The term "sank" is a past tense form of the verb "sink," which appears in various contexts throughout the Bible. It is often used to describe the physical act of descending or being submerged, typically in water. This entry explores the occurrences and significance of "sank" within the biblical narrative, drawing from the Berean Standard Bible for scriptural references.

Occurrences in Scripture

1. Exodus 15:10 · In the Song of Moses, celebrating the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, the term "sank" is used to describe the fate of the Egyptian army: "But You blew with Your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters." This passage highlights God's power and the miraculous nature of the Israelites' escape, as the pursuing Egyptians were overwhelmed by the returning waters of the Red Sea.

2. Judges 5:21 · In the Song of Deborah, a poetic account of Israel's victory over the Canaanite forces, the term is used metaphorically: "The river Kishon swept them away, the ancient river, the river Kishon. March on, my soul, in strength!" Here, the river is personified as an agent of divine judgment, and the enemies of Israel are depicted as being swept away, or "sank," by its waters.

3. Psalm 69:2 · The psalmist uses the imagery of sinking to express a deep sense of distress and desperation: "I have sunk into the miry depths, where there is no footing; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me." This vivid metaphor conveys the overwhelming nature of the psalmist's troubles and his urgent need for divine rescue.

4. Matthew 14:30 · In the New Testament, the account of Peter walking on water towards Jesus includes the use of "sank": "But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, 'Lord, save me!'" This incident underscores the importance of faith and reliance on Christ, as Peter's fear and doubt lead to his sinking, prompting him to call upon Jesus for salvation.

Theological Significance

The concept of sinking in the Bible often serves as a metaphor for human vulnerability and the need for divine intervention. In the Old Testament, it is frequently associated with God's deliverance of His people and the defeat of their enemies. The imagery of sinking conveys the idea of being overwhelmed by forces beyond human control, whether they be physical, emotional, or spiritual.

In the New Testament, the account of Peter sinking while attempting to walk on water illustrates the necessity of faith in Jesus. It serves as a reminder that human strength and resolve are insufficient without trust in the Lord. The act of sinking, therefore, becomes a catalyst for seeking God's help and experiencing His saving power.

Conclusion

While the term "sank" may appear in various forms and contexts throughout the Bible, its underlying message remains consistent: it is a powerful reminder of human frailty and the need for divine assistance. Whether describing the physical submersion of enemies or the metaphorical descent into despair, the concept of sinking ultimately points to the hope and deliverance found in God.1. (v.) imp. of Sink.

2. (p. p.) of Sink.

6749. tsalal -- to sink, be submerged
... 6748, 6749. tsalal. 6750 . to sink, be submerged. Transliteration: tsalal Phonetic
Spelling: (tsaw-lal') Short Definition: sank. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/6749.htm - 6k

4355. makak -- to be low or humiliated
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to be low or humiliated NASB Word Usage brought
low (1), sag (1), sank down (1). be brought low, decay. ...
/hebrew/4355.htm - 6k

2658. chaphar -- to dig, search for
... root Definition to dig, search for NASB Word Usage 76,500* (1), dig (2), digs (1),
dug (11), hollowed (1), look around (1), paws (1), sank (1), search (3 ...
/hebrew/2658.htm - 6k

3766. kara -- to bow down
... me very low (1), couches (2), crouch (1), feeble (1), fell (1), kneel down (2),
kneeled down (1), kneeled* (1), kneeling (1), kneels* (1), sank (1), subdued (3 ...
/hebrew/3766.htm - 6k

5123. num -- to be drowsy, slumber
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to be drowsy, slumber NASB Word Usage sank
(1), sleeping (1), slumber (3), slumbers (1). sleep, slumber. ...
/hebrew/5123.htm - 5k

2883. taba -- to sink, sink down
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to sink, sink down NASB Word Usage drowned
(1), sank (2), settled (1), sink (1), sunk (4), sunk down (1). ...
/hebrew/2883.htm - 6k

7290a. radam -- to be in or fall into heavy sleep
... into heavy sleep NASB Word Usage cast into a dead sleep (1), dead sleep (1), deep
sleep (2), fallen sound asleep (1), fell into a deep sleep (1), sank into a ...
/hebrew/7290a.htm - 5k

3381. yarad -- to come or go down, descend
... 1), let us down (1), let...down (1), lowered (3), once (1), poured (1), poured down
(1), pull down (1), put down (1), put off (1), run down (5), sank down (1 ...
/hebrew/3381.htm - 7k

