The term "sift" in the Bible is often used metaphorically to describe a process of testing, separating, or purifying. It appears in contexts that convey the idea of examining or proving the authenticity and strength of one's faith or character. The imagery of sifting is drawn from agricultural practices, where grain is separated from chaff or impurities through a sieve.

Biblical References:

1. Luke 22:31-32 : "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers." In this passage, Jesus warns Peter (Simon) that Satan desires to sift the disciples as wheat, implying a severe trial or testing of their faith. The sifting process here symbolizes the challenges and temptations that believers may face, which can reveal the true nature of their faith. Jesus' intercession for Peter highlights the importance of divine support and prayer in overcoming such trials.

2. Amos 9:9 : "For surely I will give the command, and I will shake the house of Israel among all the nations as grain is shaken in a sieve, and not a pebble will fall to the ground." In this prophetic declaration, God speaks through Amos about the judgment and purification of Israel. The sifting process signifies God's intention to separate the faithful remnant from those who are unfaithful. It underscores the theme of divine judgment and the preservation of a faithful group within the larger community.

Theological Implications:

The concept of sifting in the Bible carries significant theological implications. It serves as a reminder of the reality of spiritual warfare and the adversary's desire to challenge and weaken believers. However, it also emphasizes God's sovereignty and His protective care over His people. The process of sifting, while difficult, is ultimately for the purpose of strengthening and refining the believer's faith.

In the New Testament, the sifting of Peter and the other disciples illustrates the necessity of trials in the Christian life. These experiences, though challenging, are opportunities for growth and deeper reliance on God. Jesus' prayer for Peter is a powerful testament to the sustaining power of intercessory prayer and the assurance that, despite failures, restoration and strengthening are possible through Christ.

Practical Application:

For believers today, the metaphor of sifting serves as a call to remain vigilant and steadfast in faith. It encourages Christians to view trials not as mere hardships but as opportunities for spiritual growth and purification. The assurance of Christ's intercession provides comfort and strength, reminding believers that they are not alone in their struggles.

The imagery of sifting also invites self-examination and a commitment to personal holiness. Just as grain is sifted to remove impurities, Christians are called to examine their lives and remove anything that hinders their relationship with God. This process of sanctification is ongoing and requires the believer's active participation in cooperation with the Holy Spirit.

In summary, the biblical concept of sifting is a profound illustration of the testing and refining of faith. It highlights the reality of spiritual challenges, the necessity of divine support, and the ultimate goal of producing a mature and steadfast faith in the believer.1. (v. t.) To separate with a sieve, as the fine part of a substance from the coarse; as, to sift meal or flour; to sift powder; to sift sand or lime.

2. (v. t.) To separate or part as if with a sieve.

3. (v. t.) To examine critically or minutely; to scrutinize.

SIEVE; SIFT

siv.

See AGRICULTURE; THRESHING.

4617. siniazo -- to sift
... to sift. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: siniazo Phonetic Spelling:
(sin-ee-ad'-zo) Short Definition: I sift, prove by trials Definition: I sift, prove ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4617.htm - 5k

4617a. siniazo -- to sift
... siniazo. 4617b . to sift. Transliteration: siniazo Short Definition: sift. Word
Origin from sinion (a sieve) Definition to sift NASB Word Usage sift (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4617a.htm - 5k

5130. nuph -- to move to and fro, wave, sprinkle
... lift up, move, offer, perfume, send, shake, sift, strike,. A primitive root;
to quiver (ie Vibrate up and down, or rock to and fro ...
/hebrew/5130.htm - 6k

5128. nua -- to quiver, wave, waver, tremble, totter
... continually, fugitive, X make, to (go) up and down, be gone away, (be) move(-able,
-d), be promoted, reel, remove, scatter, set, shake, sift, stagger, to and ...
/hebrew/5128.htm - 6k

A Great Fall and a Great Recovery
... reiteration of the old name of Simon that suggests weakness, unsanctified and unhelped:
'Simon, Simon, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/a great fall and a.htm

