Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of biblical literature and theology, the term "defective" can refer to various aspects, including physical imperfections, moral shortcomings, or spiritual deficiencies. The Bible addresses the concept of defectiveness in both literal and metaphorical terms, often highlighting God's standards for holiness and perfection.
Physical DefectsThe Old Testament law contains specific instructions regarding physical defects, particularly in the context of priestly service and sacrificial offerings. In
Leviticus 21:17-23, God commands Moses to speak to Aaron, stating that no descendant of Aaron with a physical defect may approach to offer the food of his God. The passage lists various physical defects, such as blindness, lameness, or a broken foot, which disqualify a priest from serving at the altar. This requirement underscores the holiness and perfection expected in the service of God.
Similarly, in
Leviticus 22:20-25, the Israelites are instructed not to offer any animal with a defect as a sacrifice to the Lord. The passage emphasizes that offerings must be without blemish to be acceptable, reflecting the need for purity and perfection in worship.
Moral and Spiritual DefectsBeyond physical imperfections, the Bible also addresses moral and spiritual defects. In the New Testament, Jesus often confronts the spiritual deficiencies of the religious leaders of His time. In
Matthew 23:27-28, Jesus rebukes the scribes and Pharisees, comparing them to whitewashed tombs that appear beautiful outwardly but are full of dead bones and uncleanness inside. This metaphor highlights the hypocrisy and moral defectiveness of those who prioritize external appearances over inner righteousness.
The Apostle Paul also speaks to the issue of spiritual defectiveness in his letters. In
Romans 3:23, Paul writes, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." This verse acknowledges the universal moral defectiveness of humanity, emphasizing the need for redemption through Jesus Christ.
Redemption and RestorationWhile the Bible acknowledges human defectiveness, it also offers hope for redemption and restoration. In
Isaiah 53:5, the prophet speaks of the suffering servant, saying, "But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed." This passage points to the redemptive work of Christ, who takes upon Himself the defects and sins of humanity to bring healing and restoration.
In the New Testament, the theme of restoration is further developed. In
2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul declares, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!" Through faith in Christ, believers are made new, overcoming their spiritual defects and being transformed into the image of God.
ConclusionThe concept of defectiveness in the Bible serves as a reminder of God's holiness and the human need for redemption. While physical and moral defects are acknowledged, the Scriptures ultimately point to the hope of restoration through Jesus Christ, who offers healing and transformation to all who believe.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Wanting in something; incomplete; lacking a part; deficient; imperfect; faulty; -- applied either to natural or moral qualities; as, a defective limb; defective timber; a defective copy or account; a defective character; defective rules.
2. (a.) Lacking some of the usual forms of declension or conjugation; as, a defective noun or verb.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
DEFECT; DEFECTIVEde-fekt', de-fekt'-iv (hettema, "loss," "a defect"): Occurs in1 Corinthians 6:7: "Nay, already it is altogether a defect in you (the King James Version "there is utterly a fault among you"), that ye have lawsuits one with another." "Defect" means "want or absence of something necessary for completeness" (the Revised Version, margin "a loss to you"). The meaning of the passage in the Revised Version (British and American) is that when Christians have lawsuits one with another it produces a lack of something which brings them short of completeness, they suffer a spiritual loss or defeat, and perhaps defect is not quite strong enough fully to express that idea.
Defective: Sirach 49:4 the King James Version, the Revised Version (British and American) "committed trespass."
A. W. Fortune
Greek
1510. eimi -- I exist, I am... and
defective verb Definition I exist, I am NASB Word Usage accompanied* (1), accompany*
(2), am (138), amount (1), amounts (1), appear* (1), asserted* (1
...1507. heilisso -- roll together.
... roll together. A prolonged form of a primary butdefective verb heilo (of the same
meaning); to coil or wrap -- roll together. See also helisso....
