Topical Encyclopedia In biblical literature, the imagery of water spilled on the ground is a poignant metaphor for the finality and irreversibility of death. This metaphor is notably found in the Old Testament, where it serves to illustrate the transient nature of human life and the inevitability of mortality.One of the key scriptural references to this imagery is found in 2 Samuel 14:14, where the wise woman of Tekoa speaks to King David: "For surely we will die and be like water spilled on the ground, which cannot be recovered. Yet God does not take away life, but He devises means so that the banished one may not be cast out from Him." . Here, the metaphor underscores the certainty of death, likening it to water that, once poured out, cannot be gathered back. This reflects the understanding that human life, once ended, cannot be restored by human means. The use of this metaphor also highlights the fragility and preciousness of life. Just as spilled water quickly seeps into the earth and disappears, so too does life swiftly pass away. This serves as a reminder of the brevity of human existence and the importance of living in accordance with divine principles. Moreover, the passage from 2 Samuel emphasizes God's mercy and redemptive plan. While death is an unavoidable reality, the text suggests that God provides a means of reconciliation and restoration. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative of redemption and the hope of eternal life through faith. In the context of ancient Near Eastern culture, water was a vital and life-sustaining resource. Its loss, therefore, would have been keenly felt, making the metaphor of spilled water a powerful illustration of the loss experienced in death. This imagery would resonate deeply with the original audience, who understood the value and necessity of water for survival. In summary, the metaphor of water spilled on the ground as a representation of death serves to convey the certainty and irreversibility of mortality, while also pointing to the hope of divine intervention and redemption. It is a vivid reminder of the transient nature of life and the enduring promise of God's grace. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Samuel 14:14For we must needs die, and are as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again; neither does God respect any person: yet does he devise means, that his banished be not expelled from him. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library What a Good Man Is, and How He Becomes So Whether the Defects Occurring During the Celebration of this ... Trinity Sunday the Doctrine of the Trinity. B. The Second Period. Chs. 5:1 to 6:11 The Old Testament and Comparative Religion Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ... The Form of Concord. AD 1577. The Pilgrim's Progress Resources What is the symbolism of water baptism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about holy water? | GotQuestions.org What did Jesus mean when He spoke of living water? | GotQuestions.org Water: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Water in Times of Scarcity, Sold at an Enormous Price Water of Bitterness or of Jealousy Water of Separation or of Uncleanness Water of the Gifts and Graces of the Holy Spirit Water was Used by Jews for Culinary Purposes Water was Used by Jews for Legal Purification Water was Used by Jews for Washing the Person Water was Used by Jews: As Their Principal Beverage Water: (Covering the Sea) of the General Diffusion of The Water: (Deep) of Counsel in the Heart Water: (Deep) of Severe Affliction Water: (Deep) of the Words of the Wise Water: (Difficulty of Stopping) of Strife and Contention Water: (Its Instability) of a Wavering Disposition Water: (Its Weakness) of Faintness and Cowardice Water: (Many) of a Variety of Afflictions Water: (Many) of Different Nations and People Water: (Noise of Many) of the Word of Christ Water: (Poured Out) Faintness by Terror Water: (Poured Out) the Wrath of God Water: (Pouring, out of Buckets) a Numerous Progeny Water: (Rapidly Flowing Away) the Career of the Wicked Water: (Spilled on the Ground) Death Water: (Still) the Ordinances of the Gospel Water: Artificial Mode of Conveying, Into Large Cities Water: Collected in The Clouds Water: Covered the Whole Earth Water: Drops from the Clouds in Rain Water: Frequently Brackish and Unfit for Use Water: God Originally: Collected Into One Place Water: God Originally: Created Fowls and Fishes From Water: God Originally: Created the Firmament to Divide Water: Kept for Purification in Large Waterpots Water: Miracles Connected With: Brought from the Jaw-Bone of an Ass Water: Miracles Connected With: Brought from the Rock Water: Miracles Connected With: Consumed by Fire from Heaven Water: Miracles Connected With: Divided and Made to Stand on Heap Water: Miracles Connected With: Healing Powers Communicated To Water: Miracles Connected With: Iron Made to Swim In Water: Miracles Connected With: Our Lord Walking On Water: Miracles Connected With: Trenches Filled With Water: Miracles Connected With: Turned Into Blood Water: Miracles Connected With: Turned Into Wine Water: Miraculously Supplied: To Jehoshaphat's Army Water: Miraculously Supplied: To Samson Water: Miraculously Supplied: To the Israelites Water: Necessary to the Comfort and Happiness of Man Water: Necessary to Vegetation Water: One of the Elements of the World Water: Rises in Vapour to the Clouds Water: some Plants Particularly Require Water: The Want of, Considered a Great Calamity Water: The World and Its Inhabitants Once Destroyed By Water: The World not to be Again Destroyed By Water: Wearing the Hardest Substances Related Terms Water-springs (12 Occurrences) |
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