Topical Encyclopedia
The term "began" is frequently used in the Bible to denote the commencement of an action, event, or process. It is a word that signifies the initiation of something new, often marking a pivotal moment in biblical narratives. The use of "began" can be found throughout both the Old and New Testaments, highlighting the unfolding of God's divine plan and the actions of key biblical figures.
Old Testament UsageIn the Old Testament, "began" is often used to describe the start of significant events or the actions of individuals chosen by God. For example, in
Genesis 4:26 , it is written, "And to Seth also a son was born, and he called him Enosh. At that time men began to call on the name of the LORD." This verse marks a critical moment in human history when people started to worship and seek a relationship with God, indicating a spiritual awakening among humanity.
Another notable instance is found in
Genesis 6:1 , "Now when men began to multiply on the face of the earth and daughters were born to them." This passage sets the stage for the events leading up to the Great Flood, highlighting the increase in human population and the subsequent moral decline that prompted divine intervention.
New Testament UsageIn the New Testament, "began" often signifies the initiation of Jesus Christ's ministry and the early activities of the apostles. In
Matthew 4:17 , it is recorded, "From that time on Jesus began to preach, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.'" This verse marks the beginning of Jesus' public ministry, emphasizing the central message of repentance and the imminent arrival of God's kingdom.
Similarly, in
Acts 1:1 , Luke writes, "In my first book, O Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach." This introduction to the Book of Acts underscores the continuation of Jesus' work through the apostles, as they carry forward His teachings and the establishment of the early Church.
Theological SignificanceThe concept of "began" in the Bible often signifies more than just the start of an action; it represents the unfolding of God's redemptive plan throughout history. Each instance where "began" is used can be seen as a divine appointment, where God initiates a new phase in His relationship with humanity or advances His purposes through chosen individuals.
In the context of biblical theology, the use of "began" underscores the sovereignty of God in orchestrating events according to His will. It serves as a reminder that God is the author of history, guiding and directing the course of human events to fulfill His ultimate plan of salvation through Jesus Christ.
ConclusionThe word "began" in the Bible is a powerful indicator of new beginnings and divine interventions. Whether it marks the start of a new era, the initiation of a prophetic mission, or the commencement of a spiritual journey, "began" is a term that encapsulates the dynamic and unfolding nature of God's work in the world.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Begin.
Greek
1096. ginomai -- to come into being, to happen, to become... 3), became (53), become (83), becomes (8), becoming (2), been (12), been brought
(1), been done (1), been made (2), been...came (1),
began (1), behaved (1
...166. aionios -- agelong, eternal
... eternal, forever, everlasting. From aion; perpetual (also used of past time, or
past and future as well) -- eternal, for ever, everlasting, world (began)....
165. aion -- a space of time, an age
... Jewish) a Messianic period (present or future) -- age, course, eternal, (for)
ever(-more), (n-)ever, (beginning of the, while the) world (began, without end)....
757. archo -- to rule, to begin
... verb Definition to rule, to begin NASB Word Usagebegan (62), begin (7), beginning
(8), begins (2), begun (1), proceed (1), rule (1), rulers (1), starting (2)....
1728. enarchomai -- to begin, to make a beginning
... commence. Word Origin from en and archo Definition to begin, to make a
beginning NASB Word Usagebegan (1), begun (1). to begin....
2866. kompsoteron -- well-dressed
... better. Neuter comparative of a derivative of the base of komizo (meaning, properly,
well dressed, ie Nice); figuratively, convalescent -- +began to amend....
Strong's Hebrew
3246. yesud -- foundation, beginning... 3245, 3246. yesud. 3247 . foundation, beginning. Transliteration: yesud
Phonetic Spelling: (yes-ood') Short Definition:
began.
...began.
...2490. chalal -- to bore, pierce
... to bore, pierce. Transliteration: chalal Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-lal') Short
Definition: pierce. begin menbegan, defile, break, defile, eat as common things...
8271. shera -- to loosen, abide
... 8270, 8271. shera. 8272 . to loosen, abide. Transliteration: shera Phonetic
Spelling: (sher-ay') Short Definition:began. Word Origin...
