The term "tumble" does not appear explicitly in the Bible; however, the concept of falling or stumbling is prevalent throughout the Scriptures. In a biblical context, tumbling can be understood metaphorically to describe spiritual or moral failure, a loss of stability, or the consequences of sin.

Spiritual and Moral Failure

The Bible often uses the imagery of falling to describe spiritual or moral failure. Proverbs 24:16 states, "For though a righteous man may fall seven times, he still gets up, but the wicked stumble in bad times." This verse highlights the resilience of the righteous, who may experience setbacks or "tumbles" but continue to rise and persevere. In contrast, the wicked are depicted as unable to recover from their moral failures.

Loss of Stability

The concept of tumbling can also be associated with a loss of stability, both physically and spiritually. In Psalm 37:24 , it is written, "Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, for the LORD is holding his hand." This passage reassures believers that even when they experience moments of instability or "tumble," God's support prevents them from being utterly defeated.

Consequences of Sin

Tumbling can symbolize the consequences of sin and disobedience. In the Old Testament, the Israelites often faced the repercussions of turning away from God, leading to their downfall. Isaiah 3:8 declares, "For Jerusalem has stumbled and Judah has fallen because they spoke and acted against the LORD, defying His glorious presence." Here, the "tumble" of Jerusalem and Judah is directly linked to their rebellion against God.

Warnings Against Stumbling

The New Testament provides warnings against causing others to stumble in their faith. In Romans 14:13 , Paul advises, "Therefore let us stop judging one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way." This admonition emphasizes the responsibility of believers to live in a manner that supports and edifies others, avoiding actions that might cause them to "tumble" in their spiritual journey.

Christ as the Foundation

In contrast to the instability of tumbling, Christ is presented as the firm foundation upon which believers can stand. In 1 Peter 2:6-8 , Jesus is described as the cornerstone: "See, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame." Those who reject Christ, however, will find Him to be "a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense." This passage underscores the dual role of Christ as both a secure foundation for believers and a stumbling block for those who reject Him.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not use the word "tumble" directly, the themes of falling, stumbling, and instability are woven throughout Scripture, offering insights into the human condition, the consequences of sin, and the steadfastness found in a relationship with God.1. (v. i.) To roll over, or to and fro; to throw one's self about; as, a person on pain tumbles and tosses.

2. (v. i.) To roll down; to fall suddenly and violently; to be precipitated; as, to tumble from a scaffold.

3. (v. i.) To play tricks by various movements and contortions of the body; to perform the feats of an acrobat.

4. (v. t.) To turn over; to turn or throw about, as for examination or search; to roll or move in a rough, coarse, or unceremonious manner; to throw down or headlong; to precipitate; -- sometimes with over, about, etc.; as, to tumble books or papers.

5. (v. t.) To disturb; to rumple; as, to tumble a bed.

6. (n.) Act of tumbling, or rolling over; a fall.

5287. naar -- to shake, shake out or off
... A primitive root (probably identical with na'ar, through the idea of the rustling
of mane, which usually accompanies the lion's roar); to tumble about -- shake ...
/hebrew/5287.htm - 6k

4355. makak -- to be low or humiliated
... be brought low, decay. A primitive root; to tumble (in ruins); figuratively, to
perish -- be brought low, decay. 4354, 4355. makak. 4356 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/4355.htm - 6k

7481. raam -- to thunder
... A primitive root; to tumble, ie Be violently agitated; specifically, to crash (of
thunder); figuratively, to irritate (with anger) -- make to fret, roar ...
/hebrew/7481.htm - 6k

6749. tsalal -- to sink, be submerged
... sink. A primitive root; properly, to tumble down, ie Settle by a waving motion --
sink. Compare tsalal, tsalal. see HEBREW tsalal. see HEBREW tsalal. ...
/hebrew/6749.htm - 6k

2015. haphak -- to turn, overturn
... to change, overturn, return, pervert -- X become, change, come, be converted, give,
make (a bed), overthrow (-turn), perverse, retire, tumble, turn (again ...
/hebrew/2015.htm - 6k