3318. yatsa -- to go or come out
... 1), put away (2), put forth (1), reach (1), released (1), reported (1), revert
(3), reverts (2), risen (1), rises (1), rising (1), said* (1), sank (1), send (1 ...
/hebrew/3318.htm - 8k

Two Sunsets
... In the distant west the sun sank quietly and serenely toward the horizon. ... A little
while she was quiet. Then her life's sun sank to its rest. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk forty-nine two sunsets.htm

Methodism on the Stage
... actors went on. In the middle of the second act, all the shilling seats
gave a crack, and sank several inches down. A great noise ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/methodism on the stage.htm

Jesus on Mount Golgotha.
... The fall was a dreadful one, but the guards only struck him the harder to force
him to get up, and no sooner did he reach Calvary that he sank down again for ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter xxxvi jesus on mount.htm

"I do Indeed Live by Preaching!"
... When he rose from his knees, John, who was swimming, called him again and, treading
the water, said, 'See, it is only breast-high.' He stepped in and sank. ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/i do indeed live by.htm

Wesley Covered with Mud
... I was inclined to turn back; but Duncan telling me I needed only go a little
to the left, I did so and sank at once to my horse's shoulders. ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesley covered with mud.htm

"A Terrible Sight"
... She immediately sank down as sleep; but, as soon as we left off, broke out again,
with inexpressible vehemence: "Stony hearts, break! I am a warning to you. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/wesley/the journal of john wesley/a terrible sight.htm

CM Mrs. Hemans. Christ Stilling the Tempest.
... 2 But the wind ceased,"it ceased,"a word Passed through the gloomy sky; The
troubled billows knew their Lord, And sank beneath his eye. ...
/.../various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/115 c m mrs hemans.htm

Women who Saved a Nation
... pierced his temples. At her feet he sank down and lay still, At her feet he
sank, he fell; There he fell, a victim slain! "Through the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/women who saved a nation.htm

Entire Sanctification as Taught by Paul.
... senselessness they changed the glory of the incorruptible God into the baser image
of "birds and four-footed beasts and creeping things." They sank into the ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter vii entire sanctification as.htm

Andromeda
... his people, Came to the mountain of oaks, to the house of the terrible sea-gods,
Hard by the gulf in the rocks, where of old the world-wide deluge Sank to the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/andromeda.htm

Sank (19 Occurrences)
... 1. (v.) imp. of Sink. 2. (pp) of Sink. Multi-Version Concordance Sank (19 Occurrences). ...
Be still!" The wind sank, and a perfect calm set in. (WEY). ...
/s/sank.htm - 12k

Sanctuary (250 Occurrences)
... TEMPLE. kort, sank'-tu-a-ri: By "court" (chatser) is meant a clear space
enclosed by curtains or walls, or surrounded by buildings. ...
/s/sanctuary.htm - 63k

Jehoram (27 Occurrences)
... But Jehoram, becoming confident in his own power, sank into idolatry, and brought
upon himself and his land another Syrian invasion, which led to great ...
/j/jehoram.htm - 30k

Siddim (3 Occurrences)
... In 1819 an area of 2,000 square miles about the delta of the Indus sank beneath
the level of the sea, so that the tops of the houses were barely seen above the ...
/s/siddim.htm - 14k

Vale (20 Occurrences)
... In 1819 an area of 2,000 square miles about the delta of the Indus sank beneath
the level of the sea, so that the tops of the houses were barely seen above the ...
/v/vale.htm - 29k

Covered (325 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). Exodus 15:5 The depths have covered them:
they sank into the bottom as a stone. ... They sank like lead in the mighty waters. ...
/c/covered.htm - 37k

Lowered (14 Occurrences)
... down Jeremiah with cords. In the dungeon there was no water, but mire; and
Jeremiah sank in the mire. (See NIV). Ezekiel 1:24 When ...
/l/lowered.htm - 10k

Legislation
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SANCTITY, LEGISLATION OF. sank'-ti-ti,
lej-is-la'-shun. See ASTRONOMY, sec. I, 5, (6). LEGISLATION, OF SANCTITY. ...
/l/legislation.htm - 7k

Guardhouse (6 Occurrences)
... down Jeremiah with cords. And in the pit there was no water, but mire; and
Jeremiah sank in the mire. (See NAS). Jeremiah 38:13 So ...
/g/guardhouse.htm - 8k

Gideon (45 Occurrences)
... After the victory gained by Deborah and Barak over Jabin, Israel once more sank
into idolatry, and the Midianites (qv) and Amalekites, with other "children of ...
/g/gideon.htm - 36k

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