Definition and Context: The term "severing" refers to the act of dividing, separating, or cutting off. In biblical contexts, severing can be understood both literally and metaphorically, often symbolizing a distinction or separation ordained by God. This concept is prevalent throughout Scripture, where it is used to illustrate God's holiness, judgment, and the distinction between the righteous and the wicked.

Old Testament References:

1. Severing in Creation: The concept of severing is first introduced in the creation narrative. In Genesis 1, God separates light from darkness, waters above from waters below, and land from sea. This act of dividing is foundational to the order and structure of creation. Genesis 1:4 states, "And God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness."

2. Severing in the Law: The Mosaic Law contains numerous instances of severing, particularly in the context of holiness and purity. Leviticus 20:24-26 emphasizes the separation of the Israelites from other nations: "But I have said to you, 'You will inherit their land, and I will give it to you as a possession, a land flowing with milk and honey.' I am the LORD your God, who has set you apart from the peoples. You are therefore to distinguish between the clean animal and the unclean, and between the unclean bird and the clean. Do not become contaminated by any animal or bird or anything that crawls along the ground; I have set these apart as unclean for you. 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."

3. Severing in Judgment: Severing is also a theme in divine judgment. In the account of the Exodus, God severs the Israelites from the Egyptians through the plagues, culminating in the Passover, where the blood of the lamb marks the homes of the Israelites, sparing them from the death of the firstborn (Exodus 12:13).

New Testament References:

1. Severing in the Teachings of Jesus: Jesus often spoke of severing in terms of spiritual and moral separation. In Matthew 13:49-50 , Jesus explains the parable of the net: "So will it be at the end of the age: The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

2. Severing in the Church: The New Testament also addresses the concept of severing within the church. In 1 Corinthians 5:13 , Paul instructs the church to "Expel the wicked man from among you," emphasizing the need for purity and holiness within the body of believers.

3. Severing in Eschatology: The final severing is depicted in the eschatological visions of Revelation, where the ultimate separation of the righteous and the wicked is portrayed. Revelation 20:12-15 describes the final judgment, where the dead are judged according to their deeds, and those not found in the Book of Life are cast into the lake of fire.

Theological Implications: Severing in the Bible underscores the holiness of God and His call for His people to be distinct from the world. It highlights the necessity of purity, obedience, and the ultimate accountability of all humanity before God. The concept serves as a reminder of the divine order established by God and the moral and spiritual boundaries that define the life of faith.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Sever.6973. quts -- to feel a loathing, abhorrence, or sickening dread
... A primitive root (identical with quwts through the idea of severing oneself from
(compare quwt)); to be (causatively, make) disgusted or anxious -- abhor, be ...
/hebrew/6973.htm - 6k

The Tenth Chapter of the Gospel of John. Of the Shepherd, and the ...
... For whatsoever His Body suffereth here, He hath said that Himself suffereth; and
at the end, severing off this His Body to the right hand, and severing the ...
/.../sermon lxxxvii the tenth chapter.htm

Old and New Terminology.
... In the severing of body and soul divine grace completes the dying to sin. ... Sanctification
receives its keystone through the severing of sin in death. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xix old and new terminology.htm

Psalm LXVIII.
... people: [2709] that the same thing also is that which followeth, "Mount Sina from
the face of the God of Israel," [2710] "with voluntary rain severing God to ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxviii.htm

Against Foolish Talking and Jesting.
... that some kind thereof he doth earnestly forbid: whence, in order to the guidance
of our practice, it is needful to distinguish the kinds, severing that which ...
/.../against foolish talking and jesting.htm

Period iii. The Dissolution of the Imperial State Church and the ...
... It was, however, only the last of a series of acts whereby the Church was severing
itself from the ancient order and coming into closer alliance with the new ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iii the dissolution of.htm

The Church Staff
... When Mr. Halliday died it was like the severing of another link of the chain
binding Mr. Beecher to the Christian life of Brooklyn. ...
/.../griswold/sixty years with plymouth church/the church staff.htm

Letter x. To John, Theologos, Apostle and Evangelist, Imprisoned ...
... truly, and the unjust banish His disciples from their cities [134] , themselves
bringing upon themselves their due, and the accursed severing themselves, and ...
/.../dionysius/letters of dionysius the areopagite/letter x to john theologos.htm

Book ix. In the Last Book we Treated of the Indistinguishable ...
... out that here the words, in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily,
prove Him true and perfect God of His Father's nature, neither severing Him from ...
/.../hilary/the life and writings of st hilary of poitiers/book ix in the last.htm

The Very Names of Father and Son Prove the Personal Distinction of ...
... Now all this must be the device of the devil"this excluding and severing one from
the other"since by including both together in one under pretence of the ...
/.../tertullian/against praxeas/chapter x the very names of.htm

The Three Several Natures -- the Material, the Animal, and the ...
... And all this, in order that by severing the condition of our flesh from Christ they
may also deprive it of the hope of salvation! Footnotes: [6852] Exitum. ...
/.../tertullian/against the valentinians/chapter xxvi the three several natures.htm

Severing (2 Occurrences)
... (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Sever. Multi-Version Concordance Severing (2 Occurrences).
Leviticus 1:17 He shall tear it by its wings, but shall not divide it apart. ...
/s/severing.htm - 7k

Severity (7 Occurrences)

/s/severity.htm - 9k

Cutting (178 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Cut. 2. (n.) The act or process
of making an incision, or of severing, felling, shaping, etc. ...
/c/cutting.htm - 46k

Cut (616 Occurrences)
... 13. (vi) To perform the operation of dividing, severing, incising, intersecting,
etc.; to use a cutting instrument. 14. (vi) To make a stroke with a whip. 15. ...
/c/cut.htm - 45k

Severance (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) The act of dividing; the singling or severing of two or more that join,
or are joined, in one writ; the putting in several or separate pleas or answers ...
/s/severance.htm - 7k

Severest (2 Occurrences)

/s/severest.htm - 7k

Simon (75 Occurrences)
... deepest distress, the charge to watch and pray, and the failure to do so through
sleepiness (Matthew 26:36-46); the mistaken courage in severing the ear of ...
/s/simon.htm - 91k

Peter (181 Occurrences)
... deepest distress, the charge to watch and pray, and the failure to do so through
sleepiness (Matthew 26:36-46); the mistaken courage in severing the ear of ...
/p/peter.htm - 101k

Empire (8 Occurrences)
... It appeared first merely as a reformed and more spiritual Judaism; its earliest
preachers and adherents alike never dreamed of severing from the synagogue. ...
/e/empire.htm - 80k

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