Meaning of Behold According to the Bible: Revelation
In biblical scripture, ‘behold’ acts as a profound imperative to draw immediate attention to momentous divine revelations and pivotal events. The term, rooted in the Hebrew ‘hinneh’ and Greek ‘idou’, signifies a thorough observation of critical messages.
In the Old Covenant, instances like Genesis 1:29 and Isaiah 7:14 herald God’s significant interventions and promises. Similarly, in the New Covenant, it underscores key moments such as Matthew 1:23 and John 1:29, spotlighting transformative theological insights.
As believers witness ‘behold,’ they are beckoned to discern and comprehend the deeper implications of God’s sovereign will throughout sacred scriptures.
Meaning of “Behold” in the Bible: Call to Attention, Divine Revelation, and Spiritual Truth
| Aspect | Biblical Meaning |
|---|---|
| Call to Attention | “Behold” is used to call attention to something important, often signaling the beginning of a significant statement or divine revelation (John 1:29). |
| Divine Announcement | It frequently introduces God’s message or a pivotal moment in the Bible, emphasizing that what follows is of great spiritual or prophetic importance (Isaiah 7:14). |
| Invitation to Observe | “Behold” invites readers or listeners to observe or reflect upon God’s works, promises, or miracles, encouraging contemplation and understanding (Psalm 33:9). |
| Revelation of Truth | The term often precedes a revelation of spiritual truth or insight, highlighting an aspect of God’s nature, plan, or guidance (Matthew 28:20). |
| Sign of Wonder or Amazement | “Behold” is used to express amazement or wonder at God’s power, miracles, and acts of grace, encouraging faith and trust in His divine will (Revelation 21:5). |
Definition and Etymology
How does the term ‘behold‘ in biblical texts convey its profound significance, both in its original languages and through its etymological roots?
In Hebrew, the word often translated as ‘behold’ is הִנֵּה (hinneh), which functions as an imperative, directing the audience’s attention to a significant event or declaration.
In Greek, ἰδού (idou) serves a similar function, derived from the verb εἶδον (eidon), meaning ‘to see.’
Etymologically, ‘behold’ stems from the Old English ‘behealdan,’ combining ‘be-‘ (thoroughly) and ‘healdan’ (to hold), consequently implying a thorough observation or deep attention.
This term, hence, emphasizes the importance and immediacy of the message, urging readers to pause and consider the divine revelation or pivotal moment being presented.
Behold in Old Testament
In the Old Scriptures, the term ‘behold’ frequently appears in pivotal moments, serving as a divine cue to alert the reader to significant revelations or commands. This word underscores the gravity of a message, often heralding divine intervention or prophecy. For instance, in Genesis 1:29, “behold” introduces God’s provision of food, emphasizing its importance. Similarly, in Exodus 14:13, Moses uses “behold” to direct Israel’s attention to God’s forthcoming deliverance.
| Verse | Contextual Significance | Key Message |
|---|---|---|
| Genesis 1:29 | Introduction of God’s provision | God’s creation and sustenance |
| Exodus 14:13 | Assurance of divine deliverance | God’s saving power |
| Isaiah 7:14 | Prophetic announcement | Foretelling the Messiah |
| Ezekiel 37:5 | Vision of dry bones | Promise of restoration and life |
Through these instances, ‘behold’ serves as an imperative to comprehend divine actions and intentions.
Behold in New Testament
Just as in the Old Covenant, the term ‘behold‘ in the New Covenant continues to play an essential role in emphasizing moments of divine revelation and significant teachings.
In the New Scripture, ‘behold’ frequently introduces pivotal events and doctrinal truths, underscoring their importance. For instance, in Matthew 1:23, ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,’ signifies the fulfillment of messianic prophecy.
In addition, in John 1:29, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God,’ serves to identify Jesus’ salvific mission.
The term operates as a divine spotlight, drawing the reader’s attention to transformative moments.
