Topical Encyclopedia
The term "dote" is not frequently encountered in modern translations of the Bible, but it carries significant implications when it appears in older translations or in discussions of biblical themes. To "dote" generally means to be excessively fond of someone or something, often to the point of foolishness or weakness. In a biblical context, it can imply a misplaced affection or an unhealthy attachment that leads one away from God’s truth and righteousness.
Biblical Usage and ContextIn the Berean Standard Bible , the term "dote" itself may not be directly used, but the concept is present in various passages that warn against excessive or misguided affection. The Bible consistently emphasizes the importance of directing one's love and devotion towards God and His commandments, rather than earthly desires or idols.
Old Testament ReferencesWhile the specific word "dote" might not appear, the concept is evident in the warnings against idolatry and the pursuit of foreign gods. For instance, in
Ezekiel 23, the prophet uses vivid imagery to describe Israel and Judah's infidelity to God through their alliances and idol worship. The passage illustrates how the nations "doted" on their lovers, symbolizing their misplaced trust and affection for foreign powers and deities instead of remaining faithful to Yahweh.
New Testament InsightsIn the New Testament, the idea of doting can be related to the warnings against false teachings and the love of the world. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often cautions believers to remain steadfast in their faith and not to be swayed by false doctrines or worldly temptations. For example, in
1 Timothy 6:10 , Paul warns, "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows." Here, the excessive love of money can be seen as a form of doting that leads one away from the truth.
Theological ImplicationsFrom a theological perspective, doting represents a distortion of the love and devotion that should be reserved for God alone. It serves as a reminder of the first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before Me" (
Exodus 20:3). The Bible calls believers to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and strength (
Deuteronomy 6:5), and any affection that detracts from this primary devotion can be seen as a form of spiritual adultery.
Practical ApplicationIn practical terms, Christians are encouraged to examine their lives for any areas where they might be "doting" on things of the world—whether it be wealth, relationships, or personal ambitions—at the expense of their relationship with God. The call is to realign one's affections and priorities in accordance with biblical teachings, ensuring that God remains the central focus of one's life and devotion.
By understanding the concept of doting within the biblical narrative, believers are better equipped to guard their hearts against misplaced affections and to cultivate a love that is rightly ordered towards God and His purposes.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A marriage portion. [Obs.] See 1st Dot, n.
2. (n.) Natural endowments.
3. (v. i.) To act foolishly.
4. (v. i.) To be weak-minded, silly, or idiotic; to have the intellect impaired, especially by age, so that the mind wanders or wavers; to drivel.
5. (v. i.) To be excessively or foolishly fond; to love to excess; to be weakly affectionate; -- with on or upon; as, the mother dotes on her child.
6. (n.) An imbecile; a dotard.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
DOTEdot: "To dote" means either "to be weakminded" or "to be foolishly fond." In the latter sense it is employed inEzekiel 23:5; in the former, inJeremiah 50:36 the King James Version (the Revised Version (British and American) "shall become fools"); the King James Version Sirach 25:2 (the Revised Version (British and American) "lacking understanding"), and the King James Version1 Timothy 6:4 (the Revised Version, margin "to be sick"; the King James Version margin"a fool").
Greek
3552. noseo -- to be sick...dote. From nosos; to be sick, ie (by implication, of a diseased appetite) to hanker
after (figuratively, to harp upon) --
dote. see GREEK nosos. 3551, 3552.
...1325. didomi -- to give (in various senses lit. or fig.)
... (dos) -- 16 Occurrences. (dote) -- 14 Occurrences. (doto) -- 1 Occurrence.... (dosomen) --
1 Occurrence. (dote) -- 3 Occurrences. (edidosan) -- 1 Occurrence....
1971. epipotheo -- to long for
... From epi and potheo (to yearn); todote upon, ie Intensely crave possession (lawfully
or wrongfully) -- (earnestly) desire (greatly), (greatly) long (after...
Strong's Hebrew
2973. yaal -- to be foolish...dote, be become, do foolishly. A primitive root; properly, to be slack, ie
(figuratively) to be foolish --
dote, be (become, do) foolish(-ly). 2972, 2973.
...5689. agab -- to have inordinate affection, lust
...dote, lover. A primitive root; to breathe after, ie To love (sensually) --
dote, lover. 5688, 5689. agab. 5690 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
Didache Ton Dodeka Apostolon
... 5. medeis de phageto mede pieto apo tes eucharistias humon, all' hoi baptisthentes
eis onoma kuriou; kai gar peri toutou eireken ho kurios; Medote to hagion...
A New Creation
... While men will frequentlydote upon the old, they are most easily dazzled
by the new. Anything new has at least one attraction....
The Importance of Leading a Heavenly Life Upon Earth.
... they be presently marching. If God say, "Love not the world, nor the things
of the world," wedote upon it. How freely, how frequently...
Wherefore, if Either Our Reasoning or Our Discourse Hath in any...
... subtile, but absolutely childish. Far altogether, far otherwise is the truth,
than as the Manicheesdote. But since this discourse...
Meditations of the Blessed State of a Regenerate Man in Heaven.
... O let us not thendote so much upon these wooden cottages, and houses of mouldering
clay, which are but the tents of ungodliness, and habitation of sinners...
To Gregory xi
... LETTERS TO GREGORY XI. "Ahi, Constantin, di quanto mal fu matre, Non la tua
conversion, ma quelladote Che da te prese il primo ricco patre!"...
1 Timothy vi. 7-Feb
... John 18:23.). "Doting [1294] about questions." To question then is todote.
"And strifes of words"; this is justly said. For when...
Can any Ingratitude be More Damned than that which is Fed by...
... they be not happy. Theydote on their own works, and neglect God's, which
are full of majesty, riches, and wisdom. And having fled...
This Taught Me that those Fashions and Tinseled Vanities
... So that it is my admiration and joy, that while so many thousand wander in Darkness,
I am in the Light, and that while so manydote upon false treasures and...
That violence Wherewith Sometimes a Man Doteth Upon one Creature
... When wedote upon the perfections and beauties of some one creature, we
do not love that too much, but other things too little....
Thesaurus
Dote (1 Occurrence)... 6. (n.) An imbecile; a dotard. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
DOTE. dot: "To
... fool"). Multi-Version Concordance
Dote (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah
...Liars (14 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 50:36 A sword is upon the liars; and they shalldote: a sword is upon
her mighty men; and they shall be dismayed. (KJV DBY WBS)....
Fond (6 Occurrences)
... 7. (superl.) Trifling; valued by folly; trivial. 8. (vt) To caress; to fondle. 9.
(vi) To be fond; todote. Multi-Version Concordance Fond (6 Occurrences)....
Dotaea
Drivel (1 Occurrence)
... dotard. 2. (vi) To be weak or foolish; todote; as, a driveling hero; driveling
love. 3. (n.) Slaver; saliva flowing from the mouth....
Doted (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp. & pp) ofDote. 2. (a.) Stupid; foolish. 3. (a.)
Half-rotten; as, doted wood. Multi-Version Concordance Doted (6 Occurrences)....
Doting (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) ofDote. 2. (a.) That dotes; silly;
excessively fond. Multi-Version Concordance Doting (5 Occurrences)....
Resources
Dote: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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