Topical Encyclopedia In the Bible, the term "tongue" is used in various contexts, primarily referring to the physical organ, human language, and spiritual gifts. The concept of "tongue" is significant in both the Old and New Testaments, symbolizing communication, identity, and divine interaction.Physical Organ and Speech: The tongue, as a physical organ, is often associated with speech and the power of words. Proverbs 18:21 states, "Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." This highlights the tongue's potential to influence and shape reality through spoken words. James 3:5-6 further elaborates on the tongue's power, warning, "So too the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body." Human Language: The term "tongue" is also used to denote human languages. In Genesis 11:1 , the narrative of the Tower of Babel describes a time when "the whole world had one language and a common form of speech." The subsequent confusion of languages at Babel (Genesis 11:7-9) illustrates the diversity of tongues as a divine act, leading to the dispersion of peoples across the earth. Spiritual Gifts: In the New Testament, "tongue" takes on a significant role in the context of spiritual gifts. The phenomenon of speaking in tongues, or glossolalia, is first recorded in Acts 2:4 during the Day of Pentecost: "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." This event marked the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the early Church, with the apostles speaking in various languages understood by the diverse crowd present in Jerusalem. The Apostle Paul addresses the gift of tongues in 1 Corinthians 12-14, emphasizing its role within the church. In 1 Corinthians 14:2 , Paul explains, "For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men, but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries in the Spirit." Paul encourages the use of tongues for personal edification and, when interpreted, for the edification of the church body (1 Corinthians 14:5). Symbol of Identity and Unity: The use of "tongue" as a symbol of identity is evident in Revelation 7:9 , where John describes a vision of a great multitude from "every nation and tribe and people and tongue" standing before the throne of God. This imagery underscores the inclusivity and unity of believers from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds in the Kingdom of God. Moral and Ethical Implications: The Bible frequently addresses the moral and ethical implications of the tongue. Psalm 34:13 advises, "Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech." The emphasis on controlling one's tongue reflects the broader biblical teaching on the importance of integrity, truthfulness, and the impact of words on others. In summary, the concept of "tongue" in the Bible encompasses the physical organ, human language, spiritual gifts, and a symbol of identity and unity. It serves as a powerful reminder of the significance of communication, both in human relationships and in the believer's relationship with God. Torrey's Topical Textbook Acts 1:19And it was known to all the dwellers at Jerusalem; so as that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say, The field of blood. Torrey's Topical Textbook Revelation 5:9 Library A Clean Tongue. Ninth Commandment Dignity of the Scripture Language. As Celsus, However, is of Opinion that it Matters Nothing Whether ... Language of the New Testament. 1 in the Character of the Original ... The Tongue. The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles, Commonly Called the Didache Psalm XCIX. A Look into the Hebrew Bible. The Figurative Language of Scripture. Resources Should Bible translations use gender-inclusive language? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the five love languages? | GotQuestions.org What is Biblical Hebrew? Why was the Old Testament written in Hebrew? | GotQuestions.org Language: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Language of all Mankind One at First Language of some Nations Difficult Language: Ancient Kingdoms often Comprehended Nations of Different Language: Confusion of a Punishment for Presumption Language: Confusion of Divided Men Into Separated Nations Language: Confusion of Originated the Varieties In Language: Confusion of Scattered Men Over the Earth Language: Dialects of the Jews Language: Great Variety of, Spoken by Men Language: Interpretation of a Gift of the Holy Spirit Language: Interpretation of Antiquity of Engaging Persons For Language: Interpretation of Most Important in the Early Church Language: Interpretation of The Jews Punished by Being Given up to People of a Strange Language: Kinds of, Mentioned: Arabic Language: Kinds of, Mentioned: Chaldea Language: Kinds of, Mentioned: Egyptian Language: Kinds of, Mentioned: Greek Language: Kinds of, Mentioned: Hebrew Language: Kinds of, Mentioned: Latin Language: Kinds of, Mentioned: Lycaonian Language: Kinds of, Mentioned: Syriack Language: Many Spoken at Jerusalem Language: Parthian and Other Lands Language: Power of Speaking Different: A Gift of the Holy Spirit Language: Power of Speaking Different: A Sign to Unbelievers Language: Power of Speaking Different: Ceased when the Written Bible Completed Language: Power of Speaking Different: Conferred by Laying on of the Apostles' Hands Language: Power of Speaking Different: Followed Receiving the Gospel Language: Power of Speaking Different: Given on the Day of Pentecost Language: Power of Speaking Different: Necessary to Spread of the Gospel Language: Power of Speaking Different: Promised Language: Power of Speaking Different: Sometimes Abused Language: Speaking in Inspired "Tongues" Forbidden Language: The Term Barbarian Applied to Those Who Spoke a Strange Related Terms |
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