Topical Encyclopedia The term "ocean" is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible; however, the concept of vast bodies of water is prevalent throughout the Scriptures. The Bible often refers to the "sea" or "seas," which can be understood to include the oceans as we know them today. These references are significant both in the literal and symbolic sense, reflecting God's creation, power, and the mysteries of His divine plan.Creation and Sovereignty of God The ocean is a testament to God's creative power and sovereignty. In Genesis 1:9-10 , God commands the waters to gather into one place, allowing dry land to appear: "And God said, 'Let the waters under the heavens be gathered into one place, so that the dry land may appear.' And it was so. God called the dry land 'earth,' and the gathering of waters He called 'seas.' And God saw that it was good." This passage highlights the intentional design and order established by God in creation. The ocean's vastness and depth are often used to illustrate God's immeasurable wisdom and knowledge. In Job 38:8-11 , God challenges Job by asking, "Who enclosed the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, when I made the clouds its garment and thick darkness its blanket, when I fixed its boundaries and set in place its bars and doors, and I declared: 'You may come this far, but no farther; here your proud waves must stop'?" This passage emphasizes God's control over the natural world, including the mighty oceans. Symbolism and Imagery The ocean is frequently used symbolically in the Bible to represent chaos, danger, and the unknown. In ancient Near Eastern culture, the sea was often seen as a place of chaos and disorder, a view that is reflected in biblical texts. For example, in Psalm 46:2-3 , the psalmist writes, "Therefore we will not fear, though the earth is transformed and the mountains are toppled into the depths of the seas, though their waters roar and foam and the mountains quake in the surge." Here, the tumultuous sea symbolizes upheaval and instability, yet the psalmist expresses trust in God's protection. The ocean also serves as a metaphor for the vastness of God's mercy and forgiveness. In Micah 7:19 , it is written, "He will again have compassion on us; He will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea." This imagery conveys the idea that God's forgiveness is so complete that our sins are removed beyond reach, much like objects cast into the ocean's depths. Judgment and Deliverance The ocean plays a role in narratives of judgment and deliverance. The account of Noah's Flood in Genesis 6-9 describes a time when God used the waters to judge the earth, yet also provided salvation for Noah and his family. Similarly, the parting of the Red Sea in Exodus 14 demonstrates God's power to deliver His people from bondage, as He made a way through the sea for the Israelites to escape Pharaoh's army. In the New Testament, Jesus demonstrates His authority over the sea, further affirming His divine nature. In Mark 4:39 , during a storm on the Sea of Galilee, Jesus "got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. 'Silence!' He commanded. 'Be still!' And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm." This miracle reveals Jesus' mastery over creation and His ability to bring peace amidst chaos. Eschatological Significance In eschatological contexts, the sea is often associated with the end times and the new creation. Revelation 21:1 states, "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more." The absence of the sea in the new creation may symbolize the removal of chaos and evil, ushering in a time of perfect peace and order under God's eternal reign. Throughout the Bible, the ocean serves as a powerful symbol of God's majesty, judgment, and redemption. It reflects both the beauty and the mystery of God's creation, reminding believers of His ultimate authority and the hope of restoration through His divine plan. Topical Bible Verses Amos 9:6It is he that builds his stories in the heaven, and has founded his troop in the earth; he that calls for the waters of the sea, and pours them out on the face of the earth: The LORD is his name. Topicalbible.org Genesis 1:1 Zechariah 14:8 Psalm 8:8 Proverbs 8:27 Greek 1796. enubrizo -- to insult ... [The root is also used of the , force of ocean waves.]. Word Origin from en and hubrizo Definition to insult NASB Word Usage insulted (1). to insult, outrage. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1796.htm - 7k Strong's Hebrew 6683. tsulah -- (ocean) deep... 6682, 6683. tsulah. 6684 . (ocean) deep. Transliteration: tsulah Phonetic Spelling: (tsoo-law') Short Definition: sea. Word Origin ... /hebrew/6683.htm - 5k 8415. tehom -- deep, sea, abyss Library Hail, Thou Star of Ocean! Heresy Compared to -1 the Stormy Ocean, -2 the Rocks of the Sirens ... The Waterer Watered Entering into the Infinite Turn Away Thine Eyes from Me, Because they have Made Me to Flee ... Testimonies to the Unity of God. The Psychology of Contemplation Eternity. How the Isle of Wight Received Christian Inhabitants, and Two ... The Useless Bondage of the Gentiles. Resources The: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics the Epistle of Paul To Philemon the First Epistle General Of John The Kingdom or Church of Christ the Second and Third Epistles Of John Related Terms The-not-beloved (1 Occurrence) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) Vine-dressers (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |
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