Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, "distribution" often refers to the allocation or sharing of resources, goods, or responsibilities among individuals or groups. This concept is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, reflecting God's provision, justice, and the communal life of His people.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, distribution is frequently associated with the division of land and resources among the tribes of Israel. After the Israelites entered the Promised Land, Joshua was responsible for distributing the land among the twelve tribes (Joshua 13-21). This distribution was not merely a logistical task but a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham and his descendants (
Genesis 12:7).
The concept of distribution also appears in the laws concerning the Year of Jubilee, where land was to be returned to its original owners every fifty years (
Leviticus 25:8-17). This ensured that no family would permanently lose their inheritance, reflecting God's concern for justice and equity.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, distribution takes on a communal and charitable aspect, particularly in the early Church. The Book of Acts describes how the early Christians shared their possessions and distributed resources to those in need.
Acts 4:34-35 states, "There were no needy ones among them, because those who owned lands or houses would sell their property, bring the proceeds from the sales, and lay them at the apostles’ feet for distribution to anyone as he had need."
The appointment of the seven deacons in
Acts 6:1-6 was a response to the need for fair distribution of food to the widows, ensuring that the Greek-speaking widows were not overlooked in the daily distribution. This event highlights the importance of equitable distribution and the role of church leadership in managing resources.
Spiritual and Theological ImplicationsDistribution in the Bible is not merely about material goods but also involves the distribution of spiritual gifts. The Apostle Paul speaks of the distribution of spiritual gifts by the Holy Spirit for the edification of the Church (
1 Corinthians 12:4-11). Each believer receives gifts according to God's sovereign will, emphasizing the diversity and unity within the body of Christ.
Furthermore, the principle of distribution reflects God's character as a provider and sustainer. Jesus' feeding of the five thousand (
Matthew 14:13-21) and the four thousand (
Matthew 15:32-39) are miraculous examples of divine distribution, where limited resources are multiplied to meet the needs of the people.
Practical ApplicationThe biblical principle of distribution calls believers to practice generosity, stewardship, and justice. Christians are encouraged to share their resources with those in need, reflecting the love and provision of God. The Apostle Paul exhorts the church in
Galatians 6:10 , "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith."
In summary, distribution in the Bible encompasses the sharing of land, resources, and spiritual gifts, underscoring themes of justice, community, and divine provision. It challenges believers to live out their faith through acts of generosity and stewardship, mirroring the character of God in their daily lives.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The act of distributing or dispensing; the act of dividing or apportioning among several or many; apportionment; as, the distribution of an estate among heirs or children.
2. (n.) Separation into parts or classes; arrangement of anything into parts; disposition; classification.
3. (n.) That which is distributed.
4. (n.) A resolving a whole into its parts.
5. (n.) The sorting of types and placing them in their proper boxes in the cases.
6. (n.) The steps or operations by which steam is supplied to and withdrawn from the cylinder at each stroke of the piston; viz., admission, suppression or cutting off, release or exhaust, and compression of exhaust steam prior to the next admission.
Greek
3311. merismos -- a dividing,distribution... a dividing,
distribution. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: merismos
Phonetic Spelling: (mer-is-mos') Short Definition: a
distribution...1243. diairesis -- a division
... of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: diairesis Phonetic Spelling:
(dee-ah'-ee-res-is) Short Definition: division,distribution, difference, distinction...
2596. kata -- down, against, according to
... In composition it retains many of these applications, and frequently denotes
opposition,distribution, or intensity. (kath) -- 61 Occurrences....
1266. diamerizo -- to distribute, to divide
... cloven, divided. From dia and merizo; to partition thoroughly (literally in
distribution, figuratively in dissension) -- cloven, divide, part. see GREEK dia....
1909. epi -- on, upon
... A primary preposition; properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order,
etc.), as a relation ofdistribution (with the genitive case), ie Over, upon...
2842. koinonia -- fellowship
... ie (literally) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction --
(to) communicate(-ation), communion, (contri-)distribution, fellowship....
2818. kleronomos -- an heir
... Lot-casting determined land allotments (distribution) related to inheritance, as
well as to "title-deeds, legacy, inheritance, heritable estate" ().]....
4985. somatikos -- bodily
... from 4983 , "body") -- (used only in Col 2:9). It refers to "Christ's of the ('fullness
of God'), as contrasted with its supposeddistribution through other...
