The term "shrivelled" in the Bible often conveys imagery of withering, decay, or a loss of vitality, typically used in a metaphorical sense to describe spiritual or physical decline. This concept is found in various passages throughout the Scriptures, illustrating the consequences of disobedience, the fleeting nature of life, or the judgment of God.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, the imagery of shriveling is frequently associated with God's judgment or the natural consequences of sin. For instance, in Psalm 102:4, the psalmist laments, "My heart is afflicted and withered like grass; I even forget to eat my bread." Here, the withering of the heart symbolizes deep distress and spiritual desolation.

The prophet Isaiah also uses similar imagery to describe the transience of human life and the enduring nature of God's word: "The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever" (Isaiah 40:8). This passage contrasts the temporary and fragile state of human existence with the eternal and unchanging nature of divine truth.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the concept of shriveling is used in the context of Jesus' miracles and teachings. In Mark 3:1-5, Jesus heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, demonstrating His authority over physical ailments and challenging the legalistic interpretations of the Sabbath by the religious leaders. The passage reads: "He entered the synagogue again, and a man with a withered hand was there... He said to the man, 'Stretch out your hand.' So he stretched it out, and it was restored to full use" (Mark 3:1, 5).

This miracle not only showcases Jesus' compassion and power but also serves as a metaphor for spiritual restoration. The withered hand represents the debilitating effects of sin and separation from God, while its healing signifies the redemptive work of Christ.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the imagery of shriveling underscores the consequences of sin and the need for divine intervention. It serves as a reminder of humanity's dependence on God for spiritual vitality and renewal. The Bible consistently portrays God as the source of life and restoration, offering hope and healing to those who turn to Him in faith.

In the broader biblical narrative, the concept of shriveling can also be seen as a call to repentance and a return to God's ways. The withering of the soul or spirit is often depicted as a result of turning away from God's commandments, while restoration and flourishing are promised to those who seek Him earnestly.

Conclusion

While the Bible uses the imagery of shriveling to convey various spiritual truths, it ultimately points to the hope and renewal found in a relationship with God. Through faith in Christ, believers are assured of spiritual restoration and the promise of eternal life, transcending the temporal and fragile nature of earthly existence.(p. p.) of Shrivel.4512. rhutis -- a wrinkle
... Souter). Word Origin probably from rhusos (shrivelled, wrinkled) Definition
a wrinkle NASB Word Usage wrinkle (1). wrinkle. From ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4512.htm - 6k6916. qiddah -- cassia
... cassia. From qadad; cassia bark (as in shrivelled rolls) -- cassia. see HEBREW
qadad. 6915, 6916. qiddah. 6917 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6916.htm - 6k

Resurgam
... The apostle uses the figure of a seed, a shrivelled grain of wheat. ... You are, my brethren,
today, but as a heap of wheat, a heap of poor shrivelled corn. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/resurgam.htm

Jesus Finds Joy in all his Work
... even of the Sabbath.". At another time he went into a synagogue. A man was
there whose hand was shrivelled. And they watched Jesus ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/jesus finds joy in all.htm

A Bottle in the Smoke
... When such vessels do not contain liquids, and are not quite filled by the solids
which they hold, they contract a shrunk and shrivelled appearance, to which ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/a bottle in the smoke.htm

Enoch, the Deathless
... As man is a social being, he must walk with someone in life. Perpetual solitude
dries up the springs of existence, and true manhood is shrivelled up. ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/enoch the deathless.htm

The High Woods
... Children of Mylitta the moon goddess, they cannot abide the day; and will fall,
brown and shrivelled, before the sun grows high, after one night of beauty and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter vii the high woods.htm

Morning Hymn
... And when the sun rose in the sky He halted on his shrivelled thigh: His natural
might had ebbed away, Vanquished in that tremendous fray. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/ii morning hymn.htm

Hymn after Fasting
... Therefore lest failing powers consume Our fragile life and shrivelled veins
Pale 'neath the tyranny of rheum And weakening pains: ...
/.../prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/viii hymn after fasting.htm

The Letter of Majesty, 1603-1609.
... indulging in dissolute pleasures. His face was shrivelled, his hair bleached,
his back bent, his step tottering. He was too much ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter xiii the letter of.htm

The Holy Spirit and the one Church
... as wheat: we wish to be just charitable enough to use the fan thoroughly to purge
God's floor, but yet charitable enough to pick up the most shrivelled ear of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the holy spirit and the.htm

God's Pathway to Human Hearts.
... For our thought of the human is of the scarred, warped, shrivelled humanity that
we know, and great changes come when God's Spirit controls. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on prayer/gods pathway to human hearts.htm

Shrivelled (6 Occurrences)
...Shrivelled (6 Occurrences). Matthew 12:10 where there was a man with a shrivelled
arm. ... Mark 3:3 "Come forward," said He to the man with the shrivelled arm. ...
/s/shrivelled.htm - 8k

Arm (110 Occurrences)
... Arm (110 Occurrences). Matthew 12:10 where there was a man with a shrivelled arm. ...
(WEY). Mark 3:3 "Come forward," said He to the man with the shrivelled arm. ...
/a/arm.htm - 42k

Shriveled (8 Occurrences)
... Lamentations 4:8 Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the
streets; their skin is shrivelled upon their bones; it is withered, it is ...
/s/shriveled.htm - 8k

Question (153 Occurrences)
... require a doctor, but the sick. (WEY). Matthew 12:10 where there was a
man with a shrivelled arm. And they questioned Him, "Is it ...
/q/question.htm - 37k

Questioned (57 Occurrences)
... (imp. & pp) of Question. Multi-Version Concordance Questioned (57 Occurrences).
Matthew 12:10 where there was a man with a shrivelled arm. ...
/q/questioned.htm - 22k

Wrinkle (1 Occurrence)
... hold on"; rhutis, "a wrinkle"): In Job 16:8, the Revised Version (British and American)
substitutes, "Thou hast laid fast hold on me" (margin "shrivelled me up ...
/w/wrinkle.htm - 8k

Intention (10 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) Any mental apprehension of an object. Multi-Version Concordance Intention
(10 Occurrences). Matthew 12:10 where there was a man with a shrivelled arm. ...
/i/intention.htm - 9k

Bottle (28 Occurrences)
... A bottle blackened or shrivelled by smoke is referred to in Psalm 119:83 as an image
to which the psalmist likens himself. Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
/b/bottle.htm - 23k

Cure (28 Occurrences)
... without payment, give without payment. (WEY). Matthew 12:10 where there was
a man with a shrivelled arm. And they questioned Him, "Is ...
/c/cure.htm - 17k

Shrivels (1 Occurrence)

/s/shrivels.htm - 6k

Shrivelled: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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