Shattering
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Definition and Usage in Scripture:
The term "shattering" in the Bible often refers to the act of breaking or destroying something into pieces. It is used both literally and metaphorically to describe physical destruction, emotional devastation, or the breaking of nations and powers. The concept of shattering is frequently associated with God's judgment, the consequences of sin, and the ultimate triumph of divine justice.

Old Testament References:
In the Old Testament, shattering is often depicted as an act of divine judgment against nations and individuals who oppose God's will. For example, in Jeremiah 51:20-23 , God speaks of using Babylon as His weapon of war: "You are My war club, My weapon for battle—with you I shatter nations, with you I destroy kingdoms, with you I shatter horse and rider, with you I shatter chariot and driver, with you I shatter man and woman, with you I shatter old man and youth, with you I shatter young man and maiden, with you I shatter shepherd and flock, with you I shatter farmer and oxen, with you I shatter governors and officials."

The imagery of shattering is also present in the Psalms, where it is used to describe God's power over His enemies. Psalm 2:9 states, "You will break them with an iron scepter; You will shatter them like pottery." This verse highlights the authority and strength of the Messiah, who will ultimately triumph over rebellious nations.

Prophetic and Apocalyptic Contexts:
In prophetic literature, shattering often symbolizes the downfall of empires and the establishment of God's kingdom. The book of Daniel contains visions of shattering that foretell the rise and fall of earthly kingdoms. Daniel 2:34-35 describes a stone that "struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay and crushed them. Then the iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold were shattered and became like chaff on the threshing floor in summer." This vision represents the ultimate victory of God's eternal kingdom over temporal powers.

New Testament Insights:
While the New Testament does not frequently use the term "shattering," the concept is present in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. The breaking of the old covenant and the establishment of the new covenant through Christ's sacrifice can be seen as a form of shattering. Hebrews 8:13 states, "By speaking of a new covenant, He has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear."

Theological Implications:
The theme of shattering in the Bible underscores the transient nature of human power and the enduring sovereignty of God. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and rebellion against divine authority. Shattering also points to the hope of restoration and renewal, as God's ultimate purpose is to bring about a new creation where righteousness dwells.

Practical Application:
Believers are encouraged to reflect on the areas of their lives that may need to be "shattered" or broken down in order to align with God's will. This process, though painful, can lead to spiritual growth and a deeper relationship with God. The imagery of shattering challenges Christians to trust in God's redemptive power and to seek His kingdom above all else.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Shatter.
Greek
4486. rhegnumi -- to break apart, by ext. to throw down
... ie (especially) to sunder (by separation of the parts; katagnumi being its intensive
(with the preposition in composition), and thrauo a shattering to minute ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4486.htm - 7k
Strong's Hebrew
7524. retsach -- a shattering
... 7523, 7524. retsach. 7525 . a shattering. Transliteration: retsach Phonetic
Spelling: (reh-tsakh) Short Definition: shattering. ...
/hebrew/7524.htm - 6k

4660. mappats -- a shattering
... 4659b, 4660. mappats. 4661 . a shattering. Transliteration: mappats Phonetic
Spelling: (map-pawts') Short Definition: shattering. ...
/hebrew/4660.htm - 6k

5310a. naphats -- to shatter
... root Definition to shatter NASB Word Usage broken (1), dash (1), dashes (1), pulverized
(1), shatter (11), shattered (1), shattering (1), smashed (1). ...
/hebrew/5310a.htm - 5k

Library

Essay vi. "The Way of Ancient Ordinance, Though it Winds, is yet ...
... Of the cannon-ball. Direct it flies and rapid, Shattering that it may reach,
and shattering what it reaches. My son! the road the ...
/.../coleridge/confessions of an inquiring spirit etc/essay vi the way of.htm

section 4
... that we are but earthen pitchers, like Gideon's, with nothing of our own but the
light within, and yet we may not have passed through the shattering that sheds ...
//christianbookshelf.org/trotter/parables of the christ-life/section 4.htm

The Soul's Origin Defined Out of the Simple Words of Scripture.
... exhaled from philosophy, obscure the clear and wholesome atmosphere of truth, it
will be for Christians to clear away, both by shattering to pieces the ...
/.../tertullian/a treatise on the soul/chapter iii the souls origin defined.htm

Ode to the North-East Wind
... Through the black fir-forest Thunder harsh and dry, Shattering down the
snow-flakes Off the curdled sky. Hark! The brave North-easter! ...
/.../kingsley/andromeda and other poems/ode to the north-east wind.htm