Lovely to a Poet or an Artist's Eye is the Unevenly-Built and ...
... chose,"the house of the Archbishop of Rouen"a veritable abode of luxury as compared
with the Hotel Poitiers, which was a dingy little tumble-down building ...
//christianbookshelf.org/corelli/the master-christian/ii lovely to a poet.htm

Three Afternoons Off the Track
... Crash and tumble went the bandy, a springless construction with a mat roof; bang
over stones and slabs of rock, down on one side, up on the other; then both ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter ii three afternoons off.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... Wherefore Christian was left to tumble in the Slough of Despond alone: but still
he endeavored to struggle to that side of the slough that was furthest from ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the pilgrims progress.htm

The Poor in Spirit are Enriched with a Kingdom
... gems. Other crowns quickly wear away and tumble into the dust: Doth the
crown endure to all generations?' (Proverbs 27:24). Henry ...
/.../watson/the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/5 the poor in spirit.htm

Goes to Housekeeping. Discussions with Mr. Maddox. Attends Meeting ...
... but shreds. With a mere touch, my carefully built structure would tumble
like a cob house. Thus the work went on for years. In the ...
/.../chapter vi goes to housekeeping.htm

Diamond Said Nothing to his Mother About his Adventures. ...
... He tumbled off, I say, for he did tumble when he reached the ground. But he
got up in an instant, and ran, searching his pocket as he ran. ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 5 diamond said nothing.htm

He Got up in the Morning as Soon as He Heard the Men Moving In...
... He tucked in his little brother so that he could not tumble out of bed, and then
went out, leaving the door open, so that if he should cry his mother might ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 24 he got up.htm

A Home Mission Sermon
... We are here as the very pillars of this world's happiness: for when God shall take
away his saints, the universal moral fabric "shall tumble to its fall; and ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/a home mission sermon.htm

The Best Way to Baffle the Craft of the Enemy, is to be Subjected ...
... it is impossible for one to make a step in those secret and internal Paths without
an experienced Guide, because instead of going right, he'll tumble into a ...
/.../the spiritual guide which disentangles the soul/chap i the best way.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... prove a delusion, and the prospects which seem to present themselves may be mere
palaces of clouds which a breath of wind is sufficient to tumble into ruin ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 55.htm

Tumble (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (vi) To roll down; to fall suddenly and violently; to be precipitated; as, to
tumble from a scaffold. ... 5. (vt) To disturb; to rumple; as, to tumble a bed. ...
/t/tumble.htm - 7k

Toss (13 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) Hence, to try; to harass. 6. (vt) To keep in play; to tumble over;
as, to spend four years in tossing the rules of grammar. ...
/t/toss.htm - 10k

Vault (2 Occurrences)
... 9. (n.) To leap; to bound; to jump; to spring. 10. (n.) To exhibit feats of tumbling
or leaping; to tumble. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/v/vault.htm - 9k

Wallow (5 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) To roll one's self about, as in mire; to tumble and roll about; to move
lazily or heavily in any medium; to flounder; as, swine wallow in the mire. ...
/w/wallow.htm - 8k

Topple (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To fall forward; to pitch or tumble down.
2. (vt) To throw down; to overturn. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/t/topple.htm - 7k

Tumbling (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Tumble. 2. (a. & vb. n.) from
Tumble. Multi-Version Concordance Tumbling (1 Occurrence). ...
/t/tumbling.htm - 7k

Tucking (1 Occurrence)

/t/tucking.htm - 6k

Tumbles (1 Occurrence)

/t/tumbles.htm - 6k

Roll (57 Occurrences)
... unevenly; the snow rolls well. 14. (vi) To fall or tumble; -- with over;
as, a stream rolls over a precipice. 15. (vi) To perform a ...
/r/roll.htm - 33k

Bottom (33 Occurrences)
... (6) metsullah, "to be dark," "shadowy place," from primitive root tsalal, "to tumble
down," ie "settle"; hence, the idea of a valley ("the myrtle-trees that ...
/b/bottom.htm - 20k

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