In biblical terms, "signifying" refers to the act of indicating, showing, or making known something, often through symbols, signs, or prophetic messages. This concept is prevalent throughout the Scriptures, where God communicates His will, intentions, and future events to His people through various means.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, God frequently used signs and symbols to signify His covenant, promises, and judgments. For instance, the rainbow was given as a sign to Noah, signifying God's promise never to flood the earth again (Genesis 9:12-17). Similarly, the blood of the Passover lamb signified God's protection over the Israelites in Egypt (Exodus 12:13).

Prophets often played a crucial role in signifying God's messages to His people. Through visions, dreams, and symbolic actions, prophets conveyed divine revelations. For example, the prophet Ezekiel performed symbolic acts to signify the coming judgment on Jerusalem (Ezekiel 4:1-3).

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of signifying is closely associated with the revelation of Jesus Christ and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. Jesus Himself used parables and miracles as signs to signify the coming of the Kingdom of God. In the Gospel of John, the miracles of Jesus are referred to as "signs" that reveal His divine nature and mission (John 2:11, 20:30-31).

The Book of Revelation is a prime example of signifying through apocalyptic imagery and symbolism. The Apostle John, through visions, signifies the events that will unfold in the end times. Revelation 1:1 states, "The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon come to pass. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John."

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in signifying God's truth to believers. Jesus promised that the Holy Spirit would guide His followers into all truth, signifying the things to come (John 16:13). The Spirit's work in the hearts of believers is a sign of their adoption as children of God (Romans 8:16).

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, signifying underscores the importance of divine communication and revelation. It highlights God's desire to make His will known to humanity and to guide His people through history. The use of signs and symbols serves to deepen the understanding of God's nature and His purposes.

Practical Application

For believers, understanding the concept of signifying encourages a deeper engagement with Scripture, seeking to discern the messages God conveys through His Word. It also calls for attentiveness to the Holy Spirit's leading in interpreting the signs of the times and living in accordance with God's revealed will.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Signify.4972. sphragizo -- to seal
... what was sealed. [Sealing was sometimes done in antiquity by the use of
religious tattoos -- again signifying "."]. Word Origin from ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4972.htm - 8k

1213. deloo -- to make plain, declare
... Word Origin from delos Definition to make plain, declare NASB Word Usage denotes
(1), indicating (1), informed (2), made clear (1), show (1), signifying (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1213.htm - 7k

5067. tetartos -- fourth
... Cognate: 5067 -- fourth; (figuratively) a of the whole (totality, all four
quarters) signifying "a amount" (but ). See 5064 (). fourth. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5067.htm - 6k

4591. semaino -- to give a sign
... Word Origin from sema (a sign, mark) Definition to give a sign NASB Word Usage
communicated (1), indicate (3), signifying (2). signify. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4591.htm - 6k

Of those Things which a Man of God Spake by the Spirit to Eli the ...
... Chapter 5."Of Those Things Which a Man of God Spake by the Spirit to Eli the Priest,
Signifying that the Priesthood Which Had Been Appointed According to ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 5 of those things which.htm

Of the Custom which is Kept up in the Province of Egypt for ...
... II. Second Conference of Abbot Moses. Chapter II. Of the custom which is kept
up in the Province of Egypt for signifying the time of Easter. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter ii of the custom.htm

Whether Anything of Faith or Hope Remains in Glory?
... ie the compound of matter and form in material things, so does the difference, and
likewise the genus; the genus denotes the whole by signifying that which is ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether anything of faith or.htm

Touching Jacob, However, that which He did at his Mother's Bidding ...
... The which if we shall call lies, all parables also, and figures designed for the
signifying of any things soever, which are not to be taken according to their ...
/.../augustine/against lying/section 24 touching jacob however.htm

Whether this Name "God" is Communicable?
... Hence no name signifying any individual thing is properly communicable to many,
but only by way of similitude; as for instance a person can be called "Achilles ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether this name god is 2.htm

John xxi. 15
... The, "whither thou willest not," is then the expression of one signifying natural
feeling. ... Signifying, that this is the nature of what belongeth to Him. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lxxxviii john xxi 15.htm

Whether this is True: "God is Man"?
... For a word signifying the common nature in the concrete may stand for all contained
in the common nature, as this word "man" may stand for any individual man. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether this is true god.htm

How the Books were Written.
... up into our windows," he says that we have for the first word the three Hebrew
consonants corresponding to our dbr; the word may be dabar, signifying death, or ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter xii how the books.htm

Concerning "Omnipotent," "Ancient of Days"; and Also Concerning " ...
... Wherefore in the Sacred Theophanies revealed in mystic Visions He is described as
Ancient and yet as Young: the former title signifying that He is the Primal ...
/.../rolt/dionysius the areopagite/chapter x concerning omnipotent ancient.htm

The Gospels in General
... It is used very extensively in the New Testament, and always in the second sense,
signifying the good news of God, the message of salvation. ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the gospels in general.htm

Signifying (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Signifying (6 Occurrences). John 12:33 But he said this,
signifying by what kind of death he should die. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/s/signifying.htm - 8k

Kind (290 Occurrences)
... his worshippers. (See NIV). John 12:33 But he said this, signifying by what
kind of death he should die. (WEB WEY NAS NIV). John 16 ...
/k/kind.htm - 35k

Kol
... bath'-kol, bath kol (bath qol, "the daughter of the voice"): Originally signifying
no more than "sound," "tone," "call" (eg water in pouring gives forth a ...
/k/kol.htm - 10k

Bath (13 Occurrences)
... bath'-kol, bath kol (bath qol, "the daughter of the voice"): Originally signifying
no more than "sound," "tone," "call" (eg water in pouring gives forth a ...
/b/bath.htm - 22k

Company (287 Occurrences)
... An analysis of these words shows that "company" is both an indefinite and limitless
term, signifying few or many, and all kinds of assemblages of people, eg: (1 ...
/c/company.htm - 40k

Asunder (37 Occurrences)
... Zechariah "cut asunder" the staff "Beauty," signifying the breach of the covenant
between Yahweh and His people, and also the staff "Bands," signifying the ...
/a/asunder.htm - 22k

Mark (182 Occurrences)
... chose out (epecho, ie "observed") the chief seats (Luke 14:7); so skopeo (Romans
16:17 Philippians 3:17), "Mark them," ie look at, signifying keen mental ...
/m/mark.htm - 93k

Signify (6 Occurrences)

/s/signify.htm - 8k

Manner (351 Occurrences)
... His spirit, (WEY). John 12:33 But this he said, signifying by what manner
of death he should die. (ASV). John 18:32 that the word ...
/m/manner.htm - 45k

Fulfilled (143 Occurrences)
... John 18:32 that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spoke, signifying
by what kind of death he should die. (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NIV). ...
/f/fulfilled.htm - 36k

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