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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Chaos</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/c/chaos.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/luke/10-38.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/c/chaos.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Chaos</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/c/chanuneus.htm" title="Chanuneus">◄</a> Chaos <a href="/topical/c/chapel.htm" title="Chapel">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#top" title="Topical Bible Verses">Topical</a> • <a href="#web" title="Webster's Dictionary">Webster's</a> • <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#heb" title="Strong's Hebrew Concordance">Hebrew</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>In the context of biblical literature, "chaos" often refers to the state of disorder and confusion that existed before God's creative order was established. The concept of chaos is primarily associated with the creation narrative found in the Book of Genesis.<br><br><b>Genesis and the Primordial Chaos</b><br><br>The opening verses of Genesis describe the earth as "formless and void" (<a href="/genesis/1-2.htm">Genesis 1:2</a>), with darkness over the surface of the deep. This depiction suggests a primordial chaos, a state of disorder that precedes the divine act of creation. The Hebrew term "tohu wa-bohu" is often translated as "formless and void," indicating a lack of structure and order. The Spirit of God hovering over the waters signifies the impending transformation from chaos to cosmos, as God begins to speak creation into existence.<br><br><b>Chaos in Ancient Near Eastern Context</b><br><br>In the ancient Near Eastern context, chaos was often personified as a cosmic sea or a dragon-like creature that needed to be subdued by a deity. While the Bible does not explicitly personify chaos in this way, the imagery of God bringing order to the chaotic waters aligns with these cultural motifs. The biblical narrative, however, emphasizes the sovereignty and power of the one true God over any chaotic forces, contrasting with polytheistic myths where gods struggle against chaos.<br><br><b>Theological Implications</b><br><br>The biblical account of creation underscores the theme of God's sovereignty and order. By transforming chaos into a structured and harmonious universe, God establishes His authority over all creation. This act of bringing order out of chaos is foundational to understanding God's nature as a God of order, not confusion (<a href="/1_corinthians/14-33.htm">1 Corinthians 14:33</a>).<br><br><b>Chaos and Eschatology</b><br><br>In eschatological passages, chaos is often depicted as a force that will be ultimately subdued in the final establishment of God's kingdom. The imagery of a new heaven and a new earth in Revelation suggests a return to divine order, where chaos and disorder are permanently eradicated. <a href="/revelation/21.htm">Revelation 21:1</a> states, "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more." The absence of the sea, often symbolic of chaos, indicates the complete triumph of God's order.<br><br><b>Moral and Spiritual Chaos</b><br><br>Beyond the physical realm, chaos can also refer to moral and spiritual disorder. The Bible frequently addresses the chaos that results from sin and rebellion against God. The fall of humanity introduced a moral chaos that disrupted the intended harmony between God, humanity, and creation. Throughout Scripture, God calls His people to live in accordance with His divine order, offering redemption and restoration through Jesus Christ.<br><br><b>Conclusion</b><br><br>The biblical concept of chaos serves as a backdrop for understanding God's creative power, His sovereignty over disorder, and His ultimate plan to restore order to His creation. Through the narrative of Scripture, chaos is depicted not as an insurmountable force, but as a condition that God has already begun to transform and will ultimately overcome in the fulfillment of His divine purposes.<a name="top" id="top"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Bible Verses</div><span class="rtext"><a href="/context/luke/10-38.htm">Luke 10:38-42</a></span><br>Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.<br><span class="source">Topicalbible.org</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/hebrews/13-17.htm">Hebrews 13:17</a></span><br>Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.<br><span class="source">Topicalbible.org</span><p><a name="web" id="web"></a><div class="vheading2">Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary</div>1. (<I>n.</I>) A disorderly, confused, condition or state.<p>2. (<I>n.</I>) The confused, unorganized condition or mass of matter before the creation of distinct and orderly forms.<p>3. (<I>n.</I>) Any confused or disordered collection or state of things; a confused mixture; confusion; disorder.<a name="heb" id="heb"></a><div class="vheading2">Strong's Hebrew</div><a href="/hebrew/8414.htm"><span class="l">8414. tohu -- formlessness, confusion, unreality, emptiness</span></a><br><b>...</b> Word Origin from an unused word Definition formlessness, confusion, unreality,<br> emptiness NASB Word Usage <b>chaos</b> (1), confusion (1), desolation (1), emptiness (1 <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/8414.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/farrar/gathering_clouds_a_tale_of_the_days_of_st_chrysostom/a_chaos_of_hatreds.htm"><span class="l">A <b>Chaos</b> of Hatreds</span></a> <br><b>...</b> BOOK III A <b>CHAOS</b> OF HATREDS. Omai convien che tu cos?� ti spoltre, Disse il maestro;<br> ch?? seggendo in piuma. In fama non si vien, n?? sotto coltre. Dante, Inf. