The term "severed" in the biblical context often refers to the act of cutting off or separating something or someone from a larger whole. This concept can be found throughout the Scriptures, both in literal and metaphorical senses, and is significant in understanding themes of judgment, holiness, and covenant relationships.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of being severed is frequently associated with the holiness and distinctiveness of the people of Israel. God called Israel to be a nation set apart from other nations, a theme that is evident in the laws and commandments given to them. For instance, in Leviticus 20:26 , God declares, "You are to be holy to Me because I, the LORD, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be My own." Here, the act of being "set apart" can be understood as being severed from the practices and influences of surrounding peoples.

The concept of severance is also evident in the sacrificial system, where certain parts of an animal were to be cut off and offered to God, symbolizing the separation of the sacred from the profane. This act of severing was a physical representation of spiritual truths, emphasizing the need for purity and dedication to God.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the theme of being severed takes on a more spiritual dimension. Jesus Christ speaks of the necessity of being connected to Him, using the metaphor of the vine and branches. In John 15:6 , He states, "If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned." Here, the severance from the vine represents a loss of spiritual life and vitality, underscoring the importance of abiding in Christ.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the concept of severance in his epistles. In Romans 11, he uses the imagery of an olive tree to describe the relationship between Israel and the Gentiles. Branches that do not produce fruit are severed, while others are grafted in, illustrating God's sovereign choice and the inclusion of the Gentiles into the covenant community.

Judgment and Consequences

Severance is often associated with divine judgment. In the prophetic literature, God warns of the consequences of disobedience and idolatry, which can result in being cut off from His presence and blessings. For example, in Ezekiel 14:8 , God declares, "I will set My face against that man and make him a sign and a proverb; I will cut him off from among My people. Then you will know that I am the LORD."

This theme is echoed in the New Testament, where the final judgment is depicted as a time of separation between the righteous and the wicked. In Matthew 25:32 , Jesus describes the Son of Man separating the sheep from the goats, symbolizing the ultimate severance based on one's relationship with Him.

Covenant and Restoration

While severance often carries a negative connotation, it is also a precursor to restoration and renewal. God's acts of severing are not merely punitive but are intended to bring about repentance and reconciliation. The severance of Israel from the land during the Babylonian exile, for example, ultimately led to a renewed commitment to the covenant and a return to the land.

In the New Testament, the severance of Christ on the cross—His separation from the Father—paved the way for the reconciliation of humanity to God. This act of divine love and sacrifice underscores the redemptive purpose behind God's actions, offering hope and restoration to those who are willing to return to Him.(imp. &. p. p.) of Sever.2673. katargeo -- to render inoperative, abolish
... fades away (1), fading (1), fading away (1), nullified (1), nullify (4), passing
away (1), released (2), removed (1), render powerless (1), severed (1), use (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2673.htm - 9k915. badal -- a piece, severed piece
... 914, 915. badal. 916 . a piece, severed piece. Transliteration: badal
Phonetic Spelling: (baw-dawl') Short Definition: piece. Word ...
/hebrew/915.htm - 6k

7105. qatsiyr -- harvesting, harvest
... From qatsar; severed, ie Harvest (as reaped), the crop, the time, the reaper, or
figuratively; also a limb (of a tree, or simply foliage) -- bough, branch ...
/hebrew/7105.htm - 5k

Wherefore, Then, have Ye Severed Yourselves? if There is any Sense ...
... Chapter 7. " 10. Wherefore, then, have ye severed yourselves? If there is any
sense left in? "10. Wherefore, then, have ye severed yourselves? ...
/.../chapter 7 10 wherefore.htm

Whether in Christ's Death There was a Severance Between his ...
... Consequently, by death His soul was severed from the Godhead. Objection 2: Further,
Athanasius [*Vigilius Tapsensis, De Trin. vi; Bardenhewer assigns it to St. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether in christs death there.htm

As He Purposes to Establish the Godhead of the Holy Spirit by the ...
... sins except God alone?" [1409] certainly He Who cannot be separated from the oneness
of the name of the Nature is also incapable of being severed from the ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xviii as he purposes.htm

Whether the Godhead was Separated from the Flesh when Christ Died?
... why hast Thou forsaken Me?" which words Ambrose, commenting on Lk.23:46, explains
as follows: "The man cried out when about to expire by being severed from the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the godhead was separated.htm

Implanting in Christ.
... For a person once implanted in Christ can not be severed from Him: "No man can pluck
them out of My hand"; [32] "Whom He has justified, them He also glorified ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxiv implanting in christ.htm

Whether Heretics, Schismatics, and Excommunicated Persons Can ...
... which is Christ's body) there is neither valid priesthood nor true sacrifice." But
heretics, schismatics, and excommunicated persons are severed from the Church ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether heretics schismatics and excommunicated.htm

In the Treatise which we Wrote against the Published Epistle of ...
... If, therefore, the baptism be acknowledged which he could not lose who severed himself
from the unity of the Church, that baptism must also be acknowledged ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /chapter 1 1 in.htm

Book iv. The Earlier Books of this Treatise, Written Some Time Ago ...
... it, is that the Son derives His origin from a partition of the Father's substance,
as though one object had been cut in two and He were the severed portion. ...
/.../the life and writings of st hilary of poitiers/book iv the earlier books.htm

To the Objection of the Arians, that Two Gods are Introduced by a ...
... Persons. Therefore the Son is not to be severed from the Father, especially
as they dare not deny that worship is due to Him. 39. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter iii to the objection.htm

The True vine.
... his Son. Judas, an unfruitful branch which did not have in it the life
of the Vine, had just been severed and had gone forth. So ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the true vine.htm

Severed (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Severed (5 Occurrences). Galatians 5:4 Ye are severed
from Christ, ye would be justified by the law; ye are fallen away from grace. ...
/s/severed.htm - 7k

Severely (48 Occurrences)

/s/severely.htm - 19k

Zaanaim (1 Occurrence)
... Judges 4:11 Now Heber the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father
in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent ...
/z/zaanaim.htm - 7k

Thomas (12 Occurrences)
... put the question, "Lord, we know now whither thou goest; how know we the way?"
(John 14:5). After the crucifixion, Thomas apparently severed his connection ...
/t/thomas.htm - 17k

Regeneration (2 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) The union of parts which have been severed, so that they become anatomically
perfect; as, the regeneration of a nerve. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/r/regeneration.htm - 60k

Excommunication
... pronounced upon him by a council of ten, and he was shut out from the intellectual,
religious and social life of the community, completely severed from the ...
/e/excommunication.htm - 15k

Dagon (9 Occurrences)
... It was restored to its place; but on the following day Dagon again lay on the ground
before the ark, this time with the head and both hands severed from the ...
/d/dagon.htm - 12k

Discontinue (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (vi) To lose continuity or cohesion of parts; to be disrupted or broken off.
3. (vi) To be separated or severed; to part. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/d/discontinue.htm - 7k

Malchus (1 Occurrence)
... wound (Luke 22:51). As Jesus "touched his ear, and healed him," the ear
was not entirely severed from the head. The words of Jesus ...
/m/malchus.htm - 8k

Potsherd (6 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A "shred", ie, anything severed, as a fragment of earthenware
(Job 2:8; Proverbs 26:23; Isaiah 45:9). Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
/p/potsherd.htm - 9k

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