Topical Encyclopedia
The term "acquaint" in the context of the Bible often refers to the process of gaining knowledge or becoming familiar with someone or something. In the spiritual sense, it is frequently associated with developing a relationship with God, understanding His ways, and aligning oneself with His will.
Biblical Usage:1.
Job 22:21 : "Reconcile now and be at peace with Him; thereby good will come to you." In this verse, the term "reconcile" is often translated as "acquaint" in other versions, suggesting the importance of becoming familiar with God and His ways to experience peace and blessings. The verse emphasizes the necessity of establishing a relationship with God as a foundation for receiving His goodness.
2.
Psalm 139:1-3 : "O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down; You are aware of all my ways." This passage highlights God's intimate knowledge of individuals, suggesting that being acquainted with God involves recognizing His omniscience and His deep understanding of our lives.
3.
Proverbs 3:5-6 : "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Here, the act of acknowledging God can be seen as a form of acquainting oneself with Him, where trust and recognition of His sovereignty lead to divine guidance.
Theological Implications:Acquainting oneself with God is a recurring theme in Scripture, underscoring the importance of knowing God personally and intimately. This knowledge is not merely intellectual but involves a relational aspect where believers are called to walk closely with God, understand His character, and live according to His commandments.
Practical Application:1.
Prayer and Meditation: Engaging in regular prayer and meditation on God's Word is a primary means of becoming acquainted with Him. Through these spiritual disciplines, believers can deepen their understanding of God's nature and His will for their lives.
2.
Study of Scripture: Diligent study of the Bible is essential for gaining knowledge of God's attributes, His promises, and His expectations for His people. Scripture serves as the primary source for understanding how to live a life that is pleasing to God.
3.
Community and Fellowship: Being part of a community of believers provides opportunities to learn from others' experiences and insights, fostering a deeper acquaintance with God through shared worship, teaching, and encouragement.
Historical Context:In the ancient Near Eastern context, being acquainted with a deity often involved rituals and practices aimed at appeasing or gaining favor. However, the biblical concept of acquainting oneself with God is distinct in that it emphasizes a personal and covenantal relationship rather than mere ritualistic observance.
Conclusion:The biblical call to acquaint oneself with God is an invitation to enter into a transformative relationship characterized by trust, obedience, and love. Through this relationship, believers are assured of God's guidance, peace, and blessings as they navigate the complexities of life.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To make familiar; to furnish or give experimental knowledge of; as, to acquaint oneself with local customs.
2. (v. t.) To communicate notice to; to inform; to make cognizant; -- followed by with (formerly, also, by of), or by that, introducing the intelligence; as, to acquaint a friend with the particulars of an act.
3. (v. t.) To familiarize; to accustom.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ACQUAINT; ACQUAINTANCEa-kwant', a-kwan'-tans (gnostoi): Terms referring to various degrees of knowledge, but implying more or less detailed information; applied to God's omniscience (Psalm 139:3), to the grief of the Suffering Servant of Yahweh (Isaiah 53:3), and to the knowledge which man should have of God. The noun in the concrete, unless limited by a qualifying term, means more than one who has been known simply in passing, and implies a degree of intimacy, as may be seen inLuke 2:44;Luke 23:492 Kings 12:5.
H. E. Jacobs
Strong's Hebrew
5090. nahag -- to drive, conduct... 5089, 5090. nahag. 5090a . to drive, conduct. Transliteration: nahag Phonetic
Spelling: (naw-hag') Short Definition:
acquaint.
acquaint...5532. cakan -- to be of use or service, benefit
...acquaint self, be advantage, ever, be, unprofitable, treasurer, be wont
A primitive root; to be familiar with; by implication, to...
Library
M. Anonymous.Acquaint Thee with God.
... VI. THE CHRISTIAN CHARACTER. 199. 11s. M. Anonymous.Acquaint Thee with
God. 1Acquaint thee, O spirit,acquaint thee with God, And...
How St. Augustine, Being Made a Bishop, Sent toAcquaint Pope...
... Augustine, being made a bishop, sent toacquaint Pope Gregory with what had been
done in Britain, and asked and received replies, of which he stood in need....
Preparatory Considerations.
... such a purpose? Suppose him to design for mankind a future state; is it
unlikely that he shouldacquaint him with it? Now in what...
Index of First Lines.
... According to Thy gracious word, 139Acquaint thee, O spirit,acquaint thee with
God, 199 Affliction's faded form draws nigh, 329 Ages, ages have departed, 439...
Letter Xcix. (AD 408 or Beginning of 409. )
... By his letter we have been greatly distressed, because he has taken pains toacquaint
us [2316] with the things which are taking place in the city (Rome) or...
Letter Lxxxvi. (AD 405. )
... of God which make you rejoice in Him from whom they came, and from whom you hope
to receive yet greater things,"have moved me toacquaint your Excellency by...
Knowledge and Peace
... THE BOOK OF JOB KNOWLEDGE AND PEACE. 'Acquaint now thyself with Him, and
be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.'"Job 22:21....
Watkinson -- the Transfigured Sackcloth
... to do; we have an unpleasant feeling that all is not right, nay, indeed, that something
is seriously wrong; but we do not unshrinkinglyacquaint ourselves with...
Introduction
... One cannotacquaint himself with the Church of the Apostles, with its glowing service,
and with the noble stand it has made, and still maintains, for the truth...
Letter iii. (AD 387. )
... the mind. This world with which our sensesacquaint us is surely the image
of some world which the understanding apprehends. Now...
Thesaurus
Acquaint (1 Occurrence)... 1. (vt) To make familiar; to furnish or give experimental knowledge of; as,
to
acquaint oneself with local customs.
...ACQUAINT; ACQUAINTANCE.
...Acquaintance (16 Occurrences)
... with him. 2. (n.) A person or persons with whom one is acquainted. Int. Standard
Bible Encyclopedia.ACQUAINT; ACQUAINTANCE. a-kwant...
Acknowledgment (6 Occurrences)
Inform (24 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To communicate knowledge to; to make known to; toacquaint; to advise; to
instruct; to tell; to notify; to enlighten; -- usually followed by of....
Initiate (1 Occurrence)
... or enter upon. 2. (vt) Toacquaint with the beginnings; to instruct in the
rudiments or principles; to introduce. 3. (vt) To introduce...
Tell (3056 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To make known; to publish; to disclose; to divulge. 4. (vt) To give instruction
to; to make report to; toacquaint; to teach; to inform....
Resolve (3 Occurrences)
... a riddle. 3. (vi) To cause to perceive or understand; toacquaint; to inform;
to convince; to assure; to make certain. 4. (vi) To...
Possess (193 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To put in possession; to make the owner or holder of property, power, knowledge,
etc.; toacquaint; to inform; -- followed by of or with before the...
Peace (523 Occurrences)
... (3) Inward peace was the portion of the righteous who trusted in God (Job 22:21,
"Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace (shalam)"; Psalm 4:8; Psalm 85...
Cushi (7 Occurrences)
... (1) The messenger (the Revised Version (British and American) "the Cushite")
sent by Joab toacquaint David with the victory over Absalom....
Resources
What should be the mission of the church? | GotQuestions.orgWho was the Venerable Bede? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about Christian fathers? | GotQuestions.orgAcquaint: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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