The term "wasteth" is an archaic form of the verb "waste," which appears in various contexts throughout the Bible. In the Berean Standard Bible , the concept of wasting is often associated with destruction, desolation, and the squandering of resources or opportunities. The term is used to describe both physical and spiritual deterioration, often as a consequence of sin or divine judgment.

Physical Destruction and Desolation

In the Old Testament, "wasteth" frequently refers to the physical destruction of lands and cities as a result of divine judgment. For example, in Isaiah 24:3, the prophet declares, "The earth will be utterly laid waste and thoroughly plundered. For the LORD has spoken this word." Here, the term conveys the totality of God's judgment upon the earth due to the sinfulness of its inhabitants.

Similarly, in Jeremiah 4:7, the imagery of wasting is used to describe the impending invasion by a foreign power: "A lion has gone up from his thicket, and a destroyer of nations has set out. He has left his lair to lay waste your land. Your cities will be reduced to ruins without inhabitants." The use of "wasteth" in this context underscores the severity of the coming devastation as a direct consequence of the people's disobedience to God.

Spiritual Deterioration

"Wasteth" is also employed metaphorically to describe spiritual decline and moral decay. In Proverbs 18:9, the BSB states, "Whoever is slothful in his work is brother to him who destroys." The term "destroys" here is akin to "wasteth," highlighting the idea that neglect and laziness lead to the wasting of one's potential and resources, aligning oneself with those who bring about ruin.

Divine Judgment and Human Responsibility

The concept of wasting is often linked to the theme of divine judgment, where God allows or causes desolation as a response to human sinfulness. In Ezekiel 6:6, the prophet warns, "Wherever you live, the cities will be laid waste and the high places will be ruined, so that your altars will be laid waste and devastated, your idols smashed and obliterated, your incense altars cut down, and your works blotted out." This passage illustrates the comprehensive nature of divine retribution, where both physical structures and spiritual practices are subject to wasting.

Moral and Ethical Implications

From a moral and ethical standpoint, the concept of wasting serves as a cautionary reminder of the consequences of poor stewardship and disobedience to God's commandments. The Bible encourages believers to be diligent and faithful stewards of the resources and opportunities God provides. In the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30), although the term "wasteth" is not explicitly used, the underlying principle is clear: squandering what God has entrusted to us leads to judgment and loss.

Conclusion

The term "wasteth" in the Bible encompasses both literal and figurative meanings, often associated with destruction, desolation, and the consequences of sin. It serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of faithfulness, stewardship, and obedience to God's will, warning against the spiritual and physical decay that results from neglect and disobedience.

And He Said unto Them, Verily I Say unto You...
... [1719] And when it cometh upon him, it beateth him about; [1720] [33] and he foameth,
and gnasheth his teeth, and wasteth; [1721] [1722] and many times it hath ...
/.../hogg/the diatessaron of tatian/section xxiv and he said.htm

One Thing is Needful;
... yawns to receive us. 'Man dieth and wasteth away; yea, man giveth up the
ghost, and where is he' (Job 14:10). The answer is ready ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/one thing is needful.htm

Open Sins
... The other resembles the 'destruction that wasteth at noonday,' or the lion with
its roar and its spring, as, disclosed from its covert, it leaps upon the prey. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/open sins.htm

Be for Thou Art'
... who has 'made the Most High his habitation' is sheltered from 'the pestilence that
walketh in darkness,' as well as from 'the destruction that wasteth at noon ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/be for thou art.htm

"Where Our Lord Appeareth, Peace is Taken, and Wrath Hath. No ...
... For He that wasteth and destroyeth our wrath and maketh us meek and mild,"it behoveth
needs to be that He [Himself] be ever one in love, meek and mild: which ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter xlix where our lord.htm

God whom I as Love have Known,
... Though my pains be keen and long. All that plagues my body now,. All that wasteth
me away,. Pressing on me night and day,. Love ordains, for Love art Thou! ...
/.../winkworth/lyra germanica the christian year/ii god whom i as.htm

January the Ninth the Perils of Possessions
... Abram remained unscathed in "the garish day." The Lord delivered him from "the
destruction that wasteth at noonday." His wealth increased, but it was not ...
/.../my daily meditation for the circling year/january the ninth the perils.htm

September the Twenty-Fourth after the Triumph!
... Did they want to make Him a King? Was our human Lord assailed by "the destruction
that wasteth at noonday"? And did He shut Himself up with the Father? ...
/.../september the twenty-fourth after the.htm

How Our Sixth Combat is against the Spirit of Accidie, and what ...
... Latin "et d??monio meridiano" follows the LXX. kai daimoniou mesembrinou,
instead of "the destruction that wasteth at noonday.". ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter i how our sixth.htm

The Seventh vial.
... for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; nor for the pestilence
that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noon-day ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the seventh vial.htm

Wasteth (10 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Wasteth (10 Occurrences). Job 14:10 But man dieth, and
wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he? (KJV WBS). ...
/w/wasteth.htm - 8k

Wastes (33 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Proverbs 29:3 Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father; but he that
keepeth company with harlots wasteth his substance. (See NAS). ...
/w/wastes.htm - 16k

Vexation (36 Occurrences)
... shadow. (See JPS). Psalms 6:7 Mine eye wasteth away because of grief; It waxeth
old because of all mine adversaries. (See JPS). Psalms ...
/v/vexation.htm - 18k

Yieldeth (8 Occurrences)
... distress. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Job 14:10 But man dieth, and wasteth away:
yes, man yieldeth his breath, and where is he? (WBS). ...
/y/yieldeth.htm - 8k

Noon-day (8 Occurrences)
... (ASV WBS YLT). Psalms 91:6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness;
nor for the destruction that wasteth at noon-day. (WBS). ...
/n/noon-day.htm - 8k

Oppressors (31 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS RSV). Psalms 6:7 Mine eye wasteth away through grief;
it hath grown old because of all mine oppressors. (DBY). ...
/o/oppressors.htm - 15k

Languisheth (10 Occurrences)
... Psalms 88:9 Mine eye wasteth away by reason of affliction: I have called daily upon
thee, O Jehovah; I have spread forth my hands unto thee. (See JPS). ...
/l/languisheth.htm - 9k

Forests (12 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 10:18 And the glory of his forest and of his fruitful field, he will consume
both soul and body; and it shall be as when a sick man wasteth away. ...
/f/forests.htm - 10k

Recede (3 Occurrences)
... mountains were seen. (Root in WEB NIV). Job 14:11 The waters recede from the
lake, and the river wasteth and drieth up: (DBY). Micah 7:11 ...
/r/recede.htm - 7k

Drained (38 Occurrences)
... hard like cheese? (BBE). Job 14:11 As the waters fail from the sea, And
the river wasteth and drieth up; (See JPS). Job 16:13 His ...
/d/drained.htm - 18k

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