Topical Encyclopedia The terms "deep" and "depths" in the Bible often refer to vast, mysterious, and sometimes unfathomable aspects of creation, both physical and spiritual. These terms are used to describe the physical depths of the earth and sea, as well as metaphorical depths of wisdom, knowledge, and the human heart.Creation and the Natural World In the account of creation, the "deep" is mentioned in Genesis 1:2: "Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters." Here, the "deep" refers to the primordial waters, a chaotic and unformed state before God brought order through creation. This imagery of the deep as a place of chaos is echoed in other parts of Scripture, such as in Job 38:16, where God challenges Job, "Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea or walked in the recesses of the deep?" The "depths" of the sea are often used to convey the vastness and power of God's creation. Psalm 107:24-25 speaks of those who "have seen the works of the LORD, and His wonders in the deep," highlighting the awe-inspiring nature of the ocean's depths. Similarly, Psalm 33:7 states, "He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; He puts the deep into storehouses," illustrating God's sovereign control over the natural world. Spiritual and Metaphorical Uses Beyond the physical realm, "deep" and "depths" are used metaphorically to describe the profound and often inscrutable aspects of God's wisdom and knowledge. Romans 11:33 exclaims, "O, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and untraceable His ways!" This passage emphasizes the vastness and incomprehensibility of God's divine wisdom. The depths of human emotion and experience are also captured in these terms. In Psalm 130:1, the psalmist cries out, "Out of the depths I cry to You, O LORD," expressing a plea for help from a place of deep distress or despair. This use of "depths" conveys the intensity of human suffering and the earnestness of seeking divine intervention. Judgment and Deliverance The deep is sometimes associated with judgment and deliverance. In the account of Jonah, the prophet is cast into the sea and swallowed by a great fish, descending into the "depths of the seas" (Jonah 2:3). This descent into the deep serves as both a form of divine judgment and a means of eventual deliverance, as Jonah is brought to repentance and ultimately saved. Similarly, the crossing of the Red Sea by the Israelites is a powerful image of deliverance through the depths. Exodus 15:8 describes how "the depths congealed in the heart of the sea" as God parted the waters, allowing His people to escape from Pharaoh's army. Eschatological Significance In eschatological contexts, the deep can symbolize the finality of God's judgment. Revelation 20:13 states, "The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and Death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each one was judged according to his deeds." Here, the sea and its depths are depicted as holding the dead until the time of final judgment, underscoring the comprehensive nature of God's justice. Throughout Scripture, the concepts of "deep" and "depths" serve to illustrate the majesty and mystery of God's creation, the profound nature of His wisdom, and the depths of human experience, both in suffering and in redemption. ATS Bible Dictionary Deep and DepthsThe deep, or the great deep, signifies in Scripture, hell, the place of punishment, the bottomless pit, Luke 8:31, compare Revelation 9:1 11:7; the grave, Romans 10:7; the deepest parts of the sea, Psalm 69:15 107:26; chaos in the beginning of the world, Genesis 1:2. See HELL. Greek 901. bathus -- deep ... Adjective Transliteration: bathus Phonetic Spelling: (bath-oos') Short Definition: deep, early, profound Definition: deep (lit. and met.); in the depths of the ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/901.htm - 6k 899. bathos -- depth Strong's Hebrew 4615. maamaqqim -- depths... Word Origin from amoq Definition depths NASB Word Usage deep (2), depths (3). deep, depth. From amaq; a deep -- deep, depth. see HEBREW amaq. 4614, 4615. ... /hebrew/4615.htm - 6k 4688. metsolah -- depth, deep 8415. tehom -- deep, sea, abyss 6009. amoq -- to be deep 8328. shoresh -- a root 4278. mechqar -- a range (an area to explore) Library O Son of God, Afflicted, Fifth Sunday in Lent. Out of the Depths have I Called unto Thee, O ... December 3. Thy Thoughts are Very Deep (Ps. Xcii. 5). Book one in God's Searching Presence, Augustine Undertakes to ... The Holy Spirit Forming Christ Within Us. Out of the Deep of Doubt, Darkness, and Hell. The Geometry of Prayer But that Heaven of Heavens was for Thyself, O Lord... Heaven and Earth were Made "In the Beginning;" Afterwards the ... The Realization of Perfect Peace Resources What is evangelical Catholicism? What is an evangelical Catholic? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Abyss? | GotQuestions.org Did the Israelites in the book of Exodus cross the Red Sea or the Reed Sea? | GotQuestions.org Deep: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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