Bible Encyclopedia: Swell

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International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

SWELL

swel (tsabhah): In the ordeal of the Water of Jealousy described in Numbers 5:11-31 (P), the effect on the unfaithful wife ot the drinking of the holy water was to cause the thigh to fall away (Revised Version) or rot (the King James Version) and the abdomen to "swell." This ceremonial was a direct appeal to the judgment of God, for there was nothing in the holy water (taken from the laver) or the dust of the temple which was mixed with it to produce this effect. In the Talmudic tract Cotah there are given many rabbinical opinions and particulars as to the procedure in later times. Apparently from the passage in Numbers, the judgment speedily followed the appeal, but according to Sotah, iii.4, it might be postponed even for four years, and in v.1, it is said to have produced the same effect on the adulterer as on the unfaithful wife. We have no details as to the nature or permanency of the swelling.

"Swell" as the translation of another word, batseq, is used in the sense of blistering of the feet from long tramping. Both in Deuteronomy 8:4 and Nehemiah 9:21 it is said that in spite of their long wilderness marches the feet of the Israelites did not swell. This was a token of divine protection.

See SWOLLEN.

Alexander Macalister

Greek

4092b. pimpremi -- to burn, swell
... pimpremi. 4093 . to burn, swell. Transliteration: pimpremi Short Definition: swell. ...
root pre Definition to burn, swell NASB Word Usage swell (1). 4092a, 4092b ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4092b.htm - 5k

4535. salos -- a tossing, spec. the swell (of the sea)
... the swell (of the sea). Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: salos Phonetic
Spelling: (sal'-os) Short Definition: the tossing of the sea in a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4535.htm - 6k

4092. pimpremi -- to fill full of
... to fill full of. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: pimpremi Phonetic Spelling:
(pim'-pray-mee) Short Definition: I am inflamed, I swell Definition: I swell ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4092.htm - 5k

2949. kuma -- a wave
... Word Origin from kuo (to be pregnant, swell) Definition a wave NASB Word
Usage waves (4). wave. From kuo (to swell (with young), ie ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2949.htm - 6k

1032. bruo -- to be full to bursting, to gush with
... send forth. A primary verb; to swell out, ie (by implication) to gush -- send forth.
(bruei) -- 1 Occurrence. 1031, 1032. bruo. 1033 . Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1032.htm - 6k

5453. phuo -- to bring forth, produce
... A primary verb; probably originally, to "puff" or blow, ie To swell up; but only
used in the implied sense, to germinate or grow (sprout, produce), literally ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5453.htm - 6k

1073. gemo -- to be full
... word Definition to be full NASB Word Usage full (11). be full. A primary verb;
to swell out, ie Be full -- be full. (gemei) -- 2 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1073.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

6638. tsabah -- to swell, swell up
... to swell, swell up. Transliteration: tsabah Phonetic Spelling: (tsaw-baw') Short
Definition: swell. ... root Definition to swell, swell up NASB Word Usage swell (2). ...
/hebrew/6638.htm - 5k

1216. batseq -- to swell
... 1215, 1216. batseq. 1217 . to swell. Transliteration: batseq Phonetic
Spelling: (baw-tsake') Short Definition: swell. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/1216.htm - 5k

1158. baah -- to inquire, cause to swell or boil up
... to inquire, cause to swell or boil up. Transliteration: baah Phonetic Spelling:
(baw-aw') Short Definition: inquire. ... cause, inquire, seek up, swell out. ...
/hebrew/1158.htm - 6k

1921. hadar -- to honor, adorn, perhaps to swell
... 1920, 1921. hadar. 1922 . to honor, adorn, perhaps to swell. Transliteration:
hadar Phonetic Spelling: (haw-dar') Short Definition: honor. Word Origin a prim ...
/hebrew/1921.htm - 6k

6075. aphal -- to swell
... to swell. Transliteration: aphal Phonetic Spelling: (aw-fal') Short Definition:
up. ... A primitive root; to swell; figuratively, be elated -- be lifted up, presume. ...
/hebrew/6075.htm - 5k

6075a. aphal -- to swell
... aphal. 6075b . to swell. Transliteration: aphal Short Definition: proud. Word
Origin a prim. root Definition to swell NASB Word Usage proud (1). ...
/hebrew/6075a.htm - 5k

6639. tsabeh -- swelling, swollen
... tsabeh. 6640 . swelling, swollen. Transliteration: tsabeh Phonetic Spelling:
(tsaw-beh') Short Definition: swell. ... swell. From tsabah; turgid -- swell. ...
/hebrew/6639.htm - 6k

