Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terms, the concept of "allowance" can be understood as a provision or allocation given to individuals for their sustenance or specific needs. This concept is seen in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, often reflecting God's provision for His people or the responsibilities of leaders and family members to provide for those under their care.
Old Testament References1.
Royal Allowance: One of the clearest examples of allowance in the Bible is found in the context of the royal household. In
2 Kings 25:29-30, we read about Jehoiachin, the king of Judah, who was released from prison by the king of Babylon. The text states: "He changed his prison clothes, and he dined regularly in the presence of the king of Babylon for the rest of his life. And the king provided Jehoiachin a daily portion for the rest of his life." This daily portion or allowance was a sign of favor and provision, ensuring that Jehoiachin's needs were met.
2.
Provision for the Priests and Levites: The Levitical system established by God included specific allowances for the priests and Levites, who were set apart for service in the tabernacle and later the temple.
Numbers 18:8-24 outlines the portions of offerings and tithes that were designated for the Levites as their inheritance, since they did not receive a land inheritance like the other tribes of Israel. This system ensured that those who served in the house of the Lord were provided for.
3.
Family Provision: The concept of allowance is also evident in the family structure, where the head of the household is responsible for providing for the family members.
Proverbs 31:15 describes the virtuous woman who "rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants." This reflects the biblical principle of diligent provision and care within the family unit.
New Testament Insights1.
Daily Bread: In the New Testament, the Lord's Prayer includes a request for daily provision: "Give us this day our daily bread" (
Matthew 6:11). This petition acknowledges God's role as the ultimate provider and the source of all allowances necessary for life.
2.
Support for Ministers: The Apostle Paul, in his letters, discusses the right of those who preach the gospel to receive material support. In
1 Corinthians 9:14, he states, "In the same way, the Lord has prescribed that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel." This principle underscores the idea of allowance as a means of sustaining those dedicated to spiritual service.
3.
Care for Widows and Orphans: The early church was instructed to care for widows and orphans, ensuring they received necessary support.
James 1:27 emphasizes this responsibility: "Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world." The church's role in providing for the vulnerable reflects the broader biblical theme of allowance as a means of demonstrating God's love and justice.
Theological ImplicationsThe concept of allowance in the Bible highlights God's provision and the responsibility of His people to care for one another. It reflects the divine order in which resources are distributed to meet the needs of individuals and communities. Allowance, whether in the form of daily sustenance, support for religious leaders, or care for the needy, is a tangible expression of God's grace and the communal nature of the faith.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Approval; approbation.
2. (n.) The act of allowing, granting, conceding, or admitting; authorization; permission; sanction; tolerance.
3. (n.) Acknowledgment.
4. (n.) License; indulgence.
5. (n.) That which is allowed; a share or portion allotted or granted; a sum granted as a reimbursement, a bounty, or as appropriate for any purpose; a stated quantity, as of food or drink; hence, a limited quantity of meat and drink, when provisions fall short.
6. (n.) Abatement; deduction; the taking into account of mitigating circumstances; as, to make allowance for the inexperience of youth.
7. (n.) A customary deduction from the gross weight of goods, different in different countries, such as tare and tret.
8. (n.) To put upon a fixed allowance (esp. of provisions and drink); to supply in a fixed and limited quantity; as, the captain was obliged to allowance his crew; our provisions were allowanced.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ALLOW; ALLOWANCEa-lou', a-lou'-ans: The verb "to allow" is used in the King James Version to translate four different Greek words:
(1) suneudokeo, "to approve together" (with others) (the Revised Version (British and American) "consent unto"),Luke 11:48.
(2) prosdechomai, "to receive to oneself," "admit" (the Revised Version (British and American) "look for," margin "accept");Acts 24:15.
(3) ginosko, "to know," "recognize": "That which I do, I allow not" (the Revised Version (British and American) "I know not"), i.e. "I do not understand what I am doing, my conduct is inexplicable to me" (Grimm-Thayer);Romans 7:15.
(4) dokimazo, "to prove," "approve." "Happy is he that condemneth not himself in the thing which he alloweth" (the Revised Version (British and American) "approveth," i.e. in practice), i.e. who is not troubled with scruples;Romans 14:22. Thus the Revised Version (British and American) has removed the verb "allow" in each case in which it occurs in the King James Version, it being somewhat ambiguous in meaning (its original sense, as derived from Latin allocare, "to place," "assign," "grant," being influenced by another word, Latin allaudare, "to praise"). The noun "allowance" occurs in the sense of quantity of food allowed, in2 Kings 25:30 (King James Version, the Revised Version (British and American)) and the parallel passageJeremiah 52:34 (RV; "diet" in the King James Version).
