The term "sweepeth" is an archaic form of the verb "sweep," which appears in various contexts throughout the Bible, often symbolizing thoroughness, cleansing, or judgment. In the Berean Standard Bible , the concept of sweeping is used both literally and metaphorically, reflecting the cultural and spiritual practices of the biblical era.

Literal Use:

In its literal sense, "sweepeth" refers to the act of cleaning or clearing away debris. This action is often associated with household duties, as seen in the parable of the lost coin. In Luke 15:8 , Jesus describes a woman who loses a coin and "sweepeth" the house diligently to find it: "Or what woman who has ten silver coins and loses one of them does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?" This passage highlights the diligence and care involved in the act of sweeping, symbolizing the thoroughness with which God seeks out the lost.

Metaphorical Use:

Metaphorically, "sweepeth" is used to describe divine judgment or the removal of evil. In Isaiah 14:23 , the Lord declares His intention to destroy Babylon: "I will make her a place for owls and swampland; I will sweep her away with the broom of destruction," declares the LORD of Hosts. Here, the act of sweeping signifies a complete and decisive act of judgment, emphasizing God's power to cleanse and purify by removing wickedness.

Similarly, in Zephaniah 1:2-3 , the Lord warns of a coming judgment: "I will completely sweep away everything from the face of the earth," declares the LORD. "I will sweep away man and beast; I will sweep away the birds of the air and the fish of the sea, and the idols with the wicked. I will cut off mankind from the face of the earth," declares the LORD. This passage underscores the totality of God's judgment, where "sweepeth" conveys the thorough and all-encompassing nature of divine retribution.

Spiritual Implications:

The concept of "sweepeth" also carries spiritual implications, particularly in the context of personal and communal purity. In Matthew 12:43-45 , Jesus speaks of an unclean spirit that leaves a person and later returns to find the "house" swept and put in order, only to bring back more spirits, making the final condition worse than the first. This illustrates the importance of not only cleansing one's life of evil but also filling it with righteousness and the presence of God to prevent a return to sin.

In summary, the term "sweepeth" in the Bible serves as a powerful image of cleansing, judgment, and the necessity of spiritual vigilance. Whether used in a literal or metaphorical sense, it reflects the biblical themes of purity, divine justice, and the comprehensive nature of God's actions in the world.

Psalm LXXIV.
... For there hath entered into their eyes dust, and it hath blinded them, and they
have become dust which the wind sweepeth from the face of the earth. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxiv.htm

Sweepeth (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Sweepeth (3 Occurrences). ... Job 27:21 The east wind carrieth
him away, and he departeth; And it sweepeth him out of his place. ...
/s/sweepeth.htm - 7k

Sweep (34 Occurrences)

/s/sweep.htm - 19k

Devastation (17 Occurrences)
... See NAS). Proverbs 21:7 The devastation of the wicked sweepeth them away,
because they refuse to do what is right. (DBY). Isaiah 10 ...
/d/devastation.htm - 11k

Man-child (11 Occurrences)
... every man-child, him that is shut up and him that is left at large in Israel, and
will utterly sweep away the house of Jeroboam, as a man sweepeth away dung ...
/m/man-child.htm - 10k

Sweeping (3 Occurrences)

/s/sweeping.htm - 7k

Jerobo'am (92 Occurrences)
... every man-child, and him that is shut up and him that is left at large in Israel,
and will utterly sweep away the house of Jeroboam, as a man sweepeth away dung ...
/j/jerobo'am.htm - 32k

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