In biblical times, shading was a significant aspect of daily life, particularly in the arid and sun-drenched regions of the Near East. The concept of shade is frequently used in Scripture, both in a literal and metaphorical sense, to convey protection, refuge, and divine care.

Literal Shading

In the harsh climate of the ancient Near East, shade was a precious commodity. The sun could be relentless, and finding shade was essential for comfort and survival. The Bible often references natural sources of shade, such as trees and rocks, as places of rest and relief. For instance, in the account of Jonah, God provides a plant to give Jonah shade, illustrating His care and provision: "Then the LORD God appointed a plant, and it grew up to provide shade over Jonah’s head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was greatly pleased with the plant" (Jonah 4:6).

Metaphorical Shading

Metaphorically, shade is used throughout Scripture to symbolize God's protection and presence. The psalmist frequently employs this imagery to describe the Lord as a refuge and shield. Psalm 121:5-6 states, "The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is the shade on your right hand. The sun will not strike you by day, nor the moon by night" . Here, shade represents divine protection from harm and danger, emphasizing God's constant vigilance over His people.

Shading in Worship and Prophecy

The concept of shading also appears in the context of worship and prophecy. The tabernacle and later the temple provided a shaded sanctuary where the Israelites could encounter God. The imagery of shade is further extended in prophetic literature, where it often symbolizes the coming peace and restoration under God's reign. Isaiah 4:6 speaks of a future time when God will provide a canopy of shade: "It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain" .

Cultural and Theological Significance

In the cultural context of the Bible, shade was not only a physical necessity but also a symbol of hospitality and community. Offering shade to travelers and guests was a sign of welcome and care. This cultural practice is reflected in the biblical narrative, where providing shade is akin to offering protection and sustenance.

Theologically, shading underscores the theme of God's providence and care for His creation. It serves as a reminder of His presence in times of distress and His promise of rest and peace. The imagery of shade invites believers to trust in God's sheltering presence, as expressed in Psalm 91:1, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty" .

In summary, shading in the Bible is a multifaceted concept that encompasses physical relief, divine protection, and spiritual refuge. It is a powerful symbol of God's enduring care and the promise of His presence amidst the trials of life.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Shade.

2. (n.) Act or process of making a shade.

3. (n.) That filling up which represents the effect of more or less darkness, expressing rotundity, projection, etc., in a picture or a drawing.

644. aposkiasma -- a shadow
... shadow. From a compound of apo and a derivative of skia; a shading off, ie Obscuration
-- shadow. see GREEK apo. see GREEK skia. (aposkiasma) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/644.htm - 7k

3790. ophrus -- an eyebrow
... Perhaps from optanomai (through the idea of the shading or proximity to the organ
of vision); the eye-"brow" or forehead, ie (figuratively) the brink of a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3790.htm - 6k

5646. ab -- perhaps a landing
... Or sob {obe}; from an unused root meaning to cover; properly, equivalent to ab;
but used only as an architectural term, an architrave (as shading the pillars ...
/hebrew/5646.htm - 6k

4628. maarab -- west
... west. Or (feminine) maearabah {mah-ar-aw-baw'}; from arab, in the sense of shading;
the west (as a region of the evening sun) -- west. see HEBREW arab. ...
/hebrew/4628.htm - 6k

section 3
... sin, and the Spirit's incoming has cleared our vision, that the two lives, natural
and spiritual, begin to stand out before us, no longer shading into each ...
//christianbookshelf.org/trotter/parables of the christ-life/section 3.htm

Ye Servants of God, About to Draw Near to God...
... At all events, a work so colourless that doctors can disagree about even
its shading, must be regarded as practically orthodox. ...
/.../tertullian/the shows or de spectaculis/chapter i ye servants of.htm

Family Religion.
... where yon cottage whitens through the green, The loveliest feature of a matchless
scene; Beneath its shading elm, with pious fear, An aged mother draws her ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter iii family religion.htm

The Cardinal was Still in his Room Alone with the Boy Manuel...
... still in his room alone with the boy Manuel, when Madame Patoux, standing at her
door under the waving tendrils of the "creeping jenny" and shading her eyes ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/vi the cardinal was still.htm

Spelling God.
... is being spelled out to all the race by every twinkling star in the upper blue,
every shade of green in the lower brown, by every cooling shading night, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/spelling god.htm

The Spokesman of God.
... Is he studying perspective, shading and spacing, to an exquisite nicety that is
revealed in the very way he puts words and sentences and paragraphs together? ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/the spokesman of god.htm

Tapestry Threads.
... It deepens in its fine shading of blue as you follow it, true blue, the colour true
hearts wear. From the very first Jesus is accepted by some, by many. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/tapestry threads.htm

Practical Observations.
... that most truly receive the Bible and Christ are represented in bright colors, shade
those lands that have a corrupted Christianity, shading according to the ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/practical observations.htm

John v. 39, 40
... And therefore have I spoken these words, to show that you are possessed with excessive
pride, that you are vainly boasting and shading over [1131] your own ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xli john v 39.htm

David the Shepherd Youth.
... The people sat in the sunshine, on the slope of the hill outside the village walls,
shading their eyes and looking on in silence, until seven of the sons of ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/david the shepherd youth.htm

Shading (1 Occurrence)
... a drawing. Multi-Version Concordance Shading (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel 31:3
Lo, Asshur, a cedar in Lebanon, Fair in branch, and shading...
/s/shading.htm - 7k

Stump (7 Occurrences)
... A short, thick roll of leather or paper, cut to a point, or any similar implement,
used to rub down the lines of a crayon or pencil drawing, in shading it, or ...
/s/stump.htm - 10k

Shades (29 Occurrences)

/s/shades.htm - 13k

Outline (4 Occurrences)
... a figure is indicated. 3. (n.) A sketch composed of such lines; the delineation
of a figure without shading. 4. (n.) Fig.: A sketch ...
/o/outline.htm - 8k

Lewd (37 Occurrences)
... There are three Hebrew words translated "lewd," "lewdness": (1) Zimmah, meaning
a "plan," a "purpose," so translated several times and then shading off into ...
/l/lewd.htm - 20k

Lewdness (68 Occurrences)
... There are three Hebrew words translated "lewd," "lewdness": (1) Zimmah, meaning
a "plan," a "purpose," so translated several times and then shading off into ...
/l/lewdness.htm - 29k

Foliage (14 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Ezekiel 31:3 Lo, Asshur, a cedar in Lebanon, Fair in branch, and shading
bough, and high in stature, And between thickets hath its foliage been. ...
/f/foliage.htm - 11k

Thickets (14 Occurrences)
... (See JPS NIV). Ezekiel 31:3 Lo, Asshur, a cedar in Lebanon, Fair in branch, and
shading bough, and high in stature, And between thickets hath its foliage been. ...
/t/thickets.htm - 11k

Relief (32 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) The appearance of projection given by shading, shadow, etc., to any figure.
7. (n.) The height to which works are raised above the bottom of the ditch. ...
/r/relief.htm - 16k

Band (150 Occurrences)
... The English word has two generic meanings, each shading off into several specific
meanings: (1) that which holds together, binds or encircles: a bond; (2) a ...
/b/band.htm - 50k

How should a Christian view anime? | GotQuestions.org

Shading: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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