This consistent usage across the New Scripture highlights its function as a tool for divine emphasis, guiding believers towards deeper theological reflection.
Prophetic Visions and Behold
Throughout biblical prophetic visions, the term ‘behold‘ consistently serves to capture the immediacy and gravity of divine revelations. This linguistic marker often precedes significant supernatural occurrences, demanding the audience’s focused attention.
For instance, in Isaiah 7:14, the proclamation, ‘Behold, a virgin shall conceive,’ signals a momentous prophecy concerning the birth of the Messiah. Similarly, Ezekiel 37:5 states, ‘Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live,’ emphasizing the vision of dry bones coming to life.
The usage of ‘behold’ in these contexts is not merely ornamental; it underscores the transformative and imperative nature of the visions, inviting both the prophet and the audience to witness and comprehend the unfolding divine action.
Divine Revelations and Behold
The term ‘behold’ serves as a pivotal marker in biblical texts, heralding divine revelations characterized by prophecies, visions, and miracles.
In prophetic contexts, ‘behold’ often introduces significant proclamations from God, urging the audience to witness His sovereign will.
Additionally, the use of ‘behold’ in describing visions and miraculous events underscores the gravity and immediacy of divine intervention.
Behold in Prophecies
In the context of biblical prophecies, the term ‘behold’ serves as a divine imperative, often introducing revelations of significant theological import and demanding the immediate attention of the audience.
This term frequently precedes declarations that reveal God’s future plans or judgments, as seen in prophetic books such as Isaiah and Jeremiah.
For instance, Isaiah 7:14 states, ‘Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son,’ signaling the miraculous birth of the Messiah.
Similarly, Jeremiah 31:31 proclaims, ‘Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant.’
Consequently, ‘behold’ functions as a herald of divine intervention, marking moments of profound spiritual significance and urging believers to heed the forthcoming divine message.
Visions and Behold
Introducing divine visions in the Bible, the term ‘behold’ often functions as a prelude to disclosing celestial revelations that convey God’s messages and instructions to prophets and seers. This scriptural term serves to focus the attention of the recipient on the imminent divine disclosure, underscoring the gravity and sanctity of the vision.
Key instances include:
- Ezekiel’s Vision: ‘And I looked, and behold, a whirlwind came out of the north’ (Ezekiel 1:4). This vision reveals the glory of God.
- Isaiah’s Revelation: ‘Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son’ (Isaiah 7:14). This prophecy foretells the birth of Christ.
- John’s Apocalypse: ‘Behold, a door was opened in heaven’ (Revelation 4:1). This vision discloses eschatological events.
Behold in Miracles
Scriptural accounts of miracles frequently employ the term ‘behold’ to draw immediate attention to the divine intervention and the manifestation of God’s power.
This linguistic device serves to highlight moments of extraordinary significance, such as the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-22) or the resurrection of Lazarus (John 11:43-44).
The usage of ‘behold’ in these contexts underscores the immediacy and the awe-inspiring nature of God’s actions.
By prefacing miraculous events with ‘behold,’ the biblical text invites readers to witness the unfolding divine narrative with heightened awareness and reverence.
This term not only marks the occurrence of miraculous events but also serves to deepen the spiritual impact on the audience, reinforcing the omnipotence of God.
Pivotal Biblical Moments
The term ‘behold‘ frequently marks significant events within the biblical narrative, often highlighting divine interventions and messages.
Angelic announcements, such as Gabriel’s proclamation to Mary, and prophetic revelations, including Isaiah’s vision of the coming Messiah, are underscored by this term to signify their profound importance.
These pivotal moments are therefore framed with an imperative to witness and reflect, underscoring their transformative impact on the unfolding of biblical history.
Angelic Announcements
Numerous pivotal moments in the Bible are marked by angelic announcements, often introduced with the imperative ‘Behold,’ underscoring their divine significance. These declarations serve as a divine intervention, signaling momentous events and guiding human action.
