In the context of the Bible, "markings" can refer to physical marks on the body, symbolic signs, or spiritual indicators. The concept of markings is addressed in various passages, often with significant theological implications.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, markings are often associated with identity and covenant. One of the earliest references to a form of marking is the sign of circumcision given to Abraham as a covenant between God and his descendants (Genesis 17:10-11). This physical mark set the Israelites apart as God's chosen people.

Leviticus 19:28 provides a direct command regarding bodily markings: "You must not make any cuts in your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the LORD." This prohibition is part of the Holiness Code, which sought to distinguish the Israelites from surrounding pagan cultures that practiced body marking as part of idolatrous rituals.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, markings take on a more spiritual dimension. The Apostle Paul speaks of bearing the "marks of Jesus" on his body in Galatians 6:17, which is often interpreted as the physical scars and sufferings he endured for the sake of the Gospel. These marks symbolize his dedication and union with Christ.

The Book of Revelation also discusses markings in a prophetic context. Revelation 13:16-17 warns of the "mark of the beast," a symbol of allegiance to the Antichrist, contrasting with the seal of God on the foreheads of the faithful (Revelation 7:3). These markings represent spiritual allegiance and identity, with eternal consequences.

Symbolic and Spiritual Markings

Throughout Scripture, markings often symbolize deeper spiritual truths. In Ezekiel 9:4, a mark is placed on the foreheads of those who grieve over the abominations committed in Jerusalem, signifying divine protection. Similarly, in Revelation 14:1, the 144,000 have the name of the Lamb and His Father written on their foreheads, indicating their belonging to God.

Theological Implications

The concept of markings in the Bible underscores themes of identity, covenant, and allegiance. Physical markings, such as circumcision, served as outward signs of an inward covenant relationship with God. Spiritual markings, as seen in the New Testament, highlight the believer's identification with Christ and the eternal consequences of one's spiritual allegiance.

In summary, biblical references to markings emphasize the importance of being set apart for God, both physically and spiritually, and serve as a reminder of the believer's identity and commitment to the divine covenant.

Do Your Best --Leave the Rest.
... For we have Jesus. Let these who leave Him out grow crow-toes, and deeply-bitten
wrinkles, and turkey-foot markings. Without Him how can they help themselves? ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on service/do your bestleave the rest.htm

A Threefold Disease and a Twofold Cure.
... gliding movements. Another of them is fascinated by its wicked beauty, and
talks about its livid markings and its glittering eye. The ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/a threefold disease and a.htm

The First Beatitude
... for a moth that flits about the light, or a gnat that dances its hour in the sunbeam,
to be proud because it had longer wings, or prettier markings on them ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the first beatitude.htm

Visitors and Pastimes
... First they had to cut the cardboard. This John did with a very sharp knife. Next,
they drew hearts and diamonds and other necessary markings. ...
/.../byrum/how john became a man/chapter vi visitors and pastimes.htm

John Chapter xvi. 12, 13
... space, but everywhere whole and perfect and infinite, without the gleaming of colors,
without the tracing of bodily outlines, without any markings of letters ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xcvi john chapter xvi.htm

A Letter from a West Indian Cottage Ornee
... butterflies, who seem to dread the blaze outside, and flutter gently from leaf to
leaf, their colouring"which is usually black with markings of orange ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter v a letter from.htm

The Rise of the Assyrian Empire
... A round tower is here substituted for the square structure and a cupola for the
pyramid, while the cornice is represented by crenellated markings. ...
/.../chapter iithe rise of the.htm

The Valleys --Experiences of Suffering and Sacrifice
... for His Son. But sin is here, an abnormal, foreign thing. Life is shot
through and through with its ugly markings. You can't go ...
/.../quiet talks on following the christ/3 the valleysexperiences of suffering.htm

The Gods of Egypt
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 1. <. ...
/.../chapter ii the gods of egypt.htm

Markings (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Markings (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah 13:23 Is it possible
for the skin of the Ethiopian to be changed, or the markings on the leopard? ...
/m/markings.htm - 6k

Marking (11 Occurrences)

/m/marking.htm - 10k

Marks (25 Occurrences)

/m/marks.htm - 13k

Quail (5 Occurrences)
... Quail are like the gray, brown and tan of earth. Their plumage is cut and penciled
by markings, and their flesh juicy and delicate food. ...
/q/quail.htm - 13k

Kite (3 Occurrences)
... Our first translators used "vulture"; our latest efforts give "falcon," a smaller
bird of different markings, not having the kite's reputation for eyesight. ...
/k/kite.htm - 9k

Obliterate (1 Occurrence)
... to obliterate ideas; to obliterate the monuments of antiquity. 3. (a.) Scarcely
distinct; -- applied to the markings of insects. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/o/obliterate.htm - 7k

Forehead (23 Occurrences)
... strictly forbidden to the Israelite on account of the heathen associations of the
custom (Leviticus 19:28), we find frequent mention made of markings on the ...
/f/forehead.htm - 19k

Damask (1 Occurrence)
... hangings. 4. (n.) Damask or Damascus steel; also, the peculiar markings
or water of such steel. 5. (n.) A deep pink or rose color. ...
/d/damask.htm - 7k

Basilisk (3 Occurrences)
... Several of the harmless snakes have crownlike markings on their heads, and it is
quite conceivable that the basilisk myth may have been founded upon one of ...
/b/basilisk.htm - 9k

Antelope (2 Occurrences)
... inches. The color is pure white with dark brown or black markings. It is a
powerful animal and its horns may inflict dangerous wounds. ...
/a/antelope.htm - 11k

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