The term "untimely" in the biblical context often refers to events or occurrences that happen at an unexpected or inappropriate time, particularly in relation to death or birth. This concept is explored in various passages throughout the Bible, where it is used to convey the suddenness or unexpected nature of certain events, often with a negative connotation.

Untimely Birth

One of the most poignant uses of "untimely" in the Bible is in reference to birth. In Job 3:16, Job laments his own existence, expressing a wish that he had been "like a stillborn child, like an infant who never sees the light of day." This expression of despair highlights the sorrow and tragedy associated with an untimely birth, where life is cut short before it even begins.

Similarly, in Ecclesiastes 6:3-5, the Preacher reflects on the futility of life, stating, "Even if a man fathers a hundred children and lives many years, yet no matter how long he lives, if his soul is not satisfied with goodness and he does not even have a proper burial, I say that a stillborn child is better off than he." Here, the untimely birth serves as a metaphor for a life that, despite its length, lacks fulfillment and purpose.

Untimely Death

The Bible also addresses the concept of untimely death, often as a consequence of sin or divine judgment. In Psalm 55:23, David declares, "But You, O God, will bring them down to the Pit of destruction; men of bloodshed and deceit will not live out half their days. But I will trust in You." This verse suggests that those who engage in wickedness may face an untimely death as a result of their actions, emphasizing the moral order upheld by God.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul refers to his own experience of encountering the risen Christ as "untimely born" in 1 Corinthians 15:8: "And last of all He appeared to me also, as to one of untimely birth." Here, Paul uses the term metaphorically to describe his unexpected and unconventional calling as an apostle, acknowledging the grace of God in his life despite the unusual timing.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the concept of untimeliness underscores the sovereignty of God over life and death. While human beings may perceive certain events as untimely, Scripture affirms that God's timing is perfect and His purposes are ultimately fulfilled according to His divine plan. This is evident in passages such as Ecclesiastes 3:1, which states, "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven."

The notion of untimely events also serves as a reminder of the transient nature of human life and the importance of living in accordance with God's will. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's timing and to seek His wisdom in navigating the uncertainties of life, as reflected in Proverbs 3:5-6: "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."

In summary, the biblical concept of "untimely" encompasses both the sorrow associated with premature events and the assurance of God's sovereign control over all aspects of life. Through faith and trust in God's perfect timing, believers can find peace and purpose even in the face of life's uncertainties.1. (a.) Not timely; unseasonable; premature; inopportune; as, untimely frosts; untimely remarks; an untimely death.

2. (adv.) Out of the natural or usual time; inopportunely; prematurely; unseasonably.

1626. ektroma -- untimely birth, miscarriage
... untimely birth, miscarriage. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: ektroma
Phonetic Spelling: (ek'-tro-mah) Short Definition: an untimely birth ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1626.htm - 6k

171. akairos -- out of season
... inopportunely. Word Origin from the same as akaireomai Definition out of season
NASB Word Usage season (1). out of season, untimely. Adverb ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/171.htm - 6k

3653. olunthos -- an unripe fig
... an unripe fig. Of uncertain derivation; an unripe (because out of season) fig --
untimely fig. (olunthous) -- 1 Occurrence. 3652, 3653. olunthos. 3654 . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3653.htm - 6k

5309. nephel -- miscarriage, abortion
... untimely birth. Or nephel {nay'-fel}; from naphal; something fallen, ie An abortion --
untimely birth. see HEBREW naphal. 5308, 5309. nephel or nephel. 5310 ...
/hebrew/5309.htm - 6k

Critical Conventions.
... CRITICAL CONVENTIONS. 72. "Untimely Synod" of 1819."The leaders of the North Carolina
Synod, Stork, Shober, Jacob Scherer, Daniel Scherer, Miller, and others ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bente/american lutheranism/critical conventions.htm

