The term "bloweth" is an archaic English verb form that appears in various translations of the Bible, including the King James Version. It is derived from the verb "blow," which means to move air, as in the action of the wind. In the context of the Bible, "bloweth" is often used to describe the natural movement of the wind, symbolizing the unseen and sovereign work of God in the world.

Biblical References:

1. John 3:8 : "The wind blows where it wishes. You hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." In this passage, Jesus uses the wind as a metaphor for the Holy Spirit. The term "bloweth" in older translations emphasizes the mysterious and sovereign nature of the Spirit's work in regeneration. Just as the wind cannot be controlled or fully understood, so too is the work of the Spirit in the hearts of believers.

2. Ecclesiastes 1:6 : "Blowing southward, then turning northward, round and round the wind swirls, ever returning on its course." This verse reflects on the cyclical and seemingly purposeless nature of the wind's movement, which is part of the larger theme of vanity and the repetitive cycles of life explored in Ecclesiastes. The use of "bloweth" in older translations highlights the continuous and unending motion of the wind, symbolizing the futility of human endeavors apart from God.

3. Job 37:9 : "The tempest comes from its chamber, and the cold from the driving north winds." Here, the movement of the wind is associated with God's control over the natural world. The term "bloweth" in this context underscores the power and majesty of God as He orchestrates the forces of nature, demonstrating His sovereignty and authority over creation.

Theological Significance:

In Scripture, the wind often serves as a symbol of God's Spirit and His divine action. The unpredictability and power of the wind illustrate the mysterious and sovereign nature of God's work in the world. The use of "bloweth" in older translations captures the ongoing and dynamic activity of the wind, paralleling the continuous and active presence of God in the lives of His people.

The wind's movement also serves as a reminder of human limitations and the need for reliance on God's wisdom and guidance. Just as the wind cannot be controlled or fully understood, so too are God's ways higher than human understanding. This calls believers to trust in God's providence and to seek His will in all aspects of life.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient Near East, the wind was a powerful and often unpredictable force, shaping the climate and daily life of the people. It was associated with both blessing and judgment, bringing rain and fertility or drought and destruction. The biblical use of "bloweth" reflects this dual nature of the wind, serving as a metaphor for God's blessing and judgment.

In summary, the term "bloweth" in biblical literature serves as a vivid illustration of the divine attributes of God's Spirit, His sovereignty, and the mysterious nature of His work in the world. Through the imagery of the wind, Scripture communicates profound truths about God's character and His relationship with creation.

Wind and Spirit
... WIND AND SPIRIT. 'The wind bloweth where it listeth, and them hearest the sound
thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/wind and spirit.htm

The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit as Revealed in his Names.
... The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst
not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born ...
/.../torrey/the person and work of the holy spirit/chapter v the person and.htm

John iii. 6
... sense, saying,. Ver.7, 8. "Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born
again. [685] The wind bloweth where it listeth.". For by ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxvi john iii 6.htm

The Fourfold Symbols of the Spirit
... Reflect upon those profound words of our Lord: 'The wind bloweth where it listeth,
and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh nor ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the fourfold symbols of the.htm

The Fruits of the Spirit.
... The wind bloweth whither it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst
not tell whence it cometh, or whither it goeth: so is every one that is born ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/westminster sermons/sermon vi the fruits of.htm

A Talk About the Breath of God.
... "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof,
but canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it bloweth. ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xi a talk about.htm

The Comforter
... The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; because the Spirit of the Lord bloweth upon
it." I think it does people harm to hear this awful and almighty being, I ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xiv the comforter.htm

John Chapter iii. 21-Jun
... The Spirit bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest its voice, but knowest not
whence it cometh, or whither it goeth." None sees the Spirit; and how do we ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xii john chapter iii.htm

The Days of the Week
... seemed, always moving, yet no one knew how; with immense power and force, and yet
not to be seen; as our blessed Lord himself said, 'The wind bloweth where it ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xxv the days of.htm

Pleading
... We cannot command the Spirit, and yet we can do nothing without Him. He bloweth
where He listeth. We must deeply feel and honestly acknowledge this. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/pleading.htm

Bloweth (10 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Bloweth (10 Occurrences). John 3:8 The wind bloweth
where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof ...
/b/bloweth.htm - 9k

Lifteth (69 Occurrences)
... Exodus 10:19 and Jehovah turneth a very strong sea wind, and it lifteth up the locust,
and bloweth it into the Red Sea -- there hath not been left one locust ...
/l/lifteth.htm - 27k

Blowing (31 Occurrences)

/b/blowing.htm - 16k

Listeth (2 Occurrences)
... John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof,
but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that ...
/l/listeth.htm - 7k

List (17 Occurrences)
... The word is obsolete in modern English, but John 3:8 is still used proverbially,
"The wind bloweth where it listeth.". Multi-Version Concordance ...
/l/list.htm - 14k

Withereth (13 Occurrences)
... (See JPS ASV). Isaiah 40:7 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the
spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. ...
/w/withereth.htm - 10k

Whither (151 Occurrences)
... John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof,
but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that ...
/w/whither.htm - 40k

Fadeth (9 Occurrences)
... (See JPS). Isaiah 40:7 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit
of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS) ...
/f/fadeth.htm - 8k

Forges (2 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 54:16 Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the fire of coals, and
bringeth forth a weapon for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy ...
/f/forges.htm - 7k

Thereof (845 Occurrences)
... John 3:8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof,
but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that ...
/t/thereof.htm - 35k

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