The term "gazing-stock" refers to an object of public scorn, ridicule, or curiosity. In biblical contexts, it is used to describe individuals who are subjected to public humiliation or are made a spectacle before others. The concept is rooted in the experiences of early Christians and other biblical figures who endured persecution and mockery for their faith and actions.

Biblical References:

1. Hebrews 10:33 : "Sometimes you were publicly exposed to ridicule and persecution; at other times you were partners with those who were so treated." This verse highlights the experience of early Christians who were made a "gazing-stock" through public exposure to ridicule and persecution. The author of Hebrews encourages believers to remember their past sufferings and to stand firm in their faith despite such trials.

2. 1 Corinthians 4:9 : "For it seems to me that God has displayed us apostles at the end of the procession, like prisoners appointed for death. We have been made a spectacle to the whole world, to angels as well as to men." Here, the Apostle Paul describes the apostles as being made a spectacle, akin to a "gazing-stock," emphasizing the trials and public scrutiny they faced as they carried out their mission.

Historical and Cultural Context:

In the Greco-Roman world, public spectacles were common, often involving the display of prisoners or those condemned to death. Such spectacles served as a form of entertainment and a warning to others. The early Christians, by refusing to renounce their faith, often found themselves in similar situations, subjected to public mockery and persecution.

The term "gazing-stock" captures the essence of being put on display for the amusement or derision of others. It reflects the societal pressures and hostilities faced by those who stood firm in their beliefs, often at great personal cost.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, being made a "gazing-stock" is seen as a form of participation in the sufferings of Christ. Just as Jesus was mocked and scorned during His crucifixion, His followers are called to endure similar trials with patience and faith. This endurance is viewed as a testament to the believer's commitment to Christ and a means of sharing in His redemptive work.

The experience of being a "gazing-stock" also serves as a reminder of the transient nature of earthly suffering compared to the eternal glory promised to those who remain faithful. It encourages believers to focus on the eternal reward rather than the temporary shame imposed by the world.

Practical Application:

Believers today can draw strength from the examples of those who have been made "gazing-stocks" for their faith. In a world that often ridicules or misunderstands Christian values, the call to stand firm remains relevant. Christians are encouraged to support one another, as the early church did, and to find solace in the knowledge that their trials are not in vain but are part of a larger divine purpose.GAZING-STOCK

gaz'-ing-stok: This obsolete word occurs twice:

(1) in Nahum 3:6, as the translation of ro'i, "a sight" or "spectacle" (from ra'ah, "to look," "see," also "to look down upon," "despise,"); "I will. make thee vile, and will set thee as a gazing-stock," as one set up to be gazed at, mocked and despised-a form of punishment in olden times; compare "mocking stock" (2 Maccabees 7:7), and "laughing-stock" still in use. The Hebrew word occurs only here and in Genesis 16:13 1 Samuel 16:12; Job 7:8; Job 33:21, in which places it does not have the same bad meaning; for a similar threatening compare Isaiah 14:16 Jeremiah 51:37.

(2) In Hebrews 10:33, it is the translation of theatrizo, "to bring upon the theater," "to be made a spectacle of," "made a gazing stock both by reproaches and afflictions"; compare 1 Corinthians 4:9, theatron ginomai, where Paul says the apostles were "made a spectacle unto the world," the King James Version margin "(Greek) theater." The reference in both instances is to the custom of exhibiting criminals, and especially gladiators, men doomed to death, in theaters. "In the morning men are exposed to lions and bears; at mid-day to their spectators; those that kill are exposed to one another; the victor is detained for another slaughter; the conclusion of the fight is death" (Seneca, Ep. vii, quoted by Dr. A. Clarke on 1 Corinthians 4:9). We are apt to forget what the first preachers and professors of Christianity had to endure.

