Definition and Usage:
The term "astonish" refers to a feeling of great surprise or wonder. In the biblical context, it often describes the reaction of individuals or crowds to the miraculous works and profound teachings of Jesus Christ, as well as other divine interventions and revelations throughout Scripture.

Old Testament Context:
In the Old Testament, the concept of astonishment is frequently associated with the mighty acts of God. For example, the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea left the surrounding nations in awe. In Deuteronomy 28:37, the consequences of disobedience to God’s commandments are described as causing Israel to become "an object of horror, scorn, and ridicule" among the nations, highlighting the astonishment at their downfall.

New Testament Context:
The New Testament provides numerous instances where astonishment is a common reaction to Jesus' ministry. The people were often amazed at His authority and wisdom. In Matthew 7:28-29 , it is recorded, "When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astonished at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority, and not as their scribes." This astonishment is not merely due to the content of His teaching but also the authority with which He spoke.

The miracles of Jesus also elicited astonishment. In Mark 5:42 , after Jesus raised a young girl from the dead, it is noted, "Immediately the girl got up and began to walk around. She was twelve years old, and at once they were utterly astounded." Such reactions underscore the divine power and authority of Jesus, which were beyond human comprehension.

Astonishment in the Early Church:
The early church continued to witness events that caused astonishment. In Acts 2:7 , during the day of Pentecost, the crowd was "amazed and perplexed" as they heard the apostles speaking in various languages. This event marked the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the beginning of the church's mission to spread the Gospel to all nations.

Theological Implications:
Astonishment in the Bible often serves to highlight the divine nature of God's actions and the fulfillment of His promises. It draws attention to the supernatural and the breaking in of God's kingdom into the world. The astonishment experienced by witnesses of Jesus' works and the early church's miracles serves as a testament to the authenticity and power of the Christian message.

Reflection in Christian Life:
For believers, the concept of astonishment can be a reminder of the awe-inspiring nature of God and His works. It encourages a posture of humility and reverence, recognizing that God's ways and thoughts are higher than human understanding. The astonishment at God's grace and power should lead to worship and a deeper faith in His sovereign plan.1. (v. t.) To stun; to render senseless, as by a blow.

2. (v. t.) To strike with sudden fear, terror, or wonder; to amaze; to surprise greatly, as with something unaccountable; to confound with some sudden emotion or passion.

2284. thambeo -- to astonish
... to astonish. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: thambeo Phonetic Spelling:
(tham-beh'-o) Short Definition: I amaze Definition: I amaze; pass: I am amazed ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2284.htm - 7k

1605. ekplesso -- to strike out, hence to strike with panic, to ...
... ekplesso Phonetic Spelling: (ek-place'-so) Short Definition: I am thunderstruck,
astounded Definition: I strike with panic or shock; I amaze, astonish. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1605.htm - 7k

1839. existemi -- to displace, to stand aside from
... to displace, to stand aside from. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: existemi
Phonetic Spelling: (ex-is'-tay-mee) Short Definition: I astonish, am astonished ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1839.htm - 8k

1568. ekthambeo -- to amaze, to be amazed
... affright, greatly astonished. From ekthambos; to astonish utterly -- affright, greatly
(sore) amaze. see GREEK ekthambos. (ekthambeisthai) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1568.htm - 7k

1724. daham -- to astonish, astound
... 1723, 1724. daham. 1725 . to astonish, astound. Transliteration: daham Phonetic
Spelling: (daw-ham') Short Definition: dismayed. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/1724.htm - 6k

8074. shamem -- to be desolated or appalled
... intransitively, grow numb), ie Devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually
in a passive sense) -- make amazed, be astonied, (be an) astonish(-ment), (be ...
/hebrew/8074.htm - 6k

1 Cor. xiv. 20
... For the expression, "not even thus," hath force to point out that the miracle was
enough to astonish them; and if they did not believe, the fault was theirs. ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxxvi 1 cor xiv.htm

