Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "brief" can refer to something that is short in duration or concise in expression. While the word "brief" itself is not frequently used in most English translations of the Bible, the concept is present in various passages that emphasize the brevity of life, the fleeting nature of human existence, and the importance of concise communication.
Brevity of LifeThe Bible often highlights the transient nature of human life, reminding believers of the importance of living with an eternal perspective. In the Psalms, David reflects on the shortness of life, saying, "Behold, You have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before You. Truly, each man at his best exists as but a breath" (
Psalm 39:5). This verse underscores the idea that human life, in comparison to God's eternal nature, is brief and should be lived with awareness of its temporary state.
Similarly, James writes, "You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (
James 4:14). This imagery of life as a mist or vapor serves as a poignant reminder of its fleeting nature and the need for humility and dependence on God.
Concise CommunicationThe Bible also values concise and clear communication, as seen in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus often used parables—short, illustrative stories—to convey profound spiritual truths in a way that was accessible and memorable. For example, the Parable of the Mustard Seed (
Matthew 13:31-32) is brief yet powerfully illustrates the growth of the Kingdom of Heaven from small beginnings.
The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently emphasizes the importance of speaking truthfully and succinctly. In
Ephesians 4:29, he advises, "Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen" . This instruction highlights the value of words that are not only brief but also edifying and purposeful.
Wisdom LiteratureThe wisdom literature of the Bible, particularly the Book of Proverbs, often employs brevity to convey wisdom. Proverbs are typically short, pithy statements that encapsulate moral and practical truths. For instance,
Proverbs 17:27 states, "A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit" . This proverb suggests that wisdom is often demonstrated through the restraint and careful choice of words, emphasizing the power of brevity in communication.
Eternal PerspectiveThe brevity of life is a recurring theme that encourages believers to focus on eternal matters rather than temporary concerns. In
2 Corinthians 4:17-18, Paul writes, "For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" . This passage encourages Christians to view their earthly lives as brief in the context of eternity, motivating them to prioritize spiritual growth and eternal rewards.
In summary, while the term "brief" may not frequently appear in the text of the Bible, the concept is woven throughout Scripture, emphasizing the transient nature of life, the value of concise communication, and the importance of living with an eternal perspective.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Short in duration.
2. (a.) Concise; terse; succinct.
3. (a.) Rife; common; prevalent.
4. (adv.) Briefly.
5. (adv.) Soon; quickly.
6. (n.) A short concise writing or letter; a statement in few words.
7. (n.) An epitome.
8. (n.) An abridgment or concise statement of a client's case, made out for the instruction of counsel in a trial at law. This word is applied also to a statement of the heads or points of a law argument.
9. (n.) A writ; a breve. See Breve, n., 2.
10. (n.) A writ issuing from the chancery, directed to any judge ordinary, commanding and authorizing that judge to call a jury to inquire into the case, and upon their verdict to pronounce sentence.
11. (n.) A letter patent, from proper authority, authorizing a collection or charitable contribution of money in churches, for any public or private purpose.
12. (v. t.) To make an abstract or abridgment of; to shorten; as, to brief pleadings.
Greek
3641. oligos -- few, little, small... few, little, small. Part of Speech: Adjective; Adverb Transliteration: oligos Phonetic
Spelling: (ol-ee'-gos) Short Definition: small,
brief, few, soon
...166. aionios -- agelong, eternal
... and therefore: practically eternal, unending; partaking of the character of that
which lasts for an age, as contrasted with that which isbrief and fleeting....
5034. tachos -- speed
... speed. From the same as tachus; abrief space (of time), ie (with en prefixed) in
haste -- + quickly, + shortly, + speedily. see GREEK tachus. see GREEK en....
4935. suntomos -- briefly
... briefly. Word Origin adverb from suntomos (cut short); from suntemno Definition
briefly NASB Word Usagebrief (1). briefly. Adverb...
Strong's Hebrew
8160. shaah -- abrief time, moment... 8159, 8160. shaah. 8161 . a
brief time, moment. Transliteration: shaah
Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-aw') Short Definition: immediately.
...6996b. qaton -- small, insignificant
... Word Origin from qaton Definition small, insignificant NASB Word Usage all* (2),
brief (1), lesser (1), little (6), minor (2), small (22), smallest one (1...
4592. meat -- a little, fewness, a few
... Word Origin from maat Definition a little, fewness, a few NASB Word Usage almost
(2),brief (1), close (1), diminish (1), easily (1), enough (3), few (20...
