Lesson 53 formerly 33Q.
BIBLE WORD DEFINITIONS –‘SERAPHIM’ through ‘SON OF MAN’
INTRODUCTION
The actual meanings we apply to individual words in a scripture are critical to how we understand a verse we may be considering. As a way of helping us toward accurately understanding Bible word meanings as they were intended by the original writers, Bible dictionary definitions are explored in this lesson.
Here is an exercise with which you may test your current understanding of important words you will encounter in your Bible reading against one or more Bible dictionary definitions and contextual meanings.
It is suggested that you consider each word and first attempt to think of the initial meaning which comes to your mind. Then compare that with the definitions excerpted from Bible dictionaries for this lesson.
If you find these useful, you may wish to print a copy of the entire list from A- Z for future reference in your personal Bible reading. Reality based bible understanding demands ‘Accuracy’!
SCRIPTURAL REASON behind THIS EXERCISE
(From three Bible versions)
1 Tim. 2:4 whose will is that all sorts of men should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth NWT
1 Tim. 2:4 God wants everyone to be saved and to fully understand the truth.YLT
1 Timothy 2:4 who doth will all men to be saved, and to come to the full knowledge of the truth; ERV
Colossians 1:9 That is also why we, from the day we heard [of it], have not ceased praying for YOU and asking
that YOU may be filled with the accurate knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual comprehension. NWT
Colossians 1:9 For this reason we also, from the day we heard of it, have not ceased to pray and make [special]
request for you, [asking] that you may be filled with the full (deep and clear) knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom [in comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God] and in understanding and discernment of spiritual things— AMP
Colossians 1:9 Because of this, we also, from the day in which we heard, do not cease praying or you, and asking
that ye may be filled with the full knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, YLT
BIBLE WORD DEFINITIONS –‘SERAPHIM’ through ‘SON OF MAN’
INTRODUCTION
The actual meanings we apply to individual words in a scripture are critical to how we understand a verse we may be considering. As a way of helping us toward accurately understanding Bible word meanings as they were intended by the original writers, Bible dictionary definitions are explored in this lesson.
Here is an exercise with which you may test your current understanding of important words you will encounter in your Bible reading against one or more Bible dictionary definitions and contextual meanings.
It is suggested that you consider each word and first attempt to think of the initial meaning which comes to your mind. Then compare that with the definitions excerpted from Bible dictionaries for this lesson.
If you find these useful, you may wish to print a copy of the entire list from A- Z for future reference in your personal Bible reading. Reality based bible understanding demands ‘Accuracy’!
SCRIPTURAL REASON behind THIS EXERCISE
(From three Bible versions)
1 Tim. 2:4 whose will is that all sorts of men should be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of truth NWT
1 Tim. 2:4 God wants everyone to be saved and to fully understand the truth.YLT
1 Timothy 2:4 who doth will all men to be saved, and to come to the full knowledge of the truth; ERV
Colossians 1:9 That is also why we, from the day we heard [of it], have not ceased praying for YOU and asking
that YOU may be filled with the accurate knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual comprehension. NWT
Colossians 1:9 For this reason we also, from the day we heard of it, have not ceased to pray and make [special]
request for you, [asking] that you may be filled with the full (deep and clear) knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom [in comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God] and in understanding and discernment of spiritual things— AMP
Colossians 1:9 Because of this, we also, from the day in which we heard, do not cease praying or you, and asking
that ye may be filled with the full knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, YLT
USING THESE DEFINITIONS EFFECTIVELY
If you have done the exercise correctly, you most likely found some of your definitions were either the same or similar to the Bible dictionary definitions, while others were quite different. A word of caution here. When it comes to the Bible and ‘accurate’ knowledge, ‘similar’ is not adequate. YHWH God, who inspired the Scriptures is a master of subtleties in words. When he inspired writers to use certain words to express his thoughts he had good reason behind their use. In evaluating scriptural meaning, one must always weigh Bible dictionary meanings above secular meanings when there seems to be either a conflict or confusion as to their meaning.
However, even in Bible dictionary definitions one soon discovers that it is not entirely unusual to confront a word that has several different meanings in biblical applications. In this case context plays an important part in revealing which definition is most suitable. Immediate, intermediate and overall context (the ‘synergy’ principal) will in most cases reveal the most applicable meaning conforming to overall scriptural truth. Then, as always when studying the Bible, prayer is an all important tool for making decisions based on what one learns.
There is no Review Section for this lesson since the entire lesson is in itself an exercise in using correct definitions for important scriptural word meanings. The next lesson will continue the consideration of Bible dictionary meanings for words from A. – Z. and cover ‘The eleven different definitions for 'SPIRIT' through 'SPIRITS'.
If you have done the exercise correctly, you most likely found some of your definitions were either the same or similar to the Bible dictionary definitions, while others were quite different. A word of caution here. When it comes to the Bible and ‘accurate’ knowledge, ‘similar’ is not adequate. YHWH God, who inspired the Scriptures is a master of subtleties in words. When he inspired writers to use certain words to express his thoughts he had good reason behind their use. In evaluating scriptural meaning, one must always weigh Bible dictionary meanings above secular meanings when there seems to be either a conflict or confusion as to their meaning.
However, even in Bible dictionary definitions one soon discovers that it is not entirely unusual to confront a word that has several different meanings in biblical applications. In this case context plays an important part in revealing which definition is most suitable. Immediate, intermediate and overall context (the ‘synergy’ principal) will in most cases reveal the most applicable meaning conforming to overall scriptural truth. Then, as always when studying the Bible, prayer is an all important tool for making decisions based on what one learns.
There is no Review Section for this lesson since the entire lesson is in itself an exercise in using correct definitions for important scriptural word meanings. The next lesson will continue the consideration of Bible dictionary meanings for words from A. – Z. and cover ‘The eleven different definitions for 'SPIRIT' through 'SPIRITS'.