Overflows
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In biblical literature, the concept of "overflows" is often used metaphorically to describe abundance, divine blessing, judgment, or the overwhelming nature of God's presence and actions. The term can be found in various contexts throughout Scripture, illustrating both positive and negative connotations depending on the circumstances and divine intentions.

Abundance and Blessing

One of the most prominent uses of "overflows" in the Bible is to depict abundance and divine blessing. In Psalm 23:5, David writes, "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows." Here, the overflowing cup symbolizes the abundance of God's provision and blessing in the life of the believer, even amidst adversity. This imagery reassures the faithful of God's generous care and the richness of His grace.

Similarly, in Malachi 3:10, the Lord challenges His people to bring the full tithe into the storehouse, promising, "Test Me in this," says the LORD of Hosts, "and see if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure." The idea of blessings overflowing from the windows of heaven underscores the limitless nature of God's generosity when His people are faithful.

Judgment and Destruction

Conversely, "overflows" can also signify judgment and destruction. In Isaiah 8:7-8, the prophet warns of the impending Assyrian invasion: "Therefore the Lord is about to bring against them the mighty floodwaters of the Euphrates—the king of Assyria and all his pomp. It will overflow its channels and overrun its banks. It will pour into Judah, swirling and sweeping over it, reaching up to the neck." Here, the overflowing waters represent the overwhelming force of God's judgment through the Assyrian army, illustrating the consequences of Israel's disobedience.

Divine Presence and Power

The concept of overflowing is also used to describe the overwhelming nature of God's presence and power. In Romans 15:13, Paul writes, "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." This passage highlights the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, enabling believers to overflow with hope, joy, and peace as a testament to God's active presence in their lives.

Moral and Spiritual Overflow

In the New Testament, the idea of overflow extends to moral and spiritual dimensions. Jesus teaches in Luke 6:45, "The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure. For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks." This teaching emphasizes that the condition of one's heart is revealed through their words and actions, suggesting that a heart filled with righteousness will naturally overflow with goodness.

Conclusion

The biblical theme of "overflows" serves as a powerful metaphor for both the blessings and judgments of God, as well as the moral and spiritual state of individuals. Whether illustrating divine abundance, the consequences of disobedience, or the transformative work of the Holy Spirit, the concept underscores the profound impact of God's presence and actions in the world and in the lives of His people.
Greek
5240. huperekchunno -- to pour out over, to overflow
... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: huperekchunno Phonetic Spelling:
(hoop-er-ek-khoo'-no) Short Definition: I pour out so that it overflows Definition: ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5240.htm - 6k
Strong's Hebrew
7370. rachash -- to keep moving, stir
... 7369, 7370. rachash. 7371 . to keep moving, stir. Transliteration: rachash
Phonetic Spelling: (raw-khash') Short Definition: overflows. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/7370.htm - 5k

7310. revayah -- saturation
... abundance. Word Origin from ravah Definition saturation NASB Word Usage abundance
(1), hearts (1), overflows (1). runneth over, wealthy. ...
/hebrew/7310.htm - 6k

4390. male -- to be full, to fill
... 1), live (1), massed (1), messengers (1), mount* (1), mounted (1), ordain* (4),
ordained* (4), ordination* (1), overflowing* (1), overflows* (1), passed (1 ...
/hebrew/4390.htm - 7k

7857. shataph -- to overflow, rinse or wash off
... or wash off NASB Word Usage charging (1), engulfed (1), flooded away (1), flooding
(2), flowed (1), overflow (9), overflowing (6), overflows (1), overwhelming ...
/hebrew/7857.htm - 6k

1097. beli -- a wearing out
... Word Usage because* (6), cannot (1), lack (4), no (6), no more (1), no one (3),
nor (1), nothing (1), nothing* (1), nothingness (1), one (2), overflows* (1), so ...
/hebrew/1097.htm - 6k

5921. al -- upon, above, over
... obliging* (1), off (6), off* (5), opposed (1), opposite (1), opposite* (4), ornamented*
(1), over (538), over* (6), overflowing* (1), overflows* (1), overlooks ...
/hebrew/5921.htm - 8k

1767. day -- sufficiency, enough
... enough NASB Word Usage ability (1), according (1), annually* (2), each time (2),
enough (6), had enough (1), nothing* (1), often (8), overflows* (1), plenty (1 ...
/hebrew/1767.htm - 6k

Library

Letter iii. True Religion a Work of Grace in the Heart; but it ...
... But a tree may stand so near a river as to be watered when it overflows its banks;
and yet, if its roots only spread over the surface of the ground, and do not ...
/.../letter iii true religion a.htm

The Life of the Blessed in Heaven.
... If you dig in a dry and barren spot, and happen to strike a vein of living water,
it bubbles up, overflows, and moistens the surrounding earth, clothing it ...
/.../boudreaux/the happiness of heaven/chapter ix the life of.htm

Continues the Same Subject, Explaining by a Comparison in what ...
... If the fountain is plentiful, like the one we speak of, after the basin is full
the water overflows in a great stream which flows continually. ...
/.../teresa/the interior castle or the mansions/chapter ii continues the same 2.htm