6117. aqab -- to follow at the heel, assail insidiously ...
... A primitive root; properly, to swell out or up; used only as denominative from aqeb,
to seize by the heel; figuratively, to circumvent (as if tripping up the ...
/hebrew/6117.htm - 6k

7736. shud -- waste
... waste A primitive root; properly, to swell up, ie Figuratively (by implication of
insolence) to devastate -- waste. 7735, 7736. shud. 7737 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/7736.htm - 5k

1218. Botsqath -- a city in Judah
... Bozcath, Boskath. From batseq; a swell of ground; Botscath, a place in Palestine --
Bozcath, Boskath. see HEBREW batseq. 1217, 1218. Botsqath. 1219 . ...
/hebrew/1218.htm - 6k

Library

Let the Deep Organ Swell the Lay
... No. 105 Let the deep organ swell the lay. SAINTS, St. Cecilia Let the deep organ
swell the lay. Rev. C. Pise Nicola. A. Montani. Marcato. ...
/.../various/the st gregory hymnal and catholic choir book/no 105 let the deep.htm

After This, as Though his Object was to Swell the Size of his Book ...
... Chapter LVII. After this, as though his object was to swell the size of
his book� After this, as though his object was to swell ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lvii after this as.htm

But after this Investigation of his Assertions, as if his Object ...
... Chapter LX. But after this investigation of his assertions, as if his
object were to swell his� But after this investigation of ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lx but after this.htm

The Blessings of Peace.
... 1 Peace! the welcome sound proclaim, Dwell with rapture on the theme; Loud, still
louder, swell the strain: Peace on earth, good will to men. 2 Breezes! ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/812 the blessings of.htm

Hosanna to the Living Lord
... Above, beneath us, and around,. The dead and living swell the sound; ... Thy flock, redeemed
from sinful stain,. Shall swell the sound of praise again. ...
/.../advent 53 hosanna to the.htm

Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying
... By the pearly gates in wonder. We stand, and swell the voice of thunder,. ... No ear
hath ever caught,. Such bliss and joy: To raise the song, we swell the throng,. ...
/.../advent 62 wake awake for.htm

God's Training
... Lord doth man live. Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy
foot swell, these forty years. Thou shalt also consider ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon iv gods training.htm

John Chapter vi. 15-44
... winds are the clamors of revilers. Thence love waxes cold; thence the waves
do swell, and the ship is tossed. 6. "And a great wind ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xxv john chapter vi.htm

The Advance of Xerxes into Greece.
... and rest for the night in calm weather, but such a bay afforded very little shelter
against a tempestuous wind, or even against the surf and swell of the sea ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter viii the advance of.htm

Chapter eight
... the tent. "De Fust Church parson. We've got de whole high-tone swell outfit
tonight.". "Did you say Fust Church? I know him. My landlord's ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sheldon/in his steps/chapter eight.htm

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (v. i.) To grow larger; to dilate or extend the exterior surface or dimensions, by matter added within, or by expansion of the enclosed substance; as, the legs swell in dropsy; a bruised part swells; a bladder swells by inflation.

2. (v. i.) To increase in size or extent by any addition; to increase in volume or force; as, a river swells, and overflows its banks; sounds swell or diminish.

3. (v. i.) To rise or be driven into waves or billows; to heave; as, in tempest, the ocean swells into waves.

4. (v. i.) To be puffed up or bloated; as, to swell with pride.

5. (v. i.) To be inflated; to belly; as, the sails swell.

6. (v. i.) To be turgid, bombastic, or extravagant; as, swelling words; a swelling style.

7. (v. i.) To protuberate; to bulge out; as, a cask swells in the middle.

8. (v. i.) To be elated; to rise arrogantly.

9. (v. i.) To grow upon the view; to become larger; to expand.

10. (v. i.) To become larger in amount; as, many little debts added, swell to a great amount.

11. (v. i.) To act in a pompous, ostentatious, or arrogant manner; to strut; to look big.

12. (v. t.) To increase the size, bulk, or dimensions of; to cause to rise, dilate, or increase; as, rains and dissolving snow swell the rivers in spring; immigration swells the population.

13. (v. t.) To aggravate; to heighten.

14. (v. t.) To raise to arrogance; to puff up; to inflate; as, to be swelled with pride or haughtiness.

15. (v. t.) To augment gradually in force or loudness, as the sound of a note.

16. (n.) The act of swelling.

17. (n.) Gradual increase.

18. (n.) Increase or augmentation in bulk; protuberance.

19. (n.) Increase in height; elevation; rise.

20. (n.) Increase of force, intensity, or volume of sound.

21. (n.) Increase of power in style, or of rhetorical force.

