Topical Encyclopedia
The term "curious" in the context of the Bible often refers to something that is intricate, skillfully made, or crafted with great care and attention to detail. It is not commonly used in the modern sense of being inquisitive or eager to learn. Instead, it is more aligned with craftsmanship and artistry, particularly in the context of the construction of sacred objects and garments.
Biblical Usage:1.
Curious Workmanship: The term "curious" is frequently associated with the detailed and artistic work involved in the creation of the Tabernacle and the garments of the priests. In
Exodus 28:8, the Bible describes the "curious girdle" of the ephod, which was a part of the high priest's attire: "The skillfully woven waistband of the ephod must be of one piece with the ephod, of the same workmanship, with gold, with blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and with finely spun linen." . This indicates a high level of craftsmanship and attention to detail, reflecting the sacred nature of the priestly garments.
2.
Artistry in Sacred Objects: The construction of the Tabernacle and its furnishings involved "curious" or skillful work.
Exodus 35:35 speaks of Bezalel and Oholiab, who were filled with the Spirit of God to perform all kinds of artistic work: "He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and fine linen, and as weavers—designers of every work and artistic craftsmen." . This highlights the divine inspiration and skill required to create objects for worship.
3.
Symbolism and Meaning: The use of "curious" in describing the work on sacred objects and garments underscores the importance of beauty and precision in worship. The intricate designs and careful craftsmanship symbolize the order and beauty of God's creation and His desire for worship to be conducted with reverence and excellence.
4.
Moral and Spiritual Implications: While the term "curious" in the Bible primarily refers to craftsmanship, it can also imply a deeper spiritual significance. The detailed work on the Tabernacle and priestly garments serves as a reminder of the holiness and majesty of God. It calls believers to approach God with awe and respect, recognizing the care and precision with which He has designed His creation and His plan for redemption.
In summary, the biblical use of "curious" emphasizes the importance of skillful and artistic work in the service of God, reflecting His glory and the sacredness of worship. It serves as a reminder of the beauty and order inherent in God's creation and the reverence due to Him in all aspects of life.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Curious arts
(Acts 19:19), magical arts; jugglery practised by the Ephesian conjurers. Ephesus was noted for its wizard and the "Ephesian spells;" i.e., charms or scraps of parchment written over with certain formula, which were worn as a safeguard against all manner of evils. The more important and powerful of these charms were written out in books which circulated among the exorcists, and were sold at a great price.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Difficult to please or satisfy; solicitous to be correct; careful; scrupulous; nice; exact.
2. (a.) Exhibiting care or nicety; artfully constructed; elaborate; wrought with elegance or skill.
3. (a.) Careful or anxious to learn; eager for knowledge; given to research or inquiry; habitually inquisitive; prying; -- sometimes with after or of.
4. (a.) Exciting attention or inquiry; awakening surprise; inviting and rewarding inquisitiveness; not simple or plain; strange; rare.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
CURIOUSku'-ri-us (machashebheth; periergos): The above Hebrew word, meaning "thought," "device," "design," is translated "curious,"Exodus 35:32 the King James Version "curious works"; the English Revised Version "cunning"; the American Standard Revised Version "skilful"; cheshebh ("device," "devised work"), translated the King James Version "curious girdle," is translated by the English Revised Version "cunningly woven band," the American Standard Revised Version "skilfully" (Exodus 28:8, 27, 28;Exodus 29:5;Exodus 39:5, 20, 21Leviticus 8:7). InPsalm 139:15 raqam, "embroidered," "variegated" is used figuratively of a child in the womb, translated "curiously wrought"; "the body or the fetus is described as woven together of so many different-colored threads, like a cunning and beautiful network or tapestry" (Perowne in the place cited.). See alsoCURDLE. Periergos, "working round about," is used of the "curious arts" of some in Ephesus who brought their books to be burned (Acts 19:19 the American Standard Revised Version "magical").
SeeASTROLOGY 14.
W. L. Walker
Greek
4021. periergos -- overly careful,curious, meddling, subst. a...... 4020, 4021. periergos. 4022 . overly careful,
curious, meddling, subst. a
busybody. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: periergos
...Strong's Hebrew
4284. machashabah -- thought, device... 4), thoughts (19), ways (1). cunning work,
curious work, imagination, invented,
means, purpose, thought. Or machashebeth {makh-ash
...2805. chesheb -- ingenious work
...curious girdle. From chashab; a belt or strap (as being interlaced) --curious girdle.
see HEBREW chashab. 2804, 2805. chesheb. 2806 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
ACurious Interruption
... Chapter 4. Preaching Incidents; Wesley's Labor Colony; Dispute with Whitefield;
Curious Interruptions; The Mother of the Wesleys ACurious Interruption....
