The concept of "piercing" in the Bible often carries significant spiritual and symbolic meanings, reflecting both physical and metaphorical dimensions. The term is used in various contexts, from literal descriptions of physical actions to metaphorical expressions of emotional or spiritual experiences.

Physical Piercing

1. Crucifixion of Jesus: One of the most profound instances of piercing in the Bible is the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of John describes how a Roman soldier pierced Jesus' side with a spear after His death to confirm that He was indeed dead. This act fulfilled Old Testament prophecy, as noted in John 19:34-37 : "Instead, one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out... These things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: 'Not one of His bones will be broken,' and, as another Scripture says, 'They will look on the One they have pierced.'"

2. Prophetic References: The piercing of Jesus is also prophesied in the Old Testament. Zechariah 12:10 states, "Then I will pour out on the house of David and on the people of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and prayer, and they will look on Me, the One they have pierced." This prophecy is seen as a foretelling of the Messiah's suffering and the subsequent recognition and mourning by the people.

Metaphorical Piercing

1. Piercing of the Heart: The Bible often uses the imagery of piercing to describe deep emotional or spiritual conviction. In Acts 2:37 , after Peter's sermon at Pentecost, it is recorded, "When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, 'Brothers, what shall we do?'" The phrase "cut to the heart" suggests a piercing conviction brought about by the Holy Spirit, leading to repentance and conversion.

2. Sword of the Spirit: The Word of God is described as a piercing instrument in Hebrews 4:12 : "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart." This metaphor highlights the penetrating power of Scripture to discern and convict the innermost thoughts and intentions of individuals.

3. Piercing of the Soul: In Luke 2:35 , Simeon prophesies to Mary about Jesus, saying, "And a sword will pierce your own soul as well." This piercing refers to the deep sorrow and anguish Mary would experience as she witnessed the suffering and crucifixion of her Son, Jesus Christ.

Symbolic and Spiritual Implications

The theme of piercing in the Bible underscores the profound impact of sin, redemption, and divine truth. It serves as a reminder of the physical suffering endured by Christ for humanity's salvation and the deep spiritual conviction that God's Word can bring to the human heart. The imagery of piercing conveys both the pain of judgment and the hope of redemption, illustrating the transformative power of God's love and truth.6398. palach -- to cleave
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to cleave NASB Word Usage bring forth (1),
pierces through (1), plows (1), sliced (1), splits my open (1). ...
/hebrew/6398.htm - 6k

5365. naqar -- to bore, pick, dig
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to bore, pick, dig NASB Word Usage dug
(1), gouge (1), gouged (1), pick (1), pierces (1), put (1). ...
/hebrew/5365.htm - 6k

Forms Versus Character
... Then, as it were, he pierces deeper, and in another of the texts (I take the liberty
of varying their order) pronounces that 'a new creature' is the all ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/forms versus character.htm

Book v. --General Reply to Sundry of Marcion's Heresies.
... His face; a thorn-inwoven crown His head. 230 Pierces all round; and to the tree
[1675] Himself. ... Pierces, and forth flows blood, nor water less. Thence followed. ...
/.../book v general reply to sundry.htm

Missed Ends
... Just before it is lighted, the chief mourner takes a vessel of water, pierces a
hole in it, walks round the dead, letting the water trickle out, pierces ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter vi missed ends.htm

section 3
... The word of God in the hand of the Holy Ghost pierces to the dividing asunder of
soul and spirit, and we see bit by bit as we can bear it, how we have made ...
//christianbookshelf.org/trotter/parables of the christ-life/section 3.htm

Book Five a Year of Decision. ...
... 2. Let the restless and the unrighteous depart, and flee away from thee. Even so,
thou seest them and thy eye pierces through the shadows in which they run. ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book five a year of.htm

Of Scoffing and Derision.
... A dull contumely quickly vanishes, nobody thinking it worth remembering; but when
tis steeled with Wit, it pierces deep, leaves such impressions in the fancy ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section vii of scoffing and.htm

The Use of Fear in Religion.
... and an emphasis that precludes all misapprehension and narrow construction of the
original law, and renders it a two-edged sword that pierces to the dividing ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/shedd/sermons to the natural man/the use of fear in.htm

The Pruning Knife
... No; it is the Word of God that is the knife, shaper than any two-edged sword, that
pierces even to the dividing asunder of the soul and spirit, and is quick to ...
/.../the true vine meditations for a month on john 151-16/the pruning knife.htm

Twenty-First Day. Bearing the Cross.
... Rejoice in the assurance that He gives not one atom more of earthly trial than He
sees to be really needful; not one redundant thorn pierces your feet. ...
/.../macduff/the mind of jesus/twenty-first day bearing the cross.htm

Second Sermon for Epiphany
... keener grows this craving after something higher than itself, so that ofttimes with
God's lightest touch upon the naked soul, the longing pierces through flesh ...
/.../vi second sermon for epiphany.htm

Pierces (8 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Pierces (8 Occurrences). Hebrews 4:12 For God's Message
is full of life and power, and is keener than the sharpest two-edged sword. ...
/p/pierces.htm - 8k

Reliest (6 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 18:21 Now behold, thou reliest upon the staff of that broken reed, upon
Egypt, on which if a man lean, it goes into his hand and pierces it: so is ...
/r/reliest.htm - 8k

Point (106 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt & i.) To appoint. 2. (n.) That which pricks or pierces; the sharp end of
anything, esp. the sharp end of a piercing instrument, as a needle or a pin. ...
/p/point.htm - 40k

Rely (31 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 18:21 Now behold, thou reliest upon the staff of that broken reed, upon
Egypt, on which if a man lean, it goes into his hand and pierces it: so is ...
/r/rely.htm - 15k

Psychology
... The writer evidently meant that, as a sharp two-edged sword pierces to the very
marrow in its sundering process, so the sword of the spirit cuts through all ...
/p/psychology.htm - 38k

Keener (2 Occurrences)
... It pierces even to the severance of soul from spirit, and penetrates between the
joints and the marrow, and it can discern the secret thoughts and purposes of ...
/k/keener.htm - 7k

Thrill (2 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) Hence, to affect, as if by something that pierces or pricks; to cause to
have a shivering, throbbing, tingling, or exquisite sensation; to pierce; to ...
/t/thrill.htm - 7k

Dart (9 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Anything resembling a dart; anything that pierces or wounds like a dart.
3. (n.) A spear set as a prize in running. 4. (n.) A fish; the dace. See Dace. ...
/d/dart.htm - 10k

Penetrates (1 Occurrence)
... It pierces even to the severance of soul from spirit, and penetrates between the
joints and the marrow, and it can discern the secret thoughts and purposes of ...
/p/penetrates.htm - 6k

Pierced-through (1 Occurrence)
Pierced-through. Pierced, Pierced-through. Pierces . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(YLT). Pierced, Pierced-through. Pierces . Reference Bible.
/p/pierced-through.htm - 6k

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