Topical Encyclopedia In the context of the Bible, the act of sneezing is mentioned explicitly in the narrative of the prophet Elisha and the Shunammite woman's son. This account is found in the Old Testament, specifically in the book of 2 Kings.Biblical Reference: · 2 Kings 4:32-35 : "When Elisha reached the house, there was the boy lying dead on his bed. So he went in, closed the door behind the two of them, and prayed to the LORD. Then Elisha got on the bed and lay on the boy, mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands to hands. As he stretched himself out over him, the boy’s body became warm. Elisha turned away and walked back and forth across the room. Then he got on the bed and stretched out over him once more. The boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes." In this passage, the act of sneezing is significant as it marks the moment of the boy's return to life. The number seven, often associated with completeness and divine perfection in the Bible, underscores the miraculous nature of this event. The boy's seven sneezes symbolize the fullness of God's power working through Elisha to restore life. Cultural and Historical Context: In ancient cultures, including those of the Near East, sneezing was often seen as a significant bodily function, sometimes associated with the expulsion of evil spirits or as a sign of life and vitality. In the biblical narrative, the sneezing of the Shunammite woman's son can be interpreted as a physical manifestation of his return to life, emphasizing the miraculous intervention of God through His prophet. Theological Implications: The account of the boy's resurrection through Elisha's intercession highlights several theological themes: 1. Divine Power and Authority: The miracle demonstrates God's sovereign power over life and death, affirming His authority and the authenticity of His prophets. 2. Faith and Intercession: The Shunammite woman's faith in seeking Elisha's help and Elisha's fervent prayer and actions illustrate the importance of faith and intercession in experiencing God's miraculous works. 3. Symbolism of Seven: The seven sneezes can be seen as a symbol of completeness, reflecting the perfect and complete work of God in restoring life. Application for Believers: For believers, this passage serves as a reminder of God's ability to bring life and restoration in seemingly hopeless situations. It encourages faith in God's power and the importance of prayer and intercession. The narrative also invites reflection on the ways God works through His chosen servants to accomplish His purposes, reinforcing the call to trust in His divine plan and timing. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (imp. & p. p.) of Sneeze.Strong's Hebrew 2237. zarar -- to sneeze... zarar. 2238 . to sneeze. Transliteration: zarar Phonetic Spelling: (zaw-rar') Short Definition: sneezed. ... root Definition to sneeze NASB Word Usage sneezed (1). ... /hebrew/2237.htm - 6k Library The Death of Darius. Perea. Beyond Jordan. A Miracle Needing Effort But if the Soul of Birds is to be Esteemed Divine Because Future ... The Heathens Made Gods Like Themselves, Whence Springs all ... Elisha Healing the Sick Boy A Prophet of Peace The Resurrection of the Dead The Powers of Darkness Intercessory Prayer Thesaurus Sneezed (1 Occurrence)... Multi-Version Concordance Sneezed (1 Occurrence). ... Then the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). ... /s/sneezed.htm - 6k Sneeze Neesing Fro (54 Occurrences) Sneezes (1 Occurrence) Bent (107 Occurrences) Lad (66 Occurrences) Boy (94 Occurrences) Walked (178 Occurrences) Stretched (234 Occurrences) Resources How many people were raised from the dead in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the story of Elisha and the Shunammite woman? | GotQuestions.org Sneezed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Sneezed (1 Occurrence)2 Kings 4:35 Subtopics Related Terms |
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