Expiration
Jump to: Webster'sConcordanceThesaurusLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context: In biblical terms, "expiration" refers to the act of breathing out or the end of life, often synonymous with death. The concept of expiration is deeply rooted in the understanding of life and death as presented in the Scriptures. It is the moment when the breath of life, given by God, returns to Him, marking the end of a person's earthly existence.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 2:7: "Then the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being." This verse highlights the divine origin of life, with God breathing life into man, which sets the stage for understanding expiration as the return of this breath to God.

2. Ecclesiastes 12:7: "Then the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it." This passage reflects the belief that at expiration, the physical body returns to the earth, while the spirit returns to God, emphasizing the transient nature of human life.

3. Job 34:14-15: "If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath, all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust." Here, the dependency of all life on God's sustaining breath is underscored, with expiration depicted as the withdrawal of God's life-giving spirit.

4. Psalm 104:29: "When You hide Your face, they are terrified; when You take away their breath, they die and return to dust." This verse poetically describes expiration as a divine act, where the removal of breath results in death, reinforcing the sovereignty of God over life and death.

Theological Implications:

· Divine Sovereignty: Expiration is seen as an act under God's control, highlighting His sovereignty over life and death. The Bible consistently portrays God as the giver and taker of life, with expiration being a part of His divine plan.

· Human Mortality: The concept of expiration serves as a reminder of human mortality and the temporary nature of earthly life. It calls believers to live with an eternal perspective, focusing on spiritual matters and the hope of resurrection.

· Hope of Resurrection: While expiration marks the end of physical life, the Bible offers hope through the promise of resurrection and eternal life for believers. Passages such as 1 Corinthians 15:42-44 speak of the resurrection of the dead, where the perishable body is raised imperishable.

· Moral and Ethical Living: Awareness of expiration encourages believers to live righteously, knowing that life is fleeting and that they will ultimately stand before God. Scriptures like Hebrews 9:27, "Just as man is appointed to die once, and after that to face judgment," emphasize the importance of living a life pleasing to God.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, expiration was often viewed with a sense of inevitability and mystery. The biblical narrative, however, provides a framework for understanding death within the context of God's overarching plan for humanity. The Israelites, and later the early Christians, viewed expiration not as an end but as a transition to a new phase of existence, with the hope of resurrection and eternal communion with God.

Conclusion: The biblical concept of expiration is intricately linked to the themes of creation, divine sovereignty, human mortality, and the hope of resurrection. It serves as a profound reminder of the transient nature of life and the eternal promises of God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) The act of expiring

2. (n.) The act or process of breathing out, or forcing air from the lungs through the nose or mouth; as, respiration consists of inspiration and expiration; -- opposed to inspiration.

3. (n.) Emission of volatile matter; exhalation.

4. (n.) The last emission of breath; death.

5. (n.) A coming to a close; cessation; extinction; termination; end.

6. (n.) That which is expired; matter breathed forth; that which is produced by breathing out, as a sound.

Library

Appendix
... said three members of the first Council, and given or left in writing under their
respective hands, shall be valid and in full force at the expiration of ten ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/the life of william carey/appendix.htm

Starting a Newspaper. An Experience of Mr. John Jones.
... As the terms were to be in advance, or rather the whole year payable at the expiration
of the first quarter, I promised to begin paying cash for all contracts ...
/.../arthur/words for the wise/starting a newspaper an experience.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... His son Eamukinshurnu remained at the head of affairs some three to six months;
Kashshu-nadinakhe ruled three or six years, at the expiration of which a man of ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

The Foundation of the Church among the Heathen
... years. At the expiration of this time an event occurred which had a deep
and lasting influence on the life of the Church of Christ. ...
/.../blunt/a key to the knowledge of church history/chapter ii the foundation of.htm

Chapter four
... Editor of the Daily News: Dear Sir"At the expiration of my advertising limit, you
will do me the favor not to continue it as you have done heretofore. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter four.htm

The Council of Jerusalem.
... was virtually abolished by the death of Christ, in which its design was accomplished;
but few among the Jewish believers were apprized of the expiration of its ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xvi the council of.htm

Return to Benares.
... which I was an agent. At the expiration of our leave in the autumn of 1852
medical opinion forbade our departure. By the autumn of ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter xv return to benares.htm

What is the Sanctuary?
... At the expiration of this period the nation sealed its rejection of Christ by the
persecution of His disciples, and the apostles turned to the Gentiles, AD34. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 23 what is the.htm

Paul's Second Imprisonment, and Martyrdom; Peter, his Epistles ...
... And if Paul was released at the expiration of these two years, we can well understand
why the sacred historian may have deemed it inexpedient to give an ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter x pauls second imprisonment.htm

What is the Sanctuary?
... At the expiration of this period, the nation sealed its rejection of Christ by the
persecution of His disciples, and the apostles turned to the Gentiles, AD34. ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /23 what is the sanctuary.htm

Thesaurus
Expiration (1 Occurrence)
... act or process of breathing out, or forcing air from the lungs through the nose
or mouth; as, respiration consists of inspiration and expiration; -- opposed to ...
/e/expiration.htm - 7k

Expire (14 Occurrences)

/e/expire.htm - 10k

Expiation (9 Occurrences)

/e/expiation.htm - 11k

Nahash (9 Occurrences)
... Before the expiration of this time, Saul, the newly anointed king, appeared on the
scene with an army which utterly routed the Ammonites (1 Samuel 11:1), and ...
/n/nahash.htm - 14k

Inspiration (4 Occurrences)
... the drawing of air into the lungs, accomplished in mammals by elevation of the chest
walls and flattening of the diaphragm; -- the opposite of expiration. ...
/i/inspiration.htm - 57k

Deputy (7 Occurrences)
... exercised judicial as well as military power in his province, and his authority
was absolute, except as he might be held accountable at the expiration of his ...
/d/deputy.htm - 11k

Aleph (1 Occurrence)
... a" as in "father." In either case this beginning of the alphabet happens to be near
the very basis of all speech-in one case the simple expiration of breath ...
/a/aleph.htm - 7k

Stammering (3 Occurrences)
... It is due essentially to long-continued spasmodic contraction of the diaphragm,
by which expiration is presented, and hence it may be considered as a spasmodic ...
/s/stammering.htm - 7k

Desert (322 Occurrences)
... 7. (vi) To abandon a service without leave; to quit military service without
permission, before the expiration of one's term; to abscond. Int. ...
/d/desert.htm - 46k

Gezer (14 Occurrences)
... As at the expiration of the original "permit" much remained unexplored, application
was made to the authorities for a second one, and, at the end of 1907, Mr ...
/g/gezer.htm - 27k

Resources
What does it mean that “where your treasure is there will your heart be also”? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that Jesus fulfilled the law, but did not abolish it? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that God's mercies are new every morning? | GotQuestions.org

Expiration: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Expiation
Top of Page
Top of Page