The term "signify" in the biblical context often refers to the act of making something known or conveying a message through signs, symbols, or other means. It is a way in which God communicates His will, intentions, or revelations to humanity. The concept of signifying is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, where God uses various methods to reveal His divine purposes.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, God frequently uses signs to signify His covenant, promises, and judgments. For instance, the rainbow is a sign that signifies God's covenant with Noah, promising that He would never again destroy the earth with a flood (Genesis 9:12-17). Similarly, the plagues in Egypt were signs that signified God's power and His demand for the release of the Israelites (Exodus 7:3-5).

Prophets often used symbolic actions to signify God's messages. For example, in Ezekiel 4:1-3, the prophet is instructed to create a model of Jerusalem and lay siege to it, signifying the impending siege and destruction of the city. These symbolic acts were meant to convey God's messages in a tangible and understandable way.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the concept of signifying is closely associated with the revelation of Jesus Christ and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. The miracles performed by Jesus are often referred to as "signs" that signify His divine authority and identity as the Son of God. In the Gospel of John, these signs are pivotal in revealing Jesus' glory and leading people to faith. John 2:11 states, "Jesus performed this first sign at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him."

The Book of Revelation is another significant example where the term "signify" is used. Revelation 1:1 states, "The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon come to pass. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John." Here, the phrase "made it known" is translated from the Greek word "sēmainō," which means to signify or to indicate by a sign. The entire book is filled with symbolic imagery and visions that signify future events and divine truths.

Theological Implications

The act of signifying in the Bible underscores the importance of divine communication and revelation. It highlights God's desire to make His will known to humanity in ways that are both profound and accessible. Through signs, God not only reveals His power and authority but also His love, mercy, and plan for salvation.

In a broader theological sense, the use of signs and symbols in the Bible points to the sacramental nature of God's interaction with the world. Just as the sacraments signify and convey grace, biblical signs serve as tangible expressions of God's invisible realities. They invite believers to discern and respond to God's presence and action in their lives.

Practical Application

For believers, understanding the concept of signifying in the Bible encourages a deeper appreciation for the ways God communicates with His people. It calls for attentiveness to the signs of God's presence and activity in the world today. By recognizing and interpreting these signs through the lens of Scripture, believers can grow in faith and align their lives with God's purposes.1. (n.) To show by a sign; to communicate by any conventional token, as words, gestures, signals, or the like; to announce; to make known; to declare; to express; as, a signified his desire to be present.

2. (n.) To mean; to import; to denote; to betoken.

4591. semaino -- to give a sign
... to give a sign. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: semaino Phonetic Spelling:
(say-mah'-ee-no) Short Definition: I signify, indicate Definition: I signify ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4591.htm - 6k

1229. diaggello -- to publish abroad, proclaim
... declare, preach, signify. From dia and the base of aggelos; to herald thoroughly --
declare, preach, signify. see GREEK dia. see GREEK aggelos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1229.htm - 7k

1213. deloo -- to make plain, declare
... declare, show, signify. From delos; to make plain (by words) -- declare, shew, signify.
see GREEK delos. (deloi) -- 1 Occurrence. (delountos) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1213.htm - 7k

1718. emphanizo -- to exhibit, appear (in person), to declare
... From emphanes; to exhibit (in person) or disclose (by words) -- appear, declare
(plainly), inform, (will) manifest, shew, signify. see GREEK emphanes. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1718.htm - 7k

5440. phulakterion -- an outpost, fortification, an amulet
... They are also strapped on the and to signify how the Word of God should regulate
all and . Word Origin from the same as phulasso and -terion (suff. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5440.htm - 7k

What Does the Word "Amen" Signify?
... Lord's Day 52 Question 129 What does the word "Amen" signify? What does
the word "Amen" signify? "Amen" signifies, it shall truly ...
/.../various/the heidelberg catechism /question 129 what does the.htm

The Same Word Does not Always Signify the Same Thing.
... Book III. Chapter 25."The Same Word Does Not Always Signify the Same Thing.
And when it is shown to be figurative, the words in ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 25 the same word does.htm

