Definition and Context
The concept of "forming" in the Bible often refers to the act of creation, shaping, or molding by God. It is a divine action that signifies God's sovereignty and intentionality in creation and in the lives of individuals. The Hebrew word often translated as "form" is יָצַר (yatsar), which conveys the idea of shaping or fashioning, much like a potter with clay.

Biblical References

1. Creation of Man
The most prominent instance of forming is found in the creation narrative. Genesis 2:7 states, "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 God's intimate involvement in the creation of humanity, emphasizing both the physical and spiritual aspects of human life.

2. The Potter and the Clay
The imagery of God as a potter is a recurring theme in Scripture, illustrating His authority and care in shaping His people. Isaiah 64:8 declares, "But now, O LORD, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are our potter; we all are the work of Your hand." This metaphor underscores the relationship between God and His people, where He molds them according to His purpose.

3. God's Sovereignty and Purpose
In Jeremiah 18:6, God speaks to the prophet, saying, "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does? declares the LORD. Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel." This passage reflects God's sovereign right to shape nations and individuals according to His divine will and purpose.

4. Formation in the Womb
The Bible also speaks of God's forming of individuals even before birth. Psalm 139:13-14 states, "For You formed my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well." This passage affirms the belief in God's intimate involvement in the creation of each person, highlighting the sanctity and value of human life from conception.

5. Spiritual Formation
Beyond physical creation, the Bible speaks of spiritual formation, where believers are shaped into the image of Christ. Romans 8:29 says, "For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers." This process of spiritual formation is a work of the Holy Spirit, transforming believers to reflect Christ's character.

Theological Implications

The act of forming, as depicted in the Bible, reveals God's creative power, intentionality, and personal involvement in the world. It underscores the belief in a purposeful creation, where everything is crafted according to God's divine plan. The imagery of the potter and the clay serves as a powerful reminder of God's authority and the responsive relationship He desires with His creation. The concept of forming also emphasizes the inherent value and dignity of human life, as each person is uniquely crafted by God.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Form.

2. (n.) The act or process of giving form or shape to anything; as, in shipbuilding, the exact shaping of partially shaped timbers.

3446. morphosis -- a forming, a form
... a forming, a form. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: morphosis Phonetic
Spelling: (mor'-fo-sis) Short Definition: form, outline Definition: form ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3446.htm - 6k

1380. dokeo -- to have an opinion, to seem
... think, seem, appear, it seems. 1380 -- properly, (what " to be"), forming
(a judgment, estimate). 1380 ("suppose") directly reflects ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1380.htm - 9k

2957. Kurene -- Cyrene, a city in N. Africa
... Kurene Phonetic Spelling: (koo-ray'-nay) Short Definition: Cyrene Definition: Cyrene,
a district west of Egypt on the Mediterranean coast, forming with Crete a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2957.htm - 6k

1484. ethnos -- a race, a nation, pl. the nations (as distinct ...
... 1484 (from , "forming a custom, culture") -- properly, people joined by practicing
similar customs or common culture; (), usually referring to unbelieving (non ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1484.htm - 7k

1218. demos -- a district or country, the common people, esp. the ...
... 1218 (from 1210 , "to bind, tie") -- people bound (tied) together by similar laws
or customs (like citizens in an ancient Greek city forming an , cf. 1577 ). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1218.htm - 7k

6982. qorah -- a rafter, beam
... beam, roof. Or qorah {ko-raw'}; from quwr; a rafter (forming trenches as it were);
by implication, a roof -- beam, roof. see HEBREW quwr. 6981, 6982. ...
/hebrew/6982.htm - 6k

6245. ashath -- to be smooth or shiny
... A primitive root; probably to be sleek, ie Glossy; hence (through the idea of polishing)
to excogitate (as if forming in the mind) -- shine, think. ...
/hebrew/6245.htm - 5k

7298. rahat -- a trough
... From an unused root apparently meaning to hollow out; a channel or watering-box;
by resemblance a ringlet of hair (as forming parallel lines) -- gallery, gutter ...
/hebrew/7298.htm - 5k

3335. yatsar -- to form, fashion
... fashion NASB Word Usage Creator (1), devises (1), earthenware* (1), fashion (1),
fashioned (1), fashioning (2), fashions (1), formed (20), forming (2), forms (2 ...
/hebrew/3335.htm - 6k

The Forming Form. October 2.
... The Forming Form. October 2. As the acorn, because God has given it "a forming
form," and life after its kind, bears within it not ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/daily thoughts /the forming form october 2.htm

