Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, water holds significant theological and symbolic meaning, often representing life, chaos, purification, and divine provision. The sea, as a collection of water, is a prominent feature in the Bible, serving as both a literal and metaphorical element in God's creation and interaction with humanity.Creation and Sovereignty The sea is first mentioned in the creation account, where God gathers the waters to form seas, demonstrating His sovereign power over the natural world. Genesis 1:9-10 states, "And God said, 'Let the waters under the heavens be gathered into one place, so that the dry land may appear.' And it was so. God called the dry land 'earth,' and the gathering of waters He called 'seas.' And God saw that it was good." This act of gathering waters underscores God's authority and the order He brings to creation. The Sea as a Barrier and Pathway Throughout the Old Testament, the sea often serves as a barrier, representing obstacles and challenges. However, it is also depicted as a pathway for God's deliverance. The parting of the Red Sea is a pivotal event where God demonstrates His power to save His people. Exodus 14:21-22 recounts, "Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left." Symbol of Chaos and Divine Control In biblical literature, the sea often symbolizes chaos and the unknown. Yet, it is clear that God maintains control over these chaotic waters. In the book of Job, God questions Job, highlighting His command over the sea: "Who enclosed the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, when I made the clouds its garment and thick darkness its blanket, when I fixed its boundaries and set in place its bars and doors, and I declared: 'You may come this far, but no farther; here your proud waves must stop'?" (Job 38:8-11). This passage emphasizes God's dominion over the sea, reinforcing His ultimate authority over creation. The Sea in Prophetic and Apocalyptic Literature Prophetic and apocalyptic texts often use the sea as a symbol of nations and peoples in turmoil. In Daniel's vision, the sea is the origin of four great beasts, representing empires rising from the chaotic waters (Daniel 7:2-3). Similarly, in Revelation, the sea is depicted as a place of mystery and danger, yet it is ultimately subdued in the new creation: "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more" (Revelation 21:1). This imagery signifies the end of chaos and the establishment of God's eternal order. Jesus and the Sea In the New Testament, Jesus' interactions with the sea further illustrate His divine authority. In the Gospels, Jesus calms a storm on the Sea of Galilee, demonstrating His power over nature. Mark 4:39 records, "Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. 'Silence!' He commanded. 'Be still!' And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm." This miracle reveals Jesus as the Lord of creation, echoing the Old Testament theme of God's control over the sea. Conclusion The sea, as a collection of water, is a multifaceted symbol in the Bible, representing both the challenges and the divine power that overcomes them. Through creation, deliverance, and the ministry of Jesus, the sea serves as a testament to God's sovereignty and His ability to bring order out of chaos. Torrey's Topical Textbook Genesis 1:9,10And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together to one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so. Torrey's Topical Textbook Isaiah 11:9 Library Upon the Gathering Together of the Waters. The Way to the Sea Of the Origin of the World, and the Nature of Affairs, and the ... Marcion; his Dualism; Derives his System from Empedocles; Sketch ... The Water of Life; On Drinking. Egypt and Greece. The Preparations of the Greeks for Defense. A Total Wreck, all Hands Saved That Neither the Whole Universe nor the Elements are God, nor are ... Resources What is the symbolism of water baptism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about holy water? | GotQuestions.org What did Jesus mean when He spoke of living water? | GotQuestions.org Water: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Water in Times of Scarcity, Sold at an Enormous Price Water of Bitterness or of Jealousy Water of Separation or of Uncleanness Water of the Gifts and Graces of the Holy Spirit Water was Used by Jews for Culinary Purposes Water was Used by Jews for Legal Purification Water was Used by Jews for Washing the Person Water was Used by Jews: As Their Principal Beverage Water: (Covering the Sea) of the General Diffusion of The Water: (Deep) of Counsel in the Heart Water: (Deep) of Severe Affliction Water: (Deep) of the Words of the Wise Water: (Difficulty of Stopping) of Strife and Contention Water: (Its Instability) of a Wavering Disposition Water: (Its Weakness) of Faintness and Cowardice Water: (Many) of a Variety of Afflictions Water: (Many) of Different Nations and People Water: (Noise of Many) of the Word of Christ Water: (Poured Out) Faintness by Terror Water: (Poured Out) the Wrath of God Water: (Pouring, out of Buckets) a Numerous Progeny Water: (Rapidly Flowing Away) the Career of the Wicked Water: (Spilled on the Ground) Death Water: (Still) the Ordinances of the Gospel Water: Artificial Mode of Conveying, Into Large Cities Water: Collected in The Clouds Water: Covered the Whole Earth Water: Drops from the Clouds in Rain Water: Frequently Brackish and Unfit for Use Water: God Originally: Collected Into One Place Water: God Originally: Created Fowls and Fishes From Water: God Originally: Created the Firmament to Divide Water: Kept for Purification in Large Waterpots Water: Miracles Connected With: Brought from the Jaw-Bone of an Ass Water: Miracles Connected With: Brought from the Rock Water: Miracles Connected With: Consumed by Fire from Heaven Water: Miracles Connected With: Divided and Made to Stand on Heap Water: Miracles Connected With: Healing Powers Communicated To Water: Miracles Connected With: Iron Made to Swim In Water: Miracles Connected With: Our Lord Walking On Water: Miracles Connected With: Trenches Filled With Water: Miracles Connected With: Turned Into Blood Water: Miracles Connected With: Turned Into Wine Water: Miraculously Supplied: To Jehoshaphat's Army Water: Miraculously Supplied: To Samson Water: Miraculously Supplied: To the Israelites Water: Necessary to the Comfort and Happiness of Man Water: Necessary to Vegetation Water: One of the Elements of the World Water: Rises in Vapour to the Clouds Water: some Plants Particularly Require Water: The Want of, Considered a Great Calamity Water: The World and Its Inhabitants Once Destroyed By Water: The World not to be Again Destroyed By Water: Wearing the Hardest Substances Related Terms Water-springs (12 Occurrences) |