The term "unwonted" refers to something that is unusual, uncommon, or not customary. In the context of the Bible, unwonted events or behaviors often signify divine intervention, miraculous occurrences, or significant shifts in the spiritual or physical realm. The Bible is replete with instances where God acts in unwonted ways to fulfill His purposes, demonstrate His power, or communicate with His people.

Biblical Examples of Unwonted Events:

1. The Burning Bush (Exodus 3:2-4): One of the most striking unwonted events in the Bible is the appearance of the burning bush. Moses encounters a bush that is on fire but not consumed. This unusual sight captures Moses' attention, leading to a divine encounter where God commissions him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. The Berean Standard Bible states, "There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that the bush was on fire, but it was not consumed."

2. The Sun Standing Still (Joshua 10:12-14): In a remarkable display of divine intervention, Joshua prays for the sun to stand still to allow the Israelites more time to defeat their enemies. The BSB records, "So the sun stood still and the moon stopped until the nation took vengeance upon its enemies." This unwonted event underscores God's sovereignty over creation and His willingness to act on behalf of His people.

3. Balaam's Donkey Speaks (Numbers 22:28-30): In another extraordinary event, God opens the mouth of Balaam's donkey to speak to him. This unwonted occurrence serves as a rebuke to Balaam and a demonstration of God's control over all creatures. The BSB recounts, "Then the LORD opened the donkey’s mouth, and she said to Balaam, 'What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?'"

4. The Resurrection of Jesus (Matthew 28:1-7): The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the most significant unwonted event in the New Testament. It defies natural law and confirms Jesus' divinity and victory over sin and death. The BSB describes the event: "He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He lay."

Unwonted Behavior as a Sign of Divine Calling:

1. Prophets and Their Unusual Actions: Prophets in the Bible often engaged in unwonted behavior as a sign of their divine calling or to convey God's message. For example, Ezekiel was instructed to lie on his side for an extended period as a sign to Israel (Ezekiel 4:4-6). Such actions, though unwonted, were purposeful and divinely ordained.

2. John the Baptist's Lifestyle (Matthew 3:4): John the Baptist's ascetic lifestyle and bold preaching were unwonted for his time. His attire of camel's hair and diet of locusts and wild honey set him apart as a prophet preparing the way for the Messiah. The BSB notes, "John wore a garment of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey."

Theological Implications:

Unwonted events and behaviors in the Bible often serve as a means for God to reveal His power, communicate His will, and fulfill His promises. They challenge human understanding and invite believers to trust in God's sovereignty and wisdom. These occurrences remind the faithful that God's ways are higher than human ways (Isaiah 55:8-9) and that He is capable of doing the extraordinary to accomplish His divine purposes.1. (a.) Not wonted; unaccustomed; unused; not made familiar by practice; as, a child unwonted to strangers.

2. (a.) Uncommon; unusual; infrequent; rare; as, unwonted changes.

Whether the Species of Fear is Suitably Assigned?
... Objection 4: Further, fear is only of evil. But amazement and stupor regard
great and unwonted things, whether good or evil. Therefore ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the species of fear.htm

Whether There was Wonder in Christ?
... I answer that, Wonder properly regards what is new and unwonted. Now there
could be nothing new and unwonted as regards Christ's ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there was wonder in.htm

What Then did Wretched I So Love in Thee...
... Fear startles at things unwonted and sudden, which endangers things beloved, and
takes forethought for their safety; but to Thee what unwonted or sudden, or ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter vi what then did.htm

Why He Delighted in that Theft, when all Things which under the ...
... Fear starts at unwonted and sudden chances which threaten things beloved, and is
wary for their security; but what can happen that is unwonted or sudden to Thee ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter vi why he delighted in.htm

Whether Sudden Things are Especially Feared?
... Objection 1: It would seem that unwonted and sudden things are not especially feared.
Because, as hope is about good things, so fear is about evil things. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether sudden things are especially.htm

Whether Memory is a Part of Prudence?
... First, when a man wishes to remember a thing, he should take some suitable yet somewhat
unwonted illustration of it, since the unwonted strikes us more, and so ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether memory is a part.htm

Whether Schism is a Graver Sin than Unbelief?
... Consequently there was no need for those who sinned against this faith by falling
into idolatry, to be punished in an unwonted manner: it was enough that they ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether schism is a graver.htm

In Sanctuary
... What could possibly be the meaning of the unwonted spectacle of the most powerful
of living men, pale, terrified, dishevelled, ungreeted and ungreeting ...
/.../chapter xxvii in sanctuary.htm

Conversational Phrases
... I fear that's too technical for me. I feel a certain apprehension. I feel an unwonted
sense of gaiety [unwonted = unusual]. I feel it my duty to be frank with you ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section ix conversational phrases.htm

Literary Expressions
... A laugh of jovial significance. A light of unwonted pleasure in her eyes [unwonted =
unusual]. ... Nature seemed to revel in unwonted contrasts [unwonted = unusual]. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section vii literary expressions.htm

Unwonted (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Not wonted; unaccustomed; unused; not made familiar
by practice; as, a child unwonted to strangers. ...Unwonted (1 Occurrence). ...
/u/unwonted.htm - 7k

Unwittingly (17 Occurrences)

/u/unwittingly.htm - 11k

Unworked (1 Occurrence)

/u/unworked.htm - 6k

Zedekiah (63 Occurrences)
... 16). But they acted like men intoxicated with new power; their accession
to property and unwonted position turned their heads. Soon ...
/z/zedekiah.htm - 49k

Person (807 Occurrences)
... 2. Other Pauline Passages: The elements of Paul's conception of the person of Christ
are brought before us in this suggestive passage with unwonted fullness. ...
/p/person.htm - 49k

Christ (573 Occurrences)

/c/christ.htm - 101k

Unwonted: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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