Again, Another, Forming an Opinion of Faith from the Letter of ...
... Address 134: Again, another, forming an opinion of faith from the letter
of scripture? Again, another, forming an opinion of faith ...
/.../address 134 0 0 again another forming.htm

An Illustration to Help in Forming an Opinion on those who are ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter XIX. An illustration to help in forming an opinion on those
who are only patient when they are not tried by any one. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xix an illustration to.htm

The Holy Spirit Forming Christ Within Us.
... CHAPTER XII. THE HOLY SPIRIT FORMING CHRIST WITHIN US. It is a wonderful
and deeply significant prayer that Paul offers in Ephesians ...
/.../torrey/the person and work of the holy spirit/chapter xii the holy spirit.htm

The Kingdom Forming
... II THE KINGDOM FORMING. Exodus Page Leviticus Page. Deuteronomy Page. EXODUS.
I. Pictorial Device. Originate one, or omit. II. III. IV. ...
/.../palmer/a birds-eye view of the bible/ii the kingdom forming.htm

The Goodness of God Prevents Corruption from Bringing Anything to ...
... Chapter 7. "The Goodness of God Prevents Corruption from Bringing Anything to
Non-Existence. The Difference Between Creating and Forming. ...
/.../chapter 7 name goodness of.htm

Canons Appointed by the Council; Paphnutius, a Certain Confessor ...
... Book I. Chapter XXIII."Canons appointed by the Council; Paphnutius, a certain Confessor,
restrains the Council from forming a Canon enjoining Celibacy to all ...
/.../chapter xxiii canons appointed by the.htm

Whether the Soul is Propagated; on Obscure Points, Concerning ...
... the Soul is Propagated; On Obscure Points, Concerning Which the Scriptures Give
Us No Assistance, We Must Be on Our Guard Against Forming Hasty Judgments and ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 59 whether the soul is.htm

Seventh Tractate. The Immortality of the Soul.
... a self-springing life " since matter is without quality " but that life is introduced
by the fact that the Matter is brought to order under Forming-Idea. ...
/.../plotinus/the six enneads/seventh tractate the immortality of.htm

The Works of Philo that have Come Down to Us.
... treated at length under special titles, and under those titles, in Sch?�rer's opinion,
were published by Philo as separate works, though really forming a part ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xviii the works of philo.htm

Forming (27 Occurrences)
...Forming (27 Occurrences). ... (WEY). Exodus 9:31 And the flax and the barley have been
smitten, for the barley 'is' budding, and the flax forming flowers, (YLT). ...
/f/forming.htm - 14k

Ouches (8 Occurrences)
... In Exodus, where it occurs 8 times, it is clear that the gold settings of the engraved
stones forming the breast-plate of the high priest are intended; the ...
/o/ouches.htm - 10k

Book (211 Occurrences)
... "columns"). Among the Hebrews books were generally rolled up like our maps, or if
very long they were rolled from both ends, forming two rolls (Luke 4:17-20). ...
/b/book.htm - 101k

Angles (20 Occurrences)
... back. (BBE). Exodus 26:24 The two are to be joined together at the base
and at the top to one ring, forming the two angles. (BBE). ...
/a/angles.htm - 12k

Minor (2 Occurrences)
... The term first appears in Orosius, a writer of the 5th century AD, and it is now
applied in most European languages to the peninsula forming the western part ...
/m/minor.htm - 62k

Asia (22 Occurrences)
... The term first appears in Orosius, a writer of the 5th century AD, and it is now
applied in most European languages to the peninsula forming the western part ...
/a/asia.htm - 71k

List (17 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A line inclosing or forming the extremity of a piece of ground, or field
of combat; hence, in the plural (lists), the ground or field enclosed for a ...
/l/list.htm - 14k

Weaving (4 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Weave. 2. (n.) The act of one who, or that which, weaves; the act or
art of forming cloth in a loom by the union or intertexture of threads. ...
/w/weaving.htm - 17k

Flax (11 Occurrences)
... times. The flax of Egypt was destroyed by the plague of hail when it
"was bolled", ie, was forming pods for seed (Exodus 9:31). ...
/f/flax.htm - 13k

Three (5005 Occurrences)
... in any manuscript or version because in the Septuagint, Theod, Syriac and Latin
(Old Latin and Vulgate) it follows Daniel 3:23 immediately, forming an integral ...
/t/three.htm - 18k

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