The term "waxen" is an archaic form of the verb "to wax," which means to grow or increase in size, strength, or intensity. In the context of the Bible, "waxen" is often used to describe a process of growth or change, whether physical, spiritual, or moral. This term appears in various passages throughout the Scriptures, illustrating different aspects of human and divine experience.

Biblical Usage:

1. Physical Growth and Increase:
· In the Old Testament, "waxen" is frequently used to describe the physical growth or increase of people, nations, or possessions. For example, in Genesis 26:13 , it is said of Isaac, "And the man became rich, and continued to prosper until he became very wealthy." Here, the concept of waxing is implicit in the description of Isaac's increasing wealth and prosperity.

2. Spiritual and Moral Development:
· The term is also used to describe spiritual or moral growth. In Deuteronomy 32:15 , the Israelites are warned against becoming complacent in their prosperity: "But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked; you grew fat, thick, and sleek—he abandoned the God who made him and scorned the Rock of his salvation." The waxing of Jeshurun (a poetic name for Israel) in wealth and self-satisfaction leads to spiritual decline, illustrating the potential dangers of material prosperity without spiritual vigilance.

3. Change in Condition or State:
· "Waxen" can also refer to a change in condition or state, often with a negative connotation. In Matthew 24:12 , Jesus warns of the end times: "Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold." Although the term "waxen" is not directly used here, the concept of waxing cold in love is evident, indicating a decline in spiritual fervor and moral integrity.

4. Metaphorical and Symbolic Uses:
· The Bible often uses "waxen" metaphorically to describe the increase or intensification of abstract qualities. For instance, in Job 21:23-24 , it is noted, "One dies full of vigor, completely secure and at ease. His body is well nourished, and his bones are rich with marrow." The waxing of physical health and vitality is contrasted with the suddenness of death, emphasizing the transient nature of earthly prosperity.

Theological Implications:

The use of "waxen" in the Bible underscores the dynamic nature of human life and spiritual experience. It serves as a reminder of the potential for growth and change, both positive and negative. The Scriptures encourage believers to be mindful of their spiritual state, to seek growth in righteousness, and to guard against the dangers of complacency and moral decline. The concept of waxing, therefore, is integral to understanding the biblical narrative of human development in relation to God's will and purpose.1. (p. p.) of Wax.

2. (a.) Made of wax.

3. (a.) Covered with wax; waxed; as, a waxen tablet.

4. (a.) Resembling wax; waxy; hence, soft; yielding.

4134. muk -- to be low or depressed, to grow poor
... be waxen poorer. A primitive root; to become thin, ie (figuratively) be impoverished --
be (waxen) poor(-er). 4133, 4134. muk. 4135 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/4134.htm - 6k

The Kinsman-Redeemer
... The first was connected with property, and is thus stated in the words of the law,
'If thy brother be waxen poor, and sell some of his possession, then shall ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the kinsman-redeemer.htm

Written Contracts in the Name of Idols. Tacit Consent.
... [339] Thus, in his pen there speaks a hand clearer than every sound, in his waxen
tablet there is heard a letter more vocal that every mouth. ...
/.../tertullian/on idolatry/chapter xxiii written contracts in the.htm

A Letter from Origen to Africanus.
... One will saw asunder him who was waxen old in wicked days, who had pronounced false
judgment, condemning the innocent, and letting the guilty go free; [3037 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origens letters/a letter from origen to.htm

The Physical Tendencies of Fasting and Feeding Considered the ...
... I am a liar, if the Lord Himself, when upbraiding Israel with forgetfulness, does
not impute the cause to "fulness:" "(My) beloved is waxen thick, and fat, and ...
/.../chapter vi the physical tendencies of.htm

The Fate of False Teachers.
... submitted to death! Whosoever, "being waxen fat," [600] and "become gross,"
sets at nought His doctrine, shall go into hell. In like ...
/.../the epistle of ignatius to the ephesians/chapter xvi the fate of false.htm

Hymn for the Lighting of the Lamps
... Bright glows the light, whether the resin thick Of pine-brand flares, or waxen tapers
burn With melting radiance, or the hollow urn Yields its stored sweetness ...
/.../prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/v hymn for the lighting.htm

God's Cup of Myrrh
... It so happened that some thieves broke into a little chapel, in which were hung
up waxen legs and arms, as now we see in Roman Catholic countries, being the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bevan/three friends of god/chapter liii gods cup of.htm

"I Saw . . . As it were in the Time of his Passion . . . And in ...
... I saw her ghostly, in bodily likeness: a simple maid and a meek, young of age and
little waxen above a child, in the stature that she was when she conceived. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/julian/revelations of divine love/chapter iv i saw.htm

"The Goodness of God is the Highest Prayer, and it Cometh Down to ...
... part of our need. It quickeneth our soul and bringeth it on life, and
maketh it for to waxen in grace and virtue. It is nearest ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter vi the goodness of.htm

"The Kind, Loving, Mother"
... And when it is waxen of more age, she suffereth that it be beaten [242] in breaking
down of vices, to make the child receive virtues and graces. ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter lx the kind loving.htm

Waxen (12 Occurrences)
... 1. (pp) of Wax. 2. (a.) Made of wax. 3. (a.) Covered with wax; waxed; as, a
waxen tablet. ... Multi-Version Concordance Waxen (12 Occurrences). ...
/w/waxen.htm - 10k

Wax (32 Occurrences)
... Hebrew. The past participle in the King James Version and the English Revised
Version is "waxen," except in Genesis 18:12. There ...
/w/wax.htm - 18k

Waxed (57 Occurrences)

/w/waxed.htm - 23k

Gangrene (1 Occurrence)
... verse 52 Coverdale uses the phrase, "O thou old cankered carle," in Daniel's address
to the elder, where English Versions of the Bible has "waxen old in ...
/g/gangrene.htm - 8k

Waxeth (5 Occurrences)

/w/waxeth.htm - 7k

Floweth (16 Occurrences)
... them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and
honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then ...
/f/floweth.htm - 11k

Falter (2 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 25:35 And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee;
then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner ...
/f/falter.htm - 7k

Relieve (14 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 25:35 And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee;
then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner ...
/r/relieve.htm - 11k

Decay (18 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 25:35 And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee;
then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner ...
/d/decay.htm - 13k

Megiddon (1 Occurrence)
... Later, when the children of Israel were waxen strong, the Canaanites were put to
taskwork (Joshua 17:12 Judges 1:27 f). The host of Sisera was drawn to the ...
/m/megiddon.htm - 10k

Waxen: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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