Cometh Meaning in the Bible
The term ‘cometh,’ appearing frequently in the King James Bible, is an archaic form of ‘come’ that emphasizes continuous arrival or approach, often in a divine context. It holds significant theological insights and is used in both the Old and New Scriptures.
For example, it signifies God’s coming glory in Isaiah 60:1 and the Second Coming of Christ in Revelation 22:12. ‘Cometh’ underscores themes of divine intervention, hope, judgment, and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan, while inviting believers to deepen their spiritual journey and prepare for divine encounters.
Understanding its usage and implications can illuminate profound spiritual truths.
Cometh Meaning in the Bible: Definition, Usage, and Biblical Significance
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Word | Cometh |
| Origin | Old English (from “come”) |
| Meaning | Archaic form of “comes” or “arrives” |
| Usage in Bible | Frequently used in the King James Version (KJV) |
| Example Verse | John 3:19 – “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world…” |
| Spiritual Significance | Represents divine arrival, fulfillment of prophecy, and spiritual awakening |
| Modern Equivalent | Comes, Arrives |
Definition of ‘Cometh’
The term ‘cometh‘ is an archaic form of the verb ‘come,’ frequently observed in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, signifying the act of approaching or arriving. This linguistic form underscores a reverence for the timeless and unchanging nature of divine actions and promises.
For instance, in John 6:37, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out,” the word ‘cometh’ emphasizes the continuous, unending invitation extended by Christ.
Theologically, ‘cometh’ suggests a perpetual state of spiritual movement towards God, reflecting the dynamic and active relationship between the divine and humanity. Such usage enriches our understanding of divine engagement and human response.
Biblical Occurrences
The term ‘cometh’ appears in various contexts throughout the Bible, offering a rich tapestry of theological insights.
In the Old Covenant, it frequently signifies divine intervention or the arrival of significant events, as seen in passages like Isaiah 40:10.
The New Covenant usage often underscores the imminent return of Christ or the manifestation of God’s Kingdom, exemplified in verses such as John 14:3, serving as a powerful symbol of hope and fulfillment for believers.
Old Testament Appearances
In examining the Old Scripture, the term ‘cometh‘ frequently appears in prophetic literature, often signifying the arrival of divine intervention or significant events, as seen in passages such as Isaiah 60:1 and Joel 2:1.
Isaiah 60:1 heralds the coming of God’s glory: ‘Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee.’ This phrase emphasizes divine illumination and salvation.
Similarly, Joel 2:1 declares, ‘Blow ye the trumpet in Zion…for the day of the Lord cometh.’ Here, ‘cometh’ underscores impending judgment and the need for repentance.
These instances illustrate ‘cometh’ as a harbinger of pivotal, transformative moments, reflecting theological themes of hope, judgment, and divine presence.
New Testament Usage
Shifting our focus to the New Scriptures, the term ‘cometh’ continues to play a significant role, particularly in the context of Christ’s teachings and eschatological expectations.
The New Covenant utilizes ‘cometh’ to underscore pivotal theological themes:
- John 3:16: Emphasizes the coming of salvation through belief in Christ.
- Matthew 24:44: Illustrates the unexpected nature of the Second Coming.
- John 4:23: Speaks to the coming era of true worshippers.
- Revelation 22:12: Highlights the imminent return of Christ to reward each according to their deeds.
These references underscore the concept of divine intervention and fulfillment of prophecy, providing believers with a framework for understanding Christ’s role in both present and future contexts.
Symbolic Interpretations
Symbolically, the term ‘cometh’ in the Bible often signifies divine timing and the unfolding of God’s redemptive plan.
For instance, in John 1:29, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, which cometh to take away the sin of the world,’ the arrival of Jesus marks the pivotal moment of salvation.
Similarly, Revelation 22:20 states, ‘Surely I come quickly,’ emphasizing Christ’s imminent return and the fulfillment of eschatological promises.
The term ‘cometh’ consequently encapsulates moments of divine intervention and prophetic fulfillment.
Each occurrence underscores God’s sovereign orchestration of history, urging believers to discern the spiritual implications of His timing.
Through ‘cometh,’ Scripture invites a deeper understanding of divine purpose and anticipation of future glory.
Old Testament Usage
The term ‘cometh’ appears numerous times in the Old Scriptures, often signifying the arrival or intervention of God in pivotal moments of Israel’s history. This linguistic choice underscores divine movement and authority. For instance, in Isaiah 40:10, ‘Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand,’ indicates God’s powerful intervention.
