The term "stupefied" refers to a state of being stunned, dazed, or rendered insensible, often due to shock, awe, or overwhelming circumstances. In the context of the Bible, this condition can be both physical and spiritual, reflecting a profound reaction to divine intervention, judgment, or revelation.

Biblical Instances and Contexts

1. Divine Judgment and Awe: The Bible often describes individuals or groups as being stupefied in response to God's mighty acts or judgments. In the Old Testament, the plagues of Egypt left Pharaoh and his people in a state of shock and disbelief. Although the term "stupefied" is not directly used, the reaction of the Egyptians can be understood in this light. The overwhelming power of God left them unable to comprehend or respond effectively.

2. Prophetic Visions: Prophets often experienced a form of stupefaction when confronted with divine visions. In Daniel 8:27, after receiving a vision, Daniel says, "I, Daniel, was exhausted and lay ill for several days. Then I got up and went about the king’s business. I was appalled by the vision; it was beyond understanding." Here, Daniel's physical and mental state reflects a profound sense of being overwhelmed by the divine revelation.

3. Astonishment at Miracles: In the New Testament, the miracles of Jesus often left onlookers stupefied. In Mark 5:42, after Jesus raises a girl from the dead, the people present are described as being "completely astonished." The miraculous power of Jesus often left witnesses in a state of awe and disbelief, unable to fully grasp the divine nature of His works.

4. Spiritual Blindness and Hardness of Heart: Stupefaction can also be a metaphor for spiritual blindness or hardness of heart. In Romans 11:8, Paul refers to a spirit of stupor: "as it is written: 'God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see and ears that could not hear, to this very day.'" This reflects a condition where individuals are unable to perceive or respond to spiritual truths due to their hardened hearts.

5. End Times and Judgment: The apocalyptic literature of the Bible often describes a future time when people will be stupefied by the unfolding of God's final judgment. In Revelation, the catastrophic events and divine judgments leave humanity in a state of shock and awe, unable to comprehend the full magnitude of God's wrath and justice.

Theological Implications

The state of being stupefied in the Bible often serves as a reminder of human limitations in the face of divine power and mystery. It underscores the need for humility and reverence before God, recognizing that His ways and thoughts are far beyond human understanding. This condition also highlights the importance of spiritual awareness and readiness, as those who are spiritually stupefied may miss the significance of God's actions and messages.

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to seek spiritual discernment and sensitivity to avoid being spiritually stupefied. Through prayer, study of Scripture, and reliance on the Holy Spirit, Christians can cultivate a heart that is responsive to God's leading and open to His revelations. This vigilance helps prevent the hardening of the heart and ensures a readiness to respond to God's call and work in the world.1. (a.) Having been made stupid.

2. (imp. & p. p.) of Stupefy.

1839. existemi -- to displace, to stand aside from
... literally, "to remove from a standing (fixed) position," put out of place; ie "beside
oneself," showing someone as flabbergasted (completely stupefied); at a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1839.htm - 8k3385a. yarah -- perhaps to be stupefied
... yarah. 3385b . perhaps to be stupefied. Transliteration: yarah Short Definition:
afraid. ... root Definition perhaps to be stupefied NASB Word Usage afraid (1). ...
/hebrew/3385a.htm - 5k

3385. Yruw'el -- perhaps to be stupefied
Yruw'el. 3384, 3385. Yruw'el. 3385a . perhaps to be stupefied. Transliteration:
Yruw'el Phonetic Spelling: (yer-oo-ale') Short Definition: Jeruel. Jeruel ...
/hebrew/3385.htm - 5k

My Brother Eusebius Writes to Me That, when He was at a Meeting of ...
... word of truth. When I heard this, I was stupefied. But one witness ... word of
truth. When I heard this, I was stupefied. But one witness ...
/.../24 my brother eusebius writes.htm

Significant Phrases
... bedraggled and disappointed. befogged and stupefied. beliefs and practises. ... benumbed
and powerless. bewildered and stupefied. bigots and blockheads. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section ii significant phrases.htm

