Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "discover" in the Bible often relates to uncovering, revealing, or finding something that was previously hidden or unknown. This can pertain to both physical discoveries and spiritual revelations. The term is not frequently used in the Berean Standard Bible , but the underlying themes of discovery are prevalent throughout Scripture.
Biblical Instances of Discovery1.
Physical Discoveries: In the Old Testament, the act of discovering often involves the uncovering of hidden things or the finding of something lost. For example, in
Genesis 44:12, Joseph's steward discovers the silver cup in Benjamin's sack, revealing the brothers' supposed guilt: "The steward searched, beginning with the oldest and ending with the youngest—and the cup was discovered in Benjamin’s sack."
2.
Spiritual Discoveries: Spiritual discovery is a significant theme in the Bible, where God reveals His truths to humanity. In
Proverbs 25:2, the value of discovery is highlighted: "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter and the glory of kings to search it out." This verse suggests that God conceals certain truths, inviting believers to seek and discover them.
3.
Revelation of Sin: The Bible also speaks of the discovery of sin, where hidden sins are brought to light.
Numbers 32:23 warns, "But if you do not do this, you will certainly sin against the LORD—and be assured that your sin will find you out." This implies that sin, though hidden, will eventually be discovered and revealed.
4.
Divine Revelation: The ultimate form of discovery in the Bible is divine revelation, where God makes known His will and purposes. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is the ultimate revelation of God to humanity.
John 1:14 states, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."
5.
Personal Discovery: The journey of faith is often described as a path of personal discovery, where individuals come to know God more deeply. In
Philippians 3:10, Paul expresses his desire for such discovery: "I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death."
Theological ImplicationsThe act of discovery in the Bible is closely tied to the pursuit of wisdom and understanding.
Proverbs 2:3-5 encourages believers to seek wisdom as one would search for hidden treasures: "If you indeed call out for insight and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure, then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God."
Practical ApplicationFor believers, the concept of discovery is an invitation to engage actively with Scripture and the world around them. It encourages a life of seeking, learning, and growing in the knowledge of God. The Bible encourages believers to be diligent in their pursuit of truth, as seen in
2 Timothy 2:15: "Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth."
In summary, the theme of discovery in the Bible encompasses the uncovering of hidden truths, the revelation of God's will, and the personal journey of faith. It is an ongoing process that invites believers to seek deeper understanding and relationship with God.
ATS Bible Dictionary
DiscoverMicah 1:6, to uncover, or lay bare.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To uncover.
2. (v. t.) To disclose; to lay open to view; to make visible; to reveal; to make known; to show (what has been secret, unseen, or unknown).
3. (v. t.) To obtain for the first time sight or knowledge of, as of a thing existing already, but not perceived or known; to find; to ascertain; to espy; to detect.
4. (v. t.) To manifest without design; to show.
5. (v. t.) To explore; to examine.
6. (v. i.) To discover or show one's self.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
DISCOVERdis-kuv'-er: In modern usage the word "discover" signifies "to get first sight or knowledge of," "to ascertain," or "to explore." Such usage appears in1 Samuel 22:6 of the discovery of David's hiding-place, where the Hebrew uses yadha`. In the King James Version the word "discover" often occurs in a sense now archaic or even obsolete. (Note in the cases cited below the Hebrew word is galah, exceptJeremiah 13:26 (chashaph, "to make bare") andHabakkuk 3:13 (`arar, "to make naked").)
(1) "To exhibit," "uncover" (or "betray"), in which examples the English Revised Version also reads with the King James Version "discover"; the American Standard Revised Version "uncover" (Exodus 20:26Job 12:22Isaiah 57:8 ("discovered thyself" the King James Version and the English Revised Version);Jeremiah 13:26Lamentations 2:14Hosea 7:1Nahum 3:5).
(2) "To cause to be no longer a covering," "to lay bare" (2 Samuel 22:16 the King James Version).
(3) "To bring to light," "disclose" (1 Samuel 14:8, 11 (the English Revised Version with the King James Version "discover")).
(4) "To unmask" or "reveal oneself" (Proverbs 18:2 the King James Version).
(5) "To take away the covering of" (Isaiah 22:8 the King James Version).
(6) "To lay bare" (Habakkuk 3:13). InPsalm 29:9, the King James Version reads: "The voice of the Lord. discovereth the forests," where the Revised Version (British and American) reads, "strippeth the forests bare," i.e. "strippeth the forests of their leaves" (Perowne, The Psalms, I, 248); "strippeth bare the forests" (Briggs, Psalms, I, 251, 253).
In the New Testament (the King James Version), the word "discover" occurs as a translation of the Greek anaphanantes inActs 21:3, and for katenooun inActs 27:39, where the Revised Version (British and American) reads in the first instance "had come in sight of," and in the latter case "perceived."
W. N. Stearns
Greek
398. anaphaino -- to bring to light, make to appear... appear,
discover. From ana and phaino; to show, ie (reflexively) appear, or (passively)
to have pointed out -- (should) appear,
discover. see GREEK ana.
...2657. katanoeo -- to take note of, perceive
... behold, consider,discover, perceive. From kata and noieo; to observe fully -- behold,
consider,discover, perceive. see GREEK kata. see GREEK noieo....
419. anexeraunetos -- unsearchable
... term, 1830 , "search out ") -- properly, impossible to fully investigate, no matter
how great the effort (inquiry); (); impossible todiscover; , going beyond...
5584. pselaphao -- to feel or grope about
... I feel after, grope for. 5584 -- properly, touch , "feel after" todiscover
(personally investigate). [5584 () comes from a root...
