In the Bible, the concept of "shape" is often used metaphorically to describe the form, structure, or condition of both physical and spiritual entities. The term itself may not frequently appear in the text, but the idea is woven throughout Scripture in various contexts, illustrating God's creative power, the nature of humanity, and the transformation of believers.

Creation and Divine Order

The Bible begins with the account of creation, where God brings order and shape to the formless void. Genesis 1:2 states, "Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters." Here, God shapes the universe, establishing the heavens and the earth, and giving form to all living creatures. This act of shaping is a testament to His sovereignty and creative authority.

Humanity's Form

Human beings are uniquely shaped by God, both physically and spiritually. Genesis 2:7 describes the creation of man: "Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being." This verse highlights the intimate involvement of God in shaping humanity, emphasizing the special relationship between the Creator and His creation.

Spiritual Transformation

The concept of shape is also significant in the spiritual transformation of believers. In Romans 12:2 , Paul exhorts Christians, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This transformation involves a reshaping of one's inner being to align with God's will, moving away from worldly patterns and towards a Christ-like character.

The Potter and the Clay

A powerful metaphor for God's shaping influence is found in the imagery of the potter and the clay. Isaiah 64:8 declares, "But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are our potter; we all are the work of Your hand." This metaphor illustrates God's authority to mold and shape His people according to His purpose, underscoring the relationship between the Creator and His creation.

The Body of Christ

The New Testament further explores the idea of shape in the context of the Church, often referred to as the Body of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, Paul describes the Church as a body with many parts, each with its own function and shape, working together in unity. This imagery emphasizes the diversity and interdependence of believers, shaped by the Holy Spirit to fulfill God's mission on earth.

Eternal Shape

Finally, the Bible speaks of the ultimate transformation and shaping of believers in the resurrection. Philippians 3:21 promises, "He will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself." This future hope reflects the culmination of God's shaping work, as believers are conformed to the image of Christ in eternity.

Throughout Scripture, the concept of shape serves as a profound reminder of God's creative power, His intimate involvement in the lives of His people, and the transformative work He accomplishes in and through them.1. (n.) To form or create; especially, to mold or make into a particular form; to give proper form or figure to.

2. (n.) To adapt to a purpose; to regulate; to adjust; to direct; as, to shape the course of a vessel.

3. (n.) To image; to conceive; to body forth.

4. (n.) To design; to prepare; to plan; to arrange.

5. (v. i.) To suit; to be adjusted or conformable.

6. (n.) Character or construction of a thing as determining its external appearance; outward aspect; make; figure; form; guise; as, the shape of a tree; the shape of the head; an elegant shape.

7. (n.) That which has form or figure; a figure; an appearance; a being.

8. (n.) A model; a pattern; a mold.

9. (n.) Form of embodiment, as in words; form, as of thought or conception; concrete embodiment or example, as of some quality.

10. (n.) Dress for disguise; guise.

11. (n.) A rolled or hammered piece, as a bar, beam, angle iron, etc., having a cross section different from merchant bar.

12. (n.) A piece which has been roughly forged nearly to the form it will receive when completely forged or fitted.

SHAPE

shap: In the King James Version the translation of eidos, "form," "appearance" (Luke 3:22 John 5:37), and of homoioma, "likeness," "resemblance" (Revelation 9:7). The meaning of these words is not so much "tangible shape," in which sense we use the word in modern English, but rather "aspect," "appearance," the looks of a thing or a person. This is even the case where the word is joined with the adjective somatikos, "bodily" as in the passage Luke 3:22, "The Holy Spirit descended in a bodily form (i.e. "in a corporeal appearance," the King James Version "in a bodily shape"), as a dove, upon him." The second passage also refers to the "appearance" of God, and cannot therefore be regarded as material shape: "Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his form" (the King James Version "shape") (John 5:37). As has been seen from the above quotations, the Revised Version (British and American) which retains the translation "shape" for homoioma, has translated eidos with "form," which also serves to render several other Greek synonyms, such as morphe (Mark 16:12 Philippians 2:6 f), morphosis (Romans 2:20 2 Timothy 3:5), tupos (the Revised Version margin "pattern" Romans 6:17), and hupotuposis (the Revised Version (British and American) "pattern," 2 Timothy 1:13). In the King James Version The Wisdom of Solomon 18:1 "shape" translates morphe, the Revised Version (British and American) "form."

