Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "consulted" often refers to seeking advice, guidance, or information from another person or source. This action can be seen in various narratives throughout the Scriptures, where individuals seek counsel from God, prophets, or other leaders. The act of consulting can have both positive and negative connotations depending on the source of the consultation and the intent behind it.
Consultation with God and ProphetsThe Bible frequently highlights the importance of consulting God for guidance and wisdom. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were often encouraged to seek God's counsel through prayer and the prophets. For instance, King David is noted for consulting God before making significant decisions. In
1 Samuel 23:2, David inquired of the Lord, asking, "Shall I go and attack these Philistines?" The Lord responded affirmatively, demonstrating the importance of seeking divine guidance.
Similarly, the prophets served as intermediaries through whom God communicated His will. In
2 Kings 22:13, King Josiah sent his officials to consult the prophetess Huldah regarding the words of the Book of the Law that had been found. This consultation led to significant religious reforms in Judah.
Consultation with Other SourcesWhile consulting God and His prophets is portrayed positively, the Bible also warns against seeking guidance from ungodly sources. In
1 Samuel 28, King Saul's consultation with the medium at Endor is a notable example of seeking guidance outside of God's will. Saul, having lost favor with God, sought to consult the spirit of the deceased prophet Samuel through a medium, an act condemned by God. This incident underscores the dangers of turning to forbidden sources for guidance.
The Bible also records instances where leaders consulted with their advisors or elders. In
1 Kings 12:6-8, Rehoboam, Solomon's son, consulted the elders who had served his father. However, he ultimately rejected their advice in favor of the counsel of his peers, leading to the division of the kingdom. This narrative illustrates the importance of discerning wise counsel and the consequences of ignoring it.
Consultation in the New TestamentIn the New Testament, consultation continues to play a role in the early church. The apostles and early Christians often sought guidance through prayer and the Holy Spirit. In
Acts 1:24, before choosing a replacement for Judas Iscariot, the apostles prayed, "Lord, You know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two You have chosen." This act of consulting God through prayer highlights the continued reliance on divine guidance in decision-making.
The Berean Standard Bible emphasizes the importance of seeking God's wisdom and the dangers of relying on human understanding alone.
Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
In summary, the act of consulting in the Bible is multifaceted, involving seeking guidance from God, His prophets, and wise counselors. It serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking divine wisdom and the potential pitfalls of turning to ungodly sources for advice.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Consult.
Greek
4824. sumboulion -- counsel, by impl. a council... a council NASB Word Usage conferred* (2), conspired* (1), conspiring (1), consultation
(1),
consulted* (1), council (1), plotted together (1), together (2).
...2983. lambano -- to take, receive
... accepting (1), attempted* (1), bring (2), caught (1), caught caught (1), collect
(1), collected (1), conferred* (2), conspired* (1),consulted* (1), experienced...
Strong's Hebrew
4427b. malak -- to counsel, advise... to counsel, advise. Transliteration: malak Short Definition:
consulted. Word Origin
a prim. root Definition to counsel, advise NASB Word Usage
consulted (1).
...1245. baqash -- to seek
... root Definition to seek NASB Word Usage aim (1), beg (1), begging (1), concerned
(1),consulted (1), demand (1), desire (1), eager (1), hold* (1), inquired (2...
1875. darash -- to resort to, seek
... root Definition to resort to, seek NASB Word Usage ask (1), avenge (1), calls (1),
care (1), cares (3), comes the reckoning (1), consult (2),consulted by them...
3289. yaats -- to advise, counsel
... root Definition to advise, counsel NASB Word Usage advise (1), advisers (1), conspire
(1), conspired (1), consult (2),consulted (8), counsel (4), counsel do...
3272b. yeat -- to advise
... Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding to yaats Definition to advise NASB Word Usage
consulted together (1). 3272a, 3272b. yeat. 3273 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
Works on Analytical Criticism, History, and Bibliography...
... Works on Analytical Criticism, History, and Bibliography,Consulted. Rupp (Dr. Julius),
Gregors des Bischofs von Nyssa Leben und Meinungen. Leipzig, 1834....
Those Impostors Then, whom they Style Mathematicians, IConsulted...
... Book IV Chapter III Those impostors then, whom they style Mathematicians,
Iconsulted without scruple? Those impostors then, whom...
And the Pharisees Went Out, andConsulted Together Concerning Him....
... The Text of the Diatessaron. Section VIII. And the Pharisees went out,
andconsulted together concerning him? [1] [602] And the...
The Old Philosophers are not to beConsulted Concerning the...
... Book IV. Chapter 16."The Old Philosophers are Not to BeConsulted Concerning
the Resurrection and Concerning Things to Come. 21....
In How Many Ways Things Future are Foreknown. Neither Philosophers...
... Neither Philosophers, Nor Those Who Were Distinguished Among the Ancients,
are to BeConsulted Concerning the Resurrection of the Dead....
The Proof that this God is the True God.
... For if those are held to be gods whose prophets, whenconsulted by men, have returned
responses which, that I may not call them false, were at least most...
Concerning Felicity, whom the Romans, who Venerate Many Gods, for...
... Therefore, if it is thought they can beconsulted by augury, or in any other way,
the gods themselves should beconsulted about this thing, whether they may...
But this Time Also had I Rejected the Lying Divinations and...
... This man then, Firminus by name, having had a liberal education, and well taught
in Rhetoric,consulted me, as one very dear to him, what, according to his...
Excursus on the Number of the Nicene Canons.
... a. The first to beconsulted among the Greek authors is the learned Theodoret,
who lived about a century after the Council of Nic??a....
General Bibliographical Note
... Louis, 1908. Cited as Bardenhewer. In addition to the encyclopaedias the
following are indispensable, and should beconsulted: Smith...
Thesaurus
Consulted (33 Occurrences)...Consulted (33 Occurrences). Matthew 12:14 But the Pharisees after leaving the synagogue
consulted together against Him, how they might destroy Him. (WEY).
...Consult (27 Occurrences)
... See ASTROLOGY; COMMUNION WITH DEMONS; DIVINATION. (2) "To take counsel," "devise,"
"plan." The various officials of Babylon "consulted together to establish a...
Advise (10 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 12:6 And king Rehoboamconsulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon
his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may...
Teraphim (14 Occurrences)
... Teraphim wereconsulted by the Israelites for oracular answers. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. TERAPHIM. ter'-a-fim. See ASTROLOGY; DIVINATION; IMAGES....
Astrology
... Such were the woman of Endor whom Saulconsulted on the eve of the battle of Gilboa
(1 Samuel 28) and the pythoness of Philippi out of whom Paul cast the...
Advice (52 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 12:8 But he forsook the advice of the old men which they had given him,
andconsulted with the young men, who had grown up with him, that stood before...
Liver (16 Occurrences)
... The king of Babylon, who had been seeking to find out whether he should attack
Jerusalem, inquired by shaking "arrows to and fro, heconsulted the teraphim, he...
Consultation (8 Occurrences)
Huldah (2 Occurrences)
... She wasconsulted regarding the "book of the law" discovered by the high
priest Hilkiah (2 Kings 22:14-20; 2 Chronicles 34:22-28)....
Zacharias (11 Occurrences)
... of his family (1 Esdras 8:30) = "Zechariah" of Ezra 8:3, and perhaps identical with
(5). (5) One of the "men of understanding" with whom Ezraconsulted when he...
Resources
Who was Micaiah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Esther in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Verbal Plenary Preservation? | GotQuestions.orgConsulted: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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