The term "engulf" refers to being swallowed up or overwhelmed by something, often with a connotation of suddenness or totality. In the biblical context, this concept is frequently associated with divine judgment, natural disasters, or overwhelming circumstances that demonstrate God's power and the frailty of human beings.

Biblical Instances and Themes

1. Divine Judgment and Natural Disasters: The imagery of engulfing is often used to describe the overwhelming nature of God's judgment. In the account of the Flood, the earth is engulfed by water as a result of humanity's wickedness. Genesis 7:19 states, "And the waters prevailed so mightily on the earth that all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered." This engulfing flood serves as a divine reset, purging the earth of corruption.

2. The Red Sea: Another significant instance of engulfing is found in the Exodus narrative. When the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, the waters that had been parted for their safe passage returned to engulf the Egyptian army. Exodus 15:4-5 recounts, "Pharaoh’s chariots and army He has cast into the sea; the finest of his officers are drowned in the Red Sea. The depths have covered them; they sank there like a stone." This event highlights God's deliverance of His people and His power over creation.

3. Personal Trials and Distress: The Psalms frequently use the imagery of being engulfed to describe personal distress and the feeling of being overwhelmed by life's challenges. Psalm 69:1-2 cries out, "Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I have sunk into the miry depths, where there is no footing; I have drifted into deep waters, where the flood engulfs me." Here, the psalmist uses the metaphor of engulfing waters to express a plea for divine rescue from overwhelming troubles.

4. Prophetic Warnings: The prophets often use the concept of engulfing to warn of impending judgment due to Israel's unfaithfulness. In Jeremiah 51:42 , the prophet declares, "The sea has come up over Babylon; she is covered with its tumultuous waves." This imagery serves as a warning of the totality of God's judgment against nations that oppose His will.

5. Spiritual Warfare: In the New Testament, the idea of being engulfed can also be applied to spiritual warfare. Believers are cautioned to remain vigilant against the overwhelming forces of evil. Ephesians 6:12 reminds Christians, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." While not using the word "engulf," the passage conveys the sense of being surrounded by spiritual adversaries.

Theological Implications

The concept of being engulfed in the Bible underscores the omnipotence of God and the vulnerability of humanity. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the need for divine intervention. Whether through natural phenomena, personal trials, or spiritual battles, the imagery of engulfing calls believers to rely on God's strength and deliverance. The biblical narrative consistently points to God's sovereignty and His ability to rescue and restore those who call upon His name in times of overwhelming adversity.(v. t.) To absorb or swallow up as in a gulf.1104. bala -- to swallow down, swallow up, engulf
... bala. 1105 . to swallow down, swallow up, engulf. Transliteration: bala Phonetic
Spelling: (baw-lah') Short Definition: swallowed. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/1104.htm - 6k

6687. tsuph -- to flow, overflow
... 6686, 6687. tsuph. 6688 . to flow, overflow. Transliteration: tsuph Phonetic
Spelling: (tsoof) Short Definition: engulf. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/6687.htm - 5k

Whether that Fire Will Engulf the Wicked?
... OF THE FIRE OF THE FINAL CONFLAGRATION (NINE ARTICLES) Whether that fire
will engulf the wicked? Objection 1: It would seem that ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether that fire will engulf.htm

Whether that Fire Will Consume the Other Elements?
... For a gloss of Bede on 2:Pet.3:12 says: "This exceeding great fire will engulf the
four elements whereof the world consists: yet it will not so engulf all ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether that fire will consume.htm

A Heavenly Pattern for Our Earthly Life
... away? These living stones might surely have been built into a temple for
the Lord; why should the waves of death engulf them? Yet ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 30 1884/a heavenly pattern for our.htm

Making Haste to be Rich.
... for alleged fraudulent practices, resorted to in extremity as a means of sustaining
their tottering credit and escaping the ruin that threatened to engulf them ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arthur/words for the wise/making haste to be rich.htm

The Place of the Old Testament in Divine Revelation
... a grim austerity that found frequent expression on the lips of their prophets and
a response in the minds of the people, when luxury threatened to engulf them. ...
/.../the origin and permanent value of the old testament/iv the place of the.htm

Second Sunday after Trinity Exhortation to Brotherly Love.
... It would be no wonder should the earth suddenly open and engulf mankind because
of its ingratitude to God who has given his Son to become man for the purpose ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/second sunday after trinity exhortation.htm

On Turning the First Page of the Review which Follows...
... to point out the dangers which surround, nay, threaten already to engulf us?'"there
will be some who think his language too vehement for good taste. ...
/.../burgon/inspiration and interpretation/ii on turning the first.htm

The victors on the Sea of Glass.
... witnessed the overthrow of the adversaries of Jehovah, and shall themselves have
escaped from the perils of the many waters which had threatened to engulf them ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the victors on the sea.htm

"Peace, be Still"
... sea. The waves, lashed into fury by the howling winds, dashed fiercely over
the disciples' boat, and threatened to engulf it. Those ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 35 peace be still.htm

Abandonment a Source of Joy.
... for the plague-stricken; in all this they find a plenitude of divine life, not given
to them drop by drop, but in floods which inundate and engulf the soul in ...
/.../abandonment to divine providence/section iv abandonment a source of.htm

Engulf (5 Occurrences)
...Engulf (5 Occurrences). Matthew 8:24 But suddenly there arose a great storm on the
Lake, so that the waves threatened to engulf the boat; but He was asleep. ...
/e/engulf.htm - 7k

Overwhelm (18 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To cover over completely, as by a great wave; to overflow and bury beneath;
to engulf; hence, figuratively, to immerse and bear down; to overpower; to ...
/o/overwhelm.htm - 11k

Threatened (11 Occurrences)
... Matthew 8:24 But suddenly there arose a great storm on the Lake, so that the
waves threatened to engulf the boat; but He was asleep. (WEY). ...
/t/threatened.htm - 9k

Engulfed (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Engulf. Multi-Version Concordance
Engulfed (8 Occurrences). Psalms 78:53 He led them safely ...
/e/engulfed.htm - 8k

Engrossed (1 Occurrence)

/e/engrossed.htm - 6k

Suddenly (87 Occurrences)
... Suddenly (87 Occurrences). Matthew 8:24 But suddenly there arose a great storm on
the Lake, so that the waves threatened to engulf the boat; but He was asleep. ...
/s/suddenly.htm - 32k

Swallow (38 Occurrences)
... swallow food or drink. 5. (vt) To draw into an abyss or gulf; to engulf;
to absorb -- usually followed by up. 6. (vt) To receive ...
/s/swallow.htm - 24k

Lake (45 Occurrences)
... Matthew 8:24 But suddenly there arose a great storm on the Lake, so that the waves
threatened to engulf the boat; but He was asleep. (WEY NIV). ...
/l/lake.htm - 24k

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