Swallowing, in the biblical context, is often used both literally and metaphorically to convey various spiritual and moral lessons. The act of swallowing can symbolize consumption, destruction, or the engulfing of something by a greater force. This entry explores the different instances and implications of swallowing as found in the Bible.

Literal Swallowing

In its literal sense, swallowing is mentioned in the context of consuming food and drink. This basic human function is acknowledged in the Bible as part of God's provision for His creation. For example, in the Book of Job, the act of tasting and swallowing is used to illustrate discernment: "Does not the ear test words as the tongue tastes food?" (Job 12:11). Here, swallowing is part of the natural process of nourishment and discernment.

Metaphorical Swallowing

1. Divine Judgment and Destruction: Swallowing is often used metaphorically to describe the overwhelming nature of divine judgment. In Numbers 16:32, the earth "opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households, all Korah’s men and all their possessions" . This dramatic event serves as a warning against rebellion and disobedience to God's appointed leaders.

2. Protection and Deliverance: Conversely, swallowing can also depict God's protection over His people. In Exodus 15:12, during the Song of Moses, it is proclaimed, "You stretched out Your right hand, and the earth swallowed them" , referring to the destruction of the Egyptian forces in the Red Sea. This act of swallowing is a demonstration of God's deliverance and power to save His people from their enemies.

3. Human Sin and Consequences: The imagery of swallowing is also used to describe the consequences of sin. In Proverbs 1:12, the wicked are described as those who "swallow them alive like Sheol, and whole like those descending into the Pit" . This vivid imagery warns of the destructive nature of sin and the fate of those who pursue evil.

4. Divine Provision and Sustenance: In a more positive light, swallowing can symbolize the acceptance of God's provision. In Psalm 104:27-28, the psalmist speaks of God's creatures: "All creatures look to You to give them their food in due season. When You give it to them, they gather it up; when You open Your hand, they are satisfied with good things" . Here, swallowing represents the reception of God's abundant blessings.

Theological Implications

The concept of swallowing in the Bible often carries deep theological implications. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty, His ability to judge and save, and the importance of obedience and trust in His provision. The imagery of swallowing underscores the reality of divine justice and mercy, illustrating the ultimate triumph of God's will over human rebellion and sin.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Swallow.1105. bela -- a swallowing, devouring, a thing swallowed
... 1104, 1105. bela. 1106 . a swallowing, devouring, a thing swallowed.
Transliteration: bela Phonetic Spelling: (beh'-lah) Short Definition: devour. ...
/hebrew/1105.htm - 6k

1104. bala -- to swallow down, swallow up, engulf
... A primitive root; to make away with (specifically by swallowing); generally, to
destroy -- cover, destroy, devour, eat up, be at end, spend up, swallow down (up ...
/hebrew/1104.htm - 6k

1627. garon -- neck, throat
... Or (shortened) garon {gaw-rone'}; from garar; the throat (compare gargrowth) (as
roughened by swallowing) -- X aloud, mouth, neck, throat. see HEBREW garar. ...
/hebrew/1627.htm - 6k

Death Swallowed up of Life Meaning of this Phrase in Relation to ...
... flesh"they wrest the word swallowed up into the sense of the actual destruction
of the flesh; as if we might not speak of ourselves as swallowing bile, or ...
/.../on the resurrection of the flesh/chapter liv death swallowed up of.htm

Korah, Dathan, and Abiram
... world is governed unto this day. What then are we to think of the earth
opening and swallowing them up? What are we to think of ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon xiii korah dathan and.htm

Let us Live with Christ.
... of Christ, corrupting His word, and giving up Jesus to sale: they are corrupters
of women, and covetous of other men's possessions, swallowing up wealth [694 ...
/.../the epistle of ignatius to the magnesians/chapter ix let us live with.htm

A Treatise against Eutyches and Nestorius
... [45] So I continued to ponder all the questions in my mind, not swallowing what
I had heard, but rather chewing the cud of constant meditation. ...
/.../boethius/the theological tractates/a treatise against eutyches and.htm

First Degree of Prayer --Meditation and Meditative Reading --The ...
... affection rather than the understanding by consideration: the affection being thus
touched, must be suffered to repose sweetly and at peace, swallowing what it ...
/.../a short method of prayer and spiritual torrents/chapter ii first degree of.htm

The Earthquake (Preached October 11, 1863. )
... read of them, fancy that an earthquake, to destroy man and his works, must literally
turn the earth upside down; that the ground must open, swallowing up houses ...
/.../the water of life and other sermons/sermon xv the earthquake preached.htm

Wherefore, that Thou May'st be Rightly Disposed Both for Thy Soul ...
... be rebellious against one's Sovereign: to insult those who are less: to sin in sight,
in hearing, in smelling, in touching, in handling, in swallowing: in means ...
/.../chapter vi wherefore that thou.htm

Introductory Letter.
... these than on the Gospel! Will not Christ say to them: "Straining at a gnat,
and swallowing a camel"? Besides all this, most reverend ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/introductory letter.htm

Footnotes
... and with him, her mother, and sister, had been shut up in the Black Hole, where,
while they perished, she is said to have retained life by swallowing her tears ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/the life of william carey/footnotes.htm

To Make up for Our Delay in This, we Bring under Your Notice ...
... The swallowing up of cities by the earth; the theft of islands by the sea; wars,
bringing external and internal convulsions; the collision of kingdoms with ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter xx to make up.htm

Swallowing (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Swallowing (6 Occurrences). Matthew 23:24 Blind guides!
who are straining out the gnat, and the camel are swallowing. ...
/s/swallowing.htm - 8k

Swallow (38 Occurrences)
... 12. (vi) To perform the act of swallowing; as, his cold is so severe he
is unable to swallow. 13. (n.) The act of swallowing. 14. ...
/s/swallow.htm - 24k

Swalloweth (10 Occurrences)

/s/swalloweth.htm - 9k

Swallows (6 Occurrences)

/s/swallows.htm - 8k

To-night (15 Occurrences)
... send hastily, and declare to David, saying, Lodge not to-night in the plains of
the wilderness, and also, certainly pass over, lest there be a swallowing up of ...
/t/to-night.htm - 11k

Desolating (6 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 36:3 therefore, prophesy, and thou hast said: Thus said the Lord Jehovah:
Because, even because, of desolating, And of swallowing you up from round ...
/d/desolating.htm - 8k

Maw (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A stomach; the receptacle into which food is taken by swallowing; in birds,
the craw; -- now used only of the lower animals, except humorously or in ...
/m/maw.htm - 8k

Camel (13 Occurrences)
... The Jews carefully filtered their wine before drinking it, for fear of swallowing
along with it some insect forbidden in the law as unclean, and yet they ...
/c/camel.htm - 21k

Tip (17 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 36:3 therefore, prophesy, and thou hast said: Thus said the Lord Jehovah:
Because, even because, of desolating, And of swallowing you up from round ...
/t/tip.htm - 13k

People's (37 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 36:3 therefore, prophesy, and thou hast said: Thus said the Lord Jehovah:
Because, even because, of desolating, And of swallowing you up from round ...
/p/people's.htm - 18k

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