I’ve heard it all my life, but when I heard the expression again the other day, I paused to reflect on the exact meaning of, “Lo and behold”! It’s actually an exclamation meant to draw attention to something. It is used especially to announce things that are considered important, thus it is often written with an exclamation mark. The word “lo” is a shortening of “look”. So, “lo and behold” has the meaning of “look! – behold”!. “Lo” is also akin to “O”, and has been in use since the first Millennium. In the early 1970s Bob Dylan sang: “Lo and behold! Lo and behold! Lookin’ for my lo and behold,” and said the words were based on an oft-repeated phrase of the Old Testament prophets. Something not very far removed from “lo and behold” appears in the Bible in Genesis 15:3 (King James Version): “And Abram said, Behold, to me thou hast given no seed: and, lo, one born in my house is mine heir.” The person using the phrase (that sent me wondering) was giving their testimony, and said “Lo and behold, I discovered that God loved me more than I loved myself.” “Lo and behold” indeed! Have you had any “Lo and behold” moments lately? This might be a good time to pause and thank God for the “Lo and behold” experiences in your life.
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