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../gathering clouds a tale of the days of st chrysostom/a chaos of hatreds.htm</font><p><a href="/library/unknown/the_clementine_homilies/chapter_iv_origin_of_chaos.htm"><span class="l">Origin of <b>Chaos</b>.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Homily VI. Chapter IV."Origin of <b>Chaos</b>. "This matter, of four kinds, and<br> endowed with life, was an entire infinite abyss, so to <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter iv origin of chaos.htm</font><p><a href="/library/chesterton/whats_wrong_with_the_world/chapter_36_through_all_this.htm"><span class="l">Through all this <b>Chaos</b>, Then we Come Back once More to Our Main <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> Chapter 36 Through all this <b>chaos</b>, then we come back once more to our main<br> conclusion.? Through all this <b>chaos</b>, then we come back <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 36 through all this.htm</font><p><a href="/library/tertullian/against_hermogenes/chapter_xxix_the_gradual_development_of.htm"><span class="l">The Gradual Development of Cosmical Order Out of <b>Chaos</b> in the <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> Chapter XXIX."The Gradual Development of Cosmical Order Out of <b>Chaos</b> in<br> the Creation, Beautifully Stated. God, indeed, consummated <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../tertullian/against hermogenes/chapter xxix the gradual development of.htm</font><p><a href="/library/unknown/the_clementine_homilies/chapter_iii_appion_proceeds_to_interpret.htm"><span class="l">Appion Proceeds to Interpret the Myths.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> "There was once a time when nothing existed but <b>chaos</b> and a confused mixture of<br> orderless elements, which were as yet simply heaped together. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter iii appion proceeds to interpret.htm</font><p><a href="/library/theophilus/theophilus_to_autolycus/chapter_vi_hesiod_on_the_origin.htm"><span class="l">Hesiod on the Origin of the World.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> "First of all things was <b>chaos</b> made, and next. Broad-bosom'd earth's foundations<br> firm were fixed,. <b>...</b> From <b>chaos</b> Erebus and night were born,. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter vi hesiod on the origin.htm</font><p><a href="/library/drummond/natural_law_in_the_spiritual_world/part_i.htm"><span class="l">part i.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Phenomena were studied alone. The world then was a <b>chaos</b>, a collection of<br> single, isolated, and independent facts. Deeper thinkers saw <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/natural law in the spiritual world/part i.htm</font><p><a href="/library/jennings/old_groans_and_new_songs/chapter_ix_the_last_two.htm"><span class="l">The Last Two Verses of Chapterviii. ...</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Nothing could so powerfully speak the awful <b>chaos</b> of his soul; and"mark it<br> well"in that same awful <b>chaos</b> would you and I be at any moment, my reader, if we <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../jennings/old groans and new songs/chapter ix the last two.htm</font><p><a href="/library/kleiser/fifteen_thousand_useful_phrases/section_ii_significant_phrases.htm"><span class="l">Significant Phrases</span></a> <br><b>...</b> analytical and critical. anarchy and <b>chaos</b>. ancient and venerable. anecdote and<br> reminiscence. <b>...</b> change and variety. <b>chaos</b> and confusion. character and temperament. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section ii significant phrases.htm</font><p><a href="/library/brownlie/hymns_from_the_morningland/o_god_of_our_salvation.htm"><span class="l">O God of Our Salvation,</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Arose from brooding night; And <b>chaos</b>, and confusion,. To form and order sped,. <b>...</b> Speak<br> as of old, and banish. The <b>chaos</b> and the night,. And bid their sorrows vanish <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../brownlie/hymns from the morningland/o god of our salvation.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/c/chaos.htm"><span class="l"><b>Chaos</b> (4 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 3. (n.) Any confused or disordered collection or state of things; a confused mixture;<br> confusion; disorder. Multi-Version Concordance <b>Chaos</b> (4 Occurrences). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/c/chaos.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/c/cosmological.htm"><span class="l">Cosmological</span></a><br><b>...</b> Hesiod's poem is a confused story of how from <b>Chaos</b> came forth Earth, Tartarus<br> (Hell), Eros (Love) and Erebus (Night). Erebus gives birth to Aether (Day). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/c/cosmological.htm - 33k</font><p><a href="/topical/w/world.htm"><span class="l">World (2829 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Hesiod's poem is a confused story of how from <b>Chaos</b> came forth Earth, Tartarus<br> (Hell), Eros (Love) and Erebus (Night). Erebus gives birth to Aether (Day). <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/w/world.htm - 40k</font><p><a href="/topical/c/chapel.htm"><span class="l">Chapel (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/c/chapel.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/j/jehoiakim.htm"><span class="l">Jehoiakim (37 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> of his acts" we are referred, also for the last time, to the "book of the kings<br> of Israel and Judah." 