H. L. E. Luering

1491. eidos -- appearance, fashion, shape, sight.
... 1490b, 1491. eidos. 1491a . appearance, fashion, shape, sight. Part of
Speech ... seen His .". appearance, fashion, shape, sight. From ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1491.htm - 7k

3444. morphe -- form, shape
... form, shape. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: morphe Phonetic Spelling:
(mor-fay') Short Definition: form, shape, outward appearance Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3444.htm - 6k

4976. schema -- figure, shape
... figure, shape. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: schema Phonetic Spelling:
(skhay'-mah) Short Definition: fashion, habit, form, appearance Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4976.htm - 7k

1491a. eidon -- appearance, fashion, shape, sight.
... 1491, 1491a. eidon. 1491b . appearance, fashion, shape, sight. Transliteration:
eidon Short Definition: appearance. Word Origin a prim. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1491a.htm - 5k

1294. diastrepho -- to distort, fig. misinterpret, corrupt
... 1294 (from 1223 , "through, thoroughly," which intensifies 4762 , "turn") -- properly,
turned through (thoroughly), into a new shape which however is ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1294.htm - 7k

2936. ktizo -- to build, create
... to build, create. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: ktizo Phonetic Spelling:
(ktid'-zo) Short Definition: I create, form, shape, make Definition: I create ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2936.htm - 7k

3445. morphoo -- to form
... to form. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: morphoo Phonetic Spelling:
(mor-fo'-o) Short Definition: I form, fashion, shape Definition: I form, fashion, ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3445.htm - 6k

807. aschemoneo -- to act unbecomingly
... Cognate: 807 (from 809 , "without proper shape, form") -- to act unseemly (literally,
"improperly"); (figuratively) to lack proper form and hence thought of as ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/807.htm - 7k

809. aschemon -- shapeless, ie fig. unseemly
... 809 (an adverb, derived from 1 "without" and 4976 , "external shape") -- properly,
lacking proper appeal (), ie (unattractive); lacking respect because (not ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/809.htm - 7k

2847. kokkinos -- scarlet
... scarlet, crimson. From kokkos (from the kernel-shape of the insect); crimson-colored --
scarlet (colour, coloured). see GREEK kokkos. (kokkinen) -- 1 Occurrence ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2847.htm - 6k

7095. qetseb -- a cut, shape, extremity
... 7094, 7095. qetseb. 7096 . a cut, shape, extremity. Transliteration: qetseb
Phonetic Spelling: (keh'-tseb) Short Definition: form. ...
/hebrew/7095.htm - 6k

1254a. bara -- to shape, create
... 1254, 1254a. bara. 1254b . to shape, create. Transliteration: bara Short
Definition: created. Word Origin a prim. root Definition ...
/hebrew/1254a.htm - 5k

6458. pasal -- to hew, hew into shape
... 6457, 6458. pasal. 6459 . to hew, hew into shape. Transliteration: pasal Phonetic
Spelling: (paw-sal') Short Definition: cut. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/6458.htm - 5k

6087b. atsab -- to shape, fashion
... atsab. 6088 . to shape, fashion. Transliteration: atsab Short Definition: fashioned. ...
root Definition to shape, fashion NASB Word Usage fashioned (1), image (1) ...
/hebrew/6087b.htm - 5k

1254. bara' -- to shape, create
... 1253b, 1254. bara'. 1254a . to shape, create. Transliteration: bara' Phonetic
Spelling: (baw-raw') Short Definition: choose. choose ...
/hebrew/1254.htm - 5k

1731. dud -- a pot, jar
... From the same as dowd; a pot (for boiling); also (by resemblance of shape) a basket --
basket, caldron, kettle, (seething) pot. see HEBREW dowd. 1730, 1731. ...
/hebrew/1731.htm - 6k

1823. demuth -- likeness, similitude
... From damah; resemblance; concretely, model, shape; adverbially, like -- fashion,
like (-ness, as), manner, similitude. see HEBREW damah. 1822, 1823. ...
/hebrew/1823.htm - 6k

8071. simlah -- a wrapper, mantle
... Perhaps by permutation for the feminine of cemel (through the idea of a cover assuming
the shape of the object beneath); a dress, especially a mantle -- apparel ...
/hebrew/8071.htm - 6k

4758. mareh -- sight, appearance, vision
... From ra'ah; a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether
(real) a shape (especially if handsome, comeliness; often plural the looks ...
/hebrew/4758.htm - 6k

8544. temunah -- likeness, form
... Or tmunah {tem-oo-naw'}; from miyn; something portioned (ie Fashioned) out, as a
shape, ie (indefinitely) phantom, or (specifically) embodiment, or ...
/hebrew/8544.htm - 6k

