Topical Encyclopedia
Aid, in the biblical context, refers to assistance, support, or help provided to individuals or groups in need. The concept of aid is deeply rooted in the teachings of the Bible, emphasizing compassion, charity, and the responsibility of believers to care for one another. Aid can be understood in various forms, including physical, spiritual, and emotional support.
Old TestamentIn the Old Testament, the principle of aiding others is established through the laws and teachings given to the Israelites. The Mosaic Law includes numerous provisions for aiding the poor and needy. For instance,
Leviticus 19:9-10 instructs, "When you reap the harvest of your land, you are not to reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You must not strip your vineyard bare or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor and the foreigner. I am the LORD your God." This commandment highlights the importance of providing for those in need by allowing them to glean from the fields.
The account of Ruth and Boaz further illustrates the practice of aid through gleaning. Boaz, a man of standing, extends kindness and protection to Ruth, a Moabite widow, by allowing her to glean in his fields and ensuring her safety (
Ruth 2:8-9). This narrative exemplifies the spirit of generosity and care for the vulnerable.
New TestamentThe New Testament continues to emphasize the importance of aiding others, particularly through the teachings and example of Jesus Christ. Jesus' ministry was marked by acts of compassion and aid to those in need. In
Matthew 25:35-36, Jesus teaches about the final judgment, saying, "For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you looked after Me; I was in prison and you visited Me." This passage underscores the significance of aiding others as a reflection of one's faith and love for Christ.
The early church also exemplified the practice of aid.
Acts 2:44-45 describes the communal life of the believers: "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need." This communal sharing ensured that no one among them lacked basic necessities.
The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, frequently encourages believers to aid one another. In
Galatians 6:2, he writes, "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Paul also commends the Macedonian churches for their generosity in aiding the saints in Jerusalem, despite their own poverty (
2 Corinthians 8:1-4).
Spiritual AidBeyond physical aid, the Bible also speaks to the importance of spiritual aid. Believers are called to support one another in their spiritual journeys, offering encouragement, prayer, and guidance.
Hebrews 10:24-25 exhorts, "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
ConclusionThe biblical mandate for aid is clear and multifaceted, encompassing physical, emotional, and spiritual support. It is a reflection of God's love and compassion, calling believers to act as His hands and feet in a world in need.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To support, either by furnishing strength or means in cooperation to effect a purpose, or to prevent or to remove evil; to help; to assist.
2. (v. t.) Help; succor; assistance; relief.
3. (n.) The person or thing that promotes or helps in something done; a helper; an assistant.
4. (n.) A subsidy granted to the king by Parliament; also, an exchequer loan.
5. (n.) A pecuniary tribute paid by a vassal to his lord on special occasions.
6. (n.) An aid-de-camp, so called by abbreviation; as, a general's aid.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
AIDad (chazaq, "to strengthen," "to aid"): A military term used only once in Old Testament in the King James Version (Judges 9:24) and displaced in the Revised Version (British and American) by the literal rendering, "who strengthened his hands." The men of Shechem supported Abimelech in his fratricidal crime, with money, enabling him to hire men to murder his brethren. The fundamental idea in the word, as used in the Old Testament, is "abounding strength."
Greek
997. boetheo -- to come to theaid of... to come to the
aid of. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: boetheo Phonetic Spelling:
(bo-ay-theh'-o) Short Definition: I come to the rescue of Definition: I
...1947. epikouria --aid, assistance
...aid, assistance. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: epikouria Phonetic
Spelling: (ep-ee-koo-ree'-ah) Short Definition: help,aid Definition: succor...
3874. paraklesis -- a calling to one'said, ie encouragement...
... a calling to one'said, ie encouragement, comfort. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: paraklesis Phonetic Spelling: (par-ak'-lay-sis) Short...
1884b. eparkeo -- to help,aid
... to help,aid. Transliteration: eparkeo Short Definition: assist. Word Origin from
epi and arkeo Definition to help,aid NASB Word Usage assist (2), assisted (1)...
3875. parakletos -- called to one'said
... called to one'said. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: parakletos
Phonetic Spelling: (par-ak'-lay-tos) Short Definition: an advocate, comforter...
996. boetheia -- help
... Cognate: 996 (a feminine noun derived from 997 ) -- a brand of help, especially
assistance that meets an situation (deliveringaid). See 997 ()....
1884. eparkeo -- accursed
... accursed. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: eparkeo Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-ar-keh'-o) Short Definition: Iaid, relieve, do service, render help Definition...
2023. epichoregeo -- to supply
... Word Origin from epi and choregeo Definition to supply NASB Word Usage provides
(1), supplied (2), supplies (1), supply (1).aid, minister nourishment unto....
4836. sumparaginomai -- to be present together
... come together, stand with. From sun and paraginomai; to be present together, ie
To convene; by implication, to appear inaid -- come together, stand with....
3850. parabole -- to expose oneself to danger
... 3850 (from 3844 , "close beside, with" and 906 , "to cast") -- a parable;
a teachingaid cast alongside the truth being taught....
Strong's Hebrew
5789. ush -- to lendaid, come to help... 5788b, 5789. ush. 5790 . to lend
aid, come to help. Transliteration: ush Phonetic
Spelling: (oosh) Short Definition: hasten. Word Origin a prim.
