Topical Encyclopedia Devastation, in the biblical context, refers to the severe destruction or desolation that can occur as a result of divine judgment, warfare, or natural calamities. The Bible frequently uses the concept of devastation to illustrate the consequences of sin, the power of God, and the transient nature of earthly kingdoms.Divine Judgment and Devastation Throughout the Scriptures, devastation is often depicted as a direct result of divine judgment against nations and peoples who have turned away from God. The prophets frequently warned of impending devastation as a consequence of idolatry, injustice, and moral decay. For instance, in the book of Isaiah, the prophet speaks of the desolation that will come upon the land due to the people's rebellion against God: "Your land is desolate, your cities are burned with fire; foreigners devour your fields before you, a desolation demolished by strangers" (Isaiah 1:7). The book of Jeremiah also contains vivid descriptions of devastation as a result of God's judgment. Jeremiah prophesies the destruction of Jerusalem and the surrounding regions due to the people's persistent disobedience: "I looked at the earth, and it was formless and void; I looked to the heavens, and they had no light. I looked at the mountains, and behold, they were quaking; all the hills were swaying. I looked, and no man was left; all the birds of the air had fled. I looked, and the fruitful land was a desert. All its cities were torn down before the LORD, before His fierce anger" (Jeremiah 4:23-26). Warfare and Devastation The Bible also records instances of devastation resulting from warfare. The conquest of Canaan by the Israelites involved the destruction of cities and the displacement of peoples as part of God's plan to establish His chosen nation in the Promised Land. The book of Joshua recounts the fall of Jericho, where the city was utterly destroyed: "They devoted the city to the LORD and destroyed with the sword every living thing in it—men and women, young and old, cattle, sheep, and donkeys" (Joshua 6:21). Similarly, the Babylonian conquest of Judah led to the devastation of Jerusalem and the destruction of Solomon's Temple. This event marked a significant moment in Israel's history, as it was seen as a fulfillment of prophetic warnings and a call to repentance and restoration. Natural Calamities and Devastation In addition to divine judgment and warfare, the Bible acknowledges natural calamities as sources of devastation. The book of Joel describes a locust plague that devastates the land, serving as both a literal and symbolic warning of the coming "day of the LORD": "What the devouring locust has left, the swarming locust has eaten; what the swarming locust has left, the young locust has eaten; and what the young locust has left, the destroying locust has eaten" (Joel 1:4). Hope Amidst Devastation While devastation is often portrayed as a consequence of sin and rebellion, the Bible also offers hope and restoration. The prophets frequently speak of a future time when God will restore what has been destroyed and bring healing to the land. In Isaiah, God promises to comfort His people and rebuild the ruins: "They will rebuild the ancient ruins; they will restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities, the desolations of many generations" (Isaiah 61:4). The theme of restoration is ultimately fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who brings spiritual renewal and the promise of a new creation where devastation will be no more. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of devastating, or the state of being devastated; a laying waste.2. (n.) Waste of the goods of the deceased by an executor or administrator. Greek 2050. eremosis -- a making desolate ... desolate. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: eremosis Phonetic Spelling: (er-ay'-mo-sis) Short Definition: desolation, devastation Definition: a ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2050.htm - 6k Strong's Hebrew 7612. sheth -- perhaps devastation... 7611, 7612. sheth. 7613 . perhaps devastation. Transliteration: sheth Phonetic Spelling: (shayth) Short Definition: devastation. ... /hebrew/7612.htm - 6k 8077. shemamah -- devastation, waste 7724b. shoah -- devastation, ruin, waste 7701. shod -- violence, havoc, devastation, ruin 4923. meshammah -- devastation, waste, horror 7722. sho -- perhaps a ravage Library Of the Devastation of the World and Change of the Empires. Of the Devastation of the World, and Its Prophetic Omens. How King Caedwalla, King of the Gewissae, Having Slain Ethelwalch ... Of the Times of Christ's Birth and Passion, and of Jerusalem's ... Of the Discipline of the Church, and Its Principal Use in Censures ... Introduction and Overview On the Government of God The divine institutes Melanchthon -- the Safety of the virtuous Debate on the Proposed Invasion of Greece. Thesaurus Devastation (17 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance Devastation (17 Occurrences). ... Proverbs 21:7 The devastation of the wicked sweepeth them away, because they refuse to do what is right. ... /d/devastation.htm - 11k Ravage (9 Occurrences) Destruction (734 Occurrences) Havoc (7 Occurrences) Warfare (18 Occurrences) Joel (22 Occurrences) War (529 Occurrences) Waste (668 Occurrences) Forest (67 Occurrences) Devastations (1 Occurrence) Resources What are the seven seals of Revelation? | GotQuestions.orgIs Joel 1:4 referring to literal locusts? When was this prophecy fulfilled? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean that “no weapon formed against you shall prosper” (Isaiah 54:17)? | GotQuestions.org Devastation: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Devastation (17 Occurrences)1 Samuel 5:6 1 Chronicles 21:12 Psalms 12:5 Proverbs 21:7 Isaiah 10:3 Isaiah 22:4 Isaiah 51:19 Isaiah 59:7 Isaiah 60:18 Jeremiah 6:7 Jeremiah 48:3 Lamentations 3:47 Daniel 8:24 Amos 3:10 Habakkuk 1:3 Habakkuk 2:17 Zephaniah 1:15 Subtopics Related Terms |
    |