The term "melteth" is an archaic English word found in the King James Version of the Bible, often used to describe the process of melting or dissolving. In the context of Scripture, it is typically employed metaphorically to convey the idea of fear, distress, or overwhelming emotion that causes one's heart or spirit to "melt."

Biblical Usage:

1. Fear and Distress:
The concept of melting is frequently used in the Bible to describe the reaction of individuals or groups when faced with overwhelming fear or distress. For example, in Joshua 2:11 , Rahab describes the reaction of the inhabitants of Jericho upon hearing of the Israelites' approach: "When we heard this, our hearts melted and everyone's courage failed because of you, for the LORD your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below."

2. Divine Judgment:
The imagery of melting is also used to depict the effects of divine judgment. In Nahum 2:10 , the prophet Nahum describes the desolation of Nineveh: "She is emptied! Yes, she is desolate and laid waste! Hearts melt, knees knock, bodies tremble, and every face grows pale!"

3. Emotional Response:
The Psalms often use the term to express deep emotional responses to God's presence or actions. Psalm 22:14 states, "I am poured out like water, and all my bones are disjointed. My heart is like wax; it has melted within me." This verse poetically conveys the psalmist's intense anguish and vulnerability.

Theological Implications:

The use of "melteth" in Scripture underscores the human response to the divine, whether it be fear of God's judgment, awe of His power, or the emotional turmoil experienced in times of trial. It serves as a reminder of the frailty of human strength and the overwhelming nature of God's presence and actions.

Symbolism:

In a broader symbolic sense, melting can represent the process of purification or transformation. Just as metal is melted to remove impurities, the trials and judgments that cause hearts to melt can lead to spiritual refinement and a deeper reliance on God.

Related Concepts:

· Fear of the Lord: The fear that causes hearts to melt is often linked to the biblical concept of the "fear of the Lord," which is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). This fear is not merely terror but a reverent awe and respect for God's holiness and power.
· Repentance and Renewal: The melting of the heart can also be seen as a precursor to repentance and spiritual renewal, as individuals recognize their need for God's mercy and grace.

In summary, "melteth" is a vivid term used in the Bible to describe the profound emotional and spiritual responses elicited by God's presence, actions, and judgments. It highlights the transformative power of divine encounters and the human need for reliance on God's strength and mercy.

The True Doctrine is to be Sought in the Prophets.
... Let us worship Him of whom the prophet says, "Before Thy face the hills shall melt,
as wax melteth before the fire!" [935] This, says he, is the God "whose ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter viii the true doctrine is.htm

Of Self-Annihilation
... with Him, and abide in His Presence, the sacred power and influence thereof gradually
dissolves the obduration of the soul, and, as it melteth, odours issue ...
/.../guyon/a short and easy method of prayer/chapter xx of self-annihilation.htm

Sweet Comfort for Feeble Saints
... did not come to be a conqueror with his sword, nor a Mohammed with his fiery eloquence;
but he came to speak with a "still small voice," that melteth the rocky ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/sweet comfort for feeble saints.htm

Nahum's Doom of Nineveh
... She is empty, and void, and waste: And the heart melteth, and the knees smite together;
And anguish is in all loins, And the faces of them all are waxed pale. ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/xi nahums doom of nineveh.htm

Psalm LXVIII.
... "As wax melteth from the face of fire, so let sinners perish from the face of God."
Though perchance in this passage he hath referred to those men, whose hard ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxviii.htm

That Jesus Christ Shall Come as a Judge.
... face. As smoke vanisheth, let them vanish: as wax melteth from the face
of fire, thus let the sinners perish from the face of God. ...
/.../three books of testimonies against the jews/28 that jesus christ shall.htm

Psalm 147
... who in its cold can live? ^18He sendeth forth his mighty word,. and melteth them
again; His wind he makes to blow, and then. the waters flow amain. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 147.htm

It Raiseth Corn to Supply You with Food
... It raiseth corn to supply you with food, it melteth waters to quench your thirst,
it infuseth sense into all your members, it illuminates the world to ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/8 it raiseth corn to.htm

That Anything May be Found to be in Infinite Treasure
... As it relateth to the stars it raiseth their influences; as to the Seas, it melteth
them and maketh the waters flow; as to your eye, it bringeth in the beauty ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/55 that anything may be.htm

And on the Day Following He Went Forth Still More Eagerly Bent on ...
... As smoke vanisheth, let them vanish; as wax melteth before the face of fire, so
let the sinners perish from the face of God;' and again, All nations compassed ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/life of antony section 11.htm

Melteth (12 Occurrences)
...Melteth (12 Occurrences). Psalms 46:6 Troubled have been nations, Moved have been
kingdoms, He hath given forth with His voice, earth melteth. (YLT). ...
/m/melteth.htm - 9k

Melting (9 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Psalms 58:8 Let them be as a snail which melteth and passeth away; like
the untimely births of a woman, that have not seen the sun. (See NIV). ...
/m/melting.htm - 9k

Untimely (5 Occurrences)
... Psalms 58:8 As a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away: like
the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun. ...
/u/untimely.htm - 8k

Writhing (2 Occurrences)
... Nahum 2:10 She is empty, and void, and waste; and the heart melteth, and the knees
smite together, and writhing pain is in all loins, and all their faces grow ...
/w/writhing.htm - 7k

Founder (5 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Jeremiah 6:29 The bellows are burned, the lead is consumed of the fire; the
founder melteth in vain: for the wicked are not plucked away. (KJV JPS WBS). ...
/f/founder.htm - 9k

Deeps (13 Occurrences)
... (DBY NAS). Psalms 107:26 They mount up to the heavens, they go down again to the
depths: Their soul melteth away because of trouble. (See JPS). ...
/d/deeps.htm - 9k

Melts (11 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Psalms 119:28 My soul melteth away for heaviness; sustain me according
unto Thy word. (See RSV). Psalms 147:18 He sends out his word, and melts them. ...
/m/melts.htm - 9k

Meltest (2 Occurrences)

/m/meltest.htm - 6k

Blackness (13 Occurrences)
... Nahum 2:10 She is empty, and void, and waste: and the heart melteth, and the knees
smite together, and much pain is in all loins, and the faces of them all ...
/b/blackness.htm - 12k

Convulsion (8 Occurrences)
... Nahum 2:10 She is empty, and void, and waste; and the heart melteth, and the knees
smite together, and anguish is in all loins, and the faces of them all are ...
/c/convulsion.htm - 9k

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