Voice
Summary
Voice in Scripture refers both to human speech and to divine communication, with the 'voice of God' or 'voice from heaven' representing God's direct revelation to humanity at crucial moments.
☩The Voice of God
The phrase 'voice of God' is equivalent to the command of God, found in passages like Hebrews 3:7 and 4:7 quoting Psalm 95. Stephen refers to God's self-revelation to Moses as 'the voice of the Lord.' The call or command of God to the soul is not always an audible message but rather an inward impression wrought within consciousness by the Divine Spirit, though accompanying phenomena of vision or sound may vary. In Paul's conversion, for example, the call of Christ took the form of an audible appeal, yet his companions heard sound without articulate words.
☩The Voice from Heaven
A heavenly voice is recorded in the Synoptics at Jesus' baptism and transfiguration, and in John 12:28 before the Passion. At the baptism, the voice declared 'This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.' At the transfiguration, a voice from the cloud commanded, 'Hear him.' These heavenly voices combine Scripture passages in a manner similar to the Rabbinical Bath Kol, which was regarded as one of the organs of divine revelation after prophecy ceased in Israel.
☩The Bath Kol in Jewish Tradition
The 'Bath Kol' (daughter voice) in Rabbinical literature frequently introduced divine revelation. It was heard throughout biblical times, especially during the classical period while the Holy Spirit abode in fullness among the people. After prophecy ended, it was regarded as the only means of divine revelation still operative. However, by the second century it fell into disrepute, and the Rabbis decided that no attention should be paid to it when contradicting the moral conviction of the majority—'The Torah is not in heaven.'
Related Verses470 mentions
References
- 1.James Hastings (ed.), "Voice," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
- 2.James Hastings (ed.), "Voice," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).