22. (n.) A gradual ascent, or rounded elevation, of land; as, an extensive plain abounding with little swells.

23. (n.) A wave, or billow; especially, a succession of large waves; the roll of the sea after a storm; as, a heavy swell sets into the harbor.

24. (n.) A gradual increase and decrease of the volume of sound; the crescendo and diminuendo combined; -- generally indicated by the sign.

25. (n.) A showy, dashing person; a dandy.

26. (a.) Having the characteristics of a person of rank and importance; showy; dandified; distinguished; as, a swell person; a swell neighborhood.

Thesaurus

Swell (9 Occurrences)
... larger; to dilate or extend the exterior surface or dimensions, by matter added
within, or by expansion of the enclosed substance; as, the legs swell in dropsy ...
/s/swell.htm - 13k

Belly (62 Occurrences)
... 6. (vt) To cause to swell out; to fill. 7. (vi) To swell and become protuberant,
like the belly; to bulge. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BELLY. ...
/b/belly.htm - 28k

Rot (15 Occurrences)
... priest shall say unto the woman, The LORD make thee a curse and an oath among thy
people, when the LORD doth make thy thigh to rot, and thy belly to swell; (KJV ...
/r/rot.htm - 13k

Rise (417 Occurrences)
... 5. (v.) To reach a higher level by increase of quantity or bulk; to swell; as,
a river rises in its bed; the mercury rises in the thermometer. ...
/r/rise.htm - 39k

Abdomen (4 Occurrences)
... shall tell the woman, "Yahweh make you a curse and an oath among your people, when
Yahweh allows your thigh to fall away, and your body to swell; (See NAS NIV). ...
/a/abdomen.htm - 8k

Shrink (10 Occurrences)
... shall say unto the woman: Jehovah make thee a curse and an oath among thy people,
when Jehovah doth make thy thigh to shrink, and thy belly to swell; (DBY). ...
/s/shrink.htm - 10k

Thigh (38 Occurrences)
... shall tell the woman, "Yahweh make you a curse and an oath among your people, when
Yahweh allows your thigh to fall away, and your body to swell; (WEB KJV JPS ...
/t/thigh.htm - 22k

Puff (1 Occurrence)
... 9. (n.) To breathe quick and hard, or with puffs, as after violent exertion.
10. (n.) To swell with air; to be dilated or inflated. 11. ...
/p/puff.htm - 8k

Bag (52 Occurrences)
... 9. (vi) To swell or hang down like a full bag; as, the skin bags from containing
morbid matter. 10. (vi) To swell with arrogance. 11. ...
/b/bag.htm - 29k

Swollen (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (pp) of Swell. 2. (p. p) of Swell. 3. (a.) Enlarged
by swelling; immoderately increased; as, swollen eyes; swollen streams. Int. ...
/s/swollen.htm - 9k

Bible Concordance

Swell (9 Occurrences)

Acts 28:6 They expected him soon to swell with inflammation or suddenly fall down dead; but, after waiting a long time and seeing no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
(WEY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 5:21 then the priest shall cause the woman to swear with the oath of cursing, and the priest shall tell the woman, "Yahweh make you a curse and an oath among your people, when Yahweh allows your thigh to fall away, and your body to swell;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 5:22 and this water that brings a curse will go into your bowels, and make your body swell, and your thigh fall away." The woman shall say, "Amen, Amen."
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 5:27 When he has made her drink the water, then it shall happen, if she is defiled, and has committed a trespass against her husband, that the water that causes the curse will enter into her and become bitter, and her body will swell, and her thigh will fall away: and the woman will be a curse among her people.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 8:4 Your clothing didn't grow old on you, neither did your foot swell, these forty years.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Nehemiah 9:21 Yes, forty years you sustained them in the wilderness, and they lacked nothing; their clothes didn't grow old, and their feet didn't swell.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Job 40:23 Behold, if a river overflows, he doesn't tremble. He is confident, though the Jordan swells even to his mouth.
(Root in WEB ASV)

Psalms 73:7 Their eyes bulge with fat. Their minds pass the limits of conceit.
(See RSV)

Isaiah 60:5 Then you will see, and be bright with joy, and your heart will be shaking with increase of delight: for the produce of the sea will be turned to you, the wealth of the nations will come to you.
(See NIV)

Subtopics

Swell

Related Terms

Belly (62 Occurrences)

Rot (15 Occurrences)

Rise (417 Occurrences)

Abdomen (4 Occurrences)

Shrink (10 Occurrences)

Thigh (38 Occurrences)

Puff (1 Occurrence)

Bag (52 Occurrences)

Swollen (7 Occurrences)