Notable
The Meaning of "Notable" in Scripture
The English word "notable" translates several Hebrew and Greek terms in the Bible, each carrying nuances of visibility, significance, or renown. In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word chazuth (from chazah, meaning "to see") conveys something conspicuous or visually prominent. The New Testament employs Greek words like gnōstos ("known"), episēmos ("noted" or "marked"), and epiphanēs ("manifest" or "illustrious") to describe people or events of particular significance.
Notable Figures and Events
Several biblical narratives feature "notable" individuals. In Acts 4:16, the religious leaders in Jerusalem acknowledge the apostles' "notable miracle" (using gnōstos) in healing a lame man, a sign they cannot deny. The term also describes people of reputation within the early church, such as Andronicus and Junia, who were "notable among the apostles" (Romans 16:7, using episēmos). In a more negative example, Matthew 27:16 references Barabbas as a "notable prisoner" (episēmos), a man infamous for his rebellion.
Prophecy features notable objects as symbols of power. In Daniel's vision, a "notable horn" emerges from a goat, representing a powerful king (Daniel 8:5, 8). This horn becomes a focal point of the prophecy concerning the rise and fall of empires.
The "Notable Day" of the Lord
A primary theological use of "notable" appears in prophecies concerning the Day of the Lord. Peter, quoting Joel 2:31 in his Pentecost sermon, declares, "The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come" (Acts 2:20). Here, "notable" translates the Greek epiphanēs, meaning "illustrious" or "manifest." This day is not merely conspicuous; it is the ultimate manifestation of God's judgment and salvation. The prophet Malachi similarly describes it as "the great and dreadful day of the Lord" (Malachi 4:5), linking its notability to divine awe and fear.
Significance in Biblical Interpretation
The biblical use of "notable" serves as a literary and theological highlight. It directs the reader's attention to key moments where God's purpose breaks into human history with undeniable clarity. Whether marking a miraculous sign confirming apostolic authority, identifying influential leaders in the nascent church, or pointing to the climactic day of God's intervention, the term signals something that demands recognition. It teaches that God acts in history in ways that are observable and significant, leaving markers that point to His power, judgment, and plan of redemption through Christ. The "notable day" ultimately finds its fulfillment in the return of Jesus Christ, the most conspicuous and manifest event in all of history.
Biblical Context
The term appears in narrative, prophetic, and epistolary contexts across both testaments. In the Old Testament, it is found in the prophetic book of Daniel (8:5, 8) describing symbolic horns. In the New Testament, it appears in the Gospels (Matthew 27:16), the book of Acts (2:20; 4:16), and the epistles (Romans 16:7). It describes miraculous signs, influential people, prophetic symbols, and the eschatological Day of the Lord, playing a role in highlighting divine action and significant persons within the biblical story.
Theological Significance
"Notable" points to the visibility and undeniable nature of God's works in history. It underscores that God's miracles, His appointed leaders, and His final judgment are not hidden but are manifest acts meant to be seen and acknowledged. The "great and notable day of the Lord" (Acts 2:20) is the ultimate theological anchor for this concept, teaching about God's sovereignty over history, the certainty of final judgment, and the hope of salvation. It affirms that biblical faith is grounded in public, observable divine action, culminating in the return of Christ.
Historical Background
The Greek terms used in the New Testament, such as epiphanēs, were common in the Hellenistic world. "Epiphanes" was a royal title (e.g., Antiochus IV Epiphanes), associating notability with royal power and public manifestation. This cultural context informs the biblical usage, applying a term of worldly renown to divine acts. The concept of a "notable" or "terrible" day of judgment has parallels in ancient Near Eastern prophetic literature, where gods were believed to intervene visibly in human affairs. The biblical prophets and apostles uniquely anchor this notability in the character and covenant of Yahweh.