On Eutropius, the Eunuch, Patrician and Consul.
... They are gone"all gone: a wind has blown upon the tree shattering down all its leaves,
and showing it to us quite bare, and shaken from its very root; for so ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily i on eutropius the.htm

The New Garment Bent
... Never was there a sadder eclipse. We are here told first how the instrument
for shattering Solomon's kingdom was shaped by himself. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the new garment bent.htm

The Shepherd-King
... Samuel yearned over the man whom he had learned to love, and it must have been pain
to him to see the shattering of the vessel which he had formed. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the shepherd-king.htm

Of the Fact That, on the Subject of the Destruction of Idols, the ...
... 24. Nevertheless these persons argue still to the effect that this demolition of
temples, and this condemnation of sacrifices, and this shattering of all images ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter xvi of the fact that.htm

January.
... curlew pipe. Through the black fir forest Thunder harsh and dry, Shattering
down the snow-flakes Off the curdled sky. . . . . Come ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/daily thoughts /january.htm

"There was Also an Illustrious Name of Another Anchorite in those ...
... him on eating these, and all his vitals were tortured with terrific pains, while
frequent vomitings, attended by excruciating agonies, were shattering the very ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xvi there was also.htm

Thesaurus
Shattering (5 Occurrences)
...Shattering (5 Occurrences). Revelation 2:27 He will rule them with a rod of iron,
shattering them like clay pots; as I also have received of my Father: (WEB). ...
/s/shattering.htm - 8k

Shatters (8 Occurrences)

/s/shatters.htm - 8k

Pots (30 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV BBE WBS NAS). Revelation 2:27 He will rule them with a rod of iron,
shattering them like clay pots; as I also have received of my Father: (WEB RSV) ...
/p/pots.htm - 15k

Dash (30 Occurrences)
... Revelation 2:27 He will rule them with a rod of iron, shattering them like
clay pots; as I also have received of my Father: (See NIV). ...
/d/dash.htm - 19k

Shatterer (1 Occurrence)

/s/shatterer.htm - 6k

Scepter (28 Occurrences)
... (WEB WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Revelation 2:27 He will rule them with a rod of iron,
shattering them like clay pots; as I also have received of my Father: (See NIV) ...
/s/scepter.htm - 18k

Shipwreck (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The breaking in pieces, or shattering, of a ship or other vessel by being
cast ashore or driven against rocks, shoals, etc., by the violence of the ...
/s/shipwreck.htm - 8k

Rod (138 Occurrences)
... Revelation 2:27 He will rule them with a rod of iron, shattering them like clay
pots; as I also have received of my Father: (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT ...
/r/rod.htm - 42k

Clay (50 Occurrences)
... (WEB NIV). Revelation 2:27 He will rule them with a rod of iron, shattering them
like clay pots; as I also have received of my Father: (WEB). ...
/c/clay.htm - 25k

Rehoboam (42 Occurrences)
... 2. Underlying Causes of Disruption: It is a mistake, however, to see in the disruption
the shattering of a kingdom that had long been a harmonious whole. ...
/r/rehoboam.htm - 34k

Resources
What should I do when God says no? | GotQuestions.org

What is a publican in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Why is marital infidelity so destructive? | GotQuestions.org

Shattering: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Shattering (5 Occurrences)

Revelation 2:27
He will rule them with a rod of iron, shattering them like clay pots; as I also have received of my Father:
(WEB)

Psalms 42:10
As with a sword in my bones, my adversaries reproach me, while they continually ask me, "Where is your God?"
(See NAS)

Ezekiel 9:2
Behold, six men came from the way of the upper gate, which lies toward the north, every man with his slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man in the midst of them clothed in linen, with a writer's inkhorn by his side. They went in, and stood beside the bronze altar.
(See NAS)

Daniel 8:7
I saw him come close to the ram, and he was moved with anger against him, and struck the ram, and broke his two horns; and there was no power in the ram to stand before him; but he cast him down to the ground, and trampled on him; and there was none who could deliver the ram out of his hand.
(See NIV)

Daniel 12:7
And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, when he lifted up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and swore by Him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and a half; and when they have made an end of breaking in pieces the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.
(See NAS RSV)

Subtopics

Shattering

Related Terms

Shatter (26 Occurrences)

Shattering (5 Occurrences)

Shaul (10 Occurrences)

Burns (34 Occurrences)

Breaks (35 Occurrences)

Wars (24 Occurrences)

Hammer (15 Occurrences)

Spear (55 Occurrences)

Judith (1 Occurrence)

Cease (138 Occurrences)

Chariots (118 Occurrences)

Chariot (102 Occurrences)

Anem (1 Occurrence)

Shatterer
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