Topical Encyclopedia The term "descend" in the Bible often refers to movement from a higher place to a lower one, both in a physical and metaphorical sense. It is used in various contexts, including divine intervention, spiritual experiences, and genealogical references.1. Divine Intervention and Theophany: One of the most significant uses of "descend" is in the context of God or His presence coming down to earth. In Exodus 19:20, it is recorded, "The LORD descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the summit." This descent signifies God's willingness to engage with His people and deliver His commandments. Similarly, in the New Testament, the Holy Spirit's descent is a pivotal event. In Matthew 3:16, during Jesus' baptism, "As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him." 2. Christ's Descent: The concept of Christ's descent is crucial in Christian theology. Ephesians 4:9-10 speaks of Jesus' descent: "What does 'He ascended' mean, except that He also descended to the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is the very one who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things." This passage is often interpreted to mean that Christ descended to the realm of the dead, proclaiming victory over sin and death before His resurrection and ascension. 3. Angelic Activity: Angels are also described as descending from heaven to deliver messages or execute God's will. In Genesis 28:12, Jacob dreams of a ladder reaching to heaven, with "the angels of God ascending and descending on it." This vision reassures Jacob of God's presence and promises. 4. Genealogical Descent: The Bible frequently uses "descend" in genealogical contexts, referring to lineage and heritage. The descendants of key biblical figures, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, are central to the narrative of God's covenant with His people. The genealogies in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke trace Jesus' descent from David, affirming His messianic credentials. 5. Metaphorical and Symbolic Uses: The term is also used metaphorically to describe spiritual or moral decline. In Psalm 55:15, David prays for his enemies, saying, "Let death seize them by surprise; let them descend alive to Sheol, for evil is with them in their homes." Here, "descend" symbolizes a fall into judgment and separation from God. In summary, the concept of "descend" in the Bible encompasses divine interaction with humanity, Christ's redemptive work, angelic missions, genealogical significance, and moral or spiritual decline. Each usage underscores the dynamic relationship between heaven and earth, God and humanity, and the unfolding of divine purposes throughout biblical history. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (v. i.) To pass from a higher to a lower place; to move downwards; to come or go down in any way, as by falling, flowing, walking, etc.; to plunge; to fall; to incline downward; -- the opposite of ascend.2. (v. i.) To enter mentally; to retire. 3. (v. i.) To make an attack, or incursion, as if from a vantage ground; to come suddenly and with violence; -- with on or upon. 4. (v. i.) To come down to a lower, less fortunate, humbler, less virtuous, or worse, state or station; to lower or abase one's self; as, he descended from his high estate. 5. (v. i.) To pass from the more general or important to the particular or less important matters to be considered. 6. (v. i.) To come down, as from a source, original, or stock; to be derived; to proceed by generation or by transmission; to fall or pass by inheritance; as, the beggar may descend from a prince; a crown descends to the heir. 7. (v. i.) To move toward the south, or to the southward. 8. (v. i.) To fall in pitch; to pass from a higher to a lower tone. 9. (v. t.) To go down upon or along; to pass from a higher to a lower part of; as, they descended the river in boats; to descend a ladder. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia DESCEND; DESCENTde-send', de-sent' (yaradh; katabaino, "go down"); (katabasis): Of Yahweh (Exodus 34:5); of the Spirit (Matthew 3:16); of angels (Genesis 28:12 Matthew 28:2 John 1:51); of Christ (1 Thessalonians 4:16 Ephesians 4:9). "He also descended into the lower parts of the earth" is variously interpreted, the two chief interpretations being the one of the incarnation, and the other of the "descent into hell" (1 Peter 3:19). The former regards the clause "of the earth," an appositive genitive, as when we speak of "the city of Rome," namely, "the lower parts, i.e. the earth." The other regards the genitive as possessive, or, with Meyer, as governed by the comparative, i.e. "parts lower than the earth." For the former view, see full discussion in Eadie; for the latter, Ellicott and especially Meyer, in commentaries on Eph. Greek 2597. katabaino -- to go down ... Phonetic Spelling: (kat-ab-ah'-ee-no) Short Definition: I go down, come down Definition: I go down, come down, either from the sky or from higher land, descend ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2597.htm - 9k 2718. katerchomai -- to come down 2658. katantao -- to come down to, reach 4782. sugkatabaino -- to go down with Strong's Hebrew 3381. yarad -- to come or go down, descend... 3380, 3381. yarad. 3382 . to come or go down, descend. Transliteration: yarad Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-rad') Short Definition: down. Word Origin a prim. ... /hebrew/3381.htm - 7k 6795. tsanach -- to descend 5181. nacheth -- to go down, descend 5182. necheth -- to descend 7585. sheol -- underworld (place to which people descend at death) 4354. Makiri -- descendant of Machir 4084. Midyani -- a descendant of Midian Library Whether it was Fitting for Christ to Descend into Hell? Spirit of God, in Love Descend, Spirit of God, in Love Descend, Now Comes the Second Part of the Prayer, in which we Descend to ... The Apostles Teach that it was Neither Christ nor the Saviour, but ... "Then Why," it is Asked, "Did the Deity Descend to Such ... The Lord's Descent from Heaven. 1 Cor. Ix. 24 1 Thessalonians iv. 15-17 Psalm CXX. Thesaurus Descend (34 Occurrences)... a source, original, or stock; to be derived; to proceed by generation or by transmission; to fall or pass by inheritance; as, the beggar may descend from a ... /d/descend.htm - 19k Fall (522 Occurrences) Nether (19 Occurrences) Down (12601 Occurrences) Alight (3 Occurrences) Nether-world (41 Occurrences) Light (2869 Occurrences) Lower (72 Occurrences) Sea (4178 Occurrences) Sheol (64 Occurrences) Resources How many times did Moses ascend Mount Sinai? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about how to humble yourself? | GotQuestions.org What is the Key of David? | GotQuestions.org Descend: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Descend (34 Occurrences)Matthew 7:25 Matthew 7:27 Matthew 11:23 Matthew 27:40 Matthew 27:42 Mark 15:30 Mark 15:32 John 1:32 John 1:33 Acts 11:5 Romans 10:7 1 Thessalonians 4:16 Exodus 19:24 Exodus 32:7 Exodus 33:9 Numbers 16:30 Numbers 34:11 Deuteronomy 32:2 1 Samuel 26:10 Nehemiah 3:15 Job 17:16 Psalms 7:16 Psalms 49:17 Song of Songs 4:1 Song of Songs 4:8 Isaiah 5:14 Isaiah 14:19 Isaiah 27:6 Isaiah 32:19 Isaiah 34:5 Isaiah 43:14 Lamentations 1:13 Ezekiel 26:20 Ezekiel 31:16 Subtopics Related Terms |
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