Topical Bible: The Sea: The Gathering Together of the Waters Originally Called

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The term "sea" in the Bible refers to the vast bodies of water that cover a significant portion of the earth's surface. The concept of the sea is introduced in the creation narrative found in the Book of Genesis. According to Genesis 1:9-10 , "And God said, 'Let the waters under the heavens be gathered into one place, so that the dry land may appear.' And it was so. God called the dry land 'earth,' and the gathering of waters He called 'seas.' And God saw that it was good."

In this passage, the "gathering together of the waters" signifies the divine act of organizing the chaotic primordial waters into distinct bodies, which God named "seas." This act of creation underscores the sovereignty and orderliness of God, who brings structure and purpose to the universe. The seas, as part of God's creation, are declared "good," reflecting their intended role in the divine order.

Throughout the Bible, the sea is often depicted as a symbol of both beauty and danger. It represents the vastness and mystery of God's creation, as well as the potential for chaos and destruction. In the Old Testament, the sea is frequently associated with the power and majesty of God. For instance, in Psalm 104:25-26 , the psalmist marvels at the sea's expanse and the creatures within it: "Here is the sea, vast and wide, teeming with creatures beyond number, living things both great and small. There the ships pass, and Leviathan, which You formed to frolic there."

The sea also serves as a backdrop for several significant biblical events. The parting of the Red Sea in Exodus 14 is a pivotal moment in the history of Israel, demonstrating God's miraculous deliverance of His people from Egyptian bondage. In this event, the sea becomes a tool of divine intervention, showcasing God's power over nature and His commitment to His covenant people.

In the New Testament, the sea continues to play a prominent role. Jesus' calming of the storm on the Sea of Galilee, as recorded in Mark 4:39 , illustrates His authority over the natural world: "Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. 'Silence!' He commanded. 'Be still!' And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm." This miracle not only reveals Jesus' divine nature but also serves as a metaphor for His ability to bring peace amidst life's tumultuous circumstances.

The sea is also a setting for the Apostle Paul's missionary journeys, as he travels across the Mediterranean to spread the Gospel. His shipwreck in Acts 27 highlights the perils of sea travel in the ancient world and underscores the theme of divine providence and protection.

In eschatological imagery, the sea is often associated with the end times and the final judgment. Revelation 21:1 describes a new creation where "the sea was no more," symbolizing the removal of chaos and the establishment of eternal peace in God's kingdom.

Overall, the sea in the Bible is a multifaceted symbol, representing both the grandeur of God's creation and the challenges of life in a fallen world. It serves as a testament to God's creative power, His control over nature, and His ultimate plan for redemption and restoration.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 1:10
And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Upon the Gathering Together of the Waters.
... folds, received from the Lord the name of seas: North Sea, South Sea, Eastern Sea,
and Western Sea. ... See why God calls the gathering together of waters seas. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily iv upon the gathering.htm

Synagogues: their Origin, Structure and Outward Arrangements
... of Greek derivation, and means "gathering together""for religious ... they saw, walking
on the sea, and nearing ... spreading over its tranquil waters; marking the ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 16 synagogues their origin.htm

Interpretation of Prophecy.
... their refreshment, and finally divided the waters of the ... Isaiah, speaking of the
future gathering together of the ... the miracles wrought upon the Red sea and the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxviii interpretation of prophecy.htm

The Creation of Fowl and Water Animals.
... they work at the same work together; and what is ... How much activity she exerts in
gathering this precious ... heaven adorned, earth beautified, the sea peopled with ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily viii the creation of.htm

Appendices
... Mummu-Tiamat (the chaos of the sea) was the ... Their waters were embosomed together,
and the corn-field ... gods, lifted up herself against them, gathering her forces ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/appendices.htm

The Israelites
... to be a separate people, bound together by the ... who had planted themselves on the
sea-coast shortly ... a brigand-chief, outlaws and adventurers gathering around him ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

The Origin of Species.
... and having spent many years in gathering and sifting ... was young "the morning stars
sang together for joy ... The species of animals which inhabit the sea on opposite ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/xii the origin of species.htm

The Jewish World in the Days of Christ - the Jewish Dispersion in ...
... as they looked back upon the sea cleft for ... the account of the truly representative
gathering in Jerusalem ... and researches [47] had been put together, they would ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter i the jewish world.htm

Hymns of Suffering and Trust.
... The son of a sea-captain, he became a sailor, and ... My lifted eye without a tear The
gathering storm shall see ... Melody and words melt together like harp and flute. ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter v hymns of suffering.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... permitted its tribes to mass themselves together, and oppose a ... beyond the provinces
lying nearest to the Dead Sea. ... way and sunk beneath the waters, while the ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm