The concept of "miniature" in the Bible is not directly addressed as a specific term, but the idea of smallness or things of small size can be found throughout the Scriptures. The Bible often uses small objects or creatures to convey deeper spiritual truths, emphasizing the significance of seemingly insignificant things in God's grand design.

Symbolism of Smallness

1. Mustard Seed: One of the most well-known references to smallness is the mustard seed. In Matthew 13:31-32 , Jesus uses the mustard seed to illustrate the Kingdom of Heaven: "The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man planted in his field. Although it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches." This parable highlights how something small can grow into something great and influential, symbolizing the expansive and inclusive nature of God's kingdom.

2. Faith as a Mustard Seed: Similarly, in Matthew 17:20 , Jesus speaks of faith in terms of a mustard seed: "Truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Here, the miniature size of the mustard seed represents the potential power of even the smallest amount of genuine faith.

Small Creatures and Their Lessons

1. Ants: Proverbs 6:6-8 advises, "Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways and be wise. Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food at harvest." The ant, a small creature, is used as an example of diligence and foresight, teaching the value of hard work and preparation.

2. Sparrows: In Matthew 10:29-31 , Jesus speaks of sparrows to illustrate God's care for His creation: "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Despite their small size and seemingly low value, sparrows are under God's watchful eye, underscoring His attention to detail and care for all His creatures.

Small Offerings and Great Impact

1. Widow's Mite: In Mark 12:41-44 , Jesus observes a poor widow giving two small coins, known as mites, into the temple treasury. He remarks, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. For they all contributed out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on." The widow's small offering is highlighted as greater in value than larger contributions because it was given sacrificially and with a pure heart.

2. Five Loaves and Two Fish: In John 6:9-13 , a boy's small lunch of five barley loaves and two fish is used by Jesus to feed a multitude. This miracle demonstrates how God can take something small and multiply it to meet the needs of many, showcasing His power and provision.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not explicitly use the term "miniature," the recurring theme of smallness serves as a powerful reminder of God's ability to use the humble, the small, and the seemingly insignificant to accomplish His purposes. Through parables, examples of small creatures, and accounts of small offerings, Scripture teaches that size does not determine significance in the eyes of God.1. (n.) A picture or model greatly diminished size; reduced scale.

2. (v.) Originally, a painting in colors such as those in mediaeval manuscripts; in modern times, any very small painting, especially a portrait.

3. (v.) Lettering in red; rubric distinction.

4. (n.) A particular feature or trait.

5. (a.) Being on a small; much reduced from the reality; as, a miniature copy.

6. (v. t.) To represent or depict in a small compass, or on a small scale.

Preface
... It is simply a homely attempt to let out a little of what has been sifting in these
years past of this wondrous miniature Bible from John's pen. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/preface.htm

The Spokesman of God.
... simplicity and compactness. It is John's Gospel in miniature, even as John's
Gospel is the whole Bible story in miniature. You can ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/the spokesman of god.htm

His Missionary Travels
... carried on with the wildest licentiousness. It was a picture in miniature
of Greece sunk in moral decay. Paphos was also the seat ...
/.../stalker/the life of st paul/chapter vi his missionary travels.htm

God and the Godly
... heavenly. The dewdrop with its little rainbow has a miniature of the great
arch that spans the earth and rises into the high heavens. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/god and the godly.htm

Introduction.
... If he came to reveal his Father in miniature, as it were (for in these unspeakable
things we can but use figures, and the homeliest may be the holiest), to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/miracles of our lord/i introduction.htm

The Third Kingdom
... How He gathered about Him the first few subjects, and in the face of laughter and
blasphemy assumed the Sovereignty of the miniature State, framing a ...
/.../berkhof/new evangelism and other papers/the third kingdom.htm

The Ascension of Messiah to Glory
... Beheld through this medium, the miniature delineations of the law, which to the
eye of unassisted un-humbled reason, appear confused and insignificant; display ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxvi the ascension of.htm

Grace Abounding
... Rev. CH SPURGEON,. At the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. "I will love them
freely.""Hosea 14:4. THIS SENTENCE IS A BODY of divinity in miniature. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/grace abounding.htm

Things Omitted from John's Gospel.
... The wonderful scene witnessed by the three disciples upon the holy mount, was not
an unveiling of His Divine glories, but a miniature representation, a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/why four gospels/i things omitted from johns.htm

A Corps Commander
... oversight, and if he consulted his 'FO,' and commanded his corps according to its
advice and directions, he would surely build The Salvation Army in miniature. ...
/.../carpenter/the angel adjutant of twice born men/v a corps commander.htm

Miniature (1 Occurrence)
... 4. (n.) A particular feature or trait. 5. (a.) Being on a small; much reduced
from the reality; as, a miniature copy. ...Miniature (1 Occurrence). ...
/m/miniature.htm - 7k

Mining

/m/mining.htm - 8k

Little (2458 Occurrences)
... ungenerous. 7. (n.) That which is little; a small quantity, amount, space,
or the like. 8. (n.) A small degree or scale; miniature. 9 ...
/l/little.htm - 8k

Wheel (20 Occurrences)
... translation (that of the Septuagint) is quite impossible; the Revised Version (British
and American) "whirling dust" (sucked up by a miniature whirlwind) is ...
/w/wheel.htm - 18k

Illuminate (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (vt) To adorn, as a book or page with borders, initial letters, or miniature
pictures in colors and gold, as was done in manuscripts of the Middle Ages. ...
/i/illuminate.htm - 7k

Images (158 Occurrences)
... While the temple is not naturally thought of as an "image," it was as truly so as
any Bethel. An idol was the temple in miniature-a dwelling-place of the god. ...
/i/images.htm - 70k

Tablet (7 Occurrences)
... inscription or a picture. 3. (n.) Hence, a small picture; a miniature. 4.
(n.) A kind of pocket memorandum book. 5. (n.) A flattish ...
/t/tablet.htm - 15k

Employ (6 Occurrences)
... Acts 19:24 There was a certain Demetrius, a silversmith, who made miniature silver
sanctuaries of Diana, a business which brought great gain to the mechanics ...
/e/employ.htm - 9k

Model (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A miniature representation of a thing, with the
several parts in due proportion; sometimes, a facsimile of the same size. ...
/m/model.htm - 10k

Mechanics (2 Occurrences)
... Acts 19:24 There was a certain Demetrius, a silversmith, who made miniature silver
sanctuaries of Diana, a business which brought great gain to the mechanics ...
/m/mechanics.htm - 7k

Should a Christian wear religious jewelry, such as a crucifix? | GotQuestions.org

Miniature: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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