...2388. chazaq -- to be or grow firm or strong, strengthen
...aid, amend, catch, cleave, confirm, be constant, constrain,. A primitive root;
to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively...
5833. ezrah -- help, helper, assistance
... 60:11; Psa. 60:13; Psa. 108:12; Psa. 108:13) {ez-rawth'}; feminine of ezer;aid --
help(-ed, -er). see HEBREW 'obdan. see HEBREW 'obdan. see HEBREW ezer....
3444. yeshuah -- salvation
... Feminine passive participle of yasha'; something saved, ie (abstractly) deliverance;
hence,aid, victory, prosperity -- deliverance, health, help(-ing...
5826. azar -- to help, succor
... 1). help, succour. A primitive root; to surround, ie Protect oraid -- help,
succour. 5825, 5826. azar. 5827 . Strong's Numbers.
5828. ezer -- a help, helper
... Word Origin from azar Definition a help, helper NASB Word Usage help (18), helper
(2), helpers (1). help. From azar;aid -- help. see HEBREW azar. 5827, 5828...
5583. sead -- to support, sustain
... supporting (1). helping. (Aramaic) corresponding to ca'ad; toaid -- helping. see
HEBREW ca'ad. 5582, 5583. sead. 5584 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
TheAid Without which a Thing Does not Come to Pass, and theAid...
... A Treatise on rebuke and grace, Chapter 34."TheAid Without Which a Thing Does
Not Come to Pass, and theAid with Which a Thing Comes to Pass....
For Birth is anAid Towards an Individual's Becoming Famous...
... Chapter XXIX. For birth is anaid towards an individual's becoming famous?
For birth is anaid towards an individual's becoming...
Invoking God'sAid.
... INTRODUCTION AND CLOSE OF WORSHIP. 11. " Invoking God'sAid. 11. CM
H. Ware, Jr. Invoking God'sAid. 1 Father in heaven, to...
Creator Spirit, by WhoseAid
... THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Whitsunday 198. Creator Spirit, by whoseaid. Six 8's... John Dryden,
1693. Creator Spirit, by whoseaid. The world's foundations first were laid...
Pelagius Posits God'sAid Only for Our "Capacity. "
... A Treatise on the grace of christ, and on original sin, Chapter 7
[VI.]"Pelagius Posits God'sAid Only for Our "Capacity.". Let...
We Need DivineAid in the Use of Our Powers. Illustration from...
... A Treatise on the grace of christ, and on original sin, Chapter 16 [XV.]"We Need
DivineAid in the Use of Our Powers. Illustration from Sight....
But they Answer and Speak, Saying, "If the Will of Man Without any...
... 13. But they answer and speak, saying, "If the will of man without any
aid? 13. But they answer and speak, saying, "If the will...
That the Grace of God not Only Gives Remission of Sins, but Also...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon CXI. (Greek cxiij.) That the grace of God not
only gives remission of sins, but also affordsaid that we sin no more....
As He is Going to Reply to the Slanders of his Opponents He...
... Chapter I. As he is going to reply to the slanders of his opponents he implores
theaid of Divine grace to teach a prayer to be used by those who undertake to...
The Gospel is in the Old Testament, and Indeed in the Whole...
... Book I. 15. The Gospel is in the Old Testament, and Indeed in the Whole Universe.
Prayer forAid to Understand the Mystical Sense of the Work in Hand....
Thesaurus
Aid (20 Occurrences)... 5. (n.) A pecuniary tribute paid by a vassal to his lord on special occasions. 6.
(n.) An
aid-de-camp, so called by abbreviation; as, a general's
aid. Int.
...AID.
...Help (1694 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To furnish with strength or means for the successful performance of any
action or the attainment of any object; toaid; to assist; as, to help a man in...
Adullam (10 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary One of the royal cities of the Canaanites, now
`Aid-el-ma (Joshua 12:15; 15:35). It stood on the old Roman...
Demetrius (3 Occurrences)
... Alcimus, in fear, sent a message foraid to Demetrius, who sent to his assistance
Nicanor, the best disposed and most faithful of his friends, who had...
Vault (2 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A leap or bound. 5. (n.) The bound or leap of a horse; a curvet. 6. (n.)
A leap byaid of the hands, or of a pole, springboard, or the like....
Asmoneans
... empire. Philip was appointed guardian of the infant king, while his uncle
Demetrius sought to dethrone him by theaid of the Romans....
Favor (184 Occurrences)
... 10. (n.) Love locks. 11. (n.) To regard with kindness; to support; toaid, or to
have the disposition toaid, or to wish success to; to be propitious to; to...
Recourse (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) An option to seekaid or compensation; as to seek
recourse through a lawsuit; renewed course; return; retreat; recurrence....
Engage (20 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To gain for service; to bring in as associate oraid; to enlist; as,
to engage friends toaid in a cause; to engage men for service....
Dependent (35 Occurrences)
... on, or subject to, something else for support; not able to exist, or sustain itself,
or to perform anything, without the will, power, oraid of something else...
Resources
Is being a sperm/egg donor a sin? Is it a sin to use a sperm/egg donor? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to bear one another's burdens? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about body piercings? | GotQuestions.orgAid: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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