Jump to: ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia In biblical literature, the term "wave" is often used both literally and metaphorically, appearing in various contexts throughout the Scriptures. Waves are natural phenomena that occur in bodies of water, such as seas and oceans, and are frequently mentioned in the Bible to convey themes of power, chaos, and divine control.Literal Usage The literal depiction of waves is evident in several passages, where they are described as part of God's creation and as elements that demonstrate His power and majesty. In the book of Psalms, the psalmist declares, "The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders; the LORD is heard over many waters" (Psalm 29:3). This verse highlights the grandeur and authority of God over the natural world, including the waves. In the New Testament, the Gospels recount the account of Jesus calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee. As the disciples faced perilous waves, Jesus rebuked the wind and the sea, resulting in a great calm. This miracle, recorded in Matthew 8:26, Mark 4:39, and Luke 8:24, underscores Jesus' divine authority over nature. Metaphorical Usage Waves are also used metaphorically in the Bible to symbolize instability, turmoil, and the challenges of life. In the Epistle of James, the author warns against doubting, comparing a doubter to "a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind" (James 1:6). This imagery conveys the idea of being unsettled and lacking firm faith. Similarly, in the book of Jude, false teachers are described as "wild waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame" (Jude 1:13). This metaphor illustrates the destructive and chaotic nature of those who lead others astray from the truth. Divine Control and Sovereignty Throughout Scripture, waves serve as a reminder of God's sovereignty over creation. In the book of Job, God questions Job, saying, "Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, when I made the clouds its garment and wrapped it in thick darkness, when I fixed its boundaries and set in place its bars and doors, and when I said, 'This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt'?" (Job 38:8-11). This passage emphasizes God's control over the natural order, including the boundaries of the sea and its waves. The Psalms frequently reflect on God's dominion over the waters, as seen in Psalm 89:9: "You rule the raging sea; when its waves mount up, You still them" . This verse reassures believers of God's ability to bring peace and order amidst chaos. Symbol of Deliverance and Judgment Waves can also symbolize deliverance and judgment. In the Exodus narrative, God parts the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to escape from Egypt, while the returning waves engulf the pursuing Egyptian army (Exodus 14:21-28). This event demonstrates God's power to save His people and execute judgment on their enemies. In prophetic literature, waves are sometimes associated with divine judgment. The prophet Jeremiah speaks of Babylon's destruction, likening the advancing armies to "the roaring of the sea" and "waves crashing against her" (Jeremiah 51:42). This imagery conveys the overwhelming and inescapable nature of God's judgment. In summary, the concept of waves in the Bible serves as a multifaceted symbol, representing both the natural world and deeper spiritual truths. Waves illustrate God's power, the instability of doubt, the chaos of false teachings, and the themes of deliverance and judgment. Through these depictions, Scripture reveals the majesty and authority of God over all creation. Easton's Bible Dictionary Wave offerings Parts of peace-offerings were so called, because they were waved by the priests (Exodus 29:24, 26, 27; Leviticus 7:20-34; 8:27; 9:21; 10:14, 15, etc.), in token of a solemn special presentation to God. They then became the property of the priests. The first-fruits, a sheaf of barley, offered at the feast of Pentecost (Leviticus 23:17-20), and wheat-bread, the first-fruits of the second harvest, offered at the Passover (10-14), were wave-offerings. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (v. t.) See Waive.2. (v. i.) To play loosely; to move like a wave, one way and the other; to float; to flutter; to undulate. 3. (v. i.) To be moved to and fro as a signal. 4. (v. i.) To fluctuate; to waver; to be in an unsettled state; to vacillate. 5. (v. t.) To move one way and the other; to brandish. 