Introductory, in the Shape of an Inscription to his Friend ...
... A Treatise on the Merits and Forgiveness of Sins, and on the Baptism of Infants
Chapter 1 [I.]"Introductory, in the Shape of an Inscription to His Friend ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 1 i introductory in the.htm

The Shape of God in Man.
... Homily XVI. Chapter XIX."The Shape of God in Man. And Simon said: "I should
like to know, Peter, if you really believe that the ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter xix the shape of god.htm

Man in the Shape of God.
... Homily XVII. Chapter VII."Man in the Shape of God. ... [1330] For He has shape, and He
has every limb primarily and solely for beauty's sake, and not for use. ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter vii man in the shape.htm

The Nature and Shape of God.
... Homily XVII. Chapter X."The Nature and Shape of God. ... What affection ought therefore
to arise within us if we gaze with our mind on His beautiful shape! ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter x the nature and shape.htm

Whether Christ Should have Appeared to the Disciples "In Another ...
... OF THE MANIFESTATION OF THE RESURRECTION (SIX ARTICLES) Whether Christ
should have appeared to the disciples "in another shape"? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ should have appeared.htm

A Book of Modern Social Inquiry Has a Shape that is Somewhat ...
... Chapter 1 A book of modern social inquiry has a shape that is somewhat
sharply defined.? A book of modern social inquiry has a ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 1 a book of.htm

Why Simon Gave to Faustus his Own Shape.
... Homily XX. Chapter XVI."Why Simon Gave to Faustus His Own Shape. And my
father said: "I have sinned; I confess it." And Annubion ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter xvi why simon gave to.htm

Peter Promises to Restore to Faustus his Own Shape.
... Homily XX. Chapter XVIII."Peter Promises to Restore to Faustus His Own
Shape. Then Peter promised to us to restore the shape of ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter xviii peter promises to restore.htm

Wrong Derivation of the Word Theos the Name Indicative of the True ...
... Book II. Chapter IV."Wrong Derivation of the Word Theos The Name Indicative of the
True Deity. God Without Shape and Immaterial. Anecdote of Thales. ...
/.../tertullian/ad nationes/chapter iv wrong derivation of the.htm

The Holy Ghost Descended in the Shape of Cloven Tongues of Fire on ...
... [Way-1-114] The Holy Ghost descended in the shape of cloven tongues of
fire on the heads? The Holy Ghost descended in the shape ...
/.../law/the way to divine knowledge/way-1-114 the holy ghost descended.htm

Shape (17 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) To adapt to a purpose; to regulate; to adjust; to direct; as, to shape the
course of a vessel. 3. (n.) To image; to conceive; to body forth. ...
/s/shape.htm - 14k

Form (153 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A suffix used to denote in the form / shape of, resembling, etc.;
as, valiform; oviform. ... 7. (n.) A shape; an image; a phantom. ...
/f/form.htm - 45k

Fashion (24 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The make or form of anything; the style, shape, appearance, or mode of
structure; pattern, model; as, the fashion of the ark, of a coat, of a house, of ...
/f/fashion.htm - 21k

Pan (26 Occurrences)
... the following words: (1) machabhath, "pan" the King James Version, "baking-pan"
the Revised Version (British and American), a dish of uncertain shape and size ...
/p/pan.htm - 20k

Frame (33 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To fit to something else, or for some specific end; to adjust; to regulate;
to shape; to conform. 4. (vt) To cause; to bring about; to produce. ...
/f/frame.htm - 19k

Distortion (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) The act of distorting, or twisting out of natural or regular shape; a twisting
or writhing motion; as, the distortions of the face or body. ...
/d/distortion.htm - 7k

Cast (640 Occurrences)
... 17. (vt) To form into a particular shape, by pouring liquid metal or other material
into a mold; to fashion; to found; as, to cast bells, stoves, bullets. 18. ...
/c/cast.htm - 41k

Basket (40 Occurrences)
... There is little, however, in these names, or in the narratives where they are found,
to indicate definitely what the differences of size and shape and use were ...
/b/basket.htm - 27k

Turn (963 Occurrences)
... 6. (vt) To form in a lathe; to shape or fashion (anything) by applying a cutting
tool to it while revolving; as, to turn the legs of stools or tables; to turn ...
/t/turn.htm - 41k

Apostles'
... the Old Roman Form, going back certainly as early as the middle of the 2nd century
(about 140 AD), the latter, the enlarged form, in its present shape, of much ...
/a/apostles'.htm - 20k

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