Topical Encyclopedia Sweat, as a physical manifestation of labor and exertion, holds significant meaning within the biblical narrative. It is often associated with the toil and hardship that humanity experiences as a result of the Fall. The concept of sweat is introduced early in the Scriptures and is woven throughout the biblical text, symbolizing both the physical and spiritual struggles of mankind.Genesis 3:19 In the Book of Genesis, sweat is directly linked to the curse placed upon Adam after the Fall. God declares, "By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread, until you return to the ground, because out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return" . This passage highlights the toil and labor that became a part of human existence due to sin, marking sweat as a symbol of the effort required to sustain life in a fallen world. Proverbs 14:23 The Book of Proverbs acknowledges the value of labor and the sweat that accompanies it: "There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty" . Here, sweat is implicitly recognized as a necessary component of productive work, contrasting the fruitfulness of labor with the emptiness of idle words. Luke 22:44 In the New Testament, sweat takes on a profound spiritual dimension in the account of Jesus' agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. "And in His anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground" . This intense moment underscores the depth of Christ's suffering and the weight of the impending crucifixion. The sweat of Jesus, mingled with blood, signifies the ultimate sacrifice and the spiritual battle He faced on behalf of humanity. Ezekiel 44:18 In the prophetic writings, sweat is mentioned in the context of priestly service: "They are to wear linen turbans on their heads and linen undergarments around their waists. They must not wear anything that makes them perspire" . This instruction to the priests emphasizes the purity and sanctity required in their service, where sweat, as a byproduct of human effort, is to be avoided in the holy duties performed before the Lord. Throughout the Scriptures, sweat is a multifaceted symbol. It represents the physical labor necessitated by the Fall, the diligence required for fruitful work, the profound spiritual struggle of Christ, and the purity expected in divine service. Each reference to sweat in the Bible serves to remind believers of the realities of human existence and the spiritual truths that underlie them. Nave's Topical Index Genesis 3:19In the sweat of your face shall you eat bread, till you return to the ground; for out of it were you taken: for dust you are, and to dust shall you return. Nave's Topical Index Library And Judas Iscariot Faustus Denies that the Prophets Predicted Christ. Augustin Proves ... John vi. 53, 54 The Testimony of the Lectionaries Shewn to be Absolutely Decisive ... The Regular or Calvinistic Baptists. The Testimony of the Lectionaries Shewn to be Absolutely Decisive ... John iv. 54; v. 1 The Life of Christ. Of Immediate Revelation. Chapter v Resources Why did Jesus sweat blood in the Garden of Gethsemane? | GotQuestions.orgBlood, Sweat, and Tears'The First Seventeen Years of GotQuestions.org | GotQuestions.org What is a prayer cloth? | GotQuestions.org Sweat: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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