Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terms, the concept of a "claim" can be understood as a demand or assertion of a right or title, often in relation to God's promises, inheritance, or divine authority. The Bible provides numerous instances where individuals or groups make claims based on divine promises or covenants, as well as instances where God Himself makes claims over His creation and people.
Divine Promises and Human ClaimsThroughout Scripture, God's promises form the basis for many claims made by His people. For example, the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were recipients of God's promises regarding land, descendants, and blessing. These promises were not only personal but extended to their descendants, forming the basis for Israel's claim to the land of Canaan. In
Genesis 12:7 , God promises Abraham, "To your offspring I will give this land." This divine promise becomes a foundational claim for the Israelites as they journey towards the Promised Land.
Inheritance and Legal ClaimsThe concept of inheritance is closely tied to claims in the Bible. The division of land among the tribes of Israel, as described in the Book of Joshua, is an example of legal claims based on divine allotment. Each tribe received a portion of land as their inheritance, a claim rooted in God's covenant with Israel. In
Joshua 21:43 , it is stated, "So the LORD gave Israel all the land He had sworn to give their fathers, and they took possession of it and settled there."
Claims of Authority and KingshipClaims to authority and kingship are also significant in the biblical narrative. David's claim to the throne of Israel is based on God's anointing and promise. In
1 Samuel 16:12-13 , God instructs Samuel to anoint David, saying, "Rise and anoint him, for he is the one." David's claim to kingship is thus divinely sanctioned, contrasting with Saul's loss of divine favor.
Jesus Christ and Messianic ClaimsThe New Testament presents Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the rightful claimant to the title of Messiah. Jesus' claims about His identity and mission are central to the Gospels. In
John 14:6 , Jesus declares, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." This claim underscores His unique role in salvation history and His divine authority.
Claims of BelieversBelievers are encouraged to make claims based on their faith in Christ and the promises of God. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often speaks of the believer's inheritance in Christ. In
Ephesians 1:13-14 , Paul writes, "And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory." This passage highlights the believer's claim to spiritual blessings and eternal life through faith.
God's Sovereign ClaimsUltimately, the Bible affirms God's sovereign claim over all creation. In
Psalm 24:1 , it is declared, "The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof, the world and all who dwell therein." God's ownership and authority are absolute, and His claims are rooted in His role as Creator and Sustainer of the universe.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v.) To ask for, or seek to obtain, by virtue of authority, right, or supposed right; to challenge as a right; to demand as due.
2. (v./.) To proclaim.
3. (v./.) To call or name.
4. (v./.) To assert; to maintain.
5. (v. i.) To be entitled to anything; to deduce a right or title; to have a claim.
6. (n.) A demand of a right or supposed right; a calling on another for something due or supposed to be due; an assertion of a right or fact.
7. (n.) A right to claim or demand something; a title to any debt, privilege, or other thing in possession of another; also, a title to anything which another should give or concede to, or confer on, the claimant.
8. (n.) The thing claimed or demanded; that (as land) to which any one intends to establish a right; as a settler's claim; a miner's claim.
9. (n.) A loud call.
Greek
5346. phemi -- to declare, say... Word Origin from a prim. root pha- Definition to declare, say NASB Word Usage
claim (1), mean (1), replied (1), said (57), say (4), says (2), stated (1).
...1861. epaggellomai -- to proclaim, to promise
... Word Origin from epi and aggello Definition to proclaim, to promise NASB Word Usage
made (1), made the promise (1), making aclaim (1), professed (1), promise...
Strong's Hebrew
1921. hadar -- to honor, adorn, perhaps to swell... root Definition to honor, adorn, perhaps to swell NASB Word Usage
claim honor (1),
defer* (1), honor (1), majestic (1), partial (1), respected (1), rough
...4941. mishpat -- judgment
... Word Origin from shaphat Definition judgment NASB Word Usage arrangements (1), case
(5), case* (1), cause (7), charge (1),claim (1), court (2), crimes (1...
1350. gaal -- to redeem, act as kinsman
... root Definition to redeem, act as kinsman NASB Word Usage avenger (13), bought back
(1), buy back (1),claim (1), close relative (3), closest relative (3...
