Topical Encyclopedia In biblical contexts, the term "sweep" often conveys the idea of thoroughness, cleansing, or judgment. The act of sweeping is mentioned in various passages, symbolizing both physical and spiritual actions.Old Testament References 1. Physical Cleansing: In the Old Testament, sweeping is associated with the act of cleaning and removing impurities. For example, in Isaiah 14:23 , God declares, "I will make her a place for owls and swampland; I will sweep her away with the broom of destruction," indicating a complete and thorough removal of Babylon's power and influence. This imagery of sweeping with a broom signifies God's judgment and the total eradication of evil. 2. Judgment and Destruction: The concept of sweeping is also used metaphorically to describe divine judgment. In Zephaniah 1:2-3 , the Lord proclaims, "I will completely sweep away everything from the face of the earth," emphasizing the totality of God's impending judgment on the earth. This sweeping away is not merely a physical act but a divine intervention to cleanse the world of sin and rebellion. New Testament References 1. Parables of Jesus: In the New Testament, Jesus uses the act of sweeping in His parables to illustrate spiritual truths. In Luke 15:8 , Jesus tells the Parable of the Lost Coin: "Or what woman who has ten silver coins and loses one of them does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?" Here, sweeping symbolizes the diligent and persistent search for something valuable, reflecting God's relentless pursuit of the lost. 2. Spiritual Cleansing: The act of sweeping can also be seen as a metaphor for spiritual cleansing and renewal. In Matthew 12:43-45 , Jesus speaks of an unclean spirit that leaves a person and later returns to find the house "unoccupied, swept clean, and put in order." This passage highlights the importance of filling one's life with the Holy Spirit after being cleansed, to prevent the return of evil influences. Theological Implications The imagery of sweeping in the Bible underscores the themes of purification, judgment, and restoration. It serves as a reminder of God's holiness and His desire for His people to be cleansed from sin. The act of sweeping, whether in judgment or in the diligent search for the lost, reflects God's comprehensive and purposeful actions in the world. In a broader theological context, sweeping can be seen as part of the sanctification process, where believers are called to actively participate in the cleansing of their lives from sin, aligning themselves with God's will and purpose. The biblical use of sweeping thus encourages believers to seek spiritual purity and to be vigilant in maintaining a life that is pleasing to God. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (v. i.) To pass a broom across (a surface) so as to remove loose dirt, dust, etc.; to brush, or rub over, with a broom for the purpose of cleaning; as, to sweep a floor, the street, or a chimney. Used also figuratively.2. (v. i.) To drive or carry along or off with a broom or a brush, or as if with a broom; to remove by, or as if by, brushing; as, to sweep dirt from a floor; the wind sweeps the snow from the hills; a freshet sweeps away a dam, timber, or rubbish; a pestilence sweeps off multitudes. 3. (v. i.) To brush against or over; to rub lightly along. 4. (v. i.) To carry with a long, swinging, or dragging motion; hence, to carry in a stately or proud fashion. 5. (v. i.) To strike with a long stroke. 6. (v. i.) To draw or drag something over; as, to sweep the bottom of a river with a net. 7. (v. i.) To pass over, or traverse, with the eye or with an instrument of observation; as, to sweep the heavens with a telescope. 8. (v. i.) To clean rooms, yards, etc., or to clear away dust, dirt, litter, etc., with a broom, brush, or the like. 9. (v. i.) To brush swiftly over the surface of anything; to pass with swiftness and force, as if brushing the surface of anything; to move in a stately manner; as, the wind sweeps across the plain; a woman sweeps through a drawing-room. 10. (v. i.) To pass over anything comprehensively; to range through with rapidity; as, his eye sweeps through space. 