Topical Encyclopedia The term "magnify" in the biblical context often refers to the act of exalting, glorifying, or making something appear greater in importance or significance. In Scripture, magnification is primarily directed towards God, emphasizing His greatness, power, and majesty. The concept of magnifying God is deeply rooted in worship and praise, reflecting a heart posture that acknowledges His supreme authority and divine attributes.Old Testament Usage In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "magnify" is "gadal," which means to grow, become great, or make great. This term is frequently used in the Psalms, where the psalmists express their desire to magnify the Lord through worship and song. For example, Psalm 34:3 states, "Magnify the LORD with me; let us exalt His name together." Here, the call to magnify the Lord is an invitation to communal worship, recognizing God's greatness collectively. The act of magnifying God is also seen in the context of His mighty works and deliverance. In Exodus 15:2 , after the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, they sang, "The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him." This song of Moses highlights the response of magnification following God's miraculous intervention. New Testament Usage In the New Testament, the Greek word "megalynō" is used to convey the idea of magnifying. One of the most notable instances is found in the Magnificat, Mary's song of praise in Luke 1:46-47 : "Then Mary said: 'My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.'" Mary's response to the announcement of Jesus' birth is one of deep reverence and exaltation, acknowledging God's favor and mighty deeds. The Apostle Paul also speaks of magnifying Christ in his life and ministry. In Philippians 1:20 , he writes, "I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have complete boldness, so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death." Here, Paul expresses his desire for Christ to be magnified through his actions and circumstances, demonstrating a life wholly devoted to glorifying God. Theological Significance Magnifying God is a central theme in Christian theology, reflecting the believer's response to God's revelation and grace. It involves recognizing and declaring God's attributes, such as His holiness, love, justice, and mercy. Magnification is not about making God greater than He is, for He is already infinitely great, but about acknowledging and proclaiming His greatness in our lives and to the world. The act of magnifying God is closely tied to worship, as it involves both an inward attitude of the heart and an outward expression of praise. It is a response to God's character and works, leading believers to live lives that reflect His glory. In this way, magnification becomes a testimony to others, drawing them to see and experience the greatness of God. Practical Application For believers, magnifying God can be practiced through various means, including prayer, worship, and daily living. It involves a conscious effort to focus on God's attributes and works, allowing His greatness to shape one's perspective and actions. By prioritizing God's glory in all aspects of life, believers fulfill their calling to be witnesses of His majesty and love. In summary, the biblical concept of magnifying God is an essential aspect of the Christian faith, calling believers to exalt and glorify the Lord in all things. Through worship, testimony, and a life devoted to His service, Christians are invited to participate in the eternal praise of the One who is worthy of all honor and adoration. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (v. t.) To make great, or greater; to increase the dimensions of; to amplify; to enlarge, either in fact or in appearance; as, the microscope magnifies the object by a thousand diameters.2. (v. t.) To increase the importance of; to augment the esteem or respect in which one is held. 3. (v. t.) To praise highly; to land; to extol. 4. (v. t.) To exaggerate; as, to magnify a loss or a difficulty. 5. (v. i.) To have the power of causing objects to appear larger than they really are; to increase the apparent dimensions of objects; as, some lenses magnify but little. 6. (v. i.) To have effect; to be of importance or significance. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia MAGNIFYmag'-ni-fi (Hiphil of gadhal; megaluno, "to make great," "extol," "celebrate in praise"): Used especially of exaltation of the name, mercy, and other attributes of God (Genesis 19:19 2 Samuel 7:26 Psalm 35:27; Psalm 40:16; Psalm 70:4 Luke 1:46 Acts 10:46); of God's "word" (Psalm 138:2); or of Christ (Acts 19:17 Philippians 1:20). Men also can be "magnified" (Joshua 4:14 1 Chronicles 29:25, etc.). In Romans 11:13, "magnify mine office," the word (Greek, doxazo) is changed in the Revised Version (British and American) to "glorify." Greek 3170. megaluno -- to make or declare great ... make or declare great. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: megaluno Phonetic Spelling: (meg-al-oo'-no) Short Definition: I enlarge, magnify, extol Definition ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3170.htm - 7k 1392. doxazo -- to render or esteem glorious (in a wide ... Strong's Hebrew 1437. Giddalti -- "I magnify (God)," an Israelite... 1436b, 1437. Giddalti. 1438 . "I magnify (God)," an Israelite. Transliteration: Giddalti Phonetic Spelling: (ghid-dal'-tee) Short Definition: Giddalti. ... /hebrew/1437.htm - 6k 7679. saga -- to grow, grow great 1431. gadal -- to grow up, become great 5375. nasa -- to lift, carry, take 1922. hadar -- to glorify (God) Library How the Desire to Exalt and Magnify God Separates us from Inferior ... Psalm XXXIV. Ode viii. How Benevolence Makes us Call all Creatures to the Praise of God. The Song of the Three Children Letter Lxxix. (AD 404. ) The Magnificence of Prayer The General Service to an Apostle. Psalm XCIX. Ophites, Cainites, Sethites. Thesaurus Magnify (25 Occurrences)... 3. (vt) To praise highly; to land; to extol. 4. (vt) To exaggerate; as, to magnify a loss or a difficulty. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. MAGNIFY. ... /m/magnify.htm - 15k Exalt (56 Occurrences) Insulting (10 Occurrences) Extol (23 Occurrences) Disgrace (73 Occurrences) Glorify (49 Occurrences) Honorable (42 Occurrences) Vaunt (5 Occurrences) Unheard-of (1 Occurrence) Office (64 Occurrences) Resources What is the Magnificat? | GotQuestions.orgWho is the king of the North in Daniel 11? | GotQuestions.org Did Jesus mean we should literally pluck out our eyes and cut off our hands in Matthew 5:29-30 and 18:8-9? | GotQuestions.org Magnify: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Magnify (25 Occurrences)Luke 1:46 Acts 10:46 Romans 11:13 Joshua 3:7 Job 7:17 Job 19:5 Job 36:24 Psalms 34:3 Psalms 35:26 Psalms 38:16 Psalms 55:12 Psalms 69:30 Proverbs 5:19 Proverbs 5:20 Isaiah 10:15 Isaiah 42:21 Ezekiel 35:13 Ezekiel 38:23 Daniel 8:25 Daniel 11:36 Daniel 11:37 Daniel 11:39 Zephaniah 2:8 Zephaniah 2:10 Zechariah 12:7 Subtopics Related Terms |
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