Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "replace" in the Bible often involves themes of restoration, renewal, and substitution. Throughout Scripture, God demonstrates His sovereignty and grace by replacing what is broken or lost with something new or better, aligning with His divine purposes.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the idea of replacement is frequently associated with God's covenantal promises and acts of restoration. For instance, in the book of Job, after Job's intense suffering and loss, God restores and replaces his fortunes: "The LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning" (
Job 42:12). This replacement signifies not only material restoration but also spiritual renewal and divine favor.
The theme of replacement is also evident in the prophetic literature, where God promises to replace the hearts of His people. In
Ezekiel 36:26, God declares, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh" . This replacement of the heart symbolizes a transformative renewal, enabling the people to live in obedience to God.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of replacement is central to the message of the Gospel. Jesus Christ is presented as the ultimate substitute, replacing the old covenant with the new covenant through His sacrificial death and resurrection.
Hebrews 8:13 states, "By speaking of a new covenant, He has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear" . This replacement signifies the fulfillment of the law and the establishment of a new relationship between God and humanity through Christ.
The Apostle Paul further elaborates on the theme of replacement in the context of personal transformation. In
2 Corinthians 5:17, he writes, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come" . Here, the replacement of the old self with the new creation in Christ underscores the transformative power of the Gospel.
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, the concept of replacement in the Bible underscores God's redemptive plan and His ability to bring about renewal and restoration. It highlights the transition from the old to the new, whether it be covenants, hearts, or lives. This theme is a testament to God's faithfulness and His desire to restore His creation to its intended purpose.
Practical ApplicationFor believers, the biblical theme of replacement offers hope and encouragement. It assures them of God's ability to restore what is broken and to bring about new beginnings. This understanding calls Christians to embrace the new life offered in Christ, to live in the reality of the new covenant, and to trust in God's ongoing work of transformation in their lives.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To place again; to restore to a former place, position, condition, or the like.
2. (v. t.) To refund; to repay; to restore; as, to replace a sum of money borrowed.
3. (v. t.) To supply or substitute an equivalent for; as, to replace a lost document.
4. (v. t.) To take the place of; to supply the want of; to fulfill the end or office of.
5. (v. t.) To put in a new or different place.
Greek
478. antikathistemi -- to set down against, ie toreplace, oppose... to set down against, ie to
replace, oppose. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
antikathistemi Phonetic Spelling: (an-tee-kath-is'-tay-mee) Short Definition
...654. apostrepho -- to turn away, turn back
... Phonetic Spelling: (ap-os-tref'-o) Short Definition: I turn away, restore, reject
Definition: I turn away, pervert, remove; I restore,replace; mid: I desert...
Strong's Hebrew
7725. shub -- to turn back, return... 8), repaid (1), repay (5), repeatedly (2), repeats (1), repel (1), repent (6), repent
and turn away (2), repentant (1), repented (1),
replace (1), reply (6
...2498. chalaph -- to pass on or away, pass through
... Usage change (2), changed (5), gain new (2), go (1), move past (1), over (1), passed
(1), passes (1), pierce (1), pierced (1), renewed (1),replace (2), slip (1...
935. bo -- to come in, come, go in, go
... presented (1), presenting (1), press (1), proceed* (1), put (8), putting (1), reach
(1), reached (4), reached the age (1), reenter* (2),replace* (1), reported...
8478. tachath -- underneath, below, instead of
... beneath (13), beneath* (7), exchange (3), flat (2), foot (8), inasmuch* (1), instead
(34), like (1), place (136), place* (1), places (1),replace* (1), replaces...
Library
Christ's Relation to the Twelve. --Significance of the Number
... that among the most important means employed by Christ in founding the kingdom of
God was the training of certain organs; not only toreplace his personal...
Chapter xxix
... well and would water the sheep. Then they wouldreplace the stone on the
mouth of the well. The unusual thing, marked as unusual...
The Christian Conception of Life Has Already Arisen in Our Society...
... But the rising Christian ideal, which must at a certain stage of developmentreplace
the heathen ideal of life, already makes its influence felt....
Gambling, Card-Playing
... He had lost all; could not evenreplace the Sunday-school fund that he had simply
used, no doubt expecting toreplace it with usury; but the loss and disgrace...
Foreword
... Their life together was one of happy companionship, and when she died in 1907 without
bearing any children, James Denney found nothing toreplace his keen...
The True Vine: Meditations for a Month on John 15:1-16
... So simple, so deep, so strong. That union with Him shall be: His life shall forever
replace thine own,. And His love shall flow through thee....
False Witnesses
... The first act of Eusebius and Theognis was to drive out the Catholic Bishops who
had been elected toreplace them in their sees; the second was to look about...
Final Settlement of the Church by St. John
... [Sidenote: but now everywhere toreplace the Apostles.] A new era was, however,
now coming upon the Church; her Founders were gradually being withdrawn from her...
Special Efforts
... It was a considerable scheme to clear the whole front, erect a flight of solid concrete
steps andreplace the brick wall by an iron railing, but she saw it...
Pauline Enters the Carmel
... The shopkeeper came out in a rage toreplace them, but the would-be blind pair picked
themselves up and ran off as fast as they could, with eyes wide open....
Thesaurus
Replace (11 Occurrences)... 2. (vt) To refund; to repay; to restore; as, to
replace a sum of money borrowed.
... Multi-Version Concordance
Replace (11 Occurrences).
...Likeness (52 Occurrences)
... Modern English would in most casesreplace "like" by "the same," as has been done
in 1 Thessalonians 2:14 the Revised Version (British and American) (compare...
Liking (2 Occurrences)
... Modern English would in most casesreplace "like" by "the same," as has been done
in 1 Thessalonians 2:14 the Revised Version (British and American) (compare...
Liken (12 Occurrences)
... Modern English would in most casesreplace "like" by "the same," as has been done
in 1 Thessalonians 2:14 the Revised Version (British and American) (compare...
Like (10728 Occurrences)
... Modern English would in most casesreplace "like" by "the same," as has been done
in 1 Thessalonians 2:14 the Revised Version (British and American) (compare...
Great (10383 Occurrences)
... While Philip was engaged in the siege of Byzantium he sent his son toreplace Antipater
in the regency; during his occupancy of this post, Alexander, then only...
Writhed (4 Occurrences)
... She sent clothing to Mordecai, toreplace his sackcloth; but he didn't receive
it. (See NAS). Psalms 77:16 The waters saw you, God....
Reimburse (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (vt) To pay back; toreplace in a treasury or purse, as an equivalent for what
has been taken, lost, or expended; to refund; to pay back; to restore; as, to...
Restore (122 Occurrences)
... recover. 2. (vt) To give or bring back, as that which has been lost., or
taken away; to bring back to the owner; toreplace. 3. (vt...
Replaced (4 Occurrences)
Resources
Was Matthias or Paul God's choice to replace Judas as the 12th apostle? | GotQuestions.orgDoes the Qur'an replace the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Matthias in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgReplace: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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