Of Avoiding ofCurious Inquiry into the Life of Another
... ON INWARD CONSOLATION CHAPTER XXIV Of avoiding ofcurious inquiry into the life
of another. "My Son, be notcurious, nor trouble thyself with vain cares....
The Twenty-Fourth Chapter: AvoidingCurious Inquiry About the...
... BOOK THREE. INTERNAL CONSOLATION The Twenty-Fourth Chapter: AvoidingCurious Inquiry
About the Lives of Others. The Voice of Christ MY CHILD, do not becurious....
We Shall not beCurious in the Ranking of the Duties in which...
... A TREATISE OF CHRISTIAN LOVE. John xiii. 35. Chapter IV. We shall not becurious
in the ranking of the duties in which Christian love?...
As Pictures are MadeCurious by Lights and Shades
... THE FIRST CENTURY 41 As pictures are madecurious by lights and shades.
As pictures are madecurious by lights and shades, which...
Suppose aCurious and Fair Woman
... THE SECOND CENTURY 68 Suppose acurious and fair woman. Suppose acurious and fair
woman. Some have seen the beauties of Heaven in such a person....
ACurious Inconsistency in Hermogenes Exposed Certain Expressions...
... Chapter XXVIII."ACurious Inconsistency in Hermogenes Exposed Certain Expressions
in The History of Creation Vindicated in The True Sense....
Curious views Respecting God's Method of Working with Matter...
... Chapter XLIV."Curious Views Respecting God's Method of Working with Matter Exposed
Discrepancies in the Heretic's Opinion About God's Local Relation to Matter...
That a Man Should not be aCurious Searcher of the Sacrament, but...
... OF THE SACRAMENT OF THE ALTAR CHAPTER XVIII That a man should not be acurious searcher
of the Sacrament, but a humble imitator of Christ, submitting his sense...
Diamond Woke Very Early in the Morning, and Thought what aCurious...
... Chapter 3 Diamond woke very early in the morning, and thought what acurious
dream he had? Diamond woke very early in the morning...
Thesaurus
Curious (18 Occurrences)... Easton's Bible Dictionary
Curious arts. (Acts 19:19), magical arts; jugglery practised
by the Ephesian conjurers.
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
CURIOUS.
...Girdle (44 Occurrences)
... (5.) Hebrews hesheb, the "curious girdle" (Exodus 28:8; RV, "cunningly woven band")
was attached to the ephod, and was made of the same material....
Gird (44 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:8 And thecurious girdle of the ephod, which is upon it, shall be of the
same, according to the work thereof; even of gold, of blue, and purple, and...
Breast-plate (22 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:28 And they shall bind the breast-plate by its rings to the rings of the
ephod with a lace of blue, that it may be above thecurious girdle of the...
Ephod (45 Occurrences)
... over the shoulders (hence in Latin called superhumerale) by clasps or buckles of
gold or precious stones, and fastened round the waist by a "curious girdle of...
Curiously (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In acurious manner. Multi-Version Concordance
Curiously (1 Occurrence). Psalms 139:15 My substance...
Cunning (43 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Knowing; skillful; dexterous. 2. (a.) Wrought
with, or exhibiting, skill or ingenuity; ingenious;curious; as, cunning work....
Loosed (41 Occurrences)
... 28:28 And they shall bind the breastplate by the rings thereof unto the rings of
the ephod with a lace of blue, that it may be above thecurious girdle of the...
Nightmonster
... It is mostcurious and interesting to observe that this ghost-demon lived on through
the history of the Babylonian religion, and was carried out into the...
Night-monster
... It is mostcurious and interesting to observe that this ghost-demon lived on through
the history of the Babylonian religion, and was carried out into the...
Resources
What is the Anglican Church, and what do Anglicans believe? | GotQuestions.orgWhy do we celebrate Easter? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does Numbers 32:23 mean when it says, “Be sure your sin will find you out”? | GotQuestions.orgCurious: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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