That Passage of David Explained; what the Harps Hung Upon the ...
... Chapter III."That Passage of David Explained; What the Harps Hung Upon the Willows
Signify; The Willow a Symbol of Chastity; The Willows Watered by Streams. ...
/.../chapter iii that passage of david.htm

[Shewing] that Common and Saving Grace Differ, not Only in Degree ...
... So that sometimes the phrase common grace, is used to signify that kind of action
or influence of the Spirit of God, to which are owing those religious or ...
/.../edwards/treatise on grace/shewing that common and saving.htm

Thus Much in Proof of the Profession which we Make in the Creed ...
... What else does Job signify in the place which we explained above, "He will raise
again my skin, which is now draining this cup of suffering," that is, which is ...
/.../45 thus much in proof.htm

The Summary of Its Contents (I. 19).
... Having seen all these things the command is - "Write therefore the things which
thou sawest, and what they are (ie, what they signify), [42] even the things ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the summary of its contents.htm

The Mystic Meaning of the Tabernacle and Its Furniture.
... [3026]. And the things recorded of the sacred ark signify the properties of
the world of thought, which is hidden and closed to the many. ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter vi the mystic meaning of.htm

Its Meaning
... That to justify cannot possibly signify to make a person inherently righteous or
good is most clearly to be seen from the usage of the term itself in Scripture ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/2 its meaning.htm

From the Fourth Chapter.
... burning."] And the lightnings, and voices, and thunders proceeding from the throne
of God, and the seven torches of fire burning, signify announcements, and ...
/.../commentary on the apocolypse of the blessed john/from the fourth chapter.htm

The Mysteries of Christ's Mediatorial Work (48-49) and ...
... day, his ascension into heaven, his being seated at the Father's right hand"all
these things were done thus, that they might not only signify their mystical ...
/.../augustine/handbook on faith hope and love/chapter xiv the mysteries of.htm

Signify (6 Occurrences)
... be present. 2. (n.) To mean; to import; to denote; to betoken. Multi-Version
Concordance Signify (6 Occurrences). Acts 11:28 and ...
/s/signify.htm - 8k

Keys (2 Occurrences)
... Numerous examples could be cited of the use of these terms to signify forbidding
(binding) and permitting (loosing) conduct as legitimate under the law of the ...
/k/keys.htm - 32k

View (86 Occurrences)
... verb is used to denote the ceremonial purification of the Jews before eating, by
pouring water on the hands (Luke 11:38 Mark 7:4); to signify the sufferings of ...
/v/view.htm - 81k

Nonimmersionist
... verb is used to denote the ceremonial purification of the Jews before eating, by
pouring water on the hands (Luke 11:38 Mark 7:4); to signify the sufferings of ...
/n/nonimmersionist.htm - 38k

Non-immersionist
... verb is used to denote the ceremonial purification of the Jews before eating, by
pouring water on the hands (Luke 11:38 Mark 7:4); to signify the sufferings of ...
/n/non-immersionist.htm - 38k

Import (2 Occurrences)
... etc. 2. (vt) To carry or include, as meaning or intention; to imply; to signify.
3 ... concern. 4. (vi) To signify; to purport; to be of moment. 5 ...
/i/import.htm - 7k

Denote (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To mark out plainly; to signify by a visible
sign; to indicate; as, the hands of the clock denote the hour. ...
/d/denote.htm - 7k

Isaac (127 Occurrences)
... In Hebrew both tsachaq and sachaq have their cognate nouns, and signify, in the
simple stem, "to laugh," in the intensive stem, "to jest, play, dance, fondle ...
/i/isaac.htm - 60k

Mean (93 Occurrences)
... mean to do ? 2. (vt) To signify; to indicate; to import; to denote. 3.
(vi) To have a purpose or intention. 4. (superl.) Destitute ...
/m/mean.htm - 40k

Power (862 Occurrences)
... Numerous examples could be cited of the use of these terms to signify forbidding
(binding) and permitting (loosing) conduct as legitimate under the law of the ...
/p/power.htm - 66k

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