Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "diminish" often refers to the act of reducing, lessening, or taking away from something, whether it be physical, spiritual, or moral. The concept of diminishing is addressed in various passages, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the integrity of God's commandments, the faith, and the blessings bestowed upon His people.
Scriptural References:1.
Deuteronomy 4:2 : "You shall not add to the word that I am commanding you, nor take away from it, so that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God that I am giving you." This verse underscores the importance of preserving the completeness and purity of God's Word. The command not to diminish the Word highlights the necessity of adhering strictly to divine instructions without alteration.
2.
Deuteronomy 12:32 : "See that you do everything I command you; do not add to it or take away from it." Similar to
Deuteronomy 4:2, this passage reiterates the prohibition against diminishing God's commandments. It serves as a warning to the Israelites to faithfully observe the laws given to them, ensuring that nothing is subtracted from God's perfect law.
3.
Proverbs 13:11 : "Dishonest wealth will dwindle, but what is earned through hard work will multiply." Here, the concept of diminishing is applied to wealth and possessions. The verse teaches that ill-gotten gains will diminish over time, while honest labor leads to increase. This reflects a broader biblical principle that integrity and righteousness lead to lasting prosperity.
4.
John 3:30 : "He must increase; I must decrease." In this statement by John the Baptist, the idea of diminishing is expressed in terms of personal humility and the exaltation of Christ. John acknowledges that his own role must diminish as Jesus' ministry grows. This reflects the Christian principle of self-denial and the prioritization of Christ's glory over personal ambition.
5.
Revelation 22:19 : "And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book." This solemn warning at the end of the Bible emphasizes the severe consequences of diminishing the prophetic words of Scripture. It serves as a final reminder of the sanctity and inviolability of God's revelation.
Theological Implications:The concept of diminishing in the Bible is closely tied to the themes of obedience, faithfulness, and reverence for God's Word. It highlights the dangers of altering divine instructions and the importance of maintaining the integrity of the faith. Diminishing God's commandments or His revelation can lead to spiritual decline and loss of divine favor.
In a broader sense, the call to diminish oneself, as exemplified by John the Baptist, is a call to humility and submission to God's will. It reflects the Christian ideal of putting Christ first and allowing His presence to increase in one's life, leading to spiritual growth and maturity.
Practical Application:Believers are encouraged to uphold the entirety of Scripture, resisting the temptation to diminish or alter its teachings to suit personal preferences or cultural trends. This involves a commitment to studying the Bible diligently, applying its truths faithfully, and living in a manner that honors God. Additionally, Christians are called to practice humility, recognizing that true greatness comes from exalting Christ and serving others selflessly.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To make smaller in any manner; to reduce in bulk or amount; to lessen; -- opposed to augment or increase.
2. (v. t.) To lessen the authority or dignity of; to put down; to degrade; to abase; to weaken.
3. (v. t.) To make smaller by a half step; to make (an interval) less than minor; as, a diminished seventh.
4. (v. t.) To take away; to subtract.
5. (v. i.) To become or appear less or smaller; to lessen; as, the apparent size of an object diminishes as we recede from it.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
DIMINISHdi-min'-ish: the Revised Version (British and American) has retained nearly all passages of the King James Version where "to diminish" is used. Some of these uses have become obsolete:Deuteronomy 4:2, "neither shall ye diminish from it." "Diminish" generally means "to reduce," "to lessen." In this sense it is employed inEzekiel 5:11 from the Hebrew gara`, literally, "to shear." The picture of shearing the beard, expressing degradation and loss of manhood, may underlie this passage.
Greek
1641. elattoneo -- to be less... have lack. From elasson; to
diminish, ie Fall short -- have lack. see GREEK elasson.
(elattonesen) -- 1 Occurrence. 1640, 1641. elattoneo. 1642 .
...Strong's Hebrew
1639. gara -- todiminish, restrain, withdraw... 1638, 1639. gara. 1640 . to
diminish, restrain, withdraw. Transliteration:
gara Phonetic Spelling: (gaw-rah') Short Definition: withdrawn. Word Origin a prim
...4591. maat -- to be or become small, diminished, or few
... root Definition to be or become small, diminished, or few NASB Word Usage bring
to nothing (1), decrease (2),diminish (2), diminished (2), dwindles (1), few (2...
