The term "sunk" in the Bible often refers to the act of something being submerged or going down beneath the surface, typically in water. This concept can be both literal and metaphorical, illustrating physical events or spiritual states.

Literal Usage:

1. The Red Sea Crossing: One of the most dramatic instances of something being "sunk" in the Bible is the account of the Egyptian army being overwhelmed by the waters of the Red Sea. After the Israelites crossed safely, the waters returned to their place, submerging Pharaoh's chariots and horsemen. Exodus 15:4 states, "Pharaoh’s chariots and his army He has cast into the sea; the finest of his officers are drowned in the Red Sea."

2. Jonah and the Great Fish: The prophet Jonah, in his attempt to flee from God's command, was thrown into the sea and swallowed by a great fish. While the term "sunk" is not explicitly used, Jonah's descent into the depths of the sea is a vivid depiction of being submerged. Jonah 2:3 describes, "For You cast me into the deep, into the heart of the seas, and the current swirled around me. All Your breakers and waves swept over me."

Metaphorical Usage:

1. Spiritual Despair: The imagery of sinking is often used metaphorically to describe a state of spiritual despair or overwhelming trouble. In Psalm 69:2 , David cries out, "I have sunk into the miry depths, where there is no footing; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me." This verse captures the feeling of being overwhelmed by life's challenges and the need for divine rescue.

2. Moral Decline: The concept of sinking can also symbolize moral or spiritual decline. In the New Testament, the parable of the house built on sand (Matthew 7:26-27) illustrates the downfall of those who do not build their lives on the solid foundation of Christ's teachings. While the word "sunk" is not used, the collapse of the house into ruin conveys a similar idea.

Theological Implications:

The imagery of sinking serves as a powerful reminder of human vulnerability and the need for God's intervention. It underscores the importance of faith and obedience to God's word as a means of staying afloat amidst life's trials. The biblical narrative consistently points to God's ability to rescue and restore those who find themselves in dire circumstances, whether physically or spiritually.

Related Concepts:

· Deliverance: The act of being saved from sinking, whether physically or spiritually, is a recurring theme in Scripture. God's deliverance is often depicted as lifting individuals out of the depths and setting them on solid ground.

· Faith: The account of Peter walking on water (Matthew 14:29-31) highlights the role of faith in preventing spiritual sinking. When Peter's faith wavered, he began to sink, but Jesus immediately reached out to save him, illustrating the sustaining power of faith in Christ.

In summary, the concept of "sunk" in the Bible serves as a multifaceted symbol of both physical submersion and spiritual peril, with a consistent emphasis on God's power to save and uphold those who trust in Him.1. (imp.) of Sink.

2. (p. p.) of Sink.

3. (v.) imp. & p. p. of Sink.

2883. taba -- to sink, sink down
... 2882, 2883. taba. 2884 . to sink, sink down. Transliteration: taba Phonetic
Spelling: (taw-bah') Short Definition: sunk. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/2883.htm - 6k

5181. nacheth -- to go down, descend
... Definition to go down, descend NASB Word Usage bend (2), bring down (1), come down
(1), go down (1), goes deeper (1), pressed down (1), settle (1), sunk deep (1 ...
/hebrew/5181.htm - 6k

7807. shach -- low, lowly
... Word Origin from shachach Definition low, lowly NASB Word Usage humble person*
(1). humble. From shachach; sunk, ie Downcast -- + humble. see HEBREW shachach. ...
/hebrew/7807.htm - 6k

7743. shuach -- to sink down
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to sink down NASB Word Usage bowed down
(1), sinks down (1), sunk down (1). bow down, incline, humble. ...
/hebrew/7743.htm - 6k

2885. tabbaath -- signet ring, ring, signet
... ring. From taba'; properly, a seal (as sunk into the wax), ie Signet (for sealing);
hence (generally) a ring of any kind -- ring. see HEBREW taba'. 2884, 2885 ...
/hebrew/2885.htm - 6k

That Everything which the Grace of God Does in the Way of Rescuing ...
... Chapter 15."That Everything Which the Grace of God Does in the Way of Rescuing Us
from the Inveterate Evils in Which We are Sunk, Pertains to the Future World ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 15 that everything which the.htm

