The term "shatters" in the Bible often conveys the idea of breaking, destroying, or bringing to ruin. It is used both literally and metaphorically to describe the power of God, the consequences of sin, and the ultimate triumph of divine justice. The imagery of shattering is vivid and serves to illustrate the might and authority of God over all creation.

Divine Power and Judgment

One of the most prominent uses of "shatters" in Scripture is to depict God's power to judge and destroy the wicked. In the book of Psalms, the psalmist declares, "You will break them with an iron scepter; You will shatter them like pottery" (Psalm 2:9). This verse highlights God's sovereign authority to execute judgment upon rebellious nations and individuals, emphasizing His ability to dismantle their power and plans.

Similarly, in the prophetic literature, the imagery of shattering is used to describe God's judgment against His enemies. In Jeremiah 51:20, God speaks through the prophet, saying, "You are My war club, My weapon for battle—with you I shatter nations; with you I destroy kingdoms" . Here, the shattering is a demonstration of God's use of His chosen instruments to carry out His divine purposes.

The Consequences of Sin

The concept of shattering is also associated with the consequences of sin and disobedience. In the book of Isaiah, the prophet warns of the impending judgment on those who forsake the Lord: "The earth is broken apart, the earth is split open, the earth is shaken violently" (Isaiah 24:19). This passage uses the imagery of a shattering earth to convey the devastating effects of sin and the resulting divine wrath.

Restoration and Hope

While shattering often conveys destruction, it is also used in contexts that point to restoration and hope. The breaking down of the old can lead to the establishment of something new and righteous. In Ezekiel 37, the vision of the dry bones being brought to life symbolizes the restoration of Israel. Though the nation was shattered and scattered, God promises to breathe new life into His people, demonstrating His power to restore and renew.

Christ's Victory

In the New Testament, the theme of shattering is seen in the ultimate victory of Christ over sin and death. Hebrews 2:14 states, "Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil" . Here, the shattering of the devil's power is accomplished through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, ensuring the triumph of God's redemptive plan.

Conclusion

The imagery of shattering in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty, the seriousness of sin, and the hope of restoration through divine intervention. Whether in judgment or in the promise of new beginnings, the concept underscores the ultimate authority of God in the unfolding of His purposes throughout history.2827. chashal -- to shatter
... 2826, 2827. chashal. 2828 . to shatter. Transliteration: chashal Phonetic
Spelling: (khash-al') Short Definition: shatters. Word ...
/hebrew/2827.htm - 6k

6483a. patsats -- to break
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to break NASB Word Usage shaken me to pieces
(1), shattered (1), shatters (1). 6483, 6483a. patsats. 6483b . ...
/hebrew/6483a.htm - 5k

7492. raats -- to shatter
... Definition: afflicted. Word Origin a prim. root Definition to shatter NASB Word
Usage afflicted (1), shatters (1). dash in pieces, vex. A ...
/hebrew/7492.htm - 5k

Forgiveness and Retribution.
... If he has soiled his reputation, the effect of it can never be washed away. If he
shatters his body through indulgence and vice, he must suffer until death. ...
/.../moody/sowing and reaping/chapter vii forgiveness and retribution.htm

Treatise vii. On the Mortality.
... faith, and a devoted spirit that is not disturbed at the frequency of this present
mortality, but, like a strong and stable rock, rather shatters the turbulent ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise vii on the mortality.htm

Some Considerations in Reply Eulogistic of the Flesh it was ...
... of their perplexities occasioned by the selfsame views; and as the first
battering-ram which is directed against ourselves is that which shatters the condition ...
/.../on the resurrection of the flesh/chapter v some considerations in reply.htm

The Widened Mission, Its Perils and Defences
... was His freedom from the rosy, groundless visions of at once capturing a world which
enthusiasts are apt to cherish, till hard experience shatters the illusions ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the widened mission its perils.htm

Sylvanus
... in passing, how Sylvanus' relations to the two Apostles throws light upon the perfectly
cordial alliance between them, and how it shatters into fragments the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/sylvanus.htm

The Old House and the New
... For such a theory reduces human actions to mechanical results, and shatters
all responsibility. Man is more than his dwelling-place. ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the old house and the.htm

Smitten in Vain
... elaborate ceremonial. The word literally means treason or rebellion, and
by it Amos at one blow shatters the whole fabric. Note, too ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/smitten in vain.htm

The Veil Over all Nations
... A mass of black rock flung into a still lake shatters the images of the girdling
woods and the overarching sky. Every sin bribes us to forget God. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the veil over all nations.htm

On Kindness and Its Several Parts, Namely, Good-Will and ...
... In a promise a cheat lies hid. It is in our power to give what we like.
Cheating shatters the foundation, and so destroys the work. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xxx on kindness and.htm

The Reality of the Resurrection Proved by Facts: -1 the victory ...
... 2) the Wonders of Grace are the work of One Living, of One who is God: (3) if the
gods be (as alleged) real and living, a fortiori He Who shatters their power ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/section 30 the reality of.htm

Shatters (8 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Shatters (8 Occurrences). ... Psalms 46:9 He makes wars cease
to the end of the earth. He breaks the bow, and shatters the spear. ...
/s/shatters.htm - 8k

Shatter (26 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To break at once into many pieces; to dash, burst, or part violently into
fragments; to rend into splinters; as, an explosion shatters a rock or a bomb ...
/s/shatter.htm - 14k

Shattering (5 Occurrences)

/s/shattering.htm - 8k

Shaul (10 Occurrences)

/s/shaul.htm - 10k

Burns (34 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Psalms 46:9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth. He breaks the
bow, and shatters the spear. He burns the chariots in the fire. ...
/b/burns.htm - 17k

Breaks (35 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS RSV NIV). Psalms 46:9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth. He breaks
the bow, and shatters the spear. He burns the chariots in the fire. ...
/b/breaks.htm - 16k

Wars (24 Occurrences)
... Psalms 46:9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth. He breaks the bow,
and shatters the spear. He burns the chariots in the fire. ...
/w/wars.htm - 14k

Hammer (15 Occurrences)
... ignite the priming. 7. (n.) Also, a person of thing that smites or shatters;
as, St. Augustine was the hammer of heresies. 8. (vt ...
/h/hammer.htm - 15k

Spear (55 Occurrences)
... Psalms 46:9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth. He breaks the bow,
and shatters the spear. He burns the chariots in the fire. ...
/s/spear.htm - 26k

Judith (1 Occurrence)
... In Judith 16:3 we have the words: "For a god that shatters battle is (the) Lord."
Now "Lord" without the article can be only the Hebrew "Yahweh," read always ...
/j/judith.htm - 27k

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