In biblical literature, the term "dropping" is often associated with the concept of continuous, persistent action or influence, typically in a negative context. The imagery of "dropping" is used metaphorically to describe the effects of certain behaviors or situations, particularly those that are wearisome or vexing.

Proverbs 19:13
"A foolish son is his father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping."

In this verse, the "constant dripping" is likened to the behavior of a quarrelsome wife. The imagery suggests an incessant, nagging presence that can wear down one's spirit, much like the relentless dripping of water can erode stone over time. This metaphor highlights the impact of persistent negativity within familial relationships, emphasizing the importance of harmony and understanding in the household.

Proverbs 27:15
"A constant dripping on a rainy day and a contentious woman are alike."

Here, the comparison is again made between a contentious woman and the "constant dripping" of water. The proverb underscores the idea that just as the continuous sound of dripping water can become intolerable, so too can the presence of strife and contention within personal relationships. The verse serves as a caution against allowing discord to persist unchecked, as it can lead to greater disharmony and distress.

Ecclesiastes 10:18
"Through laziness the roof caves in, and in the hands of the idle, the house leaks."

While not directly using the term "dropping," this verse conveys a similar concept through the imagery of a leaking house. The passage warns against the dangers of laziness and neglect, suggesting that inattention to responsibilities can lead to deterioration and ruin. The "leaking" house symbolizes the gradual decline that results from a lack of diligence and care.

Theological Implications

The biblical use of "dropping" and related imagery serves as a powerful metaphor for the effects of persistent negative behaviors and attitudes. It reflects the broader biblical theme of the importance of wisdom, diligence, and harmony in personal and communal life. The repetitive nature of "dropping" underscores the cumulative impact of actions and attitudes, reminding believers of the need for vigilance in maintaining healthy relationships and fulfilling responsibilities.

Practical Applications

In practical terms, the concept of "dropping" can be applied to various aspects of life, encouraging individuals to address issues before they become overwhelming. Whether in the context of family dynamics, personal habits, or spiritual disciplines, the biblical warnings associated with "dropping" call for proactive measures to prevent the erosion of relationships and integrity. By fostering an environment of love, patience, and diligence, believers can counteract the negative effects symbolized by "dropping" and promote a more harmonious and fulfilling life.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Drop.

2. (n.) The action of causing to drop or of letting drop; falling.

3. (n.) That which falls in drops; the excrement or dung of animals.

DROP, DROPPING

"To drop" expresses a "distilling" or "dripping" of a fluid (Judges 5:4 Proverbs 3:20 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 James Version "drop"). The continuous "droppings" of rain through a leaking roof (roofs were usually made of clay in Palestine, and always liable to cracks and leakage) on a "very rainy day" is compared to a contentious wife (Proverbs 19:13; Proverbs 27:15); "What is described is the irritating, unceasing, sound of the fall, drop after drop, of water through the chinks in the roof" (Plumptre, in the place cited); compare also the King James Version Ecclesiastes 10:18 (the Revised Version (British and American) "leaketh").

1812. deleph -- a dropping
... deleph. 1813 . a dropping. Transliteration: deleph Phonetic Spelling: (deh'-lef)
Short Definition: dripping. ... dropping. From dalaph; a dripping -- dropping. ...
/hebrew/1812.htm - 6k

2955. Taphath -- daughter of Solomon
... Taphath. Probably from nataph; a dropping (of ointment); Taphath, an Israelitess --
Taphath. see HEBREW nataph. 2954, 2955. Taphath. 2956 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/2955.htm - 6k

6329. puq -- to bring out, furnish, promote
... A primitive root (identical with puwq through the idea of dropping out; compare
nphaq); to issue, ie Furnish; causatively, to secure; figuratively, to succeed ...
/hebrew/6329.htm - 6k

6183. ariph -- a cloud
... Word Origin from araph Definition a cloud NASB Word Usage clouds (1). heaven. From
araph; the sky (as dropping at the horizon) -- heaven. see HEBREW araph. ...
/hebrew/6183.htm - 6k

2153. Zilpah -- one of Jacob's wives
... Zilpah. : from an unused root apparently meaning to trickle, as myrrh; fragrant
dropping; Zilpah, Leah's maid -- Zilpah. 2152, 2153. Zilpah. 2154 . ...
/hebrew/2153.htm - 6k

