Topical Encyclopedia The concept of confusion is addressed in various contexts throughout the Bible, often associated with disorder, misunderstanding, and the consequences of sin. In Scripture, confusion can be seen as both a divine judgment and a human condition resulting from a departure from God's order and truth.Divine Judgment and Confusion One of the most notable instances of God causing confusion as a form of judgment is found in the account of the Tower of Babel. In Genesis 11:7-9 , God confounds the language of the people to disrupt their plans: "Come, let Us go down and confuse their language, so that they will not understand one another’s speech." This act of divine intervention scatters humanity across the earth, illustrating how God uses confusion to thwart human pride and self-reliance. Similarly, in Deuteronomy 28:20 , confusion is listed as a curse for disobedience: "The LORD will send upon you curses, confusion, and rebuke in all you undertake to do, until you are destroyed and perish quickly, because of the wickedness of your deeds in which you have forsaken Me." Here, confusion is a consequence of turning away from God's commandments, leading to chaos and failure. Confusion in Warfare Confusion is also depicted in the context of warfare, where God intervenes to protect His people. In 1 Samuel 7:10 , during a battle between the Israelites and the Philistines, "the LORD thundered with a loud voice against the Philistines that day and threw them into such confusion that they fled before Israel." This divine-induced confusion results in victory for the Israelites, demonstrating God's power to disrupt the plans of their enemies. Moral and Spiritual Confusion The Bible also addresses moral and spiritual confusion, often linked to a lack of discernment and understanding of God's truth. In Isaiah 5:20 , the prophet warns against those who confuse moral standards: "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who turn darkness to light and light to darkness, who replace bitter with sweet and sweet with bitter." This passage highlights the danger of moral relativism and the resulting confusion when God's standards are ignored. In the New Testament, confusion is associated with disorder within the church. In 1 Corinthians 14:33 , Paul writes, "For God is not a God of disorder, but of peace—as in all the churches of the saints." This verse underscores the importance of order and clarity in worship and doctrine, reflecting God's nature as a God of peace and not confusion. Confusion and the Human Condition Confusion is also a part of the human condition, often resulting from a lack of wisdom and understanding. James 3:16 states, "For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice." This passage links confusion to sinful attitudes and behaviors, suggesting that a heart aligned with God's wisdom is necessary to overcome confusion. In contrast, the pursuit of God's wisdom brings clarity and understanding. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." This counsel encourages believers to rely on God's guidance to avoid confusion and find direction in life. Conclusion The theme of confusion in the Bible serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of aligning with God's truth and order. Whether as a divine judgment or a human struggle, confusion highlights the need for reliance on God's wisdom and guidance to navigate the complexities of life. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (a.) Mixed; confounded.2. (v. t.) To mix or blend so that things can not be distinguished; to jumble together; to confound; to render indistinct or obscure; as, to confuse accounts; to confuse one's vision. 3. (v. t.) To perplex; to disconcert; to abash; to cause to lose self-possession. Greek 4797. sugcheo -- to pour together, ie to confuse, throw into ... ... to pour together, ie to confuse, throw into confusion. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: sugcheo or sugchunno Phonetic Spelling: (soong-kheh'-o) Short ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4797.htm - 7k 3791. ochleo -- to disturb, trouble Strong's Hebrew 2000. hamam -- to make a noise, move noisily, confuse, discomfit... 1999, 2000. hamam. 2001 . to make a noise, move noisily, confuse, discomfit. Transliteration: hamam Phonetic Spelling: (haw-mam') Short Definition: routed. ... /hebrew/2000.htm - 6k 1101a. balal -- to mingle, mix, confuse, confound 943. buk -- to perplex, confuse 1101. balal -- to mingle, mix, confuse, confound 1104. bala -- to swallow down, swallow up, engulf Library The Name of God Concerning the Number of the Natures. Chapter xi Impressive Phrases Concerning the Energies in Our Lord Jesus Christ. Elucidations Mr. Bernard Shaw Book iii. The Words of the Lord, I in the Father... Causes of Corruption Chiefly Intentional. What Wonder is There in It? Such Inconsistencies as These are Just ... Thesaurus Confuse (6 Occurrences)... 2. (vt) To mix or blend so that things can not be distinguished; to jumble together; to confound; to render indistinct or obscure; as, to confuse accounts; to ... /c/confuse.htm - 8k Confound (9 Occurrences) Confused (13 Occurrences) Altar (343 Occurrences) Confusion (71 Occurrences) Speech (107 Occurrences) Throw (135 Occurrences) Unsettle (1 Occurrence) Festus (14 Occurrences) Rattle (2 Occurrences) Resources What happened at the Tower of Babel? | GotQuestions.orgIs Jesus the only way to Heaven? | GotQuestions.org How should the different genres of the Bible impact how we interpret the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Confuse: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Confuse (6 Occurrences)Genesis 11:7 Exodus 23:27 Deuteronomy 7:23 Psalms 55:9 Psalms 144:6 Isaiah 3:12 Subtopics Related Terms |
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