Jump to: ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia In biblical contexts, the term "channel" often refers to a natural or man-made watercourse, such as a riverbed or canal, through which water flows. The concept of channels is significant in the Bible, symbolizing both physical and spiritual pathways.Old Testament References The Hebrew word often translated as "channel" is "nachal," which can mean a stream, brook, or riverbed. In Isaiah 8:7, the prophet uses the imagery of a river overflowing its channels to describe the Assyrian invasion: "Therefore the Lord is about to bring against them the mighty floodwaters of the Euphrates—the king of Assyria and all his pomp. It will overflow all its channels and run over all its banks" . This passage illustrates how channels can represent boundaries that, when breached, lead to chaos and destruction. In 2 Samuel 22:16, channels are mentioned in the context of God's power over creation: "The channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were exposed at the rebuke of the LORD, at the blast of the breath of His nostrils" . Here, channels signify the hidden depths of the sea, revealed by divine intervention. New Testament Symbolism While the New Testament does not explicitly use the term "channel," the concept is present in the spiritual sense. Channels can be seen as conduits for God's grace and blessings. In John 7:38, Jesus speaks of believers as channels of living water: "Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him" . This metaphor suggests that believers, filled with the Holy Spirit, become channels through which God's life-giving presence flows to others. Theological Implications Theologically, channels can be understood as pathways through which God's will and purposes are accomplished. Just as water channels direct the flow of water, spiritual channels guide the movement of divine grace and truth. Believers are called to be channels of God's love, allowing His Spirit to work through them to reach the world. In a broader sense, the concept of channels can also relate to the means by which God communicates with humanity, such as through Scripture, prayer, and the Church. These channels serve as vital connections between the divine and the human, facilitating a relationship with God. Practical Application In practical terms, Christians are encouraged to maintain clear and open channels for God's work in their lives. This involves regular engagement with Scripture, prayer, and fellowship with other believers. By doing so, they ensure that their lives remain effective conduits for God's purposes, allowing His love and truth to flow freely to those around them. In summary, the biblical concept of channels encompasses both physical and spiritual dimensions, serving as a powerful metaphor for the ways in which God's presence and power are manifested in the world. Easton's Bible Dictionary (1.) The bed of the sea or of a river (Psalm 18:15; Isaiah 8:7). (2.) The "chanelbone" (Job 31:22 marg.), properly "tube" or "shaft," an old term for the collar-bone. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) The hollow bed where a stream of water runs or may run.2. (n.) The deeper part of a river, harbor, strait, etc., where the main current flows, or which affords the best and safest passage for vessels. 3. (n.) A strait, or narrow sea, between two portions of lands; as, the British Channel. 4. (n.) That through which anything passes; means of passing, conveying, or transmitting; as, the news was conveyed to us by different channels. 5. (n.) A gutter; a groove, as in a fluted column. 6. (n.) Flat ledges of heavy plank bolted edgewise to the outside of a vessel, to increase the spread of the shrouds and carry them clear of the bulwarks. 7. (v. t.) To form a channel in; to cut or wear a channel or channels in; to groove. 8. (v. t.) To course through or over, as in a channel. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia CHANNELchan'-el ('aphiq (root 'aphaq, "to hold or contain," "to be strong"; compare Arabic 'afaq "to overcome" and 'afiq, "preeminent"); shibboleth (shabhal, "to go," "to go up or grow," "to flow"; compare Arabic 'asbal, "to flow," "to rain," "to put forth ears"; sabalat, "an ear of grain"; sabil, "a road," "a public fountain")): In Job 12:21; Job 40:18; Job 41:15 we have 'aphiq in the sense of "strong" (but compare 40:18, the Revised Version (British and American) "tubes" (of brass)). Elsewhere it is translated "river," "brook," "stream," "channel" or "watercourse." Shibboleth (in the dialect of Ephraim cibboleth (Judges 12:6)) means "an ear of grain" (Genesis 41:5; Ruth 2:2 Isaiah 17:5) or "a flood of water" (Psalm 69:2, 15 Isaiah 27:12). In 2 Samuel 22:16 (compare Psalm 18:15) we have: "Then the channels of the sea appeared, The foundations of the world were laid bare, By the rebuke of Yahweh, At the blast of the breath of his nostrils." This is reminiscent of "fountains of the deep" (Genesis 7:11; Genesis 8:2 Proverbs 8:28). It is a question how far we should attribute to these ancient writers a share in modern notions of oceanography, but the idea seems to be that of a withdrawal of the water of the ocean, and the laying bare of submarine declivities and channels such as we know to exist as the result of erosion during a previous period of elevation, when the given portion of ocean floor was dry land. Greek 1223. dia -- through, on account of, because of ... A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional) -- after, always, among, at, to avoid ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1223.htm - 8k 5494. cheimon -- winter, a storm Strong's Hebrew 650. aphiq -- a channel... a channel. Transliteration: aphiq Phonetic Spelling: (aw-feek') Short Definition: ravines. ... brook, channel, mighty, river, scale, stream, strong piece. ... /hebrew/650.htm - 6k 6388. peleg -- a channel, canal 7641. shibbol -- ear (of grain) 4492. minharah -- perhaps a cave, stronghold 8585a. tealah -- a watercourse 2975. yeor -- stream (of the Nile), stream, canal 7298. rahat -- a trough 8585. t'alah -- a watercourse Library A visit to the Channel Islands The Channel of Power. The Primeval Hovering of the Spirit of God Over the Waters Typical ... Family Habits. Touching a Limitless Circle. Like Precious Faith "This Then is the Message which we have Heard of Him, and Declare ... Egypt Hebrew Captives; Or, Mordecai and Esther. The Cross and the Winepress. Thesaurus Channel (3 Occurrences)... 3. (n.) A strait, or narrow sea, between two portions of lands; as, the British Channel. ... 8. (vt) To course through or over, as in a channel. Int. ... /c/channel.htm - 11k Gutter (3 Occurrences) Stream (96 Occurrences) Runner (5 Occurrences) Race (36 Occurrences) Conduit (5 Occurrences) Siloam (4 Occurrences) Gihon (6 Occurrences) Nile (37 Occurrences) Aqueduct (4 Occurrences) Resources What is Tantra / Tantrism / Tantric religion? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is spiritual abuse? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about prayer for the sick? | GotQuestions.org Channel: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Channel (3 Occurrences)Job 6:15 Job 38:25 Isaiah 27:12 Subtopics Related Terms |
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