The term "descendeth" is an archaic form of the verb "descend," which means to move downward or to come down from a higher place. In the context of the Bible, "descendeth" often refers to divine or spiritual actions, particularly those involving God, the Holy Spirit, or heavenly beings. This term is used to describe both literal and metaphorical descents, emphasizing the movement from the divine realm to the earthly or human sphere.

Biblical Usage:

1. Divine Presence and Revelation:
· In the Old Testament, the concept of God descending is often associated with His presence and revelation to His people. For example, in Exodus 19:20 , "The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the summit." Here, God's descent signifies His willingness to communicate directly with Moses and the Israelites, establishing His covenant and delivering His law.

2. The Holy Spirit:
· The New Testament frequently uses the imagery of descent to describe the coming of the Holy Spirit. In Matthew 3:16 , during the baptism of Jesus, "As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him." This descent of the Holy Spirit signifies divine approval and empowerment for Jesus' ministry.

3. Christ's Incarnation and Ascension:
· The descent of Christ is a central theme in Christian theology, particularly concerning His incarnation. In John 6:38 , Jesus states, "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me." This descent underscores the humility and obedience of Christ, who left His heavenly glory to fulfill the Father's redemptive plan.
· Additionally, Ephesians 4:9-10 speaks of Christ's descent and subsequent ascent: "What does 'He ascended' mean, except that He also descended to the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is the very One who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things." This passage highlights the completeness of Christ's work, from His incarnation to His exaltation.

4. Angelic Activity:
· Angels are also described as descending to carry out God's will. In Genesis 28:12 , Jacob dreams of a ladder reaching to heaven, "and the angels of God were ascending and descending on it." This vision reassures Jacob of God's ongoing presence and activity in the world, mediated through His heavenly messengers.

Theological Significance:

The concept of "descendeth" in the Bible carries profound theological implications. It illustrates the movement of the divine toward humanity, emphasizing God's initiative in bridging the gap between heaven and earth. This descent is not merely a physical movement but a demonstration of God's love, grace, and desire to dwell among His people. Whether through the giving of the law, the incarnation of Christ, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, or the ministry of angels, the act of descending signifies God's active involvement in the redemption and sanctification of His creation.

Let all Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
... For with blessing in his hand,. Christ our God to earth descendeth,. Our full homage
to demand. ... As the Light of Light descendeth. From the realms of endless day, ...
/.../holy communion the communion 339.htm

Psalm XCVI.
... For He who falleth not descendeth unto thee: thou hadst fallen: He descendeth, He
hath stretched forth His hand unto thee; thou canst not rise by thy own ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xcvi.htm

But they Answer and Speak, Saying, "If the Will of Man Without any ...
... Therefore, as we said above, this is not the patience which descendeth from above,
but the patience of the godly is from above, coming down from the Father of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on patience /13 but they answer and.htm

David and Araunah.
... And still God marks the faithful prayer, The careful work, the costly pains; The
Spirit's fire descendeth there, And there, as in a shrine, remains. ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the old testament/david and araunah.htm

James iii. 14-16
... "This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual [natural], devilish.
For where envying and strife is, there is confusion, and every evil work.". ...
/.../neander/the epistle of james practically explained/james iii 14-16.htm

Christ, Unser Herr, Zum Jordan Kam. To Jordan came Our Lord the ...
... 4. In tender manhood Jesus straight To holy Jordan wendeth; The Holy Ghost from
heaven's gate In dovelike shape descendeth; That thus the truth be not denied ...
/.../bacon/the hymns of martin luther/xxxiv christ unser herr zum.htm

On all the Saints.
... Then the angels were ascending and descending; but now the Angel of the great counsel
neither ascendeth nor descendeth: for whence or where shall He change His ...
/.../dubious or spurious writings of gregory thaumaturgus/on all the saints.htm

That Our Peace is not to be Placed in Men
... solace. The deeper also he descendeth into himself, and the viler he appeareth
in his own eyes, the higher he ascendeth towards God. ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xlii that our peace.htm

Christmas a Song of Joy at Dawn
... Of His birth. Who the earth. Rescues from her sorrow. God to wear our form
descendeth,. Of His grace. To our race. Here His Son He lendeth: ...
/.../lyra germanica second series the christian life/christmas a song of joy.htm

Of the Union of the Blessed with God in the vision of the ...
... on the head, that ran down upon the beard, the beard of Aaron, which ran down to
the skirt of his garment: as the dew of Hermon, which descendeth upon Mount ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xiii of the union.htm

Descendeth (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Descendeth (3 Occurrences). James 3:15 This wisdom descendeth
not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. (KJV WBS). ...
/d/descendeth.htm - 7k

Descending (23 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS NAS RSV NIV). Numbers 11:9 And in the descending of the
dew on the camp by night, the manna descendeth upon it. (YLT). ...
/d/descending.htm - 13k

Devilish (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Devilish (1 Occurrence). James 3:15 This wisdom descendeth
not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. (KJV ASV DBY RSV). ...
/d/devilish.htm - 6k

Demoniacal (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Demoniacal (1 Occurrence). James 3:15 This wisdom descendeth
not from above, but is earthly, sensual, demoniacal. (WBS). ...
/d/demoniacal.htm - 7k

Descended (64 Occurrences)

/d/descended.htm - 25k

Devil (58 Occurrences)
... James 3:15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.
(Root in KJV ASV DBY RSV NIV). James 4:7 Be subject therefore to God. ...
/d/devil.htm - 25k

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