Topical Bible: The Sea: Called The: Great and Wide Sea

◄ The Sea: Called The: Great and Wide Sea ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The term "The Sea" in biblical literature often refers to the Mediterranean Sea, a significant body of water that played a crucial role in the history and culture of the ancient Near East. It is frequently mentioned in the Bible and is sometimes referred to as the "Great Sea" or the "Great and Wide Sea."

Biblical References:

1. Geographical Significance:
· The Mediterranean Sea served as a natural boundary for the land of Israel. In Numbers 34:6 , God delineates the western border of the Promised Land: "Your western border will be the coastline of the Great Sea; this will be your boundary on the west."
· The sea was a major route for trade and travel, connecting various civilizations and facilitating cultural exchanges.

2. Creation and Majesty:
· The sea is often depicted as a testament to God's creative power and majesty. Psalm 104:25 describes it as "the vast and spacious sea, teeming with creatures beyond number, living things both large and small."
· The sea's vastness and the life it contains are seen as reflections of God's greatness and the diversity of His creation.

3. Symbolism and Imagery:
· In biblical poetry and prophecy, the sea often symbolizes chaos and the unknown. However, it is also portrayed as being under God's control. In Psalm 89:9 , it is written, "You rule the raging sea; when its waves mount up, You still them."
· The sea can also represent the nations and peoples of the world, as seen in prophetic literature where it is used metaphorically to describe tumultuous events or the rise and fall of empires.

4. Historical Context:
· The Israelites, primarily a land-based people, had a complex relationship with the sea. While they benefited from its resources and trade opportunities, they also viewed it with a sense of awe and trepidation.
· The sea was the backdrop for several biblical narratives, including the account of Jonah, who attempted to flee from God's command by boarding a ship bound for Tarshish (Jonah 1:3).

5. New Testament References:
· In the New Testament, the sea continues to be a significant element. Jesus performed miracles on the Sea of Galilee, demonstrating His authority over nature. In Mark 4:39 , Jesus rebukes the wind and the sea, saying, "Peace, be still!" and the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
· The Apostle Paul undertook several missionary journeys across the Mediterranean, spreading the Gospel to various regions and establishing early Christian communities.

Cultural and Theological Implications:

The sea, as depicted in the Bible, serves as a powerful symbol of God's sovereignty and the vastness of His creation. It is both a literal and metaphorical element that underscores the themes of divine control, human dependence, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan throughout history. The biblical portrayal of the sea invites believers to reflect on the majesty of God and His dominion over all creation, encouraging trust in His providence and power.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 104:25
So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Sky, Earth, and Sea: a Parable of God
... word which begins the series and is there called 'mercy ... So the righteousness springs
up like some great cliff, rising ... while its feet are laved by the sea of the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/sky earth and sea a.htm

Of the Situation of Britain and Ireland, and of their Ancient
... question of their origin one of great difficulty.] There ... said, arriving in this island
by sea, desired to ... commander, they are to this day called Dalreudini; for ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap i of the situation.htm

The Springing of the Great Light
... The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and ... of Zabulon lay in what is now
called Lower Galilee ... across from the northern end of the Sea of Gennesaret ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the springing of the great.htm

The Draw Net Let Down into the Sea
... THE DRAW NET LET DOWN INTO THE SEA. ... hope, may take place that greatest of miracles
called conversion. ... The sense of this urgency, and a great desire that our ...
/.../cable/the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/chapter xvii the draw net.htm

In this Diagram were Described Ten Circles, Distinct from Each ...
... which was said to be the soul of all things, and was called "Leviathan." [4413 ... things:
the earth is full of Thy creatures; so is this great and wide sea. ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxv in this diagram.htm

The Voice of Stern Rebuke
... And as she was going to fetch it, he called to her, and said ... the Infinite One that
the elements of nature in earth and sea and sky ... So is this great and wide sea ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 10 the voice of.htm

The Creation of Moving Creatures.
... Master, I marvel how the fishes live in the sea. ... Why, as men do a-land; the great
ones eat up the little ones. ... The beard is called by modern naturalists byssus ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily vii the creation of.htm

Letter xix. --(For 347. ) Coss. Rufinus, Eusebius; Pr??f. The Same ...
... Word, and might despise those which are falsely called gods, which ... For the world
is like the sea to us, my ... of which it is written, This is the great and wide ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/letter xix for 347 coss rufinus.htm

Of the [Temple And] Cities that were Built by Herod and Erected ...
... which was thus already extant above the sea, till it ... principal and most beautiful
of which was called Drusium, from ... 7. There were also a great number of arches ...
/.../chapter 21 of the temple.htm

1875-1877. Mrs. Way's Sewing --Class for Jewesses --Bible Flower ...
... called the Lord's Day in a so-called Christian land. ... are to be met with on this great
ocean; the ... spouting and bounding in their glorious freedom, sea-gulls and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/chapter vi 1875-1877 mrs ways.htm