In biblical literature, the term "portent" refers to a sign or omen that indicates a future event, often of significant or divine nature. Portents are typically associated with God's intervention in human affairs, serving as warnings or messages to His people. The concept of portents is woven throughout the biblical narrative, highlighting God's sovereignty and the unfolding of His divine plan.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, portents are frequently mentioned as signs from God, often accompanying His judgments or significant events. For instance, in the book of Exodus, God uses portents to demonstrate His power to Pharaoh and the Egyptians. The plagues that God sends upon Egypt are described as signs and wonders, intended to compel Pharaoh to release the Israelites from bondage. Exodus 7:3 states, "But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I will multiply My signs and wonders in the land of Egypt."

The prophets also speak of portents as indicators of God's impending actions. In the book of Joel, the prophet describes cosmic disturbances as portents of the Day of the Lord: "I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke" (Joel 2:30). These signs serve as a call to repentance and preparation for the coming judgment.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, portents continue to play a significant role, particularly in the context of eschatological events. Jesus Himself speaks of portents in the Olivet Discourse, where He describes the signs that will precede His second coming. In Luke 21:11 , Jesus says, "There will be great earthquakes, famines, and pestilences in various places, along with fearful sights and great signs from heaven."

The book of Revelation is replete with portents, as it unveils the apocalyptic vision given to the Apostle John. These signs are often symbolic, representing the unfolding of God's final judgment and the ultimate victory of Christ. Revelation 12:1 describes one such portent: "Then a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars on her head."

Theological Significance

Portents in the Bible underscore the belief in a God who is actively involved in the world and communicates with His creation. They serve as reminders of God's power, His justice, and His mercy. For believers, portents are calls to faithfulness and vigilance, urging them to remain steadfast in their devotion to God and to heed His warnings.

Throughout Scripture, portents are not merely supernatural phenomena but are deeply intertwined with the moral and spiritual condition of humanity. They often accompany calls to repentance, as seen in the prophetic literature, and are meant to draw people back to a right relationship with God. As such, portents are integral to the biblical narrative, revealing the dynamic interaction between the divine and the human realms.(n.) That which portends, especially that which portends evil; a sign of coming calamity; an omen; a sign.5059. teras -- a wonder, marvel
... a wonder, marvel. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: teras Phonetic Spelling:
(ter'-as) Short Definition: a wonder, portent Definition: a wonder ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5059.htm - 6k

5400. phobetron -- a (cause of) terror
... fearful sight. Neuter of a derivative of phobeo; a frightening thing, ie Terrific
portent -- fearful sight. see GREEK phobeo. (phobetra) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5400.htm - 6k

4159. mopheth -- a wonder, sign, portent
... 4158, 4159. mopheth or mopheth. 4160 . a wonder, sign, portent. Transliteration:
mopheth or mopheth Phonetic Spelling: (mo-faith') Short Definition: wonders ...
/hebrew/4159.htm - 6k

852. ath -- a sign
... Usage signs (3). sign. (Aramaic) corresponding to 'owth; a portent -- sign.
see HEBREW 'owth. 851, 852. ath. 853 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/852.htm - 6k

That it is not Contrary to Nature That, in an Object Whose Nature ...
... Varro, entitled, Of the Race of the Roman People, I cite word for word the following
instance: "There occurred a remarkable celestial portent; for Castor ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 8 that it is not.htm

Fragment xviii. On the Circumstances Connected with Our Saviour's ...
... Let that opinion pass however; let it carry the majority with it; and let this portent
of the world be deemed an eclipse of the sun, like others a portent only ...
/.../the writings of julius africanus/fragment xviii on the circumstances.htm

But Besides, if Birds of Augury Converse with one Another...
... "A mighty dragon shot, of dire portent; From Jove himself the dreadful sign was
sent. ... And Jove's portent with beating hearts behold." [4042]. ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xci but besides if.htm

Of the Internal Disasters which Vexed the Roman Republic, and ...
... If this was a portent, how serious a calamity must have been portended by a plague
which, whether portent or no, was in itself a serious calamity! ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 23 of the internal disasters.htm

These Things, Since they are Asserted Upon the Warrant of the ...
... Again, they say that Father Bacchus was born from Jupiter's thigh. Here is another
portent, yet it is believed. ... Here is another portent, yet it is believed. ...
/.../11 these things since they.htm

However, as we have Already Remarked, it Cannot but Distress us ...
... That sun, too, in the metropolis of Utica, [450] with light all but extinguished,
was a portent which could not have occurred from an ordinary eclipse ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/to scapula/chapter iii however as we.htm

Hymn for the Epiphany
... Roused by the portent of the sky The sages fix their gaze on high, And speed them
'neath the furrowed way Marked by the star's effulgent ray. ...
/.../prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/xii hymn for the epiphany.htm

The Heir Intervenes
... and pugnacity. Tanis was within hearing of the plaints of Israel, and the
atmosphere quivered with omen and portent. Moses appeared ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxvii the heir intervenes.htm

These Things, Moreover, He Has Said with the view of Showing us ...
... shall say, Behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not." [1811] And yet,
after all these directions, this man, who has neither sign nor portent of any ...
/.../35 these things moreover he.htm

The Unseen Watcher
... came forth and traced upon the walls of the palace characters that gleamed like
fire"words which, though unknown to the vast throng, were a portent of doom ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 43 the unseen watcher.htm

Portent (5 Occurrences)
... (n.) That which portends, especially that which portends evil; a sign of coming
calamity; an omen; a sign. Multi-Version Concordance Portent (5 Occurrences). ...
/p/portent.htm - 7k

Wonder (148 Occurrences)
... In the New Testament the ordinary verb is thaumazo, and the most frequent noun is
teras, a "marvel," "portent," answering in its meaning to Hebrew pala'. ...
/w/wonder.htm - 37k

Wonderful (71 Occurrences)
... In the New Testament the ordinary verb is thaumazo, and the most frequent noun is
teras, a "marvel," "portent," answering in its meaning to Hebrew pala'. ...
/w/wonderful.htm - 29k

Disaster (131 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) An unpropitious or baleful aspect of a planet
or star; malevolent influence of a heavenly body; hence, an ill portent. ...
/d/disaster.htm - 36k

Portals (2 Occurrences)

/p/portals.htm - 6k

Portents (2 Occurrences)

/p/portents.htm - 6k

Ceremony (3 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A ceremonial symbols; an emblem, as a crown, scepter, garland, etc. 4.
(n.) A sign or prodigy; a portent. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/c/ceremony.htm - 8k

Antichrist (4 Occurrences)
... witnessed. Some twelve years before the epistle was penned, the Roman world
had seen in Caligula the portent of a mad emperor. Caligula ...
/a/antichrist.htm - 26k

Fear (970 Occurrences)
... the second death"; phoberos, "fearful," "terrible" (Hebrews 10:27, 31); phobetron,
"something fearful," "a terrible sign or portent" (Luke 21:11, Revised ...
/f/fear.htm - 50k

Miracle (15 Occurrences)
... the unusual, exceptional, and striking character of the works, as pele',
niphla'oth (Exodus 3:20; Exodus 15:11, etc.), teras, literally, "a portent" (in ...
/m/miracle.htm - 44k

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