5197. nataph -- to drop, drip, discourse
... root Definition to drop, drip, discourse NASB Word Usage drip (4), dripped (3),
dripping (1), dropped (2), speak (7), spokesman (1). dropping, prophesy. ...
/hebrew/5197.htm - 6k

His Cheeks are as a Bed of Spices, Prepared by the Perfumers; his ...
... CHAPTER V. 13. His cheeks are as a bed of spices, prepared by the perfumers;
His lips like lilies, dropping choice myrrh. The cheeks ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/13 his cheeks are as.htm

Death and Growth
... from the great Protestant Reformation. He notes but two processes"silent
dropping away and silent growth. 'Joseph died, and all ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/death and growth.htm

The Ethics of Elfland
... Falling in love is more poetical than dropping into poetry. The democratic
contention is that government (helping to rule the tribe ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/orthodoxy/iv the ethics of elfland.htm

Motives to Holy Mourning
... 3 The preciousness of tears. Tears dropping from a mournful, penitent eye, are like
water dropping from the roses, very sweet and precious to God. ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/8 motives to holy mourning.htm

Lo! the Evil one Reproached Death
... is naught."26. By continual dropping, I clean the rocks: for continual
dropping can dissolve even a mountain."27. Habit even ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn lv lo the evil.htm

Chapter v.
... His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers; his lips like lilies,
dropping sweet smelling myrrh.13. His cheeks are as a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/chapter v.htm

But Suppose that the Deity was Present in that Very Stone...
... [5033] "To do...to show;" so the edd., dropping -nt from the ms. facere-nt...pr??bere-
nt. [5034] "To do...to show;" so the edd., dropping -nt from the ms. ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/51 but suppose that the.htm

Chapter thirteen
... I am losing a great many subscribers every day.". "What do the subscribers give
as their reason for dropping the paper?" asked Mr. Maxwell. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter thirteen.htm

Troubles of Lingering at the Crossing
... Dropping into God's will means dropping into our own niche in life and being happy
in fulfilling our destiny as God has marked out by His infinite wisdom. ...
/.../berry/adventures in the land of canaan/chapter four troubles of lingering.htm

Remaining and Falling Asleep
... They have 'fallen asleep.' The act of dying is but a laying one's self down to rest,
and a dropping out of consciousness of the surrounding world. ...
/.../romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/remaining and falling asleep.htm

Dropping (33 Occurrences)
... animals. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. DROP, DROPPING. "To ... leaketh").
Multi-Version Concordance Dropping (33 Occurrences). Mark ...
/d/dropping.htm - 17k

Drop (32 Occurrences)
... courses only. 14. (n.) Act of dropping; sudden fall or descent. 15. (n ... yards.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. DROP, DROPPING. "To drop ...
/d/drop.htm - 20k

Dripping (3 Occurrences)
... dripping. (WEB NAS RSV NIV). Proverbs 27:15 Like an unending dropping on
a day of rain is a bitter-tongued woman. (See NAS RSV NIV). ...
/d/dripping.htm - 7k

Contentions (20 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS). Proverbs 19:13 A foolish son is the calamity of his
father: and the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping. ...
/c/contentions.htm - 11k

Constant (16 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 19:13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father; and the contentions
of a wife are a continual dropping. (See NAS NIV). ...
/c/constant.htm - 12k

Fall (522 Occurrences)
... 25. (n.) The act of falling; a dropping or descending be the force of gravity;
descent; as, a fall from a horse, or from the yard of ship. 26. ...
/f/fall.htm - 62k

Flowers (42 Occurrences)
... NAS RSV). Job 15:33 He is like a vine whose grapes do not come to full
growth, or an olive-tree dropping its flowers. (BBE). Song ...
/f/flowers.htm - 22k

Plants (70 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 32:2 My teaching is dropping like rain, coming down like dew on the
fields; like rain on the young grass and showers on the garden plants: (BBE NIV ...
/p/plants.htm - 27k

Fig (45 Occurrences)
... crops of figs in a year, (1) the bikkurah, or "early-ripe fig" (Micah 7:1; Isaiah
28:4; Hosea 9:10, RV), which is ripe about the end of June, dropping off as ...
/f/fig.htm - 33k

Streams (80 Occurrences)
... Joel 3:18 And it will come about in that day that the mountains will be dropping
sweet wine, and the hills will be flowing with milk, and all the streams of ...
/s/streams.htm - 30k

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