Wall(s) A symbol of Divine and also human security, exclusion. Isa. 26:1; Eph. 2:14; Rev. 21:14,18; Deut. 1:28.
Ware aware. Acts 14:6.
Wash, to
1. υίπτω, ἀπον, “to wash,” face, hands, feet, etc. Matt. 6:17; 15:2; 27:24; Mark 7:3; John 9:7,11,15; 13:5-6,8,10,12,14; 1 Tim. 5:10.
2. λούω, ἀπολ, from “to loosen,” cleanse the body. Acts 9:37; 16:33; 22:16; 1 Cor. 6:11; Eph. 5:26; Tit. 3:5; Heb. 10:22; 2 Peter 2:22; Rev. 1:5. In John 13:10 the person being cleansed stands in contrast to the feet being washed, nipto, because of the defilements of the way.
3. βαπτίζω, “dip,” etc. Mark 7:4, 8; Luke 11:38; Heb. 9:10
4. βρέχω, “to wet,” rain. Luke 7:38,44.
5. πλύνω, ἀποπ-, “to wash,” as clothes. Luke 5:2; Rev. 7:14.
Washing “One of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side, and forthwith came there out blood and water,” John 19:34. We are washed once from our sins in His blood, and the efficacy of that one act is permanent and eternal. There is no such thought in Scripture as a return to the blood of Jesus. There were repeated, daily and yearly, returns to the blood of bulls and of goats, but not so to the blood of Jesus; to say so is to lower and degrade that incomparably precious work to the low level of Jewish sacrifice. “By one offering He hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified,” Heb. 10:14. Again, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin,” 1 John 1:7; cleanses not is cleansing. I would say of soap, it “cleanseth”; that is, I declare its virtue, its character — so the blood of Jesus ever before God has this virtue eternally attached to it, it “cleanseth.” We are bathed or washed once in water, and that, too, is an act never repeated. Its efficacy is of as much permanent virtue as the blood washing from sins, Lev. 8:6; John 13:10; 15:3. The water is the figure of the Word of God. By it and the Spirit we are born again (John 3); a new nature is given to the believer. Washed from our sins by blood, Rev. 1:5, and cleansed from our old state in nature by the Word and Spirit, are acts accomplished once and for ever. But besides this blood and water washing there is a daily cleansing most important to observe. In the court of the tabernacle stood the laver filled with water, in which the priests were to wash their hands and feet (typical of their service and walk), for God must have clean hands held up in His holy presence, and clean feet to tread His sacred courts. This washing of hands and feet by God’s priests were as constant as the offering of sacrifice. But observe that the basin of John 13, as also the laver in the Tabernacle court, were filled with water, symbolizing the Word of God applied to daily walk and service. The priests of old were washed all over once, but repeatedly cleansed their hands and feet in the laver for fitness to serve and worship. This constant reference to the Word of God — its application to our daily life — is a truth much and strongly to be insisted upon in these days of loose and worldly walk. Symbol of cleansing morally. John 13:5-14; Eph. 5:26
Water
1. A symbol of the weakness of man. Psa. 22:14; 2 Sam. 14:14.
2. A symbol of the sanctifying and cleansing character of the Word of God. Eph. 5:26; John 15:3; John 19:34.
3. A symbol of the Holy Spirit. John 7:38-29.
Waters A symbol of nations acting under certain influences. Rev. 8:11; 16:4-5; 17:15.
Waves A symbol of judgments divinely inflicted. Psa. 42:7; Jonah 2:3; Psa. 88:7.
Wealth weal, welfare. Psa. 112:3.
Weasel Only once named in Scripture, and then as amongst the prohibited animals. The common weasel is abundant in Israel. Lev. 11:29.
Well (Fountain)
1. πηγή signifies “fountain” or “spring.” John 4:6,14; 2 Peter 2:17.
2. φρέαρ, “well or pit,” John 4:11-12.
A symbol of the source of blessing and refreshment. Psa. 84:6; Isa. 12:3; John 4:14; Gen. 49:22.