1936. epithesis -- a laying on, an assault
... the principal means of "ordaining" someone to ministry, but should also be a regular
practice in the church when helping someone confirm (discover) God's will...
1107. gnorizo -- to come to know, to make known
... Verb Transliteration: gnorizo Phonetic Spelling: (gno-rid'-zo) Short Definition:
I make known, declare, know Definition: I make known, declare, know,discover....
429. aneurisko -- to find out
... Speech: Verb Transliteration: aneurisko Phonetic Spelling: (an-yoo-ris'-ko) Short
Definition: I find by seeking out Definition: I find by seeking out,discover...
2147. heurisko -- to find
... of Speech: Verb Transliteration: heurisko Phonetic Spelling: (hyoo-ris'-ko,) Short
Definition: I find Definition: I find, learn,discover, especially after...
Strong's Hebrew
2834. chasaph -- to strip off, strip, make bare... make bare, clean,
discover, draw out, take, uncover. A primitive root;
to strip off, ie Generally to make naked (for exertion or
...7912. shekach -- to find
... Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding to shakach Definition to find NASB Word Usage
discover (1), discovered (1), find (5), found (11). find....
6168. arah -- to be naked or bare
... leave destitute,discover, empty, make naked, pour out, rase, spread self,
uncover. A primitive root; to be (causatively, make) bare...
3045. yada -- to know
... be aware, (un-)awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, X could they,
cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern,discover, endued with...
1540. galah -- to uncover, remove
... stripped); figuratively, to reveal -- + advertise, appear, bewray, bring, (carry,
lead, go) captive (into captivity), depart, disclose,discover, exile, be gone...
4672. matsa -- to attain to, find
... Usage actually found (1), afford* (1), befall (1), befallen (2), befell (1), came
(2), caught (5), come (6), comes (1), delivered (2),discover (8), discovered...
Library
Yet one CannotDiscover by any Rational Process of Reasoning...
... Book I. 16 Yet one cannotdiscover by any rational process of reasoning?
Yet one cannotdiscover by any rational process of reasoning...
How toDiscover what is the Will of God.
... CHAPTER II. THE DIVINE ACTION WORKS UNCEASINGLY FOR THE SANCTIFICATION OF
SOULS. SECTION III."How toDiscover what is the Will of God....
Means toDiscover when we Change in the Matter of this Holy Love.
... CHAPTER X. MEANS TODISCOVER WHEN WE CHANGE IN THE MATTER OF THIS HOLY LOVE.... But
stay a little, and you willdiscover whether it be God indeed whom he loves....
Celsus, in Adopting the Character of a Jew, could notDiscover any...
... Chapter LXXVI. Celsus, in adopting the character of a Jew, could notdiscover
any objections to be? Celsus, in adopting the character...
Moses, Allowing Divorce, and Christ Prohibiting It, Explained John...
... and Herod. Marcion's Attempt toDiscover an Antithesis in the Parable of the
Rich Man and the Poor Man in Hades Confuted. The Creator's...
That it is not Easy toDiscover the Trinity that is God from the...
... Book XV. Chapter 7."That It is Not Easy toDiscover the Trinity that is
God from the Trinities We Have Spoken of. 11. But these...
The Answer Telling How a Solitary CanDiscover his Faults.
... The Conferences of John Cassian. Chapter XII. The answer telling how a
solitary candiscover his faults. John: To those who are...
Faith is the Basis of Human Life; Man CannotDiscover that Truth...
... Book VI. Chapter V."Faith is the Basis of Human Life; Man CannotDiscover
that Truth Which Holy Scripture Has Disclosed. 7. From...
But Unbelievers Cry, "How Can the Flesh, which Has Been Putrified...
... you refuse to admit the fact when you see mortal ingenuity search for veins of metal
deeply buried in the ground, and the experienced eyediscover gold where...
Again in John v. 2, Etc. , on the Five Porches, Where Lay a Great...
... But because the Law was not given to heal the infirm, but todiscover and to manifest
them; for so saith the Apostle, "For if there had been a law given which...
Thesaurus
Discover (28 Occurrences)... to show. 5. (vt) To explore; to examine. 6. (vi) To
discover or show one's
self. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
DISCOVER. dis-kuv
...Find (1784 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To learn by experience or trial; to perceive; to experience; todiscover
by the intellect or the feelings; to detect; to feel....
Descry (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (vt) To recognize; to discern; todiscover; to spy out ordiscover by the
eye; to espy. 2. (vt) Todiscover; to disclose; to reveal....
Spy (27 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To gain sight of; todiscover at a distance, or in a state of concealment;
to espy; to see. 2. (vt) Todiscover by close search or examination....
Discovered (46 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofDiscover. Multi-Version Concordance
Discovered (46 Occurrences). Matthew 22:11 "Now the...
Within (400 Occurrences)
... Romans 7:23 but Idiscover within me a different Law at war with the Law of my
understanding, and leading me captive to the Law which is everywhere at work in...
Vigilant (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Attentive todiscover and avoid danger, or
to provide for safety; wakeful; watchful; circumspect; wary....
Key (8 Occurrences)
... Hence, that which serves to unlock, open,discover, or solve something unknown
or difficult; as, the key to a riddle; the key to a problem....
Noon-day (8 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 16:3 Take counsel, execute judgment; make thy shadow as the night in the
midst of the noon-day; hide the outcasts;discover not him that wandereth....
Novice (1 Occurrence)
... He has not yet had time todiscover his limitations, he is newly planted, he does
not fully understand his true position in the Christian community, he...
Resources
What are ways I could serve / be serving in the church? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Jesus Seminar? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I know what God's plan is? | GotQuestions.orgDiscover: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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