- Genesis 18:14 – ‘Is any thing too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee.’
- Isaiah 35:4 – ‘Behold, your God will come with vengeance.’
- Micah 1:3 – ‘For, behold, the Lord cometh forth out of his place.’
- Zechariah 14:5 – ‘And the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.’
These instances reflect theological themes of divine promise, judgment, and fulfillment.
New Testament Context
In the New Covenant, the term ‘cometh‘ often signifies the fulfillment of Jesus’ promises and prophetic declarations, as seen in passages like John 14:18, where Jesus assures, ‘I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.’
This usage underscores the eschatological hope and the realization of messianic prophecies, evident in Matthew 24:30, which speaks of the Son of Man coming in clouds with power and great glory.
The theological implications of ‘cometh’ consequently encompass both the immediate presence of Christ and the anticipated future consummation of divine promises.
Jesus’ Promises Fulfilled
Often, the New Covenant elucidates how Jesus’ promises manifest, particularly through the fulfillment of prophecies and the establishment of a new covenant as seen in passages like Matthew 5:17 and Luke 22:20.
Jesus’ promises are fulfilled in several significant ways:
- Redemption and Salvation: Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross (John 3:16) redeems humanity, fulfilling the promise of salvation.
- Holy Spirit: The Pentecost event (Acts 2:4) signifies the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to send the Holy Spirit (John 14:26).
- Eternal Life: Jesus guarantees eternal life to believers, as found in John 6:40.
- Kingdom of God: The establishment of God’s kingdom is a central theme, evidenced in Jesus’ teachings (Mark 1:15).
These fulfillments underscore the transformative nature of Jesus’ mission.
Prophetic Fulfillment Explained
Building on the realization of Jesus’ promises, the New Scripture provides a thorough theological framework for understanding prophetic fulfillment through the life, ministry, and resurrection of Christ.
Key passages such as Matthew 5:17, where Jesus asserts, ‘I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them,’ reveal His role in bringing Old Testament prophecies to fruition.
The Gospel of John (19:28-30) emphasizes this fulfillment when Jesus declares, ‘It is finished,’ signifying the completion of His redemptive mission.
Acts 3:18 underscores that God fulfilled what He had foretold through all the prophets.
Consequently, New Testament writings intricately connect Christ’s actions to prophetic declarations, establishing a thorough narrative of divine fulfillment and eschatological hope.
Theological Significance
The term ‘cometh,’ frequently encountered in the King James Version of the Bible, holds profound theological implications, particularly in its connotation of divine intervention and the fulfillment of God’s promises. Its usage often underscores pivotal moments of divine action:
- Divine Presence: ‘Behold, he cometh with clouds’ (Revelation 1:7) emphasizes God’s imminent return.
- Salvation: ‘He that cometh to me shall never hunger’ (John 6:35) highlights the assurance of eternal life.
- Judgment: ‘The day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night’ (1 Thessalonians 5:2) signals impending divine judgment.
- Prophetic Fulfillment: ‘Thy king cometh unto thee’ (Zechariah 9:9) foretells the Messiah’s arrival.
These instances reveal ‘cometh’ as a dynamic marker of God’s active engagement with humanity.
Spiritual Insights
Understanding the spiritual insights of the term ‘cometh‘ requires examining its contextual usage in scripture, which reveals deeper layers of divine intention and human response.
For instance, in John 14:6, ‘Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me,’ ‘cometh’ indicates a transformative journey towards divine union.
Similarly, in Revelation 22:17, ‘And let him that is athirst come,’ ‘cometh’ symbolizes an open invitation to spiritual fulfillment.
These passages underscore the dynamic relationship between divine calling and human action.
Consequently, ‘cometh’ serves as a pivotal term that encapsulates the essence of seeking and receiving divine grace, urging believers to engage actively with their faith.
Conclusion
The term ‘cometh,’ deriving from archaic English, translates to ‘comes’ in modern usage.
It appears extensively in biblical texts, with significant occurrences in both the Old and New Scriptures.
Its theological implications often denote divine action or prophetic fulfillment.
An intriguing statistic reveals that the word ‘cometh’ appears over 290 times in the King James Version of the Bible, underscoring its profound role in conveying spiritual and prophetic messages throughout the scripture.
