Signing
Jump to: Webster'sConcordanceThesaurusLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context:
In the context of the Bible, "signing" can refer to the act of making a sign or mark, often as a form of communication or covenant. This concept is deeply rooted in biblical narratives where signs serve as divine indicators or symbols of God's promises and covenants with His people.

Biblical Instances:

1. Covenantal Signs:
One of the most significant uses of signing in the Bible is the establishment of covenants. In Genesis 9:12-13, God sets a rainbow in the sky as a sign of His covenant with Noah, promising never to flood the earth again: "And God said, 'This is the sign of the covenant I am making between Me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth.'"

2. Circumcision as a Sign:
Circumcision is another example of a sign in the Bible, serving as a physical mark of the covenant between God and Abraham's descendants. Genesis 17:11 states, "You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between Me and you." This act was a perpetual reminder of the Israelites' unique relationship with God.

3. Miraculous Signs:
Throughout the Scriptures, God uses miraculous signs to communicate His power and presence. In Exodus 4:8, God provides Moses with signs to convince the Israelites of his divine mission: "And the LORD said, 'If they do not believe you or pay attention to the first sign, they may believe the second.'" These signs were meant to authenticate Moses' leadership and God's deliverance.

4. Prophetic Signs:
Prophets often performed symbolic acts as signs to convey God's messages. In Isaiah 20:3, the prophet Isaiah walks naked and barefoot as a sign against Egypt and Cush: "Then the LORD said, 'Just as My servant Isaiah has gone naked and barefoot for three years as a sign and portent against Egypt and Cush.'" Such acts were vivid illustrations of impending judgment or deliverance.

5. New Testament Signs:
In the New Testament, signs continue to play a crucial role, particularly in the ministry of Jesus. The Gospel of John frequently refers to Jesus' miracles as "signs" that reveal His divine nature and mission. John 2:11 records the first of these signs: "Jesus performed this first sign at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed His glory, and His disciples believed in Him." These signs were intended to inspire faith and demonstrate the inbreaking of God's kingdom.

Theological Significance:
Signs in the Bible are not merely supernatural events or physical marks; they are deeply theological, pointing to God's faithfulness, authority, and the unfolding of His redemptive plan. They serve as reminders of God's promises and as calls to faith and obedience. The use of signs underscores the tangible ways in which God interacts with His creation, providing assurance and guidance to His people throughout history.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Sign.
Library

Whether the Actions Performed in Celebrating this Sacrament are ...
... priest. Therefore quite unseemingly the priest, after the consecration, blesses
this sacrament, by signing it with the cross. Objection ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the actions performed in.htm

Slavery of Redemptioners.
... were called "soul-traders." By means of stories of the fabulous wealth acquired
in America they enticed Germans and other emigrants into the signing of papers ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bente/american lutheranism/slavery of redemptioners.htm

Epistle xxvi. To Januarius, Bishop.
... It would seem that in Sardinia the Eastern usage had been followed with regard to
the presbyter signing the baptized child on the forehead with chrism ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xxvi to januarius bishop.htm

The Crossing of the Jordan
... souls, in the solemn hour of their complete and definite surrender or consecration
have written it out on paper, in the form of a will, and, signing it, have ...
/.../berry/adventures in the land of canaan/chapter two the crossing of.htm

Mission Work
... Two months after the signing of the contract of foundation, Madame de Gondi
was taken suddenly ill, and she died a few days later. ...
/.../forbes/life of st vincent de paul/chapter 5 mission work.htm

A Royal-Hearted Exile
... calmly. Several rose to their feet. "Then, behold my witness," said the
Patriarch, signing to a priest who stood near the door. A ...
/.../forbes/saint athanasius/chapter 6 a royal-hearted exile.htm

Centenary Commemoration
... On the day following the consecration (Nov.15th, 1784), the Scottish bishops present
and their American brother united in signing the important document known ...
/.../centenary commemoration 2.htm

Success.
... wield "the sword of the Lord and of Gideon," and, in order to cover their spiritual
nakedness, are forced to resort to finger-raising, card-signing methods for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rees/the heart-cry of jesus/chapter x success.htm

Children Brought to Christ, and not to the Font
... from seeking a blessing upon their children, therefore he is much displeased with
us who do not believe in godfathers and godmothers, or the signing of the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/children brought to christ and.htm

The Truce of God
... There were, however, among them good men who had been deceived into signing false
creeds and who were beginning to see things in their true light. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/forbes/saint athanasius/chapter 11 the truce of.htm

Thesaurus
Signing (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Sign. Multi-Version Concordance
Signing (1 Occurrence). Daniel 6:8 Now, O King, put ...
/s/signing.htm - 6k

Unite (10 Occurrences)
... 4. (vi) To join in an act; to concur; to act in concert; as, all parties united
in signing the petition. 5. (vt) United; joint; as, unite consent. ...
/u/unite.htm - 10k

Execution (4 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) The act of signing, and delivering a legal instrument, or giving it the
forms required to render it valid; as, the execution of a deed, or a will. ...
/e/execution.htm - 8k

Execute (83 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To complete, as a legal instrument; to perform what is required to give
validity to, as by signing and perhaps sealing and delivering; as, to execute a ...
/e/execute.htm - 34k

Consign (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To give, transfer, or entrust, in a formal manner; as, to consign goods
to a shipper, as if by signing over into the possession of another, or into a ...
/c/consign.htm - 7k

Subscribe (2 Occurrences)
... 7. (vi) To sign one's name to a letter or other document. 8. (vi) To give consent
to something written, by signing one's name; hence, to assent; to agree. ...
/s/subscribe.htm - 8k

Signpost (1 Occurrence)

/s/signpost.htm - 6k

Signifying (6 Occurrences)

/s/signifying.htm - 8k

Cyprus (12 Occurrences)
... emperor Zeno with the title "archbishop of all Cyprus," and his successor, who now
occupies the see of Nicosia, still enjoys the privilege of signing his name ...
/c/cyprus.htm - 27k

Hashabneiah (2 Occurrences)
... (2) A Levite mentioned in connection with the prayer preceding the signing of the
covenant (Nehemiah 9:5); possibly identical with the Hashabiah (chashabhyah ...
/h/hashabneiah.htm - 8k

Resources
How can salvation be not of works when faith is required? isn't believing a work? | GotQuestions.org

Should a Christian co-sign on a loan? | GotQuestions.org

What is decisional regeneration / decision theology? | GotQuestions.org

Signing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Signing (1 Occurrence)

Daniel 6:8
Now, O King, put the order in force, signing the writing so that it may not be changed, like the law of the Medes and Persians which may not come to an end.
(BBE)

Subtopics

Signing

Related Terms

Signposts (1 Occurrence)

Signing (1 Occurrence)

Signifying
Top of Page
Top of Page