Leslie Coutinho

Luke 2:25: And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

As the light that had sprung up, to the wise men from the east and to the shepherds abiding in the field, Simeon was one of those just and devout men of God having the Holy Ghost upon him waiting for the consolation of the great light the “Messiah.” (Mat 2:1/Luk 2:8-9) He was given the promise that he would not pass away till he saw the Messiah with his own eyes. The Spirit of the Lord led Simeon into the temple. As the Lord Jesus was brought by His parents to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord, he then took the child, lifted Him in his arms, and blessed God the Father. (Luk 2:26-28) For they who dwelled in the land of the shadow of death, and upon them hath the light that sprung up as written by the prophet Isaiah for salvation. (Mat 4:14-16/Isa 9:2)

The children of Israel kept sinning against the Lord their God, who brought them out of the land of Egypt. They feared other gods and walked in the statutes of the heathen and did things secretly that were not right, built high places in all the cities where they lived and set images and groves and served their idols. (2 Kings 17:7-12) The people walked in darkness and dwelt in the land of the shadow of death the heavenly Father promised Abraham and Moses that he would take them to the promised land. (Gen 12:7/15:18/Exo 33:1) For they lived in fear in the days of Herod the king, that the Romans would come and take away both their place and nation for they were waiting for the redemption of Israel. (Mat 2:3/John 11:48)

Simeon waited for the consolation (comfort) of Israel to be brought through the redeemer, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet saying, "The land of Zabulon and the land of Nephthalim by the way of the sea beyond Jordan Galilee of the Gentiles which sat in darkness and saw a great light; and to those who set in the region in the shadow of death where the light sprung to them." He was a just and devout man, having the Holy Ghost upon him that revealed unto him the coming of the Savior. (Isa 9:1)

Luke 2:34: And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against."

February 12 2024 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Zachary Campbell

There are actually several figures named Simeon in the Bible, but two are particularly notable:

**1. Simeon, the son of Jacob:**

* Born to Jacob and Leah as their second son (Genesis 29:33).
* Known for his temper and violent tendencies, particularly in the incidents involving Dinah and Joseph (Genesis 34, 37).
* He and his brother Levi received a rebuke from their father Jacob before his death (Genesis 49:5-7).
* His descendants formed the Tribe of Simeon within the Israelite nation.

**2. Simeon in the Gospel of Luke:**

* Described as a "just and devout" man living in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus' birth (Luke 2:25).
* The Holy Spirit revealed to him that he wouldn't die until he saw the Messiah (Luke 2:26).
* Guided by the Spirit, he went to the Temple and recognized the baby Jesus as the Christ (Luke 2:27-28).
* He uttered a prophetic blessing over Jesus and Mary, foreseeing his suffering and Mary's sorrow (Luke 2:29-35).

Therefore, depending on the context, "Simeon in the Bible" could refer to either the son of Jacob or the righteous man who encountered Jesus as a baby. Their roles are quite different, though both offer interesting insights into different aspects of biblical narratives.

Do you have any further questions about a specific Simeon or a specific biblical reference?

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