Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context:In the biblical context, "discovery" often refers to the act of uncovering or revealing something previously hidden or unknown. This can pertain to divine truths, personal revelations, or the uncovering of sin. The concept of discovery is intertwined with themes of revelation, wisdom, and understanding, as God often reveals His will and purposes to His people.
Biblical Instances of Discovery:1.
Divine Revelation: Discovery in the Bible frequently involves God revealing His plans and purposes to humanity. In the Old Testament, prophets often received divine revelations that they then communicated to the people. For example,
Amos 3:7 states, "Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets." This underscores the idea that God chooses to disclose His intentions to those He calls.
2.
Personal Revelation and Understanding: The Bible speaks of personal discovery in terms of gaining wisdom and understanding.
Proverbs 2:3-5 encourages believers to seek wisdom as one would search for hidden treasures, promising that such a pursuit will lead to the discovery of the knowledge of God: "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."
3.
Uncovering Sin: Discovery can also refer to the exposure of sin.
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 passage highlights the inevitability of sin being discovered, emphasizing the importance of repentance and accountability.
4.
The Discovery of God's Creation: The Bible encourages the exploration and appreciation of God's creation, which can lead to the discovery of His majesty and power.
Psalm 19:1-2 declares, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge." This suggests that the natural world is a source of ongoing discovery about God's character and creativity.
5.
The Mystery of the Gospel: In the New Testament, the discovery of the mystery of the Gospel is a central theme.
Ephesians 3:8-9 speaks of the grace given to Paul to "preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to illuminate for everyone the stewardship of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things." The revelation of the Gospel to the Gentiles was a significant discovery that expanded the understanding of God's redemptive plan.
Theological Implications:Discovery in the biblical sense is not merely an intellectual exercise but a spiritual journey that leads to a deeper relationship with God. It involves both the uncovering of divine truths and the personal transformation that comes from understanding and applying these truths. The Bible encourages believers to seek out wisdom and knowledge, promising that such endeavors will lead to a greater understanding of God's will and character.
Practical Application:Believers are encouraged to actively seek discovery through prayer, study of the Scriptures, and reflection on God's creation. This pursuit is not only about gaining knowledge but also about growing in faith and obedience. As individuals discover more about God and His purposes, they are called to live out these truths in their daily lives, sharing the discoveries of God's love and grace with others.
Topical Bible Verses
Deuteronomy 22:1-30You shall not see your brother's ox or his sheep go astray, and hide yourself from them: you shall in any case bring them again to your brother.
Topicalbible.org
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The action of discovering; exposure to view; laying open; showing; as, the discovery of a plot.
2. (n.) A making known; revelation; disclosure; as, a bankrupt is bound to make a full discovery of his assets.
3. (n.) Finding out or ascertaining something previously unknown or unrecognized; as, Harvey's discovery of the circulation of the blood.
4. (n.) That which is discovered; a thing found out, or for the first time ascertained or recognized; as, the properties of the magnet were an important discovery.
5. (n.) Exploration; examination.
Strong's Hebrew
4672. matsa -- to attain to, find... 1), befall (1), befallen (2), befell (1), came (2), caught (5), come (6), comes
(1), delivered (2), discover (8), discovered (4),
discovery (1), enough (1
...Library
How on theDiscovery of Prohibited Books among the Heretics, Many...
... Book III. Chapter LXVI."How on theDiscovery of Prohibited Books among
the Heretics, Many of them return to the Catholic Church....
ADiscovery.
... Book VII. Chapter XXI."ADiscovery. When Peter had thus spoken, the woman,
struck with astonishment, fainted. Then Peter began...
TheDiscovery of the Life-Bringing Cross and of the Holy
... Book II. Chapter I."TheDiscovery of the Life-Bringing Cross and of the Holy.... furnishes
an additional story about thediscovery, which he, however, confutes....
Discovery of the Remains of the Prophets Habakkuk and Micah. Death...
... Book VII. Chapter XXIX."Discovery of the Remains of the Prophets Habakkuk
and Micah. Death of the Emperor Theodosius the Great....
Discovery of the Relics of Forty Holy Martyrs.
... Book IX. Chapter II."Discovery of the Relics of Forty Holy Martyrs. A
woman by name Eusebia, [1623] who was a deaconess of the...
TheDiscovery of Truth is Difficult, but God Has Promised that He...
... Book XII. Chapter I ."TheDiscovery of Truth is Difficult, But God Has
Promised that He Who Seeks Shall Find. 1. My heart, O Lord...
Discovery of the Honored Head of the Forerunner of Our Lord, and...
... Book VII. Chapter XXI."Discovery of the Honored Head of the Forerunner
of our Lord, and the Events about it. About this time the...
Discovery of the Relics of Zechariah the Prophet, and of Stephen...
... Book IX. Chapter XVII."Discovery of the Relics of Zechariah the Prophet, and of
Stephen the Proto-Martyr. I shall first speak of the relics of the prophet....
Discovery of the Most Holy Sepulchre.
... Book III. Chapter XXVIII."Discovery of the Most Holy Sepulchre. This also
was accomplished without delay. But as soon as the original...
Providential Preparations for theDiscovery of America --Spiritual...
... CHAPTER I. PROVIDENTIAL PREPARATIONS FOR THEDISCOVERY OF AMERICA"SPIRITUAL REVIVAL
THROUGHOUT CHRISTENDOM, AND ESPECIALLY IN THE CHURCH OF SPAIN....
Thesaurus
Discovery (24 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The action of discovering; exposure to
view; laying open; showing; as, the
discovery of a plot.
...Library
... NINEVEH, LIBRARY OF. I. THEDISCOVERY II. THE LIBRARY III.... In the spring of 1850,
the workmen of Sir AH Layard at Nineveh made an importantdiscovery....
Discovered (46 Occurrences)
... Genesis 36:24 And these are the children of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah; that same Anah
who made thediscovery of the water-springs in the waste land, when he was...
Proverb (24 Occurrences)
... Animus of Proverbs II. LITERARY DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROVERB 1.Discovery
of Literary Value 2. The Differentiation III. AS UNIT OF...
Cross (157 Occurrences)
... cross of later date, in which the pieces are equally long; (4) the crux decussata,
or Andrew's cross, which has the shape of the letter X. 2.Discovery of the...
Exploration
... 1. (n.) The act of exploring, penetrating, or ranging over for purposes ofdiscovery,
especially of geographicaldiscovery; examination; as, the exploration of...
Ostraca
... 1. Hebrew Ostraca: A fortunatediscovery at Samaria (1910), made among the ruins
of Ahab's palace, has brought to light 75 Hebrew ostraca inscribed with ink...
Aramaic (12 Occurrences)
... More recent has been thediscovery of the Assouan papyri; these bear dates
which synchronize with Ezra and Nehemiah. Earlier than...
Across (172 Occurrences)
... (DBY). John 1:41 Early in the morning he came across his brother and said to him,
We have madediscovery! It is the Messiah! (which is to say, the Christ)....
Smyrna (2 Occurrences)
... the Turks. It was thediscovery of America and the resultingdiscovery of a
sea route to India which ruined the Smyrna trade. 2. Modern...
Resources
Would the discovery of Noah's Ark be important? | GotQuestions.orgIf aliens were proved to exist, how would that discovery impact the Christian faith? | GotQuestions.orgHow would the discovery of alien life impact the Christian faith? | GotQuestions.orgDiscovery: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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