The term "indistinct" refers to something not clearly defined or easily discernible. In the context of biblical literature, the concept of indistinctness can be applied to various themes, narratives, and teachings where clarity is either intentionally or unintentionally obscured. This can occur in prophetic visions, parables, or spiritual truths that require discernment and revelation for full understanding.

Prophetic Visions

In the Bible, prophetic visions often contain elements that are indistinct, requiring interpretation. For example, the visions of Daniel and Revelation are filled with symbolic imagery that is not immediately clear. Daniel 7:15-16 states, "I, Daniel, was grieved in my spirit, and the visions in my mind alarmed me. I approached one of those standing by and asked him the true meaning of all this. So he told me the interpretation of these things." Here, the indistinct nature of the vision necessitates divine interpretation.

Parables

Jesus frequently used parables to convey spiritual truths, which were often indistinct to those who heard them without spiritual insight. In Matthew 13:10-11 , the disciples ask Jesus why He speaks to the people in parables. He replies, "The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them." The parables are intentionally indistinct to those not open to receiving their deeper meaning.

Spiritual Truths

The Apostle Paul speaks of the indistinct nature of spiritual truths in 1 Corinthians 13:12 : "For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." This passage highlights the partial understanding believers have in this life, with the promise of full clarity in the life to come.

Mysteries of God

The Bible often refers to the mysteries of God, which are inherently indistinct until revealed by the Holy Spirit. Colossians 1:26-27 speaks of "the mystery that was hidden for ages and generations but is now revealed to His saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." The indistinct nature of these mysteries underscores the need for divine revelation.

Human Understanding

Human understanding is limited, and the Bible acknowledges this limitation. In Isaiah 55:8-9 , God declares, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways... As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." This passage emphasizes the distinction between divine and human understanding, often leaving God's purposes indistinct to human reasoning.

Faith and Trust

The indistinct nature of certain biblical truths and events calls believers to a life of faith and trust in God. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see." Faith involves trusting in God's promises and character, even when circumstances or revelations are indistinct.

In summary, the concept of indistinctness in the Bible serves to highlight the need for divine revelation, spiritual discernment, and faith. It reminds believers of the limitations of human understanding and the importance of seeking God's wisdom and guidance in all things.1. (a.) Not distinguishable; vague; not separate in such a manner as to be perceptible by itself; as, the indistinct parts of a substance.

2. (a.) Obscure to the mind or senses; not clear; not definite; confused; imperfect; faint; as, indistinct vision; an indistinct sound; an indistinct idea or recollection.

82. adelos -- unseen, not manifest
... Transliteration: adelos Phonetic Spelling: (ad'-ay-los) Short Definition: unseen,
not obvious Definition: unseen, not obvious, inconspicuous, indistinct. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/82.htm - 7k

The Preface. First Advertisement.
... 1. There are two ways of going to God, the one by Consideration and Mental Discourse,
and the other by the Purity of Faith, an indistinct, general and confused ...
/.../the preface first advertisement.htm

The Relation Between the Human Will and the Divine Agency.
... The reason why the views of most persons concerning this relation are so vague and
indistinct is, that they do not possess a sufficiently clear and perfect ...
/.../chapter v the relation between.htm

Concerning Common and Distinctive Theology, and what is the Divine ...
... fashion of the Divine union and distinction, in order that the whole discourse may
be seen at a glance to reject everything ambiguous and indistinct, and to ...
/.../dionysius/dionysis on divine names/caput ii concerning common and.htm

What Messiah did the Jews Expect?
... Rabbinic writings. Only, as we might expect, all is there indistinct,
incoherent, unexplained, and from a much lower standpoint. At ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter v what messiah did.htm

The Future State a Self-Conscious State.
... that the views which he shall have upon religious subjects in the eternal state,
will be very much as they are in this,"vague, indistinct, fluctuating, and ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/the future state a self-conscious.htm

Knox Little -- Thirst Satisfied
... can you not? My friends, the human intellect is so framed that it acts
habitually upon ideas that are true yet indistinct. You act ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 8/knox little thirst satisfied.htm

In the Beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God...
... [142] Luke 1:57. [143] Luke 1:58. [144] Luke 1:59. [145] The text is indistinct
in the Vat. ms. ... See 24, 29. [170] So Borg. ms. The Vat. ms. is very indistinct. ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section i in the beginning.htm

The Rich Man and Lazarus.
... When the line of the instruction goes through the separating veil and expatiates
in the unseen eternity, it must become dim and indistinct to our vision. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/xxvi the rich man and.htm

Self-Scrutiny in God's Presence.
... He who deals only with the sense of duty, and the operations of his own mind, will
find that these themselves become more dim and indistinct, so long as the ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/self-scrutiny in gods presence.htm

About the Demon that Dwelt in the Woman.
... as I was coming forth from the bath, there met me one like a man troubled and disturbed;
and his voice and utterance seemed to me to be indistinct and very weak ...
/.../unknown/acts of the holy apostle thomas/about the demon that dwelt.htm

Indistinct (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (a.) Not distinguishable; vague; not separate in such a manner as to be
perceptible by itself; as, the indistinct parts of a substance. ...
/i/indistinct.htm - 7k

Loom (3 Occurrences)
... 4. (vi) To appear above the surface either of sea or land, or to appear enlarged,
or distorted and indistinct, as a distant object, a ship at sea, or a mountain ...
/l/loom.htm - 8k

Murmur (23 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A low, confused, and indistinct sound, like
that of running water. 2. (n.) A complaint half suppressed ...
/m/murmur.htm - 15k

Mutter (6 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To utter words indistinctly or with a low voice and lips partly closed;
esp., to utter indistinct complaints or angry expressions; to grumble; to growl ...
/m/mutter.htm - 9k

Nightmonster
... of great importance should be briefly noticed here, namely, that the traces of
mythology and popular folklore in the Bible are surprisingly faint and indistinct...
/n/nightmonster.htm - 17k

Night-monster
... of great importance should be briefly noticed here, namely, that the traces of
mythology and popular folklore in the Bible are surprisingly faint and indistinct...
/n/night-monster.htm - 17k

Impression (2 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) Influence or effect on the senses or the intellect hence, interest,
concern. 5. (n.) An indistinct notion, remembrance, or belief. ...
/i/impression.htm - 8k

Indite

/i/indite.htm - 7k

Indissoluble (1 Occurrence)

/i/indissoluble.htm - 7k

Thick (129 Occurrences)
... 6. (superl.) Not having due distinction of syllables, or good articulation; indistinct;
as, a thick utterance. 7. (superl.) Deep; profound; as, thick sleep. ...
/t/thick.htm - 38k

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