The Two Guards, Praying and Watching
... As our Lord said to Peter, "Simon, Simon, Satan hath desired to have you, that he
may sift you as wheat," so has he, in his word, told us that there is a great ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/the two guards praying and.htm

The Life of Mr. Hugh Binning.
... emitted a program, and sent it to all the universities of the kingdom, inviting
such as had a mind for a profession of philosophy, to sift themselves before ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr hugh.htm

Whether it is Lawful for a Judge to Pronounce Judgment against the ...
... And yet this same information may be of use to him, so that he can more rigorously
sift the evidence brought forward, and discover its weak points. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful for 6.htm

My Brother Fabius
... is the issue of persecution, what other result comes of it, but the approving and
rejecting of faith, in regard to which the Lord will certainly sift His people ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/de fuga in persecutione/my brother fabius.htm

The Three Elements of a Complete Life
... We do not ask the public to sift doctrines, but it is the business of the
student to exercise the intellect which God has given him. ...
/.../vii the three elements of.htm

Lessons from the Angelus
... It may not be necessary for people in general to sift the doctrines of Christianity
for themselves, but it is required of a student, whose business it is to ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/a life for a life/lessons from the angelus.htm

Gethsemane
... Satan had out-asked,' obtained it - yet not to destroy, nor to cast down, but to
sift,' like as wheat [5825] is shaken in a sieve to cast out of it what is not ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xii gethsemane.htm

B. The Last Supper. Ch. 22:7-38
... in my kingdom; and ye shall sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.31
Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/b the last supper ch.htm

The Paralytic Let Down through the Roof.
... And on behalf of these I will read you the words of Christ Himself: for He saith
to Peter "Behold Satan hath asked to have you that he may sift you as wheat ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily on the paralytic let.htm

Sift (5 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To separate with a sieve, as the fine part of a substance from the coarse;
as, to sift meal or flour; to sift powder; to sift sand or lime. ... SIEVE; SIFT. ...
/s/sift.htm - 8k

Sieve (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A kind of coarse basket. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SIEVE; SIFT.
siv. See AGRICULTURE; THRESHING. Multi-Version Concordance Sieve (2 Occurrences) ...
/s/sieve.htm - 7k

Sifted (2 Occurrences)
... (imp. & pp) of Sift. ... Luke 22:31 "Simon, Simon, I tell you that Satan has obtained
permission to have all of you to sift as wheat is sifted. (WEY). ...
/s/sifted.htm - 7k

Range (9 Occurrences)
... party, etc. 3. (n.) To separate into parts; to sift. 4. (n.) To ... of cooking
stove. 18. (n.) A bolting sieve to sift meal. 19. (n.) A ...
/r/range.htm - 13k

Reach (63 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 30:28 His breath is as an overflowing stream that reaches even to the neck,
to sift the nations with the sieve of destruction; and a bridle that leads ...
/r/reach.htm - 27k

Kernel (4 Occurrences)
... Amos 9:9 "For, behold, I will command, and I will sift the house of Israel among
all the nations, as grain is sifted in a sieve, yet not the least kernel will ...
/k/kernel.htm - 8k

Obtained (61 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Luke 22:31 "Simon, Simon, I tell you that Satan has obtained permission
to have all of you to sift as wheat is sifted. (WEY). ...
/o/obtained.htm - 25k

Jaws (12 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 30:28 His breath is as an overflowing stream that reaches even to the neck,
to sift the nations with the sieve of destruction; and a bridle that leads ...
/j/jaws.htm - 10k

Falter (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To thrash in the chaff; also, to cleanse
or sift, as barley. 2. (v. & n.) To hesitate; to speak ...
/f/falter.htm - 7k

Try (84 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To divide or separate, as one sort from another; to winnow; to sift; to
pick out; -- frequently followed by out; as, to try out the wild corn from the ...
/t/try.htm - 31k

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