Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

MARK

A goal or target. Paul set his aim on a lofty “mark” (Gk. skopós), a future goal to be attained (Phil. 3:14; cf. the cognate verb in v. 17; Rom. 16:17). Jonathan (1 Sam. 20:20) devised a plan with David that involved his shooting arrows at a prearranged target (Heb. maṭṭārâ). Job felt as if he were the target of God’s archers (Job 16:12; cf. Lam. 3:12).

More frequently the term designates some sort of deliberate body marking, such as a scar, tattoo, or brand, that makes the bearer readily identifiable. The “mark (Heb. ʾôṯ) of Cain” (Gen. 4:15), probably a brand or tattoo, served as a special sign to protect him from a vengeful death. Circumcision is the distinctive physical mark of Jewish males; indeed, it is a “sign (ʾôṯ) of the covenant” (Gen. 17:11). Body markings in the form of tattoos (qaʿăqaʿ) are explicitly forbidden to the Israelites (Lev. 19:28), as are other forms of bodily disfiguration (21:5; Deut. 14:1). In Ezekiel’s account of his vision, the ones who grieved over the idolatry in the temple were marked on the forehead with the Hebrew letter taw so that they would be passed over and spared by the executioners (Ezek. 9:1-6; cf. Exod. 12:13). The “mark (Gk. cháragma) of the beast” — the number 666, thought to be the numerological equivalent of Nero’s name — authorizes its bearers to conduct business (Rev. 13:14-18); however it also marks those who submit to the beast for certain destruction (14:9-11). “The marks (stígmata) of Jesus” Paul bore on his body (Gal. 6:17) were probably not the scars resulting from Jesus’ crucifixion, but were more likely scars that remained from the many beatings he suffered during his mission work (2 Cor. 11:23-27; cf. Acts 14:19).

Jeffrey T. Tucker

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

MARK

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)