Washed to Greater Foulness
... Turning to my text, let me say, that as one is startled by a shriek, or saddened
by a groan, so these sharp utterances of Job astonish us at first, and then ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/washed to greater foulness.htm

A Manifestation of God in Answer to Prayer
... necessary. We do not need the Lord to do something to astonish us, but
we do need Him to do something to alert us to our dangers. ...
/.../anderson/prayer availeth much/chapter 7 a manifestation of.htm

Phil. 1:01 the Rights and Duties of Lay Churchmen.
... This is an inquiry which deserves special attention, and I am much mistaken if the
result does not astonish some persons, and make them open their eyes. ...
/.../the upper room being a few truths for the times/chapter xvii phil 1 1 the.htm

Lord Jesus, Cause Me to Know in My Daily Experience the Glory and ...
... If our petitions are in accordance with His will, and if we seek His glory in the
asking, the answers will come in ways that will astonish us and fill our ...
/.../bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter xiii lord jesus cause.htm

Continues the Same Subject and Speaks of Aridities in Prayer and ...
... at least be extremely detached from it, yet if His Majesty sends very moderate trials
they become so disturbed and disheartened as not only to astonish but to ...
/.../teresa/the interior castle or the mansions/chapter ii continues the same.htm

The African Rome
... Hellenistic period, which the Romans had further exaggerated"a character not without
emphasis and over-elaboration, but which was bound to astonish, and that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/ii the african rome.htm

The Life of Mr. Alexander Henderson.
... When Mr. Bruce was come to the pulpit, he did for some time keep silence (as his
usual manner was) which did astonish Mr. Henderson, but it astonished him much ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr alexander.htm

Miracles
... WE have just read that Christ's teaching astonished the hearers. He was about to
astonish them yet more, for we have now reached the first miracle which St. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 1 23 miracles.htm

The Four Thousand
... He sought not to astonish but to bless. It is plain that Jesus strove to lead His
disciples, aware of the former miracle, up to the notion of its repetition. ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 8 1-10 the four thousand.htm

Astonish (1 Occurrence)
... or passion. Multi-Version Concordance Astonish (1 Occurrence). Isaiah
52:15 so shall he astonish many nations; kings shall shut their ...
/a/astonish.htm - 7k

Astonied (12 Occurrences)
... ekplessomai, "to be struck with astonishment," as if by a blow or a shock; existemi,
"to amaze," "to throw into wonderment"; thambeomai, "to astonish" to the ...
/a/astonied.htm - 12k

Astonished (92 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Astonish. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. ASTONISHED; ASTONIED. as-ton'-isht, as-ton'-id ...
/a/astonished.htm - 34k

Tremendous (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Great in size, amount, or excellence; awe-inspiring;
fitted to excite fear or terror; such as may astonish or terrify by its ...
/t/tremendous.htm - 9k

Bewitch (1 Occurrence)
... It means "to be out of one's mind," "to astonish," "to overwhelm with wonder." The
other word, baskaino (Galatians 3:1), means "to fascinate by false ...
/b/bewitch.htm - 8k

Astonishing (6 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Astonish. 2. (a.) Very wonderful; of a nature to excite
astonishment; as, an astonishing event. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/a/astonishing.htm - 8k

Jehovah (20094 Occurrences)
... But the appearance of the Servant is such as to suggest the very opposite of his
dignity, which will astonish nations and kings when they come, to understand it ...
/j/jehovah.htm - 38k

Yahweh (6653 Occurrences)
... But the appearance of the Servant is such as to suggest the very opposite of his
dignity, which will astonish nations and kings when they come, to understand it ...
/y/yahweh.htm - 39k

Servant (738 Occurrences)
... But the appearance of the Servant is such as to suggest the very opposite of his
dignity, which will astonish nations and kings when they come, to understand it ...
/s/servant.htm - 67k

Lord (59401 Occurrences)
... But the appearance of the Servant is such as to suggest the very opposite of his
dignity, which will astonish nations and kings when they come, to understand it ...
/l/lord.htm - 61k

Astonish: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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