In the context of the Bible, the term "tingle" is used metaphorically to describe a reaction of shock, fear, or awe in response to a divine message or judgment. The sensation of tingling ears is often associated with the announcement of significant and usually catastrophic events, serving as a divine warning to the people of Israel or other nations.

Biblical References:

1. 1 Samuel 3:11 (BSB): "Then the LORD said to Samuel, 'Behold, I am about to do something in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears of it will tingle.'" This passage occurs during the calling of Samuel as a prophet. God reveals to Samuel the impending judgment on the house of Eli due to the sins of Eli's sons and his failure to restrain them. The tingling of ears signifies the shocking nature of the divine judgment that is to come.

2. 2 Kings 21:12 (BSB): "Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'Behold, I am bringing such calamity upon Jerusalem and Judah that the ears of all who hear of it will tingle.'" Here, the prophet speaks of the severe judgment that will befall Jerusalem and Judah because of the idolatry and wickedness of King Manasseh. The tingling ears symbolize the dread and astonishment that will accompany the news of the impending disaster.

3. Jeremiah 19:3 (BSB): "You are to proclaim to them this word from the LORD, the God of Israel: 'Behold, I am about to bring such a disaster upon this place that the ears of all who hear of it will tingle.'" In this passage, Jeremiah is instructed to deliver a message of impending doom to the people of Judah and Jerusalem due to their persistent idolatry and disobedience. The tingling of ears serves as a metaphor for the overwhelming and terrifying nature of the prophesied judgment.

Theological Significance:

The use of "tingle" in these contexts underscores the seriousness of God's messages and the certainty of His judgments. It reflects the idea that God's actions, especially those involving judgment, are not only just but also serve as a wake-up call to His people. The imagery of tingling ears conveys the profound impact that divine pronouncements are meant to have on the hearers, prompting them to repentance and a return to covenant faithfulness.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern culture, the concept of tingling ears would have been understood as a physical reaction to shocking news. The metaphor effectively communicates the intensity and gravity of the situation, emphasizing the need for the audience to pay attention and respond appropriately to the divine warning. The repeated use of this imagery in the prophetic literature highlights the consistent message of accountability and the consequences of turning away from God's commandments.

Application for Believers:

For contemporary believers, the metaphor of tingling ears serves as a reminder of the importance of heeding God's warnings and being attentive to His word. It calls for a posture of humility and readiness to respond to God's guidance and correction. The passages that mention tingling ears encourage believers to remain vigilant in their faith, recognizing the seriousness of sin and the necessity of repentance in maintaining a right relationship with God.1. (v. i.) To feel a kind of thrilling sensation, as in hearing a shrill sound.

2. (v. i.) To feel a sharp, thrilling pain.

3. (v. i.) To have, or to cause, a sharp, thrilling sensation, or a slight pricking sensation.

6750. tsalal -- to tingle, quiver
... 6749, 6750. tsalal. 6751 . to tingle, quiver. Transliteration: tsalal Phonetic
Spelling: (tsaw-lal') Short Definition: tingle. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/6750.htm - 6k

The Book of Life
... out in similar fashion. The Book is full of the tingle and even the roar
of the life out of which it was born. Jesus gathered up ...
/.../mcconnell/understanding the scriptures/chapter ii the book of.htm

Coming Judgment of the Secrets of Men
... on record an exposure of the sins of his day which crimsons the cheek of the modest
when they read it, and makes both the ears of him that heareth it to tingle ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 31 1885/coming judgment of the secrets.htm

Thoughts Upon Our Call and Election.
... chosen. This is a hard saying indeed, which may justly make our Ears to
tingle, and our Hearts to tremble at the hearing of it. ...
/.../beveridge/private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon our call and.htm

Man.
... leading of the devil. O sad! Canst thou hear this, and not have thy ears
to tingle and burn on thy head? Canst thou read this and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/iv man.htm

The Beginning, Increase, and End of the Divine Life
... Now, the utterances of Bildad, and of the other two men who came to comfort Job,
but who made his wounds tingle, are not to be accepted as being inspired. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/the beginning increase and end.htm

We are Changed.
... (John i:35-51.) We are Changed. Looking at Jesus changes us. Paul's famous bit in
the second Corinthian letter has a wondrous tingle of gladness in it. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/we are changed.htm

Why Without, Then, Art Thou Staying?
... Oh! the dreadful thunder peals When His anger God reveals, All my blood
to tingle making, And my heart's foundation shaking! Then ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/why without then art thou.htm

Saved to Serve.
... human saver. Only he who has been saved can help save somebody else. The
tingle of experience in the blood attracts men. The Master ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/saved to serve.htm

A Lord of the Harvest.
... obedience to Him. He is a Master, a masterful One. He is organizing victory.
And the fine tingle of victory was ever in the air. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/a lord of the harvest.htm

Gravity Upward.
... With the fine tingle of victory in our spirits we are ever at the beginning of a
new life and new victory and great things to come. Did Jesus rise? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/gravity upward.htm

Tingle (3 Occurrences)
...Tingle (3 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 3:11 Yahweh said to Samuel, "Behold, I will do
a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of everyone who hears it shall tingle. ...
/t/tingle.htm - 7k

Calamity (108 Occurrences)
... 21:12 therefore thus says Yahweh, the God of Israel,'Behold, I bring such evil on
Jerusalem and Judah, that whoever hears of it, both his ears shall tingle. ...
/c/calamity.htm - 37k

Disaster (131 Occurrences)
... 21:12 therefore thus says Yahweh, the God of Israel,'Behold, I bring such evil on
Jerusalem and Judah, that whoever hears of it, both his ears shall tingle. ...
/d/disaster.htm - 36k

Tinder (1 Occurrence)

/t/tinder.htm - 6k

Tinkle (1 Occurrence)

/t/tinkle.htm - 7k

Bell (3 Occurrences)
... It is derived from a verb meaning "to tingle" or "dirl" (1 Samuel 3:11), and there
is, therefore, no objection etymologically to rendering the noun by "bells ...
/b/bell.htm - 10k

Ear (670 Occurrences)
... those that have become tired of the sound of oft-repeated truth and that long for
new though deceitful teaching (2 Timothy 4:3). Ears may "tingle" at startling ...
/e/ear.htm - 42k

Hears (78 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 3:11 Yahweh said to Samuel, "Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which
both the ears of everyone who hears it shall tingle. (WEB NAS RSV NIV). ...
/h/hears.htm - 28k

Heareth (137 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 3:11 And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel,
at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. ...
/h/heareth.htm - 37k

Tingle: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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