Topical Encyclopedia In biblical literature, the term "down" is often used to describe physical movement from a higher to a lower place, both literally and metaphorically. This movement can signify humility, submission, or a change in status or condition. The concept of "down" is frequently associated with God's actions, human experiences, and spiritual truths.Physical Descent The Bible often uses "down" to describe geographical or physical descent. For example, in Genesis 12:10, Abram goes "down to Egypt" due to a famine in the land. This movement is not merely geographical but also signifies a journey into a place of testing and divine intervention. Similarly, in Jonah 1:3, Jonah goes "down to Joppa" as he attempts to flee from God's command, symbolizing his spiritual descent away from obedience. Spiritual and Moral Descent The term "down" can also represent a spiritual or moral decline. In Proverbs 7:27, the path of the adulterous woman is described as leading "down to the chambers of death," illustrating the destructive consequences of sin. This usage underscores the biblical theme that turning away from God's commandments leads to spiritual degradation. Divine Intervention and Humility Conversely, "down" can signify divine intervention and the humility required to receive God's grace. In Exodus 19:20, "The LORD came down on Mount Sinai," indicating God's willingness to meet His people and establish a covenant with them. This descent of God is a profound act of condescension and grace, emphasizing His desire to dwell among His people. In the New Testament, the concept of coming "down" is epitomized in the incarnation of Jesus Christ. In John 6:38, Jesus states, "For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me." This descent is the ultimate act of humility and obedience, serving as a model for believers. Worship and Submission The act of bowing "down" in worship is a recurring theme in Scripture, symbolizing reverence and submission to God. In Psalm 95:6, the psalmist invites, "Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker." This physical act of lowering oneself is an outward expression of an inward attitude of humility and devotion. Judgment and Deliverance The Bible also uses "down" in the context of judgment and deliverance. In 2 Samuel 22:10, David recounts how God "parted the heavens and came down" to deliver him from his enemies. This imagery portrays God's active involvement in human affairs, bringing both judgment upon the wicked and salvation to the righteous. Conclusion The multifaceted use of "down" in the Bible reflects its rich theological significance. Whether describing physical movement, spiritual descent, divine intervention, or acts of worship, the term encapsulates key biblical themes of humility, obedience, and God's redemptive work in the world. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) Fine, soft, hairy outgrowth from the skin or surface of animals or plants, not matted and fleecy like wool2. (n.) The soft under feathers of birds. They have short stems with soft rachis and bards and long threadlike barbules, without hooklets. 3. (n.) The pubescence of plants; the hairy crown or envelope of the seeds of certain plants, as of the thistle. 4. (n.) The soft hair of the face when beginning to appear. 5. (n.) That which is made of down, as a bed or pillow; that which affords ease and repose, like a bed of down 6. (v. t.) To cover, ornament, line, or stuff with down. 7. (prep.) A bank or rounded hillock of sand thrown up by the wind along or near the shore; a flattish-topped hill; -- usually in the plural. 8. (prep.) A tract of poor, sandy, undulating or hilly land near the sea, covered with fine turf which serves chiefly for the grazing of sheep; -- usually in the plural. 9. (prep.) A road for shipping in the English Channel or Straits of Dover, near Deal, employed as a naval rendezvous in time of war. 10. (prep.) A state of depression; low state; abasement. 11. (adv.) In the direction of gravity or toward the center of the earth; toward or in a lower place or position; below; -- the opposite of up. 12. (adv.) From a higher to a lower position, literally or figuratively; in a descending direction; from the top of an ascent; from an upright position; to the ground or floor; to or into a lower or an inferior condition; as, into a state of humility, disgrace, misery, and the like; into a state of rest; -- used with verbs indicating motion. 13. (adv.) In a low or the lowest position, literally or figuratively; at the bottom of a decent; below the horizon; of the ground; in a condition of humility, dejection, misery, and the like; in a state of quiet. 14. (adv.) From a remoter or higher antiquity. 15. (adv.) From a greater to a less bulk, or from a thinner to a thicker consistence; as, to boil down in cookery, or in making decoctions. 16. (adv.) In a descending direction along; from a higher to a lower place upon or within; at a lower place in or on; as, down a hill; down a well. 17. (adv.) Hence: Towards the mouth of a river; towards the sea; as, to sail or swim down a stream; to sail down the sound. 18. (v. t.) To cause to go down; to make descend; to put down; to overthrow, as in wrestling; hence, to subdue; to bring down. 19. (v. i.) To go down; to descend. 20. (a.) Downcast; as, a down look. 21. (a.) Downright; absolute; positive; as, a down denial. 22. (a.) Downward; going down; sloping; as, a down stroke; a down grade; a down train on a railway. Greek 2597. katabaino -- to go down ... to go down. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: katabaino Phonetic Spelling: (kat-ab-ah'-ee-no) Short Definition: I go down, come down Definition: I go down ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2597.htm - 9k 2507. kathaireo -- to take down, pull down 2718. katerchomai -- to come down 2523. kathizo -- to make to sit down, to sit down 2609. katago -- to bring down 2601. katabibazo -- to cause to go down. 2596. kata -- down, against, according to 2506. kathairesis -- a pulling down 2524. kathiemi -- to let down 2667. katapipto -- to fall down 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 2040. haras -- to throw down, break or tear down 5422. nathats -- to pull down, break down 7901. shakab -- to lie down 7812. shachah -- to bow down 3766. kara -- to bow down 7257. rabats -- stretch oneself out, lie down, lie stretched out 5181. nacheth -- to go down, descend 947. bus -- to tread down, trample 1438. gada -- to hew, hew down or off Library Down to the Mothers Barriers Broken Down On the Taking Down from the Cross. Of those Things Down to the Times of the Saviour which have Been ... The World Turned Upside Down The Dream of the Tree Cut Down He Maketh Me to Lie Down The Lord of Life to Earth came Down Whether the Gifts are Set Down by Isaias in their Order of Dignity ... Barriers Broken Down Thesaurus Down (12601 Occurrences)... 5. (n.) That which is made of down, as a bed or pillow; that which affords ease and repose, like a bed of down. 6. (vt) To cover, ornament ... /d/down.htm - 9k Down-sitting (1 Occurrence) Cast-down (1 Occurrence) Hanging-down (1 Occurrence) Sunset (18 Occurrences) Smashed (22 Occurrences) Kneel (10 Occurrences) Knelt (20 Occurrences) Kneeled (12 Occurrences) Stooped (15 Occurrences) Resources How should Christian parents respond to having a child with Down syndrome? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of an upside-down / inverted cross? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean to not let the sun go down on your anger? | GotQuestions.org Down: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Down (12601 Occurrences)Down occurs 12601 times in 12 translations. You can narrow your search using the Advanced Bible Search. Subtopics Related Terms Standing-pillars (9 Occurrences) |
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