Topical Encyclopedia
The appearance of blood in the biblical narrative often signifies divine intervention, judgment, or covenant. Throughout Scripture, blood serves as a powerful symbol of life, sacrifice, and redemption. Below is a catalogue of instances where blood appears miraculously, highlighting its theological significance.
1.
The First Plague: Water Turned to Blood (Exodus 7:14-25) In the first of the ten plagues upon Egypt, God commands Moses to strike the waters of the Nile with his staff, turning them into blood. This miraculous transformation serves as a judgment against Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt, demonstrating Yahweh's supremacy. The Nile, a source of life for the Egyptians, becomes a source of death, as "the fish in the Nile died, and the river smelled so bad that the Egyptians could not drink its water" (
Exodus 7:21).
2.
The Blood of the Covenant (Exodus 24:3-8) At Mount Sinai, Moses ratifies the covenant between God and Israel by offering sacrifices and sprinkling blood on the altar and the people. This act signifies the binding nature of the covenant and the people's commitment to obey God's law. "Moses took the blood, sprinkled it on the people, and said, 'This is the blood of the covenant that the LORD has made with you in accordance with all these words'" (
Exodus 24:8).
3.
The Scarlet Cord of Rahab (Joshua 2:17-21) While not a direct appearance of blood, the scarlet cord given to Rahab by the Israelite spies symbolizes protection and redemption. The cord, reminiscent of blood, marks her house for salvation during the conquest of Jericho. This act prefigures the protective power of sacrificial blood, as Rahab and her family are spared due to her faith and obedience.
4.
The Blood of the Passover Lamb (Exodus 12:1-13) The Passover event is central to the narrative of Israel's deliverance from Egypt. Each household is instructed to slaughter a lamb and apply its blood to the doorposts and lintel. The blood serves as a sign for the LORD to "pass over" the houses of the Israelites, sparing them from the plague of the firstborn. "The blood on the houses where you are staying will distinguish them; when I see the blood, I will pass over you" (
Exodus 12:13).
5.
The Blood of Atonement (Leviticus 16:14-19) On the Day of Atonement, the high priest enters the Holy of Holies to sprinkle the blood of a bull and a goat on the mercy seat. This ritual purifies the sanctuary and atones for the sins of the people. The blood signifies the life given in exchange for sin, pointing to the ultimate atonement through Christ. "He shall sprinkle it with his finger on the mercy seat on the east side, and before the mercy seat he shall sprinkle some of it with his finger seven times" (
Leviticus 16:14).
6.
The Blood of Christ (Hebrews 9:11-14) The New Testament presents the blood of Christ as the fulfillment of the sacrificial system. Jesus, the perfect High Priest, offers His own blood for the eternal redemption of humanity. His sacrifice cleanses the conscience and grants access to God. "How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from works of death, so that we may serve the living God!" (
Hebrews 9:14).
7.
The Blood of the Martyrs (Revelation 6:9-11) In the apocalyptic vision of Revelation, the souls of the martyrs cry out for justice, their blood symbolizing their faithful witness unto death. Their sacrifice is honored by God, who promises vindication. "They called out in a loud voice, 'How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You avenge our blood and judge those who dwell upon the earth?'" (
Revelation 6:10).
These instances underscore the profound theological themes associated with blood in the biblical narrative, emphasizing its role in divine judgment, covenant, and redemption.
Nave's Topical Index
2 Kings 3:20-22And it came to pass in the morning, when the meat offering was offered, that, behold, there came water by the way of Edom, and the country was filled with water.
Nave's Topical Index
Library
Our First Proposition Was, that There is Satisfactory Evidence ...
... time, to attribute to him a catalogue of miracles ... blind from his birth; also many
miracles besides cures ... bearer; perhaps, also, the imagined appearance of the ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/chapter i our first proposition.htm
Church History
... Chapter V.--The Time of his Appearance among Men. ... Chapter VI.--Catalogue of
the Bishops of Rome. ... Chapter IX.--The Miracles of Narcissus. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pamphilius/church history/
Acts XVII
... power of the Holy Spirit, working miracles before them ... and there was always sufficient
appearance of antagonism ... a complete exhaustion of the catalogue of base ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xvii.htm
The Church of God.
... the kingdom of God." In this catalogue of evil ... prophets, thirdly teachers, after
that miracles, then gifts ... be an example and abstain from all appearance of evil ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter vii the church of.htm
Acts XIII
... It will be observed that, in this catalogue of names ... the apostolic office was the
power to work miracles. ... fulfillment of that promise in the appearance of Jesus ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xiii.htm
Rom. Iii. 18-Sep
... Son of Abraham," and then begins the catalogue of Isaac ... have had so wonderful and
unusual an appearance as now ... cause, even if a man do miracles, have celibacy ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily vii rom iii 18-sep.htm
The Plenary Inspiration of Every Part of the Bible, vindicated and ...
... even in its humblest, and (to all appearance) most human ... taken against a genealogy,
or a catalogue of names ... its Maker; and pronounces, now Miracles, now Prophecy ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/sermon iv the plenary inspiration.htm
The Christ of the Gospels. By Rev. Professor Schaff.
... expressly reserve the performance of miracles to the ... and things from their outward
appearance, and of ... supposed, however, that a complete catalogue of virtues ...
/.../the christ of the gospels.htm
Thoughts Upon the Mystery of the Trinity.
... A little before our Saviour's appearance in the World ... which he had preached, confirmed
with Miracles, and sealed with ... his own Name out of the Catalogue of those ...
/.../private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon the mystery of.htm
Of the Five Sacraments, Falsely So Called. Their Spuriousness ...
... What is seen has bodily appearance, what is understood ... exert those manifest powers,
nor dispense miracles by the ... The fourth place in their catalogue is held by ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 19 of the five.htm
Resources
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