6963. qol -- sound, voice
... to call aloud; a voice or sound -- + aloud, bleating, crackling, cry (+ out), fame,
lightness, lowing, noise, + hold peace, (pro-)claim, proclamation, + sing...
Library
Whether Indulgences are as Effective as theyClaim to Be?
... OF INDULGENCES (THREE ARTICLES) Whether indulgences are as effective as they
claim to be? Objection 1: It would seem that indulgences...
Claim to be Treated as Others are when Accused.
... Chapter II."Claim to Be Treated as Others are When Accused. If, indeed,
any one can convict us of a crime, be it small or great...
The GreeksClaim, Without Reason, the Invention of the Arts.
... Chapter I."The GreeksClaim, Without Reason, the Invention of the Arts.
Be not, O Greeks, so very hostilely disposed towards the...
Claim of Judicial Investigation.
... Chapter III."Claim of judicial investigation. But lest any one think that
this is an unreasonable and reckless utterance, we demand...
None of the HereticsClaim Succession from the Apostles New...
... Chapter XXXII."None of the HereticsClaim Succession from the Apostles New Churches
Still Apostolic, Because Their Faith is that Which the Apostles Taught...
There are Many whoClaim as Theirs the Dignity of the Christian...
... I. There are many whoclaim as theirs the dignity of the Christian religion?
There are many whoclaim as theirs the dignity of...
Claim of Missions on Ministers of Influence.
... CHAPTER VI.CLAIM OF MISSIONS ON MINISTERS OF INFLUENCE.... The paramountclaim
of missions to the ablest, holiest, and most experienced men....
When Hyrcanus who was Alexander's Heir, Receded from hisClaim to...
... CHAPTER 6. When Hyrcanus Who Was Alexander's Heir, Receded From HisClaim To The
Crown Aristobulus Is Made King; And Afterward The Same Hyrcanus By The Means...
But, Says Some One, You in VainClaim So Much for Christ...
... Book I. 48 But, says some one, you in vainclaim so much for Christ? But,
says some one, you in vainclaim so much for Christ, when...
Petilianus Said: "If You Wretched MenClaim for Yourselves a Seat....
... Book II. Chapter 51. " 117. Petilianus said: "If you wretched menclaim
for yourselves a seat? "117. Petilianus said: "If...
Thesaurus
Claim (30 Occurrences)... 3. (v./.) To call or name. 4. (v./.) To assert; to maintain. 5. (vi) To be entitled
to anything; to deduce a right or title; to have a
claim.
...Right (4703 Occurrences)
... uprightness; integrity. 22. (a.) That to which one has a justclaim. 23. (a.)
That which one has a naturalclaim to exact. 24. (a.) That...
Challenge (6 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Aclaim or demand. 4. (n.) The opening and crying of hounds at first finding
the scent of their game.... 9. (n.) Toclaim as due; to demand as a right....
Demand (34 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To ask or call for with authority; toclaim or seek from, as by authority
or right; toclaim, as something due; to call for urgently or peremptorily; as...
Pretend (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To lay aclaim to; to allege a title
to; toclaim. 2. (vt) To hold before, or put forward, as...
Release (61 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) To let go, as a legalclaim; to discharge or relinquish a right to, as lands
or tenements, by conveying to another who has some right or estate in...
Sanctification (13 Occurrences)
... And it has been notoriously the fact that the best Christians have been those who
have been the least prone toclaim the attainment of perfection for themselves...
Faithfulness (91 Occurrences)
... of God's help to His people (Psalm 31:5 (Hebrew 6)). Accordingly in the teaching
of prophecy, the salvation of the covenant people rests upon noclaim or merit...
Inspiration (4 Occurrences)
... (see INSPIRATION). BiblicalClaim. Here it need only be said that theclaim for
inspiration in the Bible is one made in fullest measure by the Bible itself....
Lamentations (6 Occurrences)
... differences. Theclaim that the alphabetical scheme is not worthy of Jeremiah
is a prejudice caused by the taste of our times. Hebrew...
Resources
Is “name it claim it” teaching biblical? | GotQuestions.orgHow should a Christian respond to people who claim, “I saw Jesus”? | GotQuestions.orgAre people who claim to talk to God insane? | GotQuestions.orgClaim: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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