Definition and Context
Beckoning is a gesture or signal used to call or summon someone, often involving a movement of the hand or head. In biblical times, gestures were a common form of non-verbal communication, used to convey messages or intentions without words. Beckoning can be seen as an invitation or a call to attention, action, or presence.

Biblical Instances
The act of beckoning is mentioned in several instances in the Bible, illustrating its use in communication and interaction among individuals.

1. Acts 12:17
In the New Testament, the Apostle Peter uses a gesture to communicate with others. After being miraculously freed from prison, Peter goes to the house of Mary, the mother of John Mark. The believers gathered there are astonished to see him. "But Peter motioned to them with his hand to be silent and described how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. 'Tell these things to James and the brothers,' he said, and he left for another place" (Acts 12:17). Here, Peter's beckoning serves to quiet the crowd so he can share the miraculous account of his escape.

2. Acts 13:16
In another instance, the Apostle Paul uses a gesture to gain the attention of his audience. While in the synagogue at Pisidian Antioch, Paul stands up and beckons with his hand to address the people. "Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand, he said: 'Men of Israel and you Gentiles who fear God, listen to me!'" (Acts 13:16). This gesture is a call for attention, preparing the audience to hear his message about Jesus Christ.

3. John 13:24
During the Last Supper, the Apostle John uses a gesture to communicate with Jesus. "So Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus which one He was talking about" (John 13:24). Here, Peter beckons to John, who is reclining next to Jesus, to inquire about the identity of the betrayer. This instance highlights the use of beckoning as a discreet form of communication among the disciples.

Symbolic Meaning
Beckoning in the Bible often symbolizes an invitation or a call to action. It can represent God's call to His people, urging them to listen, follow, or respond to His will. The act of beckoning can also signify the urgency or importance of a message, as seen in the examples of Peter and Paul.

Cultural and Historical Significance
In the cultural and historical context of the Bible, gestures like beckoning were essential for communication, especially in public or crowded settings. Such non-verbal cues were understood by those present and were an effective way to convey messages without interrupting the flow of conversation or worship.

Theological Implications
From a theological perspective, beckoning can be seen as a metaphor for God's call to humanity. Just as individuals in the Bible used gestures to summon or communicate with others, God beckons His people to come to Him, to listen to His Word, and to respond to His call for repentance and faith. This divine beckoning is an invitation to enter into a relationship with Him, to receive His grace, and to participate in His redemptive work in the world.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Beckon.5130. nuph -- to move to and fro, wave, sprinkle
... root; to quiver (ie Vibrate up and down, or rock to and fro); used in a great variety
of applications (including sprinkling, beckoning, rubbing, bastinadoing ...
/hebrew/5130.htm - 6k

John Chapter xiii. 21-26.
... and says to him." [1207] The expression is noteworthy, as indicating that something
was said not by any sound of words, but by merely beckoning with the head. ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate lxi john chapter xiii.htm

Shall we Go?
... seen now. Just ahead beyond the knife stands the Master, looking longingly,
beckoning earnestly, calling still. But that knife! It ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on following the christ/shall we go.htm

Happy Pilgrims
... so keeps a man young, strong, buoyant, and fits him for nobilities of action, as
that there shall be gleaming for ever before him in the beckoning distance a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/happy pilgrims.htm

Acts xii. 1, 2
... But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared
unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxvi acts xii 1.htm

Acts XIII
... It is thus described by Luke: (16) "Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand,
said, Men of Israel, and ye who fear God, give audience." This gesture ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xiii.htm

The Ideal of To-Day
... suffering, inward harmony, true relation with fellow creatures, grateful sense of
the past, full fruition of the present, glad out-reach to a beckoning future. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/merriam/the chief end of man/ii the ideal of to-day.htm

A Prince's Bride
... "She needs a frieze cloak"". Costobarus broke in by beckoning his wife to one side,
where the servants could not hear him say compassionately,. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/miller/the city of delight/chapter i a princes bride.htm

The Exile.
... The old life shut to behind him for ever, like some enchanted door in
a hill-side, and an unexplored land lay beckoning before. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/iv the exile.htm

The Dark was Lifting as Vergilius Entered the Field of Mars. ...
... time. A little group, in gray paenula and veils, were watching from without
the crowd. He moved aside, beckoning to them. "Make ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 11 the dark was.htm

The Story of his Soul
... The interest of many great lives lies in their natural and fair development: the
growth of gift towards occasion, the beckoning of occasion when gift is ripe ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/lecture vii the story of.htm

Beckoning (4 Occurrences)
...Beckoning (4 Occurrences). ... Acts 12:17 But he, beckoning to them with his hand to
be silent, declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. ...
/b/beckoning.htm - 7k

Become (3516 Occurrences)

/b/become.htm - 8k

Gesture
... We read of "beckoning with the hand" (Luke 5:7 John 13:24), preliminary to speaking
(Acts 12:17; Acts 13:16; Acts 19:33; Acts 21:40; Acts 26:1, he "stretched ...
/g/gesture.htm - 20k

Motioned (7 Occurrences)
... place. (WEY NIV). Acts 13:16 Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said,
"Men of Israel, and you who fear God, listen. (See NIV). ...
/m/motioned.htm - 8k

Motioning (3 Occurrences)
... Motioning (3 Occurrences). Acts 12:17 But he, beckoning to them with his hand to
be silent, declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. ...
/m/motioning.htm - 7k

Pushing (26 Occurrences)
... the Jews pushing him forward. And Alexander, beckoning with his hand, would
have made a defence to the people. (DBY). Titus 1:7 For ...
/p/pushing.htm - 14k

Beckoneth (1 Occurrence)

/b/beckoneth.htm - 6k

Audience (17 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Acts 13:16 Then Paul stood up, and beckoning with his hand said,
Men of Israel, and ye that fear God, give audience. (KJV WBS). ...
/a/audience.htm - 13k

Silent (120 Occurrences)
... Acts 12:17 But he, beckoning to them with his hand to be silent, declared
to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. ...
/s/silent.htm - 35k

Declare (346 Occurrences)
... Acts 12:17 But he, beckoning to them with his hand to be silent, declared
to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. ...
/d/declare.htm - 37k

What did Jesus mean when He said, “I stand at the door and knock” (Revelation 3:20)? | GotQuestions.org

Beckoning: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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