6994. qaton -- to be small or insignificant
... A primitive root (rather denominative from qatan); todiminish, ie Be (causatively,
make) diminutive or (figuratively) of no account -- be a (make) small (thing...
4592. meat -- a little, fewness, a few
... Word Origin from maat Definition a little, fewness, a few NASB Word Usage almost
(2), brief (1), close (1),diminish (1), easily (1), enough (3), few (20...
Library
Whether a Habit CanDiminish?
... HOW HABITS ARE CORRUPTED OR DIMINISHED (THREE ARTICLES) Whether a habit candiminish?
Objection 1: It would seem that a habit cannotdiminish....
How the Incarnation did not Limit the Ubiquity of the Word, nor...
... On the Incarnation of the Word. Section 17. How the Incarnation did not limit the
ubiquity of the Word, nordiminish His Purity. (Simile of the Sun.)....
Whether Ignorance Diminishes a Sin?
... sin? Objection 1: It would seem that ignorance does notdiminish a sin.
For that which is common to all sins does notdiminish sin....
Whether Reasons in Support of what we Believe Lessen the Merit of...
... i, 9). Now human reasoning seems todiminish the measure of the virtue of faith,
since it is essential to faith to be about the unseen, as stated above ([2294]Q...
Whether a Reason in Support of the Things of Faith Diminishes the...
... it. Now a human reason seems todiminish the nature of the virtue of faith....
it. Hence a reason does notdiminish the merit of faith....
Whether Sin Diminishes the Good of Nature?
... Objection 1: It would seem that sin does notdiminish the good of nature.... Nom. iv).
Therefore neither does sindiminish the good of human nature....
Whether Sin Diminishes Natural Good
... 1. It seems that sin does notdiminish natural good.... It follows that one who sins
cannotdiminish the good of his own nature by his own sin....
Whether Charity Can Decrease?
... of sin. Hence He does notdiminish charity except by way of punishment:
and this punishment is due on account of sin. It follows...
Whether the Aforesaid Works Avail for the Mitigation of the Pains...
... For the measure of punishment in hell will answer to the measure of guilt. But
works done without charity do notdiminish the measure of guilt....
Whether Sin is Alleviated on Account of a Passion?
... the passion, the greater the sin. Therefore passion does notdiminish sin,
but increases it. Objection 2: Further, a good passion...
Thesaurus
Diminish (22 Occurrences)...DIMINISH. di-min'-ish: the Revised Version (British and American) has retained nearly
all passages of the King James Version where "to
diminish" is used.
...Reduce (13 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) To bring to any inferior state, with respect to rank, size, quantity, quality,
value, etc.; todiminish; to lower; to degrade; to impair; as, to reduce...
Minish (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (v.) Todiminish; to lessen. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. MINISH. min'-ash (the King James Version...
Abate (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To reduce; to decrease; todiminish; as, the winds abated; to contract;
to moderate; to cut short; as, to abate a demand; to abate pride, zeal, hope....
Aught (52 Occurrences)
... Exodus 5:8 And the number of the bricks, which they did make heretofore, ye shall
lay upon them; ye shall notdiminish aught thereof: for they are idle...
Quota (5 Occurrences)
... You shall notdiminish anything of it, for they are idle; therefore they cry,
saying,'Let us go and sacrifice to our God.' (See NAS NIV)....
Tarnish (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (v.) To soil ordiminish the appearance of, especially induced by the air, or
by dust, or the like; todiminish, dull, or destroy the luster of; to sully; as...
Decline (10 Occurrences)
... tend or draw towards a close, decay, or extinction; to tend to a less perfect state;
to become diminished or impaired; to fail; to sink; todiminish; to lessen...
Diminished (11 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofDiminish. Multi-Version Concordance
Diminished (11 Occurrences). Exodus 5:11 Go yourselves...
Decrease (4 Occurrences)
... June to December. 2. (vt) To cause to grow less; todiminish gradually;
as, extravagance decreases one's means. 3. (n.) A becoming...
Resources
Are intrusive thoughts sin? Are spontaneous violent, sexual, or blasphemous thoughts sin? | GotQuestions.orgHow is Jesus our Sabbath Rest? | GotQuestions.orgDoes Hebrews 10:26 mean that a believer can lose salvation? | GotQuestions.orgDiminish: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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