W. L. Walker

2301. theatrizo -- to make a spectacle of
... to put to shame, expose publicly. From theatron; to expose as a spectacle -- make
a gazing stock. see GREEK theatron. (theatrizomenoi) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2301.htm - 7k7210. roi -- looking, seeing, sight
... gazingstock, look to, that seeth. From ra'ah; sight, whether abstractly (vision)
or concretely (a spectacle) -- gazingstock, look to, (that) see(-th). ...
/hebrew/7210.htm - 6k

A Gazing-Stock.
... A GAZING-STOCK. In Heb.10:33 it is said that Christians are a gazing-stock.
The world is looking upon your life. You have taken ...
/.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/a gazing-stock.htm

Hebrews x. 32-34
... the former days, in which after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of
afflictions; [3175] partly, whilst ye were made a gazing stock both by ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxi hebrews x 32-34.htm

An Advance in the Exhortation.
... call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were enlightened, ye endured
a great conflict of sufferings; partly, being made a gazing-stock both by ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter ix an advance in.htm

An Exhortation to the People of God not to be Discouraged in their ...
... Lord Jesus Christ, so will it hate you: but be not discouraged, though we are here
the scorn and offscouring of all things; and are as a gazing stock to men ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/an exhortation to the people.htm

"But Jesus Sent Him Away" (Luke 8:00 38)
... One he sent away for investigation, saying, "Go ... show thyself to the priest."
Sometimes we must go out among our enemies and be a gazing-stock for them. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/naylor/heart talks/talk forty-seven but jesus sent.htm

The Jews in Vain Promise Themselves Salvation, which Cannot be ...
... For their worm shall not die, and their fire shall not be quenched, and they shall
be a gazing-stock to all flesh.' [2082] So that it becomes you to eradicate ...
/.../chapter xliv the jews in vain.htm

Passages of Scripture Respecting the Constancy, Patience, and Love ...
... call to mind the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a
great fight of afflictions; partly, whilst ye were made a gazing-stock, both by ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xvi passages of scripture respecting.htm

There was at that Time at Babylon one Nehemiah...
... now, for almost two hundred and fifty years, being leveled with the ground, furnished
a proof of the evils which had been endured, and a gazing-stock to their ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xi there was at.htm

Letter xviii. --To Flavian .
... remained sitting, still in the open air, and waited for the invitation indoors;
and at a most inopportune time I became, as I sat there, a gazing stock to all ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/letter xviii to flavian.htm

December 30. "That God Would Fulfil in You all the Good Pleasure ...
... We are a gazing-stock continually for angels and principalities, and every step
we take is critical and decisive for something in our eternal future. ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /december 30 that god would.htm

Gazingstock (2 Occurrences)
... 10:33, it is the translation of theatrizo, "to bring upon the theater," "to be made
a spectacle of," "made a gazingstock both by ...Gazingstock (2 Occurrences). ...
/g/gazingstock.htm - 9k

Gazing-stock (2 Occurrences)
Gazing-stock. Gazingstock, Gazing-stock. Gazite . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia ...
(ASV WBS). Gazingstock, Gazing-stock. Gazite . Reference Bible.
/g/gazing-stock.htm - 9k

Gazing (11 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Nahum 3:6 And I will cast abominable filth upon thee, and make thee vile,
and will set thee as a gazingstock. (Root in KJV ASV DBY WBS RSV). ...
/g/gazing.htm - 9k

Gazite (1 Occurrence)

/g/gazite.htm - 6k

Whilst (21 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 10:33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and
afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. ...
/w/whilst.htm - 12k

Afflictions (24 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 10:33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and
afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. ...
/a/afflictions.htm - 14k

Spectacle (6 Occurrences)
... something presented to view as extraordinary, or as unusual and worthy of special
notice; a remarkable or noteworthy sight; a show; a pageant; a gazingstock. ...
/s/spectacle.htm - 9k

Companions (58 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 10:33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and
afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. ...
/c/companions.htm - 23k

Chemosh (8 Occurrences)
... Mesha took `Ataroth which the king of Israel had built for himself, slew all the
people of the city, and made them a gazing-stock to Chemosh and to Moab. ...
/c/chemosh.htm - 20k

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