6. (v. t.) To raise into inequalities of surface; to give an undulating form a surface to. 7. (v. t.) To move like a wave, or by floating; to waft. 8. (v. t.) To call attention to, or give a direction or command to, by a waving motion, as of the hand; to signify by waving; to beckon; to signal; to indicate. 9. (n.) An advancing ridge or swell on the surface of a liquid, as of the sea, resulting from the oscillatory motion of the particles composing it when disturbed by any force their position of rest; an undulation. 10. (n.) A vibration propagated from particle to particle through a body or elastic medium, as in the transmission of sound; an assemblage of vibrating molecules in all phases of a vibration, with no phase repeated; a wave of vibration; an undulation. See Undulation. 11. (v. i.) Water; a body of water. 12. (v. i.) Unevenness; inequality of surface. 13. (n.) A waving or undulating motion; a signal made with the hand, a flag, etc. 14. (n.) The undulating line or streak of luster on cloth watered, or calendered, or on damask steel. 15. (v. i.) Fig.: A swelling or excitement of thought, feeling, or energy; a tide; as, waves of enthusiasm. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia WAVE OFFERINGwav of'-er-ing. Greek 2949. kuma -- a wave ... a wave. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: kuma Phonetic Spelling: (koo'-mah) Short Definition: a wave Definition: a wave, surge, billow. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2949.htm - 6k 2830. kludon -- a billow (of water) 2678. kataseio -- to shake 4535. salos -- a tossing, spec. the swell (of the sea) 123. aigialos -- the seashore Strong's Hebrew 8573. tenuphah -- a swinging, waving, wave offering, offering... tenuphah. 8574 . a swinging, waving, wave offering, offering. Transliteration: tenuphah Phonetic Spelling: (ten-oo-faw') Short Definition: offering. ... /hebrew/8573.htm - 6k 5130. nuph -- to move to and fro, wave, sprinkle 1530. gal -- a heap, wave, billow 5128. nua -- to quiver, wave, waver, tremble, totter 5965. alas -- to rejoice 1796. doki -- a pounding (of waves) 4867. mishbar -- a breaker (of the sea) 1116. bamah -- a high place 5074. nadad -- to retreat, flee, depart, stray, wander, flutter 5067. ned -- a heap Library Wave, Wave Your Banners High, The Cleansing Wave. CM Septuagesima 112. Breast the Wave, Christian Concerning Neptune, and Salacia and Venilia. Bowed with Grief and Anguish Low, On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. viii. 23, "And when He was ... The Infallibility of God's Purpose Book xii. At Length, with the Holy Ghost Speeding Our Way... Argument: Octavius, Displeased at the Act of this Superstitious ... The Crowning of Abimelech Thesaurus Wave (65 Occurrences)... Easton's Bible Dictionary Wave offerings. ... 2. (vi) To play loosely; to move like a wave, one way and the other; to float; to flutter; to undulate. ... /w/wave.htm - 30k Wave-offering (22 Occurrences) Wave-breast (3 Occurrences) Wave-offerings (1 Occurrence) Wave-loaves (1 Occurrence) Waved (29 Occurrences) Waving (23 Occurrences) Tithes (23 Occurrences) Breast (71 Occurrences) Fire-offerings (18 Occurrences) Resources What is the Feast of Weeks? | GotQuestions.orgWill heaven be on earth? | GotQuestions.org What is the Vineyard Movement? | GotQuestions.org Wave: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Wave (65 Occurrences)James 1:6 Exodus 29:24 Exodus 29:26 Exodus 29:27 Exodus 29:28 Exodus 29:31 Exodus 35:22 Exodus 38:24 Exodus 38:29 Leviticus 7:30 Leviticus 7:34 Leviticus 8:27 Leviticus 8:29 Leviticus 9:21 Leviticus 10:15 Leviticus 14:12 Leviticus 14:21 Leviticus 14:24 Leviticus 23:11 Leviticus 23:12 Leviticus 23:15 Leviticus 23:17 Leviticus 23:20 Numbers 5:25 Numbers 6:20 Numbers 8:11 Numbers 8:13 Numbers 8:15 Numbers 8:21 Numbers 15:19 Numbers 15:20 Numbers 15:21 Numbers 18:8 Numbers 18:11 Numbers 18:18 Numbers 18:19 Numbers 18:24 Numbers 18:26 Numbers 18:27 Numbers 18:28 Numbers 18:29 Numbers 31:29 Numbers 31:41 Numbers 31:52 Deuteronomy 12:6 Deuteronomy 12:11 Deuteronomy 12:17 Deuteronomy 23:25 Deuteronomy 27:5 Judges 9:9 Judges 9:11 Judges 9:13 2 Kings 5:11 Nehemiah 10:37 Nehemiah 10:39 Nehemiah 13:5 Job 10:17 Job 39:13 Psalms 72:16 Isaiah 10:32 Isaiah 11:15 Isaiah 13:2 Isaiah 19:16 Zephaniah 2:15 Zechariah 2:9 Subtopics Related Terms Wave-offering (22 Occurrences) Fire-offerings (18 Occurrences) Trespass-offering (34 Occurrences) Contributions (19 Occurrences) Heave-offering (55 Occurrences) Guilt-offering (34 Occurrences) Heave-shoulder (2 Occurrences) |
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