Jump to: ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia In biblical literature, the term "blot" is often used metaphorically to signify the removal, erasure, or obliteration of something, typically in the context of sin, guilt, or divine judgment. The concept of a "blot" is deeply intertwined with themes of purity, righteousness, and the covenant relationship between God and His people.Old Testament Usage The Hebrew word often translated as "blot" is מָחָה (machah), which means to wipe out, erase, or obliterate. This term appears in various contexts throughout the Old Testament, often associated with the removal of sin or the erasure of one's name from a record. In Exodus 32:32-33, Moses intercedes for the Israelites after they sin by worshiping the golden calf. He pleads with God, saying, "But now, if You would only forgive their sin. But if not, please blot me out of the book You have written." The LORD responds, "Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot out of My book." Here, the "book" symbolizes the record of those who are in right standing with God, and to be blotted out signifies divine judgment and exclusion from God's covenant blessings. The concept of blotting out is also linked to forgiveness and redemption. In Isaiah 43:25, God declares, "I, yes I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake and remembers your sins no more." This passage highlights God's mercy and willingness to erase the sins of His people, restoring them to a state of grace. New Testament Usage In the New Testament, the Greek word ἐξαλείφω (exaleiphō) is used, carrying a similar meaning of wiping away or erasing. This term is found in Colossians 2:14, where Paul writes about the work of Christ: "having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross." Here, the "blotting out" of the record of debt signifies the complete removal of the charges against believers through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. The imagery of blotting out is also present in the eschatological context of Revelation. In Revelation 3:5, Jesus promises, "The one who overcomes will be clothed in white garments, and I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and His angels." This assurance underscores the eternal security of those who remain faithful to Christ. Theological Significance Theologically, the concept of a blot serves as a powerful symbol of both judgment and grace. It underscores the seriousness of sin and the reality of divine justice, while simultaneously highlighting the hope of redemption and forgiveness available through God's mercy. The act of blotting out sin is a divine prerogative, emphasizing that only God can truly erase the stain of sin and restore individuals to righteousness. In the broader biblical narrative, the idea of a blot is a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and His people. It calls believers to live in holiness and obedience, while also offering the assurance of God's willingness to forgive and restore those who repent and turn to Him in faith. Easton's Bible Dictionary A stain or reproach (Job 31:7; Proverbs 9:7). To blot out sin is to forgive it (Psalm 51:1, 9; Isaiah 44:22; Acts 3:19). Christ's blotting out the handwriting of ordinances was his fulfilling the law in our behalf (Colossians 2:14). Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (v. t.) To spot, stain, or bespatter, as with ink.2. (v. t.) To impair; to damage; to mar; to soil. 3. (v. t.) To stain with infamy; to disgrace. 4. (v. t.) To obliterate, as writing with ink; to cancel; to efface; -- generally with out; as, to blot out a word or a sentence. Often figuratively; as, to blot out offenses. 5. (v. t.) To obscure; to eclipse; to shadow. 6. (v. t.) To dry, as writing, with blotting paper. 7. (v. i.) To take a blot; as, this paper blots easily. 8. (n.) A spot or stain, as of ink on paper; a blur. 9. (n.) An obliteration of something written or printed; an erasure. 10. (n.) A spot on reputation; a stain; a disgrace; a reproach; a blemish. 11. (n.) An exposure of a single man to be taken up. 12. (n.) A single man left on a point, exposed to be taken up. 13. (n.) A weak point; a failing; an exposed point or mark. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia BLOTblot (mum, contracted from me'um, "spot"): Occurs in the sense of scorn (Proverbs 9:7). In Job 31:7 (the King James Version) it is used figuratively of a moral defect; the Revised Version (British and American) has "spot." Blot out (machah, "to wipe out," exaleipho, "to smear out"), to obliterate or destroy: "That a tribe be not blotted out" (the King James Version "destroyed," Judges 21:17). To blot men out of God's book is to cut them off by an untimely death (Exodus 32:32). Greek 1813. exaleipho -- to wipe out, erase, obliterate ... blot out, wipe away. From ek and aleipho; to smear out, ie Obliterate (erase tears, figuratively, pardon sin) -- blot out, wipe away. see GREEK ek. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1813.htm - 7k 3470. momos -- blame, disgrace, blemish 299. amomos -- amomum (a fragrant plant of India) Strong's Hebrew 4229a. machah -- to wipe, wipe out... 4229, 4229a. machah. 4229b . to wipe, wipe out. Transliteration: machah Short Definition: blot. Word Origin a prim. root Definition ... /hebrew/4229a.htm - 5k 3971. mum -- blemish, defect 4229. machah -- to wipe, wipe out 3582. kachad -- to hide Library Marcion, who Would Blot Out the Record of Christ's Nativity, is ... Whether a General Confession Suffices to Blot Out Forgotten Mortal ... Whether Slight Contrition Suffices to Blot Out Great Sins? Moses' Prayer to be Blotted Out of God's Book. Moses' Prayer to be Blotted Out of God's Book. The Divinity of the Holy Spirit is Supported by a Passage of St. . ... The Pleading Note in Prayer The Nature of Justification How to Make Use of Christ for Taking the Guilt of Our Daily Out ... On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xvii. 3, "If Thy Brother Sin ... Thesaurus Blot (23 Occurrences)... Easton's Bible Dictionary A stain or reproach (Job 31:7; Proverbs 9:7). To blot out sin is to forgive it (Psalm 51:1, 9; Isaiah 44:22; Acts 3:19). ... /b/blot.htm - 16k Erase (1 Occurrence) Am'alek (21 Occurrences) Spot (42 Occurrences) Curses (55 Occurrences) Amalek (35 Occurrences) Cloud (119 Occurrences) Blossoms (16 Occurrences) Scroll (70 Occurrences) Memory (181 Occurrences) Resources What did David mean when he asked God to “restore to me the joy of your salvation” (Psalm 51:12)? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did David ask God to “create in me a clean heart” in Psalm 51:10? | GotQuestions.org Why did God also destroy animals in the Flood (Genesis 6-8)? | GotQuestions.org Blot: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Blot (23 Occurrences)John 11:48 Revelation 3:5 Genesis 6:7 Genesis 7:4 Exodus 17:14 Exodus 23:23 Exodus 32:32 Exodus 32:33 Numbers 5:23 Deuteronomy 9:14 Deuteronomy 25:19 Deuteronomy 29:20 Deuteronomy 32:26 1 Kings 13:34 2 Kings 14:27 Nehemiah 4:5 Nehemiah 13:14 Job 31:7 Psalms 51:1 Psalms 51:9 Proverbs 9:7 Jeremiah 18:23 Ezekiel 32:7 Subtopics Related Terms |
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