Key instances include:
- Gabriel’s Announcement to Mary: The angel Gabriel appears to Mary, proclaiming, ‘Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus’ (Luke 1:31, ESV).
- Angel’s Message to Joseph: In a dream, an angel tells Joseph, ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ (Matthew 1:23, ESV).
- Shepherds and the Birth of Christ: An angel tells the shepherds, ‘Behold, I bring you good news of great joy’ (Luke 2:10, ESV).
Prophetic Revelations
Prophetic revelations in the Bible, often heralded by the term ‘Behold,’ serve as critical junctures that disclose God’s divine plan and alter the course of human history.
For instance, in Isaiah 7:14, ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,’ foretells the coming of the Messiah, a cornerstone of Christian faith.
Similarly, in Revelation 21:5, ‘Behold, I make all things new,’ signals the renewal of creation.
These proclamations are not mere announcements but pivotal moments that shape theological understanding and eschatological expectations.
The term ‘Behold’ functions as a divine imperative, commanding attention and signifying the gravity of the revelation, thereby underscoring the transformative power of God’s word in the prophetic narrative.
Symbolic Meaning of Behold
In biblical literature, ‘behold’ often serves as a herald, signaling the reader to pay close attention to significant revelations or divine interventions. This term carries profound symbolic meaning, emphasizing moments of divine communication and essential spiritual insights. Biblical phrases for worship, such as “Holy, holy, holy” and “Bless the Lord, O my soul,” are also steeped in deep significance, calling believers to reverence and adoration. Beholding these phrases in the context of worship can lead to a deeper connection with the divine and a heightened awareness of God’s presence. It is through such biblical phrases that believers can express their awe and gratitude towards the Creator.
The symbolic use of ‘behold’ is manifold:
- Divine Presence: Often, ‘behold’ introduces instances where God makes His presence known, as in ‘Behold, I am with you always’ (Matthew 28:20).
- Prophetic Visions: Prophets frequently use ‘behold’ to preface visions or messages from God, underscoring their importance.
- Miraculous Events: ‘Behold’ marks the occurrence of miracles, drawing attention to moments when the natural order is divinely altered, such as in ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive’ (Isaiah 7:14).
Behold in Biblical Narratives
The term ‘behold‘ functions as a pivotal narrative device within biblical stories, drawing the reader’s attention to critical moments and actions that bear significant theological implications.
This imperative often precedes divine revelations, miraculous events, or important declarations, thereby heightening their gravity.
For instance, in Genesis 1:29, ‘Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed,’ underscores God’s provision to humanity.
Similarly, in Luke 1:31, ‘Behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb,’ marks the annunciation of Jesus’ birth.
Behold and Spiritual Insights
Illumination of divine truths often accompanies the use of ‘behold’ in biblical texts, inviting readers to contemplate profound spiritual insights and revelations. The term functions as a herald, directing attention to pivotal moments of divine communication. Through its usage, the Scriptures often highlight pivotal elements essential for spiritual discernment.
Consider the following instances:
- Divine Manifestations: ‘Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age’ (Matthew 28:20). This conveys God’s perpetual presence.
- Prophetic Visions: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son’ (Isaiah 7:14). This foretells Christ’s miraculous birth.
- Covenantal Promises: ‘Behold, I make all things new’ (Revelation 21:5). This emphasizes the renewal inherent in God’s covenant.
Thus, ‘behold’ serves as a gateway to deeper spiritual understanding.
Conclusion
In biblical scripture, the term ‘behold’ serves as a divine imperative to pay heed to pivotal moments, prophetic visions, and divine revelations.
Much like a lighthouse guiding ships through treacherous waters, ‘behold’ illuminates essential junctures in the biblical narrative, urging readers to recognize and reflect upon God’s profound messages.
This term encapsulates the awe and reverence due to the divine, enriching spiritual insight and deepening understanding of sacred texts.