Whale κητος, Any sea-monster or huge fish. Job 7:12; Matt. 12:40. The O.T. says “a great fish,” without specifying what fish. The Hebrew word does not necessarily mean only the sea monster known as the whale, but the largest size of marine animals. It may have been a large shark, which has a much larger gullet than a whale, and in the stomach of which bodies of men have been sometimes found entire.
Wheat is the most useful of all cereals, forming the staple article of food in all lands. The Scripture references to the “Vine” and “Wheat” are numerous, and, in many instances, really interesting. A symbol of genuine profession. Jer. 23:28; Matt. 13:24-30. {See Corn.}
Wheels A symbol of the course of providential government on earth. Ezek. 1:15; Dan. 7:9.
Whirlwind A symbol of manifestation of Divine power. Zech. 9:14; Isa. 66:15.
White A symbol of purity. Rev. 1:14; 3:4-5,18; 7:9,13; 14:14; Mark 16:5.
Whoredoms A symbol of religious corruptions. Spiritual idolatry. Ezekiel 16; Rev. 17.
Widow Symbol of desolateness. 1 Tim. 5:5; Rev. 18:7; Lam. 1:1; Isa. 1:23; 47:8.
Wilderness A symbol of an afflicted and desolate condition. Rev. 12:6; 17:3; Isa. 14:17.
Willow is a beautiful tree, flourishing on the banks of the rivers and brooks of Israel. It has been identified as the “oleander, now the exclusive material with which the summer booths in Galilee are constructed.”
Will-worship (Col. 2:23) Voluntary or self-chosen worship according to man’s will. Col. 2:18,23.
Wimple neckerchief. Isa. 3:22.
Wind (John 3:8; Acts 2:2; Rev. 7:1) Symbol of unseen influence, good or evil.
Wind
1. A symbol of unseen, yet powerful operations of the Spirit of God. John 3:8; Acts 2:2.
2. A symbol of instability. Eph. 4:14; James 1:6.
3. A symbol of false and vain expectations. Hos. 12:1; Isa. 26:18.
4. A symbol of Divine manifestation in judgment or in grace. Isa. 57:13; Dan. 2:35; Ezek. 37:9.
Windows Really doors, with lattice-work to admit the air and give shade from the sun. Acts 20:9; 2 Cor. 11:33.
Wine οἶνος, Fermented juice of the grape. It was used in the Paschal supper, and in the Lord’s supper. Paul recommended Timothy to drink wine for his frequent infirmities. It was intoxicating, Eph. 5:18; 1 Tim. 3:8. New wine is used typically of the new order of things introduced by Christ as needing new vessels to contain it, Matt. 9:17. The “new wine” of Acts 2:13 is “sweet wine,” the sweetness being preserved made it more intoxicating.
1. A symbol of the mere excitement of nature.
2. A symbol of Joy.
3. A symbol of judgment. Eph. 5:18; Judg. 9:13; Jer. 25:15; Lev. 10:9.
Winefat The cavity under a winepress into which the juice could run. Mark 12:1.
Winepress A place where grapes were pressed or trodden with the feet, Matt. 21:33; used as a symbol for the wicked being crushed in God’s judgments on the earth Rev. 14:19-20; 19:15.
Wings
1. A symbol of protection. Psa. 91:4; Luke 13:34;
2. A symbol of shelter. Psa. 36:7; Rev. 12:14.
3. A symbol of rapidity of action.; Ezek. 1; Rev. 9:9;
Wink at, winked overlook. God “overlooked” the former times of ignorance, but now enjoins all men everywhere to repent. Acts 17:30.
Wist knew. Mark 9:6.
Wit, do you to cause you to know. 2 Cor. 8:1.
Witness As in Israel, so in the church, any accusation should be confirmed by two or three witnesses (Matt. 18:16; 2 Cor. 13:1; 1 Tim. 5:19; Heb. 10:28). {See Martyr.}
Woe worth evil be to. Ezek. 30:2.
