The term "stirreth" is an archaic form of the verb "stir," which appears in various contexts throughout the Bible. It is used to describe actions that involve arousing, inciting, or moving someone or something into action. In the Berean Standard Bible , the term is often translated into more contemporary language, but its essence remains significant in understanding biblical narratives and teachings.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, "stirreth" is frequently used to describe God's actions in motivating individuals or nations to fulfill His divine purposes. For example, in Isaiah 41:2, the prophet speaks of God stirring up a leader from the east: "Who has stirred up one from the east, calling him in righteousness to His service? He hands nations over to him and subdues kings before him." This passage highlights God's sovereign power in directing the course of history by stirring individuals to accomplish His will.

Another notable instance is found in the context of the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. In Ezra 1:1, it is recorded, "In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and to put it in writing." Here, the stirring of Cyrus's spirit is a divine intervention that leads to the fulfillment of prophecy and the restoration of the Jewish people to their homeland.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the concept of stirring is often related to the work of the Holy Spirit and the encouragement of believers to live out their faith actively. While the specific term "stirreth" may not appear in the BSB, the idea is present in passages that speak of spiritual awakening and motivation.

For instance, in 2 Timothy 1:6, Paul exhorts Timothy, "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands." The imagery of fanning into flame suggests a stirring up of spiritual gifts and zeal, encouraging believers to remain active and fervent in their service to God.

Theological Implications

The concept of stirring in the Bible underscores the dynamic interaction between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. God, in His omnipotence, stirs individuals and nations to fulfill His purposes, yet He also calls believers to actively engage in their faith, stirring themselves to good works and spiritual growth. This dual aspect highlights the importance of being receptive to God's prompting while also taking initiative in one's spiritual journey.

Practical Application

For contemporary believers, the idea of being stirred by God serves as a reminder to remain sensitive to the Holy Spirit's leading. It encourages Christians to be vigilant in prayer, study of the Scriptures, and fellowship with other believers, so they may discern and respond to God's call in their lives. Additionally, it challenges individuals to stir up their own spiritual gifts and passions, contributing to the edification of the church and the advancement of God's kingdom on earth.

"And There is None that Calleth Upon Thy Name, that Stirreth up ...
... Sermon XVIII. "And there is none that calleth upon thy name, that stirreth
up himself to take hold on thee,". Isaiah lxiv.7.""And ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xviii and there is.htm

The Eagle and Its Brood
... 'As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her
wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings.'"Deuteronomy 32:11. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the eagle and its brood.htm

Whether Strife is a Daughter of Anger?
... Objection 2: Further, it is written (Prov.28:25): "He that boasteth and puffeth
up himself, stirreth up quarrels." Now strife is apparently the same as quarrel ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether strife is a daughter.htm

The Testament of Dan Concerning Anger and Lying.
... it first of all stingeth him in word: then by deeds it strengtheneth him who is
angry, and with bitter punishments disturbeth his mind, and so stirreth up with ...
/.../the testaments of the twelve patriarchs/vii the testament of dan concerning.htm

That God Giveth this Grace Freely Without any Means, and that it ...
... desirest it, so much hast thou of it, and no more nor no less: and yet is it no
will, nor no desire, but a thing thou wottest never what, that stirreth thee to ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the four and 2.htm

"Prayer Uniteth the Soul to God"
... For He beholdeth us in love and would make us partners of His good deed, and therefore
He stirreth us to pray for that which it pleaseth him to do. ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter xliii prayer uniteth the.htm

We Shall not be Curious in the Ranking of the Duties in which ...
... Hatred stirreth up strife, all uncharitable affections, as envy, wrath. It stirreth
up contentions, and blazeth abroad men's infirmities. ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/chapter iv we shall not.htm

The Early Training of a Race.
... As an eagle stirreth up her nest, hovereth over her young, taketh them, beareth
them upon her wings, so the Lord his God did lead him and there was no strange ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study xi the early training.htm

Prayer and the Word of God
... makes personal the promise. "There is none that stirreth up himself to
take hold of Me," is God's sad lament. "Let him take hold ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/xii prayer and the word.htm

Jesus and Herod
... They were crying, "He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning
from Galilee to this place." The mention of Galilee was intended to ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter v jesus and herod.htm

Stirreth (16 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Stirreth (16 Occurrences). ... Job 26:12 He stirreth up the
sea with his power, And by his understanding he smiteth through Rahab. ...
/s/stirreth.htm - 10k

Furious (28 Occurrences)
... vengeance. (See RSV). Proverbs 15:18 A furious man stirreth up contention; but
he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife. (DBY). Proverbs ...
/f/furious.htm - 14k

Devised (35 Occurrences)
... Daniel 11:25 And he stirreth up his power and his heart against the king of the
south with a great force, and the king of the south stirreth himself up to ...
/d/devised.htm - 17k

Stirring (20 Occurrences)

/s/stirring.htm - 12k

Stirred (64 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 14:9 Sheol from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming; it
stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath ...
/s/stirred.htm - 26k

Fury (152 Occurrences)
... He won't spare in the day of vengeance. (WEB YLT NIV). Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer
turneth away fury; but a grievous word stirreth up anger. (DBY YLT). ...
/f/fury.htm - 37k

Powerful (93 Occurrences)
... Daniel 11:25 And he stirreth up his power and his heart against the king of the
south with a great force, and the king of the south stirreth himself up to ...
/p/powerful.htm - 34k

Kir (11 Occurrences)
... Kir undermineth, and Shoa is at the mount," but others accept Delitzsch's emendation,
Winckler conjecturing that the rendering should be "Who stirreth up Koa ...
/k/kir.htm - 17k

Nether-world (41 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 14:9 Sheol from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming; it
stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath ...
/n/nether-world.htm - 16k

Urgent (12 Occurrences)
... Luke 23:5 But they were the more urgent, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching
throughout all Judaea, and beginning from Galilee even unto this place. ...
/u/urgent.htm - 10k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus