In biblical literature, the term "swells" is not directly mentioned; however, the concept can be associated with the imagery of the sea and waves, which often symbolize chaos, divine power, and the challenges faced by humanity. The Bible frequently uses the sea and its tumultuous nature as metaphors for various spiritual and moral lessons.

Biblical Imagery of the Sea and Waves

The sea is a powerful symbol in the Bible, representing both the majesty and the mystery of God's creation. In Genesis 1:9-10, God gathers the waters to create dry land, demonstrating His authority over the chaotic forces of nature. The sea's swells can be seen as a manifestation of this chaos, which God alone can control.

In the book of Psalms, the sea and its waves are often used to illustrate God's might and the trials faced by believers. Psalm 93:3-4 states, "The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their pounding waves. Above the roar of many waters—the mighty breakers of the sea—the LORD on high is majestic." Here, the swells of the sea are depicted as powerful and overwhelming, yet they are ultimately subject to God's sovereign rule.

Divine Power and Protection

The New Testament also reflects on the theme of divine power over the sea. In the Gospels, Jesus demonstrates His authority over nature by calming a storm. In Mark 4:39 , Jesus rebukes the wind and says to the sea, "Peace, be still!" The wind ceases, and there is a great calm. This miracle underscores Jesus' divine authority and His ability to bring peace amidst the swells of life's storms.

Spiritual and Moral Lessons

The imagery of swells and waves is also used to convey spiritual truths. James 1:6 warns against doubting, comparing a doubter to "a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." This metaphor highlights the instability and lack of faith that can lead one away from God's truth.

Similarly, in Ephesians 4:14 , believers are encouraged to mature in their faith so that they are "no longer to be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching." The swells here symbolize the deceptive doctrines and false teachings that can lead believers astray.

Conclusion

While the term "swells" is not explicitly found in the Bible, the concept is richly embedded in the scriptural use of sea imagery. The swells of the sea serve as a powerful metaphor for the challenges and uncertainties of life, the divine power of God, and the need for steadfast faith. Through these images, the Bible communicates profound truths about God's sovereignty, protection, and the spiritual journey of believers.

Prayer and the House of God
... "And dear to me the loud 'Amen,' Which echoes through the blest abode " Which swells,
and sinks, then swells again, Dies on the walls " but lives with God! ...
/.../bounds/the necessity of prayer/xiv prayer and the house.htm

Sabbath Morning.
... 3 And dear to me the loud Amen, Which echoes through the blest abode, Which swells
and sinks, and swells again, Dies on the walls, but lives to God. ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/959 sabbath morning.htm

The Fourfold Symbols of the Spirit
... So this mighty life- giving Agent moves in gentleness and yet in power, and sometimes
swells and rises almost to tempest, but is ever the impelling force of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/the fourfold symbols of the.htm

To the Right Hon. Henry Pelham, First Lord Commissioner of the ...
... Ourselves th' astonish'd talkers, and the tale! Lorenzo, swells thy bosom
at the thought? ... In full dimensions, swells to the survey; ...
//christianbookshelf.org/young/youngs night thoughts/to the right hon henry.htm

Genesis.
... Here wealthy Phison, with auriferous waves,. Swells, and with hoarse tide wears
[1262] conspicuous gems,. This prasinus, [1263] that glowing carbuncle, [1264]. ...
/.../unknown/fathers of the third century tertullian appendix/3 genesis.htm

The Believer not an Orphan. "I Will not Leave You Comfortless: I ...
... them. Beneath the green grass the father sleeps, and every time the child
surveys that hollowed hillock his heart swells with grief. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/the believer not an orphan.htm

The Kinds and Degrees of Error
... "Whence earthquakes, whose force swells the sea to flood,. so that they burst their
bounds and then subside again," [29]. and other such things as this. ...
/.../augustine/handbook on faith hope and love/chapter v the kinds and.htm

The Memories of Home. [A]
... breathing over a bed of violets." When we revert to the happy scenes of our childhood,
we live amid them in spirit again, and remembrance swells with many a ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xxvii the memories of.htm

The Blessing of Dissatisfaction
... It is only when the wind rises and the swells begin to move the vessel up and
down and the sails begin to strain that good progress begins. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk two the blessing of.htm

To God Alone be Glory.
... With the love to me He shows, Swells my heart and overflows, And my blood with rapture
glows. Did Ie'er 'neath sorrow bend? Did my heart grief ever rend? ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/to god alone be glory.htm

Swells (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Swells (2 Occurrences). Numbers ... tremble. He is
confident, though the Jordan swells even to his mouth. (WEB). ...
/s/swells.htm - 6k

Swell (9 Occurrences)
... surface or dimensions, by matter added within, or by expansion of the enclosed
substance; as, the legs swell in dropsy; a bruised part swells; a bladder swells...
/s/swell.htm - 13k

Swept (43 Occurrences)

/s/swept.htm - 18k

Overflow (43 Occurrences)
... Job 40:23 Behold, if a river overflows, he doesn't tremble. He is confident, though
the Jordan swells even to his mouth. (Root in WEB JPS ASV BBE DBY). ...
/o/overflow.htm - 19k

Overflows (9 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Job 40:23 Behold, if a river overflows, he doesn't tremble. He is
confident, though the Jordan swells even to his mouth. (WEB). ...
/o/overflows.htm - 9k

Tragacanth (2 Occurrences)
... It comes in hard whitish or yellowish flakes or filaments, and is nearly insoluble
in water, but slowly swells into a mucilaginous mass, which is used as a ...
/t/tragacanth.htm - 8k

Turbulent (2 Occurrences)
... Turbulent (2 Occurrences). Job 40:23 Behold, if a river overflows, he doesn't tremble.
He is confident, though the Jordan swells even to his mouth. (See RSV). ...
/t/turbulent.htm - 7k

Rages (5 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Job 40:23 Behold, if a river overflows, he doesn't tremble. He is confident,
though the Jordan swells even to his mouth. (See NAS NIV). ...
/r/rages.htm - 10k

Alarmed (28 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Job 40:23 Behold, if a river overflows, he doesn't tremble. He is confident,
though the Jordan swells even to his mouth. (See NAS NIV). ...
/a/alarmed.htm - 14k

Surge (6 Occurrences)
... (WEY ASV). Job 40:23 Behold, if a river overflows, he doesn't tremble. He is
confident, though the Jordan swells even to his mouth. (See NIV). ...
/s/surge.htm - 8k

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