Organization.
... procedure of the officers in arbitrarily convening the Synod of 1819, five weeks
before the constitutional time (whence known as the "Untimely Synod"), and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bente/american lutheranism/organization.htm

Remembering How Far the Writer of Our Book Excels all who have ...
... Better, he says, an untimely birth, that never saw light, than a thousand years
twice told, thus spent in vanity, without real good having been found. ...
/.../jennings/old groans and new songs/chapter vi remembering how far.htm

1 Cor. xi. 28
... I mean, since many question one with another, "whence arise the untimely deaths,
whence the long diseases of men;" he tells them that these unexpected events ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxviii 1 cor xi.htm

From the Sixth Chapter.
... "Even as a fig-tree casteth her untimely figs."] The fig-tree, when shaken, loses
its untimely figs"when men are separated from the Church by persecution. ...
/.../commentary on the apocolypse of the blessed john/from the sixth chapter.htm

1 Thessalonians iv. 9, 10
... When therefore you lose a child at an untimely age, who is not yet able to do anything,
on what account do you lament? Why do you seek to recall him? ...
/.../homily vi 1 thessalonians iv.htm

The Barren Fig-Tree;
... Fifth. There is also untimely fruit: 'Even as a fig-tree casteth her untimely figs'
(Revelation 6, 13). Fruit out of season, and so no fruit to God's liking. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the barren fig-tree.htm

Chrysostom -- Excessive Grief at the Death of Friends
... Let us not, then, reverse the order, but bewail only sin; and all other things,
whether poverty, or sickness, or untimely death, or calumny, or false accusation ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/chrysostom excessive grief at.htm

Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews.
... silent, [2643]476; will examine the careless ones, will not tell them when,
[2644]382, [2645]383; prays and exhorts others to pray that no untimely deaths may ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homilies on the epistle to.htm

The Revelation of Peter. Introduction.
... beginning of the fourth century, in his Symposium, ii., 6, says, "wherefore we have
also learned from divinely inspired Scriptures that untimely births even if ...
/.../unknown/the apocalypse of peter/the revelation of peter introduction.htm

Untimely (5 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Not timely; unseasonable; premature; inopportune; as, untimely frosts;
untimely remarks; an untimely death. ...Untimely (5 Occurrences). ...
/u/untimely.htm - 8k

Fig (45 Occurrences)
... 2:13; Gr. olynthos, Revelation 6:13, "the untimely fig"), or "winter fig," which
ripens in sheltered spots in spring. Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
/f/fig.htm - 33k

Josiah (51 Occurrences)
... That the reform seemed after Josiah's untimely death to have been merely outward,
is what might reasonably be expected from the inveteracy of the ...
/j/josiah.htm - 42k

Untiled (1 Occurrence)

/u/untiled.htm - 6k

Untiring (1 Occurrence)

/u/untiring.htm - 6k

Unseasonable (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Not seasonable; being, done, or occurring out of
the proper season; ill-timed; untimely; too early or too late; as, he called at ...
/u/unseasonable.htm - 7k

Onan (6 Occurrences)
... nan ('onan, "vigorous"; compare ONAM, a "son" of Judah (Genesis 38:4, 8-10; Genesis
46:12 Numbers 26:19 1 Chronicles 2:3); "The story of the untimely death of ...
/o/onan.htm - 9k

Jezebel (20 Occurrences)
... the kingdom both of Israel and Judah (21:1-29). At length she came to an
untimely end. As Jehu rode into the gates of Jezreel, she ...
/j/jezebel.htm - 26k

Life (6001 Occurrences)
... To be blotted out of the Book of Life is to be cut off from God's favor, to suffer
an untimely death, as when Moses pleads that he be blotted out of God's book ...
/l/life.htm - 51k

Gush (7 Occurrences)
... copiously. 2. (vi) To make a sentimental or untimely exhibition of affection;
to display enthusiasm in a silly, demonstrative manner. 3 ...
/g/gush.htm - 9k

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