The term "summoneth" is an archaic form of the verb "summon," which means to call upon someone to appear or to call forth. In the context of the Bible, it often refers to God calling individuals or groups for a specific purpose or mission. This divine summoning is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures, illustrating God's sovereign authority and His active involvement in the lives of His people.

Biblical Instances of Summoning

1. Divine Calling of Prophets and Leaders: Throughout the Old Testament, God frequently summons individuals to serve as prophets, judges, or leaders. For example, in Exodus 3:4, God calls Moses from the burning bush: "When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, 'Moses, Moses!' And Moses said, 'Here I am.'" This summoning marks the beginning of Moses' mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

2. Summoning to Repentance: God often summons His people to repentance and obedience. In Isaiah 1:18, the Lord invites His people to reason together: "'Come now, let us reason together,' says the LORD. 'Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.'" This call to repentance is a demonstration of God's mercy and desire for reconciliation with His people.

3. Summoning to Judgment: The Bible also speaks of God summoning nations and individuals to judgment. In Joel 3:12, the Lord declares, "Let the nations be roused; let them advance into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit to judge all the nations on every side." This summoning to judgment underscores God's role as the righteous judge of all the earth.

4. Summoning in the New Testament: In the New Testament, Jesus summons His disciples to follow Him. In Matthew 4:19, Jesus calls Peter and Andrew: "'Come, follow Me,' Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.'" This call to discipleship is a personal invitation to participate in the mission of spreading the Gospel.

5. The Final Summoning: The concept of summoning is also present in eschatological contexts, where God will ultimately summon all people to stand before Him. In Revelation 20:12, John describes the final judgment: "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened." This final summoning emphasizes the accountability of all humanity before God.

Theological Significance

The act of summoning in the Bible highlights several key theological themes:

· Divine Sovereignty: God's ability to summon individuals and nations reflects His sovereign control over creation. He orchestrates events according to His divine will and purpose.

· Human Responsibility: While God initiates the call, individuals are responsible for their response. The Bible records varied responses to God's summons, from obedience to rebellion, illustrating the importance of free will and accountability.

· Covenantal Relationship: God's summoning often occurs within the context of His covenantal relationship with His people. He calls them to live in accordance with His statutes and to fulfill their role as His chosen people.

· Redemptive Purpose: God's summons often serve a redemptive purpose, whether calling individuals to repentance, commissioning them for service, or ultimately gathering His people to Himself in the eschaton.

In summary, the concept of "summoneth" in the Bible is a profound expression of God's interaction with humanity, demonstrating His authority, love, and redemptive plan for His creation.

And Jesus came to Bethany, and Found Him Already Four Days in the ...
... [2608] And when she had said that, she went and called Mary her sister secretly,
[13] and said unto her, Our Master hath come, and summoneth thee. ...
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Summoneth (2 Occurrences)
...Summoneth (2 Occurrences). ... 1 Samuel 23:8 And Saul summoneth the whole of the people
to battle, to go down to Keilah, to lay siege unto David and unto his men. ...
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Summoning (9 Occurrences)

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Inspecteth (10 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 15:4 And Saul summoneth the people, and inspecteth them in Telaim, two
hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand 'are' men of Judah. (YLT). ...
/i/inspecteth.htm - 9k

Summoned (103 Occurrences)

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Battle (282 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV NIV). 1 Samuel 23:8 And Saul summoneth the whole of the people to battle,
to go down to Keilah, to lay siege unto David and unto his men. (YLT NIV) ...
/b/battle.htm - 55k

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