Wolf This well-known wild beast is still met with in Israel. The dangerous and bloodthirsty character of the wolf, ravening during the night in packs is several times alluded to in Scripture. The wolf is also the terror of the shepherd keeping lonely watch over his flock. Men who molest, oppress, worry, scatter and devour God’s people, whether of Israel or the Church, are compared to wolves. Gen. 49:27; Matt. 7:15; 10:16; Luke 10:3; John 10:12; Acts 20:29; Matt. 7:15.
Woman
1. A symbol of weakness and imperfection. Isa. 3:12; 19:16.
2. A symbol of the false church as well as the true bride.
3. A symbol of Israel or any religious system. Matt. 13:33; Gal. 4:22-24; Rev. 2:20.
Wont accustomed. Acts 16:13.
Word, the The expression of what Christ is personally and essentially. John 1:1-2; 8:25.
World to come In Hebrews 2:5 JND it is “habitable world which is to come”; in Hebrews 6:5; Mark 10:30; Luke 18:30; Ephesians 1:21 it is “age” to come; both stand in contrast to the present age. See Titus 2:12.
World
1. κὀσμος, “order, regularity,” and “the world,” because of its natural order; “the world” in all its varied characters, its inhabitants, its riches, its spirit, its wisdom, its sin, its sorrows, its judgment, etc. Matt. 4:8; John 1:29; 12:31; 1 Cor. 3:19; 2 Cor. 7:10; James 4:4; 1 John 2:17; 5:19.
2. αἰών, “being, age, duration of time”; (a,) “age,” in connection with the world, the course of existing things, Matt. 12:32; 13:22,39-40; Luke 1:70; 16:8; John 9:32; Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 4:4; Eph. 3:21; 6:12; 2 Tim. 1:9; Heb. 9:26, etc. (b,) The material world, Heb. 1:2; 11:3.
3. οἰκουμένη from “to inhabit,” the habitable world. Matt. 24:14; Acts 11:28; 19:27; 24:5; Rom. 10:18; Heb. 1:6; Rev. 3:10; 12:9; 16:14.
4. γῆ, “the earth, land.” Rev. 13:3.
Worm (Isa. 66:24; Acts 12:23) There are many kinds of worms, some bred by putrid matter, as exampled in the awful end of Herod. The “worm” is the figure of endless anguish (Mark 9); it is also the figure of abject contempt and utter humiliation, as in the Psalms and book of Job.
1. A symbol of abject and contemptible creature.
2. A symbol of eternal misery. Job 25:6; Psa. 22:6; Mark 9:44, 46, 48.
Wormwood ἄψινθος, from “not to be drunk,” because of its unfitness and bitterness. Rev. 8:11. The allusion appears to be to the class of plants called Artemisia rather than to any particular variety.
Worship, Worshipper The principal word used for worship is προσκυνέω, “to adore,” to prostrate in homage. It is used for the homage given to man, Rev. 3:9; for the worship that will be given to the dragon and the beast, Rev. 13:4,8,12,15; and to the worship of God and of Christ, Matt. 2:2,11; Heb. 1:6; Rev. 4:10; 14:7, etc. It is the word in John 4:20-24, where the Lord said that worship to God must be in spirit and in truth, and that the Father seeketh such worshippers. The worship of the heart must answer to the nature of God and to the grace of the Father. Another Greek word, λατρεύω, Acts 24:14; Phil. 3:3, is often translated “serve,” and has been called “worship-service.” Anna “served” God with fasting and prayers night and day, Luke 2:37. It is to be rendered to God only, Matt. 4:10: see also 2 Tim. 1:3; Heb. 9:14; 12:28; 13:10; Rev. 7:15; 22:3.
Wot know. Acts 3:17.
Wreathen twisted. Ex. 28:14.
Wrestling This is doubtless an allusion to the contests with which the inhabitants of Ephesus were familiar. The Christian wrestles not against flesh and blood; but against the various powers of the enemy in the heavenlies. Eph. 6:12.
Wrinkle A symbol of care and old age. Eph. 5:27; Job 16:8.