Definition and Usage:
The term "turnings" in the biblical context often refers to changes in direction, both physically and metaphorically. It can denote a literal change in path or a spiritual or moral shift in one's life. The concept of turning is significant in Scripture, symbolizing repentance, transformation, and divine guidance.

Biblical References:

1. Repentance and Spiritual Turning:
The idea of turning is frequently associated with repentance, a fundamental theme in the Bible. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word "shuv" is often used, meaning to return or turn back to God. This is seen in the call to repentance, where individuals or nations are urged to turn from their sinful ways and return to the Lord. For example, in the book of Ezekiel, God calls His people to turn from their wickedness: "Therefore, house of Israel, I will judge each of you according to your ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your offenses, so that sin will not be your downfall" (Ezekiel 18:30).

2. Divine Guidance and Direction:
Turnings also reflect God's guidance in the lives of His people. The Bible often describes God directing the paths of the faithful, leading them in the way they should go. Proverbs 3:5-6 emphasizes trusting in the Lord for direction: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." This passage highlights the importance of seeking God's guidance in decision-making and life direction.

3. Moral and Ethical Turning:
The concept of turning is also applied to moral and ethical decisions. The Bible encourages believers to turn away from evil and pursue righteousness. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul speaks of turning from darkness to light, symbolizing a moral and spiritual transformation. Acts 26:18 describes this turning: "to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Me."

4. Physical and Literal Turnings:
While the metaphorical use of turning is more prevalent, there are instances of literal turnings in the Bible. These include changes in physical direction during journeys or battles. For example, in the wilderness wanderings, the Israelites experienced various turnings as they followed God's guidance through the desert. Numbers 9:18-23 describes how the Israelites would set out or camp based on the movement of the cloud over the tabernacle, indicating God's direct guidance in their journey.

Theological Significance:

The concept of turnings in the Bible underscores the dynamic relationship between God and His people. It highlights the importance of repentance, the necessity of divine guidance, and the call to live a life aligned with God's will. Turnings serve as a reminder of the constant need for spiritual vigilance and the willingness to change direction in response to God's leading. The biblical narrative is replete with examples of individuals and nations who experienced profound turnings, illustrating the transformative power of God's grace and the call to a life of faithfulness.182. odoth -- a cause
... Or (shortened) rodowth {o-doth'} (only thus in the plural); from the same as 'uwd;
turnings (ie Occasions); (adverb) on account of -- (be-)cause, concerning ...
/hebrew/182.htm - 6k

A Description of Mystical Theology, which is no Other Thing than ...
... God alone is he, who, by his infinite wisdom, sees, knows and penetrates all the
turnings and windings of our hearts: he understands our thoughts from afar, he ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter i a description of.htm

The Perat?? Derive their System from the Astrologers; this Proved ...
... And (they state) that some are likewise tropical, and when the sun stands in these,
he causes great turnings [464] of the surrounding (sign). ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter viii the peratae derive their.htm

The Two Masters, Self and Truth
... Self is ingenious, crooked, and, governed by subtle and snaky desire, admits of
endless turnings and qualifications, and the deluded worshipers of self vainly ...
//christianbookshelf.org/allen/the way of peace/the two masters self and.htm

Book V Here She Made an End and was for Turning the Course of Her ...
... though all-expedient for knowledge, are none the less rather apart from our path,
and we must be careful lest you become wearied by our turnings aside, and so ...
/.../boethius/the consolation of philosophy/book v here she made.htm

I have Been Asked to Tell You About the Back of the North Wind. .. ...
... Indeed it was sometimes only through a little lane with several turnings, which
looked as if it had been sawn out for him, that he could reach his bed at all. ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 1 i have been.htm

On Sleep.
... But let not the couch be elaborate, and let it have smooth feet; for elaborate turnings
form occasionally paths for creeping things which twine themselves ...
//christianbookshelf.org/clement/the instructor paedagogus/chap ix on sleep.htm

The Perspective of True Service.
... There are always the three turnings of a true life, upward, inward, outward.
Upward to God, inward to self, outward to the world. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on service/the perspective of true service.htm

Arguments from the Novelty of Fate and Generation; that Golden Age ...
... If the sun, driving through the circles and passing along the signs of the Zodiac
in his annual periods, accomplishes the changes and turnings of the seasons ...
/.../chapter xv arguments from the novelty.htm

The Doctrine of Mathematicians not Wholly to be Despised, when ...
... For they say that the circumference of the world is likened to the turnings
of a well-rounded globe, the earth having a central point. ...
/.../chapter xiv the doctrine of mathematicians.htm

The Magnificat
... of verse 50. It contains three turnings or strophes, the first two of which
have two clauses each, and the third three. The first ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the magnificat.htm

Turnings (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Turnings (2 Occurrences). ... The turnings of thy sides
'are' as ornaments, Work of the hands of an artificer. (YLT). ...
/t/turnings.htm - 7k

Nadib (2 Occurrences)
... thy feet with sandals, O daughter of Nadib. The turnings of thy sides 'are'
as ornaments, Work of the hands of an artificer. (YLT). ...
/n/nadib.htm - 6k

Getting (151 Occurrences)
... your prayers, be not like the false-hearted men, who take pleasure in getting up
and saying their prayers in the Synagogues and at the street turnings so that ...
/g/getting.htm - 41k

False-hearted (6 Occurrences)
... your prayers, be not like the false-hearted men, who take pleasure in getting up
and saying their prayers in the Synagogues and at the street turnings so that ...
/f/false-hearted.htm - 8k

Truly (468 Occurrences)
... your prayers, be not like the false-hearted men, who take pleasure in getting up
and saying their prayers in the Synagogues and at the street turnings so that ...
/t/truly.htm - 36k

Turning-leaves (1 Occurrence)
Turning-leaves. Turning, Turning-leaves. Turnings . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(DBY). Turning, Turning-leaves. Turnings . Reference Bible.
/t/turning-leaves.htm - 6k

Return (499 Occurrences)
... provisions, etc. 31. (n.) The turnings and windings of a trench or mine.
Multi-Version Concordance Return (499 Occurrences). Matthew ...
/r/return.htm - 38k

Pleasure (331 Occurrences)
... your prayers, be not like the false-hearted men, who take pleasure in getting up
and saying their prayers in the Synagogues and at the street turnings so that ...
/p/pleasure.htm - 40k

Chorus (4 Occurrences)
... O daughter of Nadib. The turnings of thy sides 'are' as ornaments, Work
of the hands of an artificer. (YLT). Jeremiah 31:4 Again ...
/c/chorus.htm - 8k

Artificer (13 Occurrences)
... sandals, O daughter of Nadib. The turnings of thy sides 'are' as ornaments,
Work of the hands of an artificer. (YLT). Isaiah 3:3 The ...
/a/artificer.htm - 11k

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