The Blessing of God.
... first came the privilege of Nazarite consecration; and then, by the act of consecration,
His loving heart is so gladdened that it further overflows in these ...
/.../taylor/separation and service/part ii the blessing of.htm

Introductory Notice.
... Tertullian overflows into this volume, after filling one before; the vast proportions
of Origen's labours forced the Edinburgh publishers to give specimens only ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on the pallium/introductory notice.htm

The Christ of the Gospels. By Rev. Professor Schaff.
... nation, and race. His saving grace flows and overflows to all, and for all,
on the simple condition of repentance and faith. This fact ...
/.../the christ of the gospels.htm

The Fathers, the Liturgies, and the Mystics
... Another passage in the Apology is referred to in more than one hymn: If Tiber overflows,
and Nile does not; if heaven stands still and withholds its rain, and ...
/.../chapter ii the fathers the.htm

Concerning Great, Small, Same, Different, Similar, Dissimilar ...
... Almighty God, then, is named great in reference to His own peculiar greatness, which
imparts itself to all things great; and overflows, and extends itself ...
/.../dionysius/dionysis on divine names/caput ix concerning great small.htm

The Plagues of Egypt
... Every year it overflows the whole country, leaving behind it a rich coat of mud,
which makes Egypt the most inexhaustibly fertile land in the world; and made ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon x the plagues of.htm

The Swelling of Jordan
... The other characteristic is that it overflows its banks in all the time of harvest.
These two things must be kept in mind if the text would teach its lesson. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/the swelling of jordan.htm

Thesaurus
Overflows (9 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Overflows (9 Occurrences). ... I am filled with comfort:
my heart overflows with joy amid all our affliction. (WEY). ...
/o/overflows.htm - 9k

Swell (9 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To increase in size or extent by any addition; to increase in volume or
force; as, a river swells, and overflows its banks; sounds swell or diminish. ...
/s/swell.htm - 13k

Overflow (43 Occurrences)
... Job 40:23 Behold, if a river overflows, he doesn't tremble. He is confident, though
the Jordan swells even to his mouth. (Root in WEB JPS ASV BBE DBY). ...
/o/overflow.htm - 19k

Overflown (6 Occurrences)

/o/overflown.htm - 8k

Overfond (1 Occurrence)

/o/overfond.htm - 6k

Overflowing (54 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Overflow. 2. (n.) An overflow; that which overflows; exuberance;
copiousness. Multi-Version Concordance Overflowing (54 Occurrences). ...
/o/overflowing.htm - 23k

Loudly (31 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 7:4 I have great confidence in you: very loudly do I boast of you.
I am filled with comfort: my heart overflows with joy amid all our affliction. ...
/l/loudly.htm - 15k

Lilies (15 Occurrences)
... Set to "The Lilies." A contemplation by the sons of Korah. A wedding song. My heart
overflows with a noble theme. I recite my verses for the king. ...
/l/lilies.htm - 10k

Writer (4 Occurrences)
... Set to "The Lilies." A contemplation by the sons of Korah. A wedding song. My heart
overflows with a noble theme. I recite my verses for the king. ...
/w/writer.htm - 8k

Wedding (24 Occurrences)
... Set to "The Lilies." A contemplation by the sons of Korah. A wedding song. My heart
overflows with a noble theme. I recite my verses for the king. ...
/w/wedding.htm - 13k

Resources
What does it mean that my cup runneth over? | GotQuestions.org

What are the greatest promises in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Apollonius? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Overflows (9 Occurrences)

2 Corinthians 1:5
For as the sufferings of Christ abound to us, even so our comfort also abounds through Christ.
(See NIV)

2 Corinthians 7:4
I have great confidence in you: very loudly do I boast of you. I am filled with comfort: my heart overflows with joy amid all our affliction.
(WEY)

2 Corinthians 9:12
For this service of giving that you perform not only makes up for lack among the saints, but abounds also through many givings of thanks to God;
(See RSV)

Joshua 3:15
and when those who bore the ark had come to the Jordan, and the feet of the priests who bore the ark had dipped in the edge of the water (for the Jordan overflows all its banks all the time of harvest),
(WEB NAS RSV)

1 Chronicles 12:15
These are they that went over Jordan in the first month, when it overflows all its banks, and they put to flight all them of the valleys, toward the east and toward the west.
(DBY)

Job 40:23
Behold, if a river overflows, he doesn't tremble. He is confident, though the Jordan swells even to his mouth.
(WEB)

Psalms 23:5
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou hast anointed my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 45:1
For the Chief Musician. Set to "The Lilies." A contemplation by the sons of Korah. A wedding song. My heart overflows with a noble theme. I recite my verses for the king. My tongue is like the pen of a skillful writer.
(WEB NAS RSV)

Psalms 69:2
I am sunk in deep mire, where there is no standing; I am come into deep waters, and the flood overwhelmeth me.
(See NAS)

Subtopics

Overflows

Related Terms

Overflows (9 Occurrences)

Notorious (16 Occurrences)

Over-fond (1 Occurrence)

Tax-gatherers (16 Occurrences)

Overflown
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