Athor, the Golden
... old Ranas. The large bari was beached and the servitor alighted with agility
and, beckoning to Kenkenes, took him aside. "There ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter vii athor the golden.htm

What the Redbird Told Me
... As I lay brooding in my melancholy state, a red grosbeak, with his bright
red plumage, alighted on a tree a few feet from my window. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk seventeen what the redbird.htm

Alighted (7 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Alighted (7 Occurrences). ... (WEY). Genesis 24:64 And Rebekah
lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she alighted from the camel. ...
/a/alighted.htm - 8k

Lighted (36 Occurrences)
... Judges 1:14 It happened, when she came to him, that she moved him to ask of her
father a field: and she alighted from off her donkey; and Caleb said to her ...
/l/lighted.htm - 16k

Donkey (84 Occurrences)
... Judges 1:14 It happened, when she came to him, that she moved him to ask of her
father a field: and she alighted from off her donkey; and Caleb said to her ...
/d/donkey.htm - 31k

Geha'zi (11 Occurrences)
... Naaman. And when Naaman saw one running after him, he alighted from the
chariot to meet him, and said: 'Is all well?' (See RSV). ...
/g/geha'zi.htm - 9k

Routed (25 Occurrences)
... Judges 4:15 And the LORD routed Sis'era and all his chariots and all his army before
Barak at the edge of the sword; and Sis'era alighted from his chariot and ...
/r/routed.htm - 13k

Distributing (8 Occurrences)
... Acts 2:3 and they saw tongues of what looked like fire distributing themselves over
the assembly, and on the head of each person a tongue alighted. (WEY NAS). ...
/d/distributing.htm - 9k

Dismounted (2 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS). 1 Samuel 25:23 When Abigail saw David, she hurried, and alighted from
her donkey, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground. ...
/d/dismounted.htm - 7k

Confused (13 Occurrences)
... Judges 4:15 Yahweh confused Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his army, with
the edge of the sword before Barak; and Sisera alighted from his chariot, and ...
/c/confused.htm - 10k

Ab'igail (16 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). 1 Samuel 25:23 When Abigail saw David, she hurried, and alighted from
her donkey, and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground. ...
/a/ab'igail.htm - 10k

Abandoned (45 Occurrences)
... Judges 4:15 Yahweh confused Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his army, with
the edge of the sword before Barak; and Sisera alighted from his chariot, and ...
/a/abandoned.htm - 19k

Alighted: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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