The term "distil" in the context of the Bible often refers to the gentle and gradual process of something being poured out or coming down, akin to dew or rain. This imagery is used to convey the idea of God's word or teachings being imparted to His people in a nurturing and life-giving manner.

Biblical References:

1. Deuteronomy 32:2 : "Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants." In this verse, Moses uses the metaphor of rain and dew to describe how his teachings should be received by the Israelites. The imagery of distillation here emphasizes the gentle and persistent nature of divine instruction, which nourishes and sustains spiritual growth.

2. Job 36:27-28 : "For He draws up drops of water which distill the rain from the mist, which the clouds pour down and shower abundantly on mankind." Elihu, one of Job's friends, speaks of God's control over nature, illustrating His power and wisdom. The process of distillation here is a metaphor for God's providence and the way He sustains life on earth through the natural cycle of water.

3. Proverbs 5:3 : "For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil." While not using the word "distil" directly, this verse employs a similar concept of something being poured out. The imagery warns against the seductive and deceitful nature of sin, contrasting the pure and life-giving distillation of God's word with the corrupting influence of immorality.

Theological Significance:

The concept of distillation in the Bible underscores the importance of receiving God's word with an open heart, allowing it to permeate and transform one's life. Just as rain and dew are essential for physical growth, the teachings of Scripture are vital for spiritual nourishment and maturity. This process is often gradual, requiring patience and receptivity, much like the natural distillation of water.

In a broader theological context, the imagery of distillation reflects God's grace and the gentle yet persistent way He communicates with His people. It highlights the accessibility and sufficiency of His word, which is available to all who seek it earnestly. The metaphor also serves as a reminder of the purity and clarity of divine truth, which stands in stark contrast to the confusion and deception found in worldly wisdom.

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to approach Scripture with humility and a willingness to be taught, allowing God's word to distil into their hearts and minds. This involves regular study, meditation, and prayer, creating an environment where spiritual growth can flourish. By embracing the gentle distillation of God's teachings, Christians can develop a deeper understanding of His will and a stronger relationship with Him.

In daily life, the principle of distillation can also be applied to the way believers communicate with others. Just as God's word is imparted with grace and patience, Christians are called to share their faith and wisdom in a manner that is gentle, respectful, and edifying, reflecting the character of Christ in all interactions.(v. t. & i.) See Distill.DISTIL

dis-til': Only found twice in the English Bible (Deuteronomy 32:2 Job 36:27), in both cases in its original meaning of "to fall in drops," as dew or rain (derived through French from Latin de, "down," stillo, "to drop"). It does not occur in its later technical sense, for the process we call distilllation was not known in ancient times.

7491. raaph -- to trickle, drip
... root Definition to trickle, drip NASB Word Usage drip (4), drip down (1). distil,
drop down. A primitive root; to drip -- distil, drop (down). 7490, 7491. ...
/hebrew/7491.htm - 5k

5140. nazal -- to flow, trickle, drop, distill
... distil, drop, flood, cause to flowing, gush out, melt, pour down, running
water,. A primitive root; to drip, or shed by trickling ...
/hebrew/5140.htm - 6k

5197. nataph -- to drop, drip, discourse
... A primitive root; to ooze, ie Distil gradually; by implication, to fall in drops;
figuratively, to speak by inspiration -- drop(-ping), prophesy(-et). ...
/hebrew/5197.htm - 6k

Hymn for Christmas-Day
... Sweet honey from the boulder leaps: The sere and leafless oak-bough weeps A strange
rich attar: tamarisks too Of balsam pure distil the dew. ...
/.../prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/xi hymn for christmas-day.htm

Lix. The Preacher and his Hearers.
... Moses desired that his preaching might be as the dew. "My doctrine shall drop as
the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/lix the preacher and his.htm

How the victor Runs
... 'There is a soul of goodness in things evil, if we would observantly distil it out.'
It is very much as if English preachers were to refer their people to a ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/how the victor runs.htm

The Witness of the Spirit
... as they say, 'deceiving themselves'; and in the perverse ingenuity with which that
state of mind is constantly marked, they manage to distil for themselves a ...
/.../romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the witness of the spirit.htm

Ode iv.
... Gifts acceptable present. As on a fleece descending. The gentle dews distil,.
As drops the earth that water,. The Virgin didst Thou fill. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neale/hymns of the eastern church/ode iv 3.htm

The Knowledge of God and of Ourselves Mutually Connected. --Nature ...
... In the second place, those blessings which unceasingly distil to us from
heaven, are like streams conducting us to the fountain. ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 1 the knowledge of.htm

Gideon's Fleece
... can give joy in sorrow, can keep us from being touched by surrounding evils, and
from being parched by surrounding drought, can silently 'distil' its supplies ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/gideons fleece.htm

What the Truth Saith Inwardly Without Noise of Words
... may know Thy testimonies. Incline my heart unto the words of Thy
mouth.(2) Let thy speech distil as the dew. The children of Israel ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter ii what the truth.htm

The Second Chapter: Truth Speaks Inwardly Without the Sound of ...
... Give me understanding that I may know Thine ordinances [27] . . . Incline my heart
to Thine ordinances [28] . . . Let Thy speech distil as the dew." [29]. ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the second chapter truth speaks.htm

His Cheeks are as a Bed of Spices, Prepared by the Perfumers; his ...
... They also distil an excellent myrrh, for the teaching of Christ leads to repentance,
the mortification of the passions, and continual abandonment. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/13 his cheeks are as.htm

Distil (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (vt & i.) See Distill. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
DISTIL. ... Multi-Version Concordance Distil (5 Occurrences). ...
/d/distil.htm - 8k

Formeth (11 Occurrences)
... pillar. (YLT). Job 36:27 For he draweth up the drops of water: they distil
in rain from the vapour which he formeth, (DBY). Psalms ...
/f/formeth.htm - 9k

Distils (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Distils (1 Occurrence). Job 36:27 For He draweth away
the drops of water, which distil rain from His vapour; (See RSV). ...
/d/distils.htm - 6k

Drop (32 Occurrences)
... Songs 5:5, 13 Joel 3:18 Amos 9:13; compare 1 Samuel 14:26, "the honey dropped"
(margin "a stream of honey")); Job 29:22 and Isaiah 45:8 read "distil" (the King ...
/d/drop.htm - 20k

Droplets (1 Occurrence)
... Deuteronomy 32:2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the
dew; as the small rain upon the tender grass, and as the showers upon the ...
/d/droplets.htm - 6k

Distill (3 Occurrences)

/d/distill.htm - 7k

Dropping (33 Occurrences)
... Songs 5:5, 13 Joel 3:18 Amos 9:13; compare 1 Samuel 14:26, "the honey dropped"
(margin "a stream of honey")); Job 29:22 and Isaiah 45:8 read "distil" (the King ...
/d/dropping.htm - 17k

Stacte (1 Occurrence)
... opobalsamum"). The Hebrew word is from a root meaning "to distil," and
it has been by some interpreted as distilled myrrh. Others ...
/s/stacte.htm - 8k

Skies (36 Occurrences)
... clouds thereof. (See JPS). Isaiah 45:8 Distil, you heavens, from above,
and let the skies pour down righteousness. Let the earth ...
/s/skies.htm - 15k

Distant (56 Occurrences)

/d/distant.htm - 23k

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