3902. Lachmi -- a brother of Goliath
... Lahmi. From lechem; foodful; Lachmi, an Israelite; or rather probably abrief form
(or perhaps erroneous transcription) for Beyth hal-Lachmiy -- Lahmi....
Library
ABrief Commentary on the Apocalypse
ABrief Commentary on the Apocalypse. <. ABrief Commentary on the Apocalypse
Sylvester Bliss. Table of Contents. Title Page. PREFACE....
ABrief Prayer for the Morning.
... THE PRACTICE OF PIETY. Abrief Prayer for the Morning. O merciful Father,
for Jesus Christ's sake, I beseech thee forgive me all...
Brief Memoir of Thomas Watson
...Brief Memoir Of Thomas Watson. Compiled by CH Spurgeon Thomas Watson's
Body of Practical Divinity is one of the most precious of...
ABrief Examination of the Construction of Our Bodies from a...
... III."Philosophical Works. XXX. Abrief examination of the construction
of our bodies from a medical point of view. 1. Now the...
ABrief Recapitulation of all the Previous Books.
... Book XV. Chapter 3."ABrief Recapitulation of All the Previous Books. 4.
But since the necessities of our discussion and argument...
ABrief Notice of the Destruction of the Tyrants.
... The Life of the blessed emperor constantine, by eusebius pamphilus. Book I. Chapter
XXIII."ABrief Notice of the Destruction of the Tyrants....
ABrief Reference to the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Luke their...
... Chapter XXVI."ABrief Reference to the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Luke
Their Agreement with St. John, in Respect to the Distinct...
Peaceable Principles and True: Or, aBrief Answer to Mr. D'Anver's...
... PEACEABLE PRINCIPLES AND TRUE: OR, ABRIEF ANSWER TO MR. D'ANVER'S AND MR.
PAUL'S BOOKS AGAINST MY CONFESSION OF FAITH, AND DIFFERENCES...
Brief Directions How to Read the Holy Scriptures once Every Year...
... THE PRACTICE OF PIETY.BRIEF DIRECTIONS HOW TO READ THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
ONCE EVERY YEAR OVER, WITH EASE, PROFIT, AND REVERENCE....
Brief Statement of the Reformed Faith, 1902.
... cSYMBOLA EVANGELICA. PARS QUARTA: RECENT CONFESSIONAL DECLARATIONS AND TERMS OF
CORPORATE CHURCH UNION.Brief Statement of the Reformed Faith, 1902. Art....
Thesaurus
Brief (7 Occurrences)... 12. (vt) To make an abstract or abridgment of; to shorten; as, to
brief pleadings. Multi-Version Concordance
Brief (7 Occurrences).
...Glide (2 Occurrences)
... Also (by Bell and others), the vanish (orbrief final element) or thebrief initial
element, in a class of diphthongal vowels, or thebrief final or initial...
Transient (3 Occurrences)
... sight or perception and then disappearing; of short duration; not permanent; not
lasting or durable; not stationary; passing; fleeting;brief; transitory; as...
Ten (234 Occurrences)
... ANALYSIS OF THE DECALOGUE WITHBRIEF EXEGETICAL NOTES 1. How Numbered 2.
How Grouped 3. Original Form 4.Brief Exegetical Notes IV....
Note (129 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) Abrief remark; a marginal comment or explanation; hence, an annotation
on a text or author; a comment; a critical, explanatory, or illustrative...
Commandments (181 Occurrences)
... ANALYSIS OF THE DECALOGUE WITHBRIEF EXEGETICAL NOTES 1. How Numbered 2.
How Grouped 3. Original Form 4.Brief Exegetical Notes IV....
Trip (4 Occurrences)
... See It. 2. (ni) To make abrief journey or pleasure excursion; as, to trip to Europe....
12. (n.) Abrief or rapid journey; an excursion or jaunt. 13....
Memorandum (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) Abrief or informal note in writing of some transaction, or an outline of
an intended instrument; an instrument drawn up in abrief and compendious form...
Bull (114 Occurrences)
... Incarnationis, ie, from the day of the Incarnation. See Apostolicalbrief,
underBrief. 11. (n.) A grotesque blunder in language; an...
Short (128 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (superl.) Not long; havingbrief length or linear
extension; as, a short distance; a short piece of timber; a short flight....
Resources
Summary of the Book of Ecclesiastes - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the history of Christianity? | GotQuestions.orgSummary of the Book of Psalms - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.orgBrief: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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