2490c. chalal -- to pollute, defile, profane
... 2490b, 2490c. chalal. 2491 . to pollute, defile, profane. Transliteration:
chalal Short Definition:began. Word Origin a prim. root...
8462. techillah -- a beginning
... Word Origin from chalal Definition a beginning NASB Word Usage before (1),began
(1), beginning (11), first (5), first time (2), previously (2). Tachmonite....
631. asar -- to tie, bind, imprison
... root Definition to tie, bind, imprison NASB Word Usagebegan (1), begin (1), bind
(8), bind me tightly (1), bind you fast (1), binds (3), bound (28...
Library
Whether this Man, IE Christ,Began to Be?
... OF THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE APPLICABLE TO CHRIST IN HIS BEING AND BECOMING
(TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether this Man, ie Christ,began to be?...
That ReligionBegan in the East.
... Book II. Chapter LXVII."That Religionbegan in the East. "For since the
power of Divine light, and the law of sacred worship, which...
Upon this IBegan to Believe that all Other Creatures were Such...
... THE THIRD CENTURY 62 Upon this Ibegan to believe that all other creatures
were such that God was Himself in their creation. Upon...
How, when the Pelagian HeresyBegan to Spring up Afresh, Germanus...
... XXI. How, when the Pelagian heresybegan to spring up afresh, Germanus, returning
to Britain with Severus, first restored bodily strength to a lame youth, then...
Whether ChristBegan to Work Miracles when He Changed Water into...
... OF THE MIRACLES WORKED BY CHRIST, IN GENERAL (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether Christbegan
to work miracles when He changed water into wine at the marriage feast?...
IBegan Then Diligently to Practise that for which I came to Rome....
... Book V Chapter XII Ibegan then diligently to practise that for which
I came to Rome? Ibegan then diligently to practise that...
Whether it is an Article of Faith that the WorldBegan?
... OF THE BEGINNING OF THE DURATION OF CREATURES (THREE ARTICLES) Whether
it is an article of faith that the worldbegan? Objection...
How the Errors of Later Heretics have Been Condemned and Refuted...
... As webegan by setting down in the first book some things by which we showed that
our new heretic is but an offshoot from ancient stocks of heresy....
How the War of the Jews with the RomansBegan, and Concerning...
... CHAPTER 17. How The War Of The Jews With The RomansBegan, And Concerning
Manahem. 1. This advice the people hearkened to, and went...
How Theodore visited all Places; How the Churches of the English...
... II. How Theodore visited all places; how the Churches of the Englishbegan to be
instructed in the study of holy Scripture, and in the catholic truth, and how...
Thesaurus
Began (1779 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Began (1779 Occurrences).
Began is found 1779 times in
12 translations. You can narrow your search using the Advanced Bible Search.
...Sixteen (24 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 13:10 In the thirty-seventh year of Joash king of Judahbegan Jehoash the
son of Jehoahaz to reign over Israel in Samaria, and reigned sixteen years....
Enos (7 Occurrences)
... In his time "menbegan to call upon the name of the Lord" (Genesis 4:26), meaning
either (1) thenbegan men to call themselves by the name of the Lord (marg...
Ahazi'ah (33 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 22:51 Ahaziah the son of Ahabbegan to reign over Israel in Samaria in the
seventeenth year of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, and he reigned two years over...
Azari'ah (46 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). 2 Kings 15:1 In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel
began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign. (See RSV)....
Sama'ria (102 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 16:29 And in the thirty and eighth year of Asa king of Judahbegan Ahab
the son of Omri to reign over Israel; and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over...
Amazi'ah (37 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). 2 Kings 14:1 In the second year of Joash son of Joahaz king of Israel
began Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah to reign. (See RSV)....
Asa (54 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). 1 Kings 15:9 In the twentieth
year of Jeroboam king of Israelbegan Asa to reign over Judah....
Calendar
... These months were lunar andbegan with the new moon, but their position in regard
to the seasons varied somewhat because of the intercalary month about every...
Eleven (25 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 23:36 Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when hebegan to reign; and he
reigned eleven years in Jerusalem: and his mother's name was Zebidah the...
Resources
What age was Jehoiachin when he began his reign? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Oswald Chambers? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the story of the New Testament? | GotQuestions.orgBegan: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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