Topical Encyclopedia In the context of the Bible, the term "shattered" often conveys the idea of destruction, brokenness, or the complete dismantling of something once whole. This concept can be applied both physically and metaphorically throughout the Scriptures, illustrating the consequences of sin, divine judgment, and the transformative power of God.Physical Destruction The Bible frequently uses the imagery of shattering to describe the physical destruction of objects, cities, or nations as a result of divine judgment or human conflict. For instance, in Jeremiah 19:11, God instructs the prophet to break a clay jar as a symbol of how He will shatter Jerusalem and its people: "Then you are to shatter the jar in the presence of the men who accompany you, and you are to say to them, ‘This is what the LORD of Hosts says: I will shatter this nation and this city like one shatters a potter’s jar, which cannot be repaired.’" . This act serves as a powerful visual representation of the irreversible judgment that would come upon the city due to its persistent disobedience. Metaphorical Brokenness Beyond physical destruction, "shattered" is also used metaphorically to describe the brokenness of the human spirit or the collapse of pride and self-reliance. In Psalm 51:17, David speaks of a "broken and contrite heart" as being pleasing to God: "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." . Here, the shattering of the heart signifies repentance and humility, essential attitudes for receiving God's forgiveness and grace. Divine Judgment and Restoration The theme of being shattered is often linked with divine judgment, where God allows or causes the breaking down of individuals or nations as a consequence of sin. However, this is not the end of the account. The Bible also speaks of God's ability to restore and rebuild what has been shattered. In Ezekiel 34:16, God promises to seek out the lost and bring back the strayed, binding up the injured and strengthening the weak: "I will seek the lost, bring back the strays, bind up the broken, and strengthen the weak. But the sleek and strong I will destroy. I will shepherd them with justice." . This passage highlights God's redemptive power to heal and restore those who turn back to Him. Prophetic Imagery Prophets often used the imagery of shattering to convey messages of warning and hope. In Isaiah 30:14, the prophet describes the shattering of a wall as a metaphor for the impending judgment on those who rely on their own strength rather than on God: "It will break in pieces like a potter’s jar, shattered so that no fragment can be found among its broken pieces to scoop coals from a hearth or to ladle water from a cistern." . This vivid imagery serves as a caution against self-reliance and a call to trust in God's provision and protection. Christ as the Healer of the Shattered In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is portrayed as the ultimate healer of the shattered. His ministry was marked by acts of restoration and healing, both physically and spiritually. In Luke 4:18, Jesus reads from the scroll of Isaiah, declaring His mission: "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed." . Through His life, death, and resurrection, Christ offers hope and restoration to all who are broken and shattered by sin. Conclusion The concept of being shattered in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of sin and the reality of divine judgment. Yet, it also points to the hope of restoration and healing through repentance and faith in God. The imagery of shattering underscores the transformative power of God's grace, which can rebuild and restore even the most broken of lives. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (imp. & p. p.) of Shatter.Strong's Hebrew 2865. chathath -- to be shattered or dismayed... chathath. 2866 . to be shattered or dismayed. Transliteration: chathath Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-thath') Short Definition: dismayed. Word Origin a prim. ... /hebrew/2865.htm - 6k 2844b. chath -- shattered, dismayed 1855. deqaq -- to be shattered, fall to pieces 3807. kathath -- to beat, crush by beating 5310a. naphats -- to shatter 4272. machats -- to smite through, wound severely, shatter 7665. shabar -- to break, break in pieces 6565a. parar -- to break, frustrate 6483a. patsats -- to break Library And, Behold, Suddenly Hades Trembled, and the Gates of Death and ... He Refutes Another Argument of Nestorius, in which He Tried to ... The Risen Lord's Self-Revelation to Wavering Disciples Conflagration The Suicide of Thought Letter iii. To Rufinus the Monk. But Seeing that Paradise is the Home of Living Spirits... The Peaceable Fruits of Sorrows Rightly Borne How St Francis Converted Certain Robbers and Assassins, who Became ... The Way of Transgressors. Thesaurus Shattered (42 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Shatter. Multi-Version Concordance Shattered (42 Occurrences). Mark 5:4 because he had been ... /s/shattered.htm - 18k Shatter (26 Occurrences) Uproar (33 Occurrences) Countries (86 Occurrences) Vines (39 Occurrences) Repair (26 Occurrences) Removing (24 Occurrences) Mallet (1 Occurrence) Powder (14 Occurrences) Cilicia (8 Occurrences) Resources What is the Society of Jesus? Who are the Jesuits, and what do they believe? | GotQuestions.orgWhat can we learn from what the Bible says about Jesus and women? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean that we live in a fallen world? | GotQuestions.org Shattered: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Shattered (42 Occurrences)Mark 5:4 Exodus 9:25 Exodus 15:6 Exodus 32:19 Exodus 34:1 Deuteronomy 10:2 Judges 5:26 1 Samuel 2:4 1 Samuel 2:10 2 Samuel 22:39 1 Kings 19:11 2 Kings 23:12 2 Chronicles 14:13 Job 4:20 Job 16:12 Job 17:11 Job 26:12 Psalms 3:7 Psalms 18:38 Psalms 48:7 Psalms 105:33 Psalms 107:16 Ecclesiastes 12:6 Isaiah 7:8 Isaiah 8:9 Isaiah 9:4 Isaiah 21:9 Isaiah 30:14 Jeremiah 22:28 Jeremiah 25:34 Jeremiah 48:1 Jeremiah 48:20 Jeremiah 48:39 Jeremiah 50:2 Jeremiah 50:23 Jeremiah 50:36 Jeremiah 51:56 Daniel 8:7 Daniel 11:20 Daniel 11:22 Nahum 1:6 Habakkuk 3:6 Subtopics Related Terms |