Of True Religion and of Nature. Whether Fortune is a Goddess, and ...
... They sought wisdom, indeed; but because they did not seek it in a right manner,
they sunk down to a greater distance, and fell into such great errors, that ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xxviii of true religion and.htm

When a Revival is to be Expected.
... When Christians have sunk down into a low and backslidden state, they neither have,
nor ought to have, nor is there reason to have, the same love and ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture ii when a revival.htm

The Death of Pilate, who Condemned Jesus.
... own hand has not spared. He is therefore bound to a great mass, and sunk
into the river Tiber. But malignant and filthy spirits ...
/.../unknown/the death of pilate who condemned jesus/the death of pilate who.htm

The Battle of the Books, 1749-1755.
... As the Brethren had sunk some thousands of pounds at Herrnhaag, they should now
have endeavoured to husband their resources; and yet, at a Synod held in London ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter xiii the battle of.htm

The Cause and Cure of Earthquakes
... and threw them into the sea; and, in two minutes time, shook down and destroyed
nine-tenths of the town of Port Royal; the houses sunk outright thirty or forty ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 129 the cause and.htm

Five Books in Reply to Marcion.
... 10 Did more assail and instigate men's minds. In darkness sunk. ... 20 And he impelled
them headlong to spurn life,. Sunk in a criminal insanity; ...
/.../fathers of the third century tertullian appendix/5 five books in reply.htm

The Geometry of Prayer
... And on the other hand, the deepest hell, that the Bible so often warns us against,
is not some dark pit sunk away down out of sight in the bowels of the earth. ...
/.../whyte/lord teach us to pray/ii the geometry of prayer.htm

Courage
... Since we gave up at the Reformation the superstitious practice of praying to the
saints, saints' days have sunk"and indeed sunk too much"into neglect. ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xviii courage.htm

A Short Home Mission Sermon.
... "It has sunk to rise no more;" and yet it swam! Why lose hope of the fallen and
degraded? ... Do we cry unto God about those who have sunk out of our reach? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/iv a short home mission.htm

Sunk (20 Occurrences)
... 2. (pp) of Sink. 3. (v.) imp. & pp of Sink. Multi-Version Concordance Sunk (20
Occurrences). ... His chosen captains are sunk in the Red Sea. (WEB JPS ASV YLT RSV). ...
/s/sunk.htm - 12k

Sunken (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (pp) of Sink. 2. (a.) Lying on the bottom of a river
or other water; sunk. Multi-Version Concordance Sunken (1 Occurrence). ...
/s/sunken.htm - 6k

Build (242 Occurrences)
... Every man digs his "own cistern" (Isaiah 36:16), which is sunk in the rock under
the site of the house, and used as a quarry from which stones for the building ...
/b/build.htm - 45k

Building (249 Occurrences)
... Every man digs his "own cistern" (Isaiah 36:16), which is sunk in the rock under
the site of the house, and used as a quarry from which stones for the building ...
/b/building.htm - 47k

Well (2882 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A pit or hole sunk into the earth to such a depth as to reach a supply of
water, generally of a cylindrical form, and often walled with stone or bricks ...
/w/well.htm - 39k

Aqueduct (4 Occurrences)
... Wells, so called, were more often deep cylindrical reservoirs, the lower part of
which was sunk in the rock and cemented, the upper part being built with open ...
/a/aqueduct.htm - 23k

Cistern (21 Occurrences)
... Wells, so called, were more often deep cylindrical reservoirs, the lower part of
which was sunk in the rock and cemented, the upper part being built with open ...
/c/cistern.htm - 29k

Pharaoh (245 Occurrences)
... three thousand years." The exploring party being guided to the place, found behind
a great rock a shaft 6 feet square and about 40 feet deep, sunk into the ...
/p/pharaoh.htm - 60k

Mourned (54 Occurrences)
... dweller in it? And come up as a flood hath all of it. And it hath been cast
out, and hath sunk, Like the flood of Egypt. (YLT). Amos 9 ...
/m/mourned.htm - 23k

Pool (25 Occurrences)
... Wells, so called, were more often deep cylindrical reservoirs, the lower part of
which was sunk in the rock and cemented, the upper part being built with open ...
/p/pool.htm - 40k

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