The term "turnest" is an archaic form of the verb "turn," often found in older English translations of the Bible, such as the King James Version. It is used to describe the act of turning, changing direction, or altering one's course or state. In the context of the Bible, "turnest" can refer to both physical and spiritual turning, often implying repentance, conversion, or a change of heart.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Repentance and Conversion: The concept of turning is frequently associated with repentance in the Bible. In the prophetic literature, God often calls His people to "turn" from their sinful ways and return to Him. This turning is not merely a physical act but a profound spiritual transformation. For example, in the book of Ezekiel, God implores the Israelites to turn from their wickedness: "Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge each of you according to his ways, declares the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your offenses, so that sin will not be your downfall" (Ezekiel 18:30).

2. Divine Intervention: The term "turnest" can also describe God's intervention in the lives of individuals or nations. In the Psalms, the psalmist often pleads with God to turn His face toward them, signifying a desire for divine favor and intervention. For instance, Psalm 80:3 states, "Restore us, O God, and cause Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved."

3. Moral and Ethical Turning: The Bible frequently uses the concept of turning to illustrate moral and ethical decisions. In Proverbs, wisdom is personified and calls out to the simple to turn from their ignorance and embrace understanding: "If you turn at my rebuke, surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you" (Proverbs 1:23).

4. God's Sovereignty: The act of turning is also used to demonstrate God's sovereignty over creation and history. In the book of Job, Job acknowledges God's power to turn circumstances according to His will: "You turn things upside down, as if the potter were regarded as clay" (Job 12:15).

Theological Implications

The concept of turning in the Bible underscores the importance of repentance and the transformative power of God's grace. It highlights the human responsibility to respond to God's call and the divine initiative in guiding and redirecting the lives of His people. The act of turning is both a human response to divine invitation and a divine act of grace that enables transformation.

Practical Application

For believers, the call to "turn" is a continual invitation to examine one's life, repent of sin, and align oneself with God's will. It is a reminder of the ongoing process of sanctification and the need for a heart that is responsive to God's leading. The biblical exhortation to turn serves as a powerful reminder of the hope and renewal available through a relationship with God.

On the Words of the Gospel, John i. 1, "In the Beginning was the ...
... surface. Thou handlest what thou seest, turnest it about on this side and
that, or thyself dost go round it to see the whole. In ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxvii on the words.htm

John Chapter v. 24-30
... not burning, would it be said in the psalm, "Nor is there any that can hide himself
from his heat?" [459] But thou wast cold in thy sin; thou turnest that thou ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xxii john chapter v.htm

Psalm LXXXV.
... Which is better, that thou fall with him unto whom thou turnest thyself,
or that thou stand with Him with whom thou turnest thyself? ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxxv.htm

We Give Offence by Proclaiming that There is one God...
... is a most sacred act in our religion and our life, thou too sayest as readily as
a Christian needs, "God bless thee;" and when thou turnest the blessing of God ...
/.../tertullian/the souls testimony/chapter ii we give offence.htm

There is Surely Reason, in Such a Case, to Say it is Well ...
... them of Children[e]; I take away the Desire of thine Eyes with a Stroke[f]. He changeth
their Countenance, and sendeth them away[g]. Thou Lord turnest Man to ...
/.../i there is surely reason.htm

A Nightly Prayer. 1831.
... For thou in withholding grantest, healest in inflicting the wound, yea, turnest
all to good for as many as truly seek thee through Christ, the Mediator! ...
/.../coleridge/confessions of an inquiring spirit etc/a nightly prayer 1831.htm

Watch-Night Service
... For ever and ever he is God. "Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return,
ye children of men.". How many this year have departed. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/watch-night service.htm

Thou Art but Man!
... 'Tis all in vain, in vain thy care, With all thy musings earnest, In all
thy life a single hair Thou white or black ne'er turnest. ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/thou art but man.htm

Immanuel! to Thee we Sing.
... Hallelujah! Lord, fearlessly I come to Thee, Thou keep'st my soul from anguish free;
Thou bear'st the wrath, dost death destroy, And sorrow turnest into joy. ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/immanuel to thee we sing.htm

How God Will Answer and Purvey for them in Spirit, that for ...
... For trust steadfastly, thou whatsoever that thou be, that truly turnest thee from
the world unto God, that one of these two God shall send thee, without ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the three and.htm

Turnest (12 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Turnest (12 Occurrences). Genesis 3:19 by the
sweat of thy face thou dost eat bread till thy return unto ...
/t/turnest.htm - 10k

Bringest (18 Occurrences)
... Psalms 71:20 Because Thou hast showed me many and sad distresses, Thou turnest back --
Thou revivest me, And from the depths of the earth, Thou turnest back ...
/b/bringest.htm - 11k

Revivest (2 Occurrences)
... Psalms 71:20 Because Thou hast showed me many and sad distresses, Thou turnest back --
Thou revivest me, And from the depths of the earth, Thou turnest back ...
/r/revivest.htm - 6k

Distresses (20 Occurrences)
... Psalms 71:20 Because Thou hast showed me many and sad distresses, Thou turnest back --
Thou revivest me, And from the depths of the earth, Thou turnest back ...
/d/distresses.htm - 12k

Sad (73 Occurrences)
... Psalms 71:20 Because Thou hast showed me many and sad distresses, Thou turnest back --
Thou revivest me, And from the depths of the earth, Thou turnest back ...
/s/sad.htm - 27k

Restore (122 Occurrences)
... Psalms 71:20 Because Thou hast showed me many and sad distresses, Thou turnest back --
Thou revivest me, And from the depths of the earth, Thou turnest back ...
/r/restore.htm - 39k

Lettest (8 Occurrences)
... (ASV JPS). Job 15:13 That thou turnest thy spirit against God, and lettest
such words go out of thy mouth? (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/l/lettest.htm - 8k

Wink (2 Occurrences)
... thee away? and what do thy eyes wink at, that thou turnest thy spirit against
God" (Job 15:12, 13 the King James Version). So also ...
/w/wink.htm - 9k

Fleest (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Fleest (1 Occurrence). Psalms 114:5 What aileth thee,
O thou sea, that thou fleest? Thou Jordan, that thou turnest back? (ASV JPS YLT) ...
/f/fleest.htm - 6k

Turnedst (1 Occurrence)

/t/turnedst.htm - 6k

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