Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

MANY WATERS

A term (Heb. mayim rabbîm) commonly used in poetic contexts, often in parallel with “rivers” (nĕhārôm), “deep” (tĕhôm), or “sea” (yām). It most often denotes God’s abundant provision of water, nurturing rich growth (Num. 24:7). This abundance, however, usually leads to judgment against the ungrateful, prideful recipient — whether Tyre, Egypt, or Israel (Isa. 23:2-3; Jer. 51:13; Ezek. 17:5, 8). Its roaring voice also appears as an aspect of God’s glory — either the roaring of judgment (Jer. 51:55) or some other manifestation of glory — in the heavenly visions of Ezekiel (Ezek. 43:2; cf. Rev. 1:15) or perhaps as part of a storm theophany (Ps. 29:3). Alternatively it may denote the roaring of confusion or the destructive force of an enemy, from which God will surely rescue the faithful (Cant. 8:7; 2 Sam. 22:16-18 par.; Ps. 32:6; 77:17-20[MT 18-21]; Isa. 17:12-13).

In line with common ancient Near Eastern divine imagery (Canaanite Yamm/Sea, Mesopotamian Tiamat), the waters may represent a primeval force of chaos over which Israel’s God is asserted to have power — either by gaining victory over it in cosmic battle (Hab. 3:13-15) or by using it as his own weapon of destruction (Ezek. 26:19; cf. Gen. 7:10-11; Exod. 15:8-10; Amos 7:4; Isa. 51:9-10, which use different but parallel phrases to express this same concept).

Robin J. DeWitt Knauth

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

MANY WATERS

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)