How Jesus was Treated by the Schoolmaster.
... And Zacheus, seeing that He so divided the first letter, was stupefied about the
first letter, and about such a human being and such learning; and he cried out ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of thomas/chapter vi how jesus was treated.htm

Argument. --But, on the Ground that Liberty in Meats is Granted to ...
... to wit, those who are about to pray to God and to give Him thanks, not only by day,
but by night also; which cannot be if the mind, stupefied by meat and wine ...
/.../novatian/on the jewish meats/chapter vi argument but on the.htm

Finger-Posts
... added touches. It was a time of sore perplexity. The crucifixion had left
them dazed, stupefied. It was wholly unexpected. They ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on following the christ/finger-posts.htm

The Accession of Darius.
... The mass of the community were stupefied with astonishment at the sudden revolution
which had occurred. No movement was made toward determining the succession. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter iv the accession of.htm

On the Road to Jerusalem
... the floor of Laodice's bamboo howdah. The camel-driver, Hiram, seemed only
a little less stupefied than she. The mute, with a face ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the city of delight/chapter ii on the road.htm

A Letter from a West Indian Cottage Ornee
... We are actually settled in a West Indian country- house, amid a multitude of sights
and sounds so utterly new and strange, that the mind is stupefied by the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter v a letter from.htm

Triumph Over Death and the Grave
... We see that when conscience is stupefied, or when the mind is poisoned with infidelity,
many people, notwithstanding the natural love of life, are so disgusted ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xliv triumph over death.htm

November was Now Drawing to a Close, and St. ...
... shadow of Christianity according to Christ, appeared"and when the theatrical pageant
was over, he hurried out into the fresh air half stupefied with the ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xxvi november was now drawing.htm

Stupefied (2 Occurrences)
... & pp) of Stupefy. Multi-Version Concordance Stupefied (2 Occurrences). ... You have
stupefied yourselves with gross feeding; but a day of slaughter has come. (WEY). ...
/s/stupefied.htm - 7k

Understanding (248 Occurrences)
... Matthew 13:15 For this people's mind is stupefied, their hearing has become dull,
and their eyes they have closed; to prevent their ever seeing with their eyes ...
/u/understanding.htm - 38k

Gross (12 Occurrences)
... James 5:5 Here on earth you have lived self-indulgent and profligate lives. You
have stupefied yourselves with gross feeding; but a day of slaughter has come. ...
/g/gross.htm - 11k

Feeding (37 Occurrences)
... James 5:5 Here on earth you have lived self-indulgent and profligate lives. You
have stupefied yourselves with gross feeding; but a day of slaughter has come. ...
/f/feeding.htm - 17k

Turning (381 Occurrences)
... Matthew 13:15 For this people's mind is stupefied, their hearing has become dull,
and their eyes they have closed; to prevent their ever seeing with their eyes ...
/t/turning.htm - 37k

Minds (137 Occurrences)
... Matthew 13:15 For this people's mind is stupefied, their hearing has become dull,
and their eyes they have closed; to prevent their ever seeing with their eyes ...
/m/minds.htm - 36k

Profligate (3 Occurrences)
... James 5:5 Here on earth you have lived self-indulgent and profligate lives. You
have stupefied yourselves with gross feeding; but a day of slaughter has come. ...
/p/profligate.htm - 7k

Prevent (32 Occurrences)
... Matthew 13:15 For this people's mind is stupefied, their hearing has become dull,
and their eyes they have closed; to prevent their ever seeing with their eyes ...
/p/prevent.htm - 17k

Benumbed (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (imp. & pp) of Benumb. 2. (a.) Made torpid; numbed; stupefied; deadened; as,
a benumbed body and mind. Multi-Version Concordance Benumbed (1 Occurrence). ...
/b/benumbed.htm - 6k

Seeing (442 Occurrences)
... Matthew 13:15 For this people's mind is stupefied, their hearing has become dull,
and their eyes they have closed; to prevent their ever seeing with their eyes ...
/s/seeing.htm - 34k

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Stupefied: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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