Strong's Hebrew
2515. chaluqqah -- part, portion... Word Origin from chalaq Definition part, portion NASB Word Usage division (1). division.
Feminine of challuq; a
distribution -- division. see HEBREW challuq.
...Library
TheDistribution of Talents
... L THEDISTRIBUTION OF TALENTS. Matthew xxv.14-30. The parable of the talents takes
up the side of life which is not emphasized in the parable of the sower....
Varro'sDistribution of his Book which He Composed Concerning the...
... Book VI. Chapter 3."Varro'sDistribution of His Book Which He Composed
Concerning the Antiquities of Human and Divine Things....
God'sDistribution must Regulate Our Desires, Otherwise we Become...
... Book I. Chapter IX."God'sDistribution Must Regulate Our Desires, Otherwise
We Become the Prey of Ambition and Its Attendant Evils....
Of theDistribution of the Keys, and their Power, or of the...
... II. Of theDistribution of the Keys, and their power, or of the severall sorts thereof.
THE ordinaryDistribution of the keys is wont to be thus delivered....
1879-1880. Experiences among Indians --Picnic in the Bush...
... CHAPTER VIII. 1879-1880. Experiences among Indians"Picnic in the Bush"Distribution
of Testaments""Till He come"""A Home and a hearty Welcome."....
The Power of Rome Romanized Aspect of all the Heathen Mythology....
... Book II. Chapter IX."The Power of Rome Romanized Aspect of All the Heathen
Mythology. Varro's ThreefoldDistribution Criticised....
Of their Reception by the Notary Marianus; theDistribution of...
... Book IV. Chapter XLIV."Of their Reception by the Notary Marianus; the
Distribution of Money to the Poor; and Offerings to the Church....
Whether Two Species of Justice are Suitably Assigned, viz....
... ii, 15): "He who receives becomes worse, and the more ready to expect that he will
receive again." Thereforedistribution does not belong to any species of...
Reformation of Abuses at Rome by the Emperor Theodosius.
... them was the following: there were buildings of immense magnitude, erected in ancient
Rome in former times, in which bread was made fordistribution among the...
Twenty-Sixth Proposition of Arminius
... TWENTY-SIXTH PROPOSITION OF ARMINIUS. Fifthly, because, according to it, the decree
is equivocal, and true only on condition of adistribution of its terms....
Thesaurus
Distribution (32 Occurrences)... 1. (n.) The act of distributing or dispensing; the act of dividing or apportioning
among several or many; apportionment; as, the
distribution of an estate
...Distributed (30 Occurrences)
... (WEB WEY DBY RSV). Acts 4:35 and were laying them at the feet of the apostles, and
distribution was being made to each according as any one had need....
Heritages (7 Occurrences)
... Joshua 13:32 These are the heritages of which Moses madedistribution in the lowlands
of Moab, on the other side of Jordan in Jericho, to the east. (BBE)....
Distribute (23 Occurrences)
... 6. (vt) To employ (a term) in its whole extent; to take as universal in one premise.
7. (vi) To makedistribution. Multi-Version Concordance...
Numbers (136 Occurrences)
... LITERARY STRUCTURE 1. Alleged Grounds ofDistribution 2. Objections to Same (1)
Hypothesis Unproved (2) Written Record Not Impossible (3) No Book Ever Thus...
Decision (174 Occurrences)
... Numbers 26:55 But let thedistribution of the land be made by the decision of the
Lord: by the names of the tribes of their fathers let their heritage be given...
Record (71 Occurrences)
... Joshua 18:4 Take from among you three men from every tribe; and I will send them
to go through the land and make a record of it fordistribution as their...
Raven (7 Occurrences)
... A bird of such universaldistribution that it is known from Iceland to Japan, all
over Asia, Europe and Africa, but almost extinct and not of general...
Deacon (4 Occurrences)
... This jealousy early appeared in the Christian community. It was alleged by the
Hellenists that their widows were overlooked in the dailydistribution of alms....
Dispensation (8 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of dealing out;distribution; allocation; often used of the
distribution of good and evil by God to man, or more generically, of the acts and...
Resources
Who was Prochorus in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Christian Socialism? | GotQuestions.orgWho were the Hellenistic Jews in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgDistribution: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
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