In biblical terms, "heaping" often refers to the act of piling up or accumulating, whether it be physical objects, actions, or metaphorical concepts. This term appears in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, illustrating both positive and negative connotations depending on the situation.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, heaping is frequently associated with the gathering of physical items, such as stones or grain. For instance, in Joshua 7:26, after the sin of Achan, the Israelites "raised over him a great heap of stones that remains to this day." This act of heaping stones served as a memorial and a warning to the people of Israel about the consequences of disobedience to God's commands.

Heaping is also used in the context of offerings and sacrifices. In Leviticus 6:15, the priest is instructed to take "a handful of the fine flour of the grain offering, with its oil and all the frankincense that is on the grain offering, and he shall offer up in smoke its memorial portion on the altar, a soothing aroma to the LORD." Here, the heaping of the grain offering symbolizes dedication and worship to God.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the concept of heaping takes on a more metaphorical meaning. Romans 12:20, quoting Proverbs 25:21-22, states, "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head." This passage suggests that acts of kindness towards one's enemies can lead to their repentance and transformation, as the "heaping" of coals symbolizes a burning conviction or realization of wrongdoing.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

Heaping is often used to illustrate the accumulation of actions or attitudes, whether righteous or sinful. In 2 Timothy 4:3, Paul warns that "the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires." This heaping of false teachings reflects a turning away from truth and an accumulation of error.

Conversely, heaping can also represent the gathering of blessings and rewards for those who follow God's commandments. In Luke 6:38, Jesus teaches, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you." This imagery of heaping blessings emphasizes the abundant generosity of God towards those who live according to His will.

Conclusion

The concept of heaping in the Bible serves as a powerful metaphor for the accumulation of both physical and spiritual realities. Whether it is the heaping of stones as a memorial, the heaping of coals as a call to repentance, or the heaping of blessings as a reward for faithfulness, this term underscores the importance of intentional actions and their consequences in the life of a believer.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Heap.6018. Omri -- a king of Isr., also several other Isr.
... NASB Word Usage Omri (18). Omri. From amar; heaping; Omri, an Israelite -- Omri.
see HEBREW amar. 6017, 6018. Omri. 6019 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6018.htm - 6k

In the Next Place, Celsus, after Heaping Together, Simply as Mere ...
... Chapter L. In the next place, Celsus, after heaping together, simply as
mere assertions? In the next place, Celsus, after heaping ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/chapter l in the next 2.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. vi. 19, "Lay not up for ...
... I see it, I am grieved for thee; thou art disquieted, and as He who cannot deceive,
assures us, "Thou art disquieted in vain." For thou art heaping up treasures ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon x on the words.htm

The Apocalypse of Sedrach.
... O hands, mild, fair-fingered, worn with toil by which the body is nourished: O hands,
deftest of all, heaping up from all quarters ye made ready houses. ...
/.../unknown/the apocalypse of sedrach/the apocalypse of sedrach.htm

To those who had not Attended the Assembly.
... on fire, and placing coals upon it; for what good will he get from receiving food
and drink in proportion to the evil he will suffer from the heaping of coals ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/to those who had not.htm

The Case of Abraham, and Its Bearing on the Present Question.
... And if I glance around at their examples"(examples) of some David heaping up marriages
for himself even through sanguinary means, of some Solomon rich in ...
/.../tertullian/on monogamy/chapter vi the case of abraham.htm

The Excellence of the Christian Philosophy; the Origin of Heresies ...
... hypotheses respecting morals, and the passions and affections, without marking out
any element by which each virtue is to be attained, and heaping up, as it ...
/.../alexander/of the manichaeans/chapter i the excellence of the.htm

Grundtvig's Early Years
... arouse them. The nineteenth century began threateningly for Denmark, heaping
calamity after calamity upon her. England attacked ...
/.../hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter eleven grundtvigs early years.htm

Instances from Scripture of Divine Judgments Upon the Self ...
... But it is enough for me that you, by heaping blasphemies upon our xerophagies,
put them on a level with the chastity of an Isis and a Cybele. ...
/.../chapter xvi instances from scripture of.htm

Sixteenth Lesson. Speedily, Though Bearing Long;'
... the irresistible power it can have, must be gathered up and accumulated, until the
stream can come down in full force, there must often be a heaping up of ...
/.../sixteenth lesson speedily though bearing.htm

Babylon.
... round, with wonderful grounds, containing what were called the hanging gardens,
namely, a hill which Nebuchadnezzar had caused to be raised by heaping up earth ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xi babylon.htm

Coal (7 Occurrences)
... A false tongue is compared to "coals of juniper" (Psalm 120:4; James 3:6). "Heaping
coals of fire on the head" symbolizes overcoming evil with good. ...
/c/coal.htm - 14k

Heaping (6 Occurrences)
... (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Heap. Multi-Version Concordance Heaping (6 Occurrences). Mark
15:3 Then, as the High Priests went on heaping accusations on Him, (WEY). ...
/h/heaping.htm - 8k

Quench (14 Occurrences)
... is thirsty, quench his thirst. For by doing this you will be heaping burning
coals upon his head. (WEY). Ephesians 6:16 above all ...
/q/quench.htm - 12k

Mix (10 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 24:10 heaping on the wood, kindling the fire, that the flesh may be consumed;
and preparing the mixture, that the bones also may be burned; (Root in ...
/m/mix.htm - 9k

Mixing (5 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 24:10 heaping on the wood, kindling the fire, that the flesh may be consumed;
and preparing the mixture, that the bones also may be burned; (See NIV). ...
/m/mixing.htm - 7k

Bury (78 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To cover out of sight, either by heaping something over, or by placing within
something, as earth, etc.; to conceal by covering; to hide; as, to bury ...
/b/bury.htm - 32k

Accusations (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Accusations (5 Occurrences). Mark 15:3 Then, as
the High Priests went on heaping accusations on Him, (WEY). ...
/a/accusations.htm - 7k

Pontius (4 Occurrences)
... and saluted him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" They took also the reed and smote
him with it on the head and face, and spat in his face, heaping upon him ...
/p/pontius.htm - 36k

Pilate (60 Occurrences)
... and saluted him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" They took also the reed and smote
him with it on the head and face, and spat in his face, heaping upon him ...
/p/pilate.htm - 53k

Contrary (77 Occurrences)
... is thirsty, quench his thirst. For by doing this you will be heaping burning
coals upon his head. (WEY NIV). Romans 13:14 On the ...
/c/contrary.htm - 31k

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