Visitation
VISITATION
The survey or inspection performed by a bishop in his diocess, to examine into the state of the church. In a divine or spiritual sense, it is taken either for a communication of divine love, or for any calamity affecting a nation.
Fuente: Theological Dictionary
Visitation
(, ), in Scripture language, is sometimes taken for a visit of mercy from God (Gen 1:24; Exo 13:19; Luk 1:66, etc.), but oftener for a visit of rigor and vengeance. Day of visitation, year of visitation, or time of visitation, generally signifies the time of affliction and vengeance; or of close inspection (Exo 22:14; Isa 23:17; 1Pe 2:12, etc.).
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Visitation (2)
in ecclesiastical phrase, is the inspection of a province, diocese archdeaconry, or parish church. Formerly these visits were performed by the officer with a large retinue, greatly to the inconvenience of curates and vicars. As early as 1179 action was taken by the pope restricting the retinue of the visiting prelate) and such restrictive measures have been passed frequently since. In the Church of England, the bishop visits once in three years, in order to give his charge and to make iniquity as to the state of the churches. The archdeacon visits in his place in the interim. The term is also applied to the work of the pastor, in Protestant churches, of calling upon the members of the Church to inquire as to the prosperity of their souls. In a divine or spiritual sense, the term is applied to either a communication of divine love, or to any calamity, individual or national.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Visitation
VISITATION.1. The ecclesiastical term applied to the visit of the Virgin Mary to Elisabeth three months before the birth of the Baptist (Luk 1:39-56), commemorated in Western Church Calendars on 2nd July.
2. (Luk 19:44). Occurs only once in the Gospels, but is found also in Act 1:20, where it = charge, office, bishopric (Authorized Version ); cf. 1Ti 3:1, where it = oversight, office of a bishop (Authorized Version ). It occurs in a sense more nearly approaching that of Luk 19:44 in 1Pe 2:12, where, however, the day of visitation ( ) seems to imply trial and affliction, whereas in Luk 19:44 the time of visitation ( ) is suggestive rather of the special care and mercy of God, and the opportunity thereby afforded.
In classical Greek is found only in Lucian, being the usual form. In LXX Septuagint , are rendered by , (Gen 50:24-25, Exo 3:16; Exo 13:19, Isa 10:3 [ , as in 1Pe 2:12], Jer 10:15 [ , as in Luk 19:44], Psa 8:4). In the Apocrypha the word is used in the sense of inspection or examination, though in Wis 14:11 there is an implication of Divine wrath, derived, however, mainly from the context. In NT is used to signify visitation in sympathy or compassion (Mat 25:36; Mat 25:43, Jam 1:27); Gods gracious regard (Luk 1:68; Luk 1:78; Luk 7:16, Act 15:14, Heb 2:6); in the sense of going and seeing (Act 7:23); and to imply enquiry for the purpose of selection (Act 6:3).
To the general use of , , we may find a parallel in the use of the English word regard, which, in addition to the sense of observation, may imply also a kindly or gracious purpose. may be said generally to signify critical inspection (by God), in which due regard is had to the good and bad features in the characters of the persons inspected. implies also a Divine purpose of blessing. [The technical use of , indicated above, to denote the office of a bishop, is of course secondary]. Thus in Luk 19:44 we may understand the time of visitation as being either the time during which Jerusalem was being critically regarded by God, and neglected, through ignorance of this inspection, to display those features of national character which would have redeemed it in Gods eyes; or the time of spiritual opportunity, afforded by the presence of God manifest in the flesh, in which it might have known and sought the things which belonged unto its peace. In the latter sense, the time of visitation would be equivalent to this thy day in Luk 19:42.
S. J. Ramsay Sibbald.
Fuente: A Dictionary Of Christ And The Gospels
Visitation
viz-i-tashun, vis- (, pekuddah; , episkope): In Biblical writings, the divine investigation or inspection of men’s character and deeds with a view to apportioning to them their due lot, whether of reward or of chastisement; divine dispensation of mercy or of punishment. (1) In a general sense: Visited after the visitation of all men (Num 16:29), i.e. in natural death, the usual lot of men, as opposed to a calamitous death; She shall have fruit in the visitation of souls (The Wisdom of Solomon 3:13 the King James Version), i.e. in the time of divine judgment. So Sirach 18:20 and perhaps 1Pe 2:12. (2) In a good sense, of God’s care, providence and mercy: Thy visitation (the Revised Version margin care) hath preserved my spirit (Job 10:12). So Luk 19:44, and, according to some, 1Pe 2:12 (see above). (3) Most frequently in an evil sense, of calamity or distress viewed as divine punishment: What will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? (Isa 10:3). So Jer 8:12; Jer 10:15; Jer 11:23; Jer 23:12; Jer 46:21; Jer 48:44; Jer 50:27; Jer 51:18; Hos 9:7; Mic 7:4; The Wisdom of Solomon 14:11.
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Visitation
for which see BISHOP, No. 2, denotes “a visitation,” whether in mercy, Luk 19:44, or in judgment, 1Pe 2:12.