Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

SIGN

An act or manifestation that points to something beyond the sign itself, in most biblical instances God’s purpose or the relationship between God and his people.

In the OT signs (Heb. ʾôṯ, môpeṯ) refer primarily to divine or prophetic acts. To understand the symbolism of any sign, a word from the Lord is necessary. Signs in the OT cluster around two major works of God: the Exodus, with frequent reference to “signs and wonders” miraculously performed by God through Moses (Exod. 7:3); and less spectacular symbolic signs employed by the prophet, attesting the prophet as God’s messenger (Isa. 7:14; 8:18; cf. Ezek. 12:6, 11; 24:24, 27). Nothing miraculous is present in Isaiah’s walking “stripped and barefoot” for three years as a sign of judgment on Egypt and Cush (Isa. 20:3; cf. Jer. 19:1-6; Ezek. 4:1-8). Prophetic signs have two revelatory elements: the prophetic word and the act’s intrinsic symbolism. Both converge, so when the sign is accomplished, the prophet’s word is authenticated as divine.

In the NT signs (Gk. sēmeíon) reflect OT roots, referring to actions or things that carry symbolic meaning (e.g., Judas’s kiss, Matt. 26:48; cf. Luke 2:12; Rom. 4:11). Tongues-speaking is a sign of God’s judgment on unbelief (1 Cor. 14:22; cf. Isa. 28:11-12). Cosmic signs are indications of the last days (Matt. 24:30; Luke 21:11, 25; Acts 2:19; Rev. 12:1, 3; 15:1). “Signs and wonders” accompany the apostles to attest them and their divine message (Rom. 15:19; Acts 2:22, 43; 5:12; 6:8; 14:3; 15:12; Heb. 2:4).

Jesus’ signs are public acts. Though most are miraculous (John 2:1-11; 4:41-54; 5:1-15; 6:1-14; 9:1-41; 11:1-57), the symbolic function of the sign takes precedence, for every sign points away from itself and from the earthly realm to that which it symbolizes in the heavenly realm. Hence, the cleansing of the temple (John 2:13-25; cf. v. 23; 3:2) also functions as a prophetic-symbolic sign, pointing to the true temple where humans meet God, namely Jesus’ body.

Bibliography. F. J. Helfmeyer, “ʾôṯ [ʾôth],” TDOT 1:167-88; C. R. Koester, Symbolism in the Fourth Gospel (Minneapolis, 1996); A. J. Köstenberger, “The Seventh Johannine Sign,” BBR 5 (1995): 87-103; K. H. Rengstorf, “sēmeíon,” TDNT 7:200-261.

A. B. Caneday

Prayer Tents Bible References - Prayer Tents

SIGN

Eerdmans Dictionary of the Bible (2000)