D. Miall Edwards
Greek
4620. sitometrion -- a measured portion of food... ration, portion of meat. From sitos and metron; a grain-measure, ie (by implication)
ration (
allowance of food) -- portion of meat. see GREEK sitos.
...Strong's Hebrew
737. aruchah -- a meal,allowance... 736, 737. aruchah. 738 . a meal,
allowance. Transliteration: aruchah Phonetic
Spelling: (ar-oo-khaw') Short Definition:
allowance. Word Origin pass. part.
...548. amanah -- faith, support
... certain portion, sure. Feminine of 'amen; something fixed, ie A covenant. Anallowance
-- certain portion, sure. see HEBREW 'amen. 547, 548. amanah. 549 ....
Library
Allowance of Sacrifice for a Time.
... Book I. Chapter XXXVI."Allowance of Sacrifice for a Time. "When meantime
Moses, that faithful and wise steward, perceived that...
How There is a Twofold Reason for the Permission andAllowance of...
... Chapter IV. How there is a twofold reason for the permission andallowance of God.
But for God's permission andallowance there is a twofold reason....
Of the Third Seal.
... mention of grain, a measure [10] of wheat for a penny, to which likewise they think
the balance in the hands of the rider refers; as if theallowance of corn...
Another Mode of Interpreting the Symbol of Wheat and Barley.
... "A measure of wheat for a penny:" ie Sell the dailyallowance of wheat according
to the daily price of labour, or the wages or rent, that they might not...
The Answer How we Should not Exceed the Proper Measure of Food.
... Moses: Both duties must be observed in the same way and with equal care: for we
ought most scrupulously to preserve the properallowance of food for the sake...
"For as Many as are Led by the Spirit of God, they are the Sons of...
... Indeed, it is true that often we are brought to fear again, yet withal it is certain
that ourallowance is larger, and that we have received the Spirit, not to...
Book 8 Footnotes
... Nor did the governor's usualallowance of forty shekels of silver a-day,
ver.15, amount to 45 a day, nor to 1800 a-year. Nor does...
The First Disciples: ii. Simon Peter
... It is very plain that, making allallowance for changed manners, for social
difficulties, for timidity, for the embarrassment that besets people when they talk...
Concerning Lowliness of Mind.
... his wiliness, so your thoughts should be corrupted from the singleness that is towards
Christ." [406] See, he both set down singleness, and granted noallowance...
Ephesians i. 14-Nov
... thy excuse? What sort ofallowance shall be made for thee? None from that
moment. For this is a mark of unspeakable enmity. When...
Thesaurus
Allowance (11 Occurrences)... 6. (n.) Abatement; deduction; the taking into account of mitigating circumstances;
as, to make
allowance for the inexperience of youth.
... ALLOW;
ALLOWANCE.
...Rate (23 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt & i.) To chide with vehemence; to scold; to censure
violently. 2. (n.) Established portion or measure; fixedallowance....
Pittance (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A smallallowance or wage; anallowance of food
bestowed in charity; a mess of victuals; hence, a small charity gift; a dole....
Allow (86 Occurrences)
... absent. 8. (vi) To admit; to concede; to makeallowance or abatement.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ALLOW;ALLOWANCE. a...
Continual (55 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 25:30 and for hisallowance, there was a continualallowance given him
of the king, every day a portion, all the days of his life....
Toleration (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Theallowance of divergent opinions or
religions; forbearance. 2. (n.) Specifically, theallowance...
Ration (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A fixed dailyallowance of provisions assigned
to a soldier in the army, or a sailor in the navy, for his subsistence....
Diet (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A course of food selected with reference to a particular state of
health; prescribedallowance of food; regimen prescribed....
Size (39 Occurrences)
... 3. (vi) Any viscous substance, as gilder's varnish. 4. (vt) To cover with size;
to prepare with size. 5. (n.) A settled quantity orallowance. See Assize....
Daily (111 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 25:30 And hisallowance was a continualallowance given him of the king,
a daily rate for every day, all the days of his life. (KJV WBS)....
Resources
What does the Bible say about divorce and remarriage? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a salt covenant? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did God allow Solomon to have 1,000 wives and concubines? | GotQuestions.orgAllowance: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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