Strong's Hebrew
4482. men -- string (of a harp)... a part; hence, a musical chord (as parted into strings) -- in (the same) (Psalm
68:23), stringed instrument (Psalm 150:4), whereby (Psalm 45:8 (
defective plural
...Library
Defective Learning.
... Seventh Chapter. FAITH. XXXIX.Defective Learning. "He that believeth on
Him shall not be confounded.""1 Peter 2:6. St. Paul declares...
WhetherDefective Age is an Impediment to Marriage?
... OF THE IMPEDIMENTS OF IMPOTENCE, SPELL, FRENZY OR MADNESS, INCEST ANDDEFECTIVE
AGE (FIVE ARTICLES) Whetherdefective age is an impediment to marriage?...
Nevertheless Some Things wereDefective Too
... THE THIRD CENTURY 37 Nevertheless some things weredefective too. Nevertheless
some things weredefective too. There was never a...
God's Attribute of Goodness Considered as Rational Marcion's God...
... Chapter XXIII."God's Attribute of Goodness Considered as Rational Marcion's God
Defective Here Also; His Goodness Irrational and Misapplied....
And, Indeed, I must Confess that Our Authors are VeryDefective in...
... Book 4 Chapter 41. And, indeed, I must confess that our authors are very
defective in that grace? 41. And, indeed, I must confess...
Of the Impediments of Impotence, Spell, Frenzy or Madness, Incest...
... OF THE IMPEDIMENTS OF IMPOTENCE, SPELL, FRENZY OR MADNESS, INCEST ANDDEFECTIVE
AGE (FIVE ARTICLES).... (4) Whether incest is? (5) Whetherdefective age is?...
The Secret of True Obedience.
... It is God's holy presence, consciously abiding with us, that keeps us from disobeying
Him.Defective obedience is always the result of adefective life....
Whether a Sale is Rendered Unlawful through a Fault in the Thing...
... vessels and the like. Much less therefore will it be an unlawful sale if
the thing bedefective in other ways. Objection 2: Further...
The Problem of Evil
... good. Where there is some evil in a thing, its good isdefective or defectible....
good. In so far as it isdefective, it is evil. 14....
Whether the Devil was Wicked by the Fault of his Own Will in the...
... Therefore, if there be anything which derives its nature from adefective cause,
which can be the cause of adefective action, it can in the first instant of...
Thesaurus
Defective (2 Occurrences)... in something; incomplete; lacking a part; deficient; imperfect; faulty; -- applied
either to natural or moral qualities; as, a
defective limb;
defective timber
...Imperfect (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Not perfect; not complete in all its parts;
wanting a part;defective; deficient. 2. (a.) Wanting...
Defect (62 Occurrences)
... DEFECT;DEFECTIVE....Defective: Sirach 49:4 the King James Version, the Revised Version
(British and American) "committed trespass." AW Fortune....
Defected (5 Occurrences)
Vicious (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Characterized by vice or defects;defective;
faulty; imperfect. 2. (a.) Addicted to vice; corrupt...
Valid (10 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Having sufficient strength or force; founded in truth; capable of being
justified, defended, or supported; not weak ordefective; sound; good...
Unwise (16 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Not wise;defective in wisdom; injudicious; indiscreet;
foolish; as, an unwise man; unwise kings; unwise measures....
Unsound (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Not sound; not whole; not solid;defective; infirm;
diseased. Multi-Version Concordance Unsound (1 Occurrence)....
Logia
... B is unfortunately verydefective, the bit of papyrus being broken vertically
throughout, so that several letters are lost at the end of each line, and also...
Lighted (36 Occurrences)
... Luke 11:34 The lamp of the body is the eye. When your eyesight is good, your whole
body also is lighted up; but when it isdefective, your body is darkened....
Resources
What is the book of remembrance (Malachi 3:16)? | GotQuestions.orgDoes the Bible support the Catholic practice of a marriage annulment? | GotQuestions.orgSummary of the Book of Colossians - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.orgDefective: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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