Bible Dictionary
ASTONISHMENT
Astonishment is amazement, wonder, or startled surprise. In Scripture it may describe the response to God’s works, the greatness of the temple, or the calamities brought upon a people under judgment.
Definition
Astonishment is amazement, mental surprise, excitement, or wonder. It may describe either the startled emotion itself or something that causes such a response.
Biblical Usage
Scripture uses astonishment for the response to calamity, the fate of a people punished for idolatry, and the splendor of Solomon’s temple.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>as-ton'-ish-ment: Amazement; mental surprise, excitement, wonder; often the cause of the startled emotion, as in De 28:37: "Thou shall become an astonishment." The chosen people, visited with calamities for idolatry would become a source of amazement to all nations (Jer 25:9,11,18); Solomon's' lofty and beautiful temple would be "an astonishment" (2Ch 7:21 the King James Version). For original terms and fuller study see ASTONISHED.</p>