2. Prophetic: For the moral and spiritual <b>chaos</b> of the <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/j/jehoiakim.htm - 33k</font><p><a href="/topical/d/deep.htm"><span class="l">Deep (237 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Used to denote (1) the grave or the abyss (Romans 10:7; Luke 8:31); (2) the deepest<br> part of the sea (Psalm 69:15); (3) the <b>chaos</b> mentioned in Genesis 1:2; (4 <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/d/deep.htm - 41k</font><p><a href="/topical/b/benammi.htm"><span class="l">Benammi (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Gunkel (Schopfung und <b>Chaos</b>, 190) suggests that the narrative (Genesis 19:30-38)<br> was originally a Moabitic account tracing the common origin of Moab and Ammon <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/benammi.htm - 9k</font><p><a href="/topical/b/ben-ammi.htm"><span class="l">Ben-ammi (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Gunkel (Schopfung und <b>Chaos</b>, 190) suggests that the narrative (Genesis 19:30-38)<br> was originally a Moabitic account tracing the common origin of Moab and Ammon <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/b/ben-ammi.htm - 9k</font><p><a href="/topical/c/chanuneus.htm"><span class="l">Chanuneus</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/c/chanuneus.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/a/astronomy.htm"><span class="l">Astronomy</span></a><br><b>...</b> 2) The Alexandrian Conception 4. The Windows of Heaven 5. Rain 6. Clouds 7. The<br> Deep (1) Meaning of the Word (2) The Babylonian Dragon of <b>Chaos</b> LITERATURE The <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/a/astronomy.htm - 40k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/God-is-not-the-author-of-confusion.html">What does it mean that God is not the author of confusion? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Islamic-antichrist.html">Islamic antichrist? Will the antichrist be a Muslim? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Reptilian-conspiracy.html">What is the Reptilian conspiracy? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://clyx.com/term/chaos.htm">Chaos: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Chaos (4 Occurrences)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/job/10-22.htm">Job 10:22</a></span><br />the land dark as midnight, of the shadow of death, without any order, where the light is as midnight.'"<br /><span class="source">(See RSV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/isaiah/24-10.htm">Isaiah 24:10</a></span><br />The town is waste and broken down: every house is shut up, so that no man may come in.<br /><span class="source">(See NAS RSV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/isaiah/34-11.htm">Isaiah 34:11</a></span><br />But the birds of the waste land will have their place there; it will be a heritage for the bittern and the raven: and it will be measured out with line and weight as a waste land. <br /><span class="source">(See RSV NIV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/isaiah/45-18.htm">Isaiah 45:18</a></span><br />For this is the word of the Lord who made the heavens; he is God; the maker and designer of the earth; who made it not to be a waste, but as a living-place for man: I am the Lord, and there is no other.<br /><span class="source">(See RSV)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/c/chaos.htm">Chaos</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/tower.htm">Tower (74 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/sinai.htm">Sinai (38 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/z/zarephath.htm">Zarephath (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/j/jokneam.htm">Jokneam (5 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/eunuch.htm">Eunuch (20 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/bethel.htm">Bethel (67 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/bush.htm">Bush (14 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/chaphenatha.htm">Chaphenatha</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/chaplet.htm">Chaplet (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/chaos.htm">Chaos (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/o/olives.htm">Olives (30 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/moab.htm">Moab (162 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/aaron.htm">Aaron (343 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/carmel.htm">Carmel (33 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/k/kir.htm">Kir (11 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/malchiel.htm">Malchiel (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/j/jacob's.htm">Jacob's (34 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/z/zoan.htm">Zoan (7 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/babel.htm">Babel (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/dispersion.htm">Dispersion (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/assyria.htm">Assyria (124 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/w/well.htm">Well (2882 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon (277 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/temple.htm">Temple (614 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/c/chanuneus.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Chanuneus"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Chanuneus" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/c/chapel.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Chapel"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Chapel" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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