The concept of being startled or surprised is woven throughout the biblical narrative, often illustrating moments of divine intervention, revelation, or human reaction to unexpected events. While the term "startle" itself may not frequently appear in the Berean Standard Bible, the essence of being startled is captured in various passages that describe sudden fear, awe, or astonishment.

Old Testament Instances

In the Old Testament, the experience of being startled is often associated with theophanies or divine appearances. For example, when the Angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he was initially unaware of the divine presence and was startled by the revelation of his mission (Judges 6:11-22). Similarly, the prophet Daniel experienced a profound sense of fear and astonishment when he encountered angelic beings and received visions of the future (Daniel 8:17-18: "As he came near to where I stood, I was terrified and fell facedown...").

The Psalms also reflect the human experience of being startled by the power and majesty of God. In Psalm 104:7, the psalmist describes the waters fleeing at God's rebuke, a vivid depiction of creation's response to the Creator's command: "At Your rebuke the waters fled; at the sound of Your thunder they hurried away."

New Testament Instances

In the New Testament, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is a pivotal event that caused great astonishment and fear among His followers. The women who visited the tomb were startled by the appearance of angels who announced that Jesus had risen (Luke 24:4-5: "While they were puzzling over this, suddenly two men in radiant apparel stood beside them. As the women bowed their faces to the ground in terror, the men asked them, 'Why do you look for the living among the dead?'").

The disciples themselves were often startled by Jesus' actions and teachings. In Mark 4:39-41, after Jesus calmed the storm, the disciples were filled with great fear and said to one another, "Who is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?" Their reaction underscores the awe and reverence elicited by witnessing divine authority.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, being startled in the biblical context often serves as a catalyst for deeper faith and understanding. It is in these moments of surprise and fear that individuals are confronted with the reality of God's power and presence. The suddenness of these experiences can lead to a transformation of belief, as seen in the lives of biblical figures who encountered God in unexpected ways.

The Bible also teaches that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). This reverential awe, which can initially manifest as being startled, is foundational to a proper relationship with God. It is a recognition of His holiness and sovereignty, prompting believers to respond with worship and obedience.

Practical Application

For contemporary believers, the biblical theme of being startled invites reflection on how God might be working in unexpected ways in their own lives. It encourages an openness to divine surprises and a readiness to respond in faith when God reveals Himself in unforeseen circumstances. The biblical accounts of being startled remind Christians that God's ways are higher than human ways (Isaiah 55:8-9), and His plans often unfold in ways that surpass human understanding.1. (v. t.) To move suddenly, or be excited, on feeling alarm; to start.

2. (v. t.) To excite by sudden alarm, surprise, or apprehension; to frighten suddenly and not seriously; to alarm; to surprise.

3. (v. t.) To deter; to cause to deviate.

4. (n.) A sudden motion or shock caused by an unexpected alarm, surprise, or apprehension of danger.

3579. xenizo -- to receive as a guest, to surprise
... to surprise. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: xenizo Phonetic Spelling:
(xen-id'-zo) Short Definition: I entertain a stranger, I startle Definition: (a) ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3579.htm - 7k3858b. lihleah -- to amaze, startle
... to amaze, startle. Transliteration: lihleah Short Definition: madman. Word Origin
from lahah Definition to amaze, startle NASB Word Usage madman (1). ...
/hebrew/3858b.htm - 5k

1204. baath -- to fall upon, startle, terrify
... 1203, 1204. baath. 1205 . to fall upon, startle, terrify. Transliteration:
baath Phonetic Spelling: (baw-ath') Short Definition: terrify. Word Origin a prim ...
/hebrew/1204.htm - 6k

Miracles no Remedy for Unbelief.
... it? But, you will say, a miracle would startle you; true; but would not
the startling pass away? could you be startled for ever? ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon vi miracles no remedy.htm

The Voice of the Lord God
... These words would startle us, if we heard them for the first time. I do
not know but that they may startle us now, often as we have ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon iii the voice of.htm

But Others Treat of Higher and More Serious Themes, and Show us a ...
... and the Emperor, he is heart and soul on the national side, and writes such stern
reproofs and bitter epigrams on the Head of the Church, as startle us from ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/but others treat of higher.htm

Limiting God
... which Omnipotence shall attempt? Startle! Startle at your own sin. Let
each of us be amazed at our own iniquity. We have had the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/limiting god.htm

Christian Singers of Germany
... and the Emperor, he is heart and soul on the national side, and writes such stern
reproofs and bitter epigrams on the Head of the Church, as startle us from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/winkworth/christian singers of germany/

The Channel of Power.
... What a strange book this Bible is! It makes such radical statements, and uses such
unpleasant words that grate on the nerves, and startle the ear. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on power/the channel of power.htm

Survival of the Fittest
... and shadows of the earth, the bones gather, and the clay-heaps heave, rattling and
adhering into half-kneaded anatomies, that crawl and startle, and struggle ...
/.../berkhof/new evangelism and other papers/survival of the fittest.htm

Of Detraction.
... Many who would startle at an Oath, whose stomachs as well as consciences, recoil
at an obscenity, do yet slide glibly into a Detraction: which yet, methinks ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section iv of detraction.htm

Let Your Hearts be Much Set on Revivals of Religion. ...
... that which on the day of Pentecost formed the con-elusive and crowning evidence
of His Messiahship and Sovereignty; and, by so doing, startle the slumbering ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter xii let your hearts.htm

A Solemn Deprival
... If this be the description of some of you, we need not talk to you about the fires
of hell; let this be enough to startle you, that you are in such a desperate ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/a solemn deprival.htm

Startle (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Startle (2 Occurrences). Job 18:11 Terrors shall make
him afraid on every side, and shall chase him at his heels. (See NIV). ...
/s/startle.htm - 7k

Starting (34 Occurrences)

/s/starting.htm - 17k

Start (50 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To cause to move suddenly; to disturb suddenly; to startle; to alarm;
to rouse; to cause to flee or fly; as, the hounds started a fox. ...
/s/start.htm - 23k

Startled (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Startle. Multi-Version Concordance
Startled (4 Occurrences). Luke 1:12 Zacharias was troubled ...
/s/startled.htm - 7k

Sprinkling (48 Occurrences)
... the Revised Version margin renders "startle" (literally, "cause to spring"). The
exalted dignity of the "martyr" will excite the wonder of kings and peoples. ...
/s/sprinkling.htm - 29k

Sprinkle (37 Occurrences)
... the Revised Version margin renders "startle" (literally, "cause to spring"). The
exalted dignity of the "martyr" will excite the wonder of kings and peoples. ...
/s/sprinkle.htm - 26k

John (154 Occurrences)
... 5. His Severity: John used such violence in addressing the Pharisees and Sadducees
doubtless to startle them from their self-complacency. ...
/j/john.htm - 101k

Baptist (16 Occurrences)
... 5. His Severity: John used such violence in addressing the Pharisees and Sadducees
doubtless to startle them from their self-complacency. ...
/b/baptist.htm - 56k

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