11. (n.) The act of sweeping. 12. (n.) The compass or range of a stroke; as, a long sweep. 13. (n.) The compass of any turning body or of any motion; as, the sweep of a door; the sweep of the eye. 14. (n.) The compass of anything flowing or brushing; as, the flood carried away everything within its sweep. 15. (n.) Violent and general destruction; as, the sweep of an epidemic disease. 16. (n.) Direction and extent of any motion not rectilinear; as, the sweep of a compass. 17. (n.) Direction or departure of a curve, a road, an arch, or the like, away from a rectilinear line. 18. (n.) One who sweeps; a sweeper; specifically, a chimney sweeper. 19. (n.) A movable template for making molds, in loam molding. 20. (n.) The mold of a ship when she begins to curve in at the rung heads; any part of a ship shaped in a segment of a circle. 21. (n.) A large oar used in small vessels, partly to propel them and partly to steer them. 22. (n.) The almond furnace. 23. (n.) A long pole, or piece of timber, moved on a horizontal fulcrum fixed to a tall post and used to raise and lower a bucket in a well for drawing water. 24. (n.) In the game of casino, a pairing or combining of all the cards on the board, and so removing them all; in whist, the winning of all the tricks (thirteen) in a hand; a slam. 25. (n.) The sweeping of workshops where precious metals are worked, containing filings, etc. Greek 4563. saroo -- to sweep ... to sweep. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: saroo Phonetic Spelling: (sar-o'-o) Short Definition: I sweep Definition: I sweep, cleanse by sweeping. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4563.htm - 6k 3511. neokoros -- a temple keeper Strong's Hebrew 2894. tu -- to sweep... tu or tete. 2895 . to sweep. Transliteration: tu or tete Phonetic Spelling: (too) Short Definition: sweep. ... root Definition to sweep NASB Word Usage sweep (1). ... /hebrew/2894.htm - 5k 3261. yaah -- to sweep together 1640. garaph -- to sweep away 5595. saphah -- to sweep or snatch away, catch up 8175a. saar -- to sweep or whirl away 8192. shaphah -- to sweep bare 8175. sa'ar -- to sweep or whirl away 1197a. baar -- to burn, consume 5502. sachaph -- prostrate 7462a. raah -- to pasture, tend, graze Library Lot's Escape from a Wicked City Letter vi. Associates and Friends. SM Graham. God with us on the Deep. The Greatest Prayer. The Memories of Home. [A] The Plagues And as She Stood Looking Towards London, Diamond Saw that She was ... The Noachic Covenant Chapter twenty-eight The Lost Coin. Thesaurus Sweep (34 Occurrences)... To pass a broom across (a surface) so as to remove loose dirt, dust, etc.; to brush, or rub over, with a broom for the purpose of cleaning; as, to sweep a floor ... /s/sweep.htm - 19k Besom (1 Occurrence) Swept (43 Occurrences) Urinates (6 Occurrences) Overwhelm (18 Occurrences) Man-child (11 Occurrences) Broom (5 Occurrences) Crane (2 Occurrences) Sweepeth (3 Occurrences) Soup (10 Occurrences) Resources Who is the king of the North in Daniel 11? | GotQuestions.orgWho is the king of the South in Daniel 11? | GotQuestions.org Why did Abraham bargain with God in regard to Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18)? | GotQuestions.org Sweep: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Sweep (34 Occurrences)Luke 15:8 2 Thessalonians 2:8 Revelation 12:15 Genesis 18:23 Genesis 18:24 1 Kings 14:10 1 Kings 16:3 1 Kings 21:21 Psalms 26:9 Psalms 40:14 Psalms 58:9 Psalms 69:15 Psalms 90:5 Proverbs 21:7 Isaiah 7:20 Isaiah 8:8 Isaiah 11:15 Isaiah 14:23 Isaiah 21:1 Isaiah 28:17 Isaiah 28:19 Isaiah 43:2 Isaiah 64:6 Jeremiah 22:22 Ezekiel 5:17 Daniel 11:10 Daniel 11:40 Daniel 11:44 Hosea 4:19 Amos 5:6 Habakkuk 1:6 Habakkuk 1:11 Zephaniah 1:2 Zephaniah 1:3 Subtopics Related Terms |
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