Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical literature, the term "phrase" refers to a group of words that express a concept and is used to convey specific theological, moral, or historical ideas. Phrases in the Bible often carry significant weight, encapsulating doctrines, promises, or commands that are central to the Christian faith.
Biblical Usage and Significance1.
Creation and the Word: One of the most profound phrases in the Bible is found in the opening of Genesis: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" (
Genesis 1:1). This phrase establishes the foundational belief in God as the Creator and sets the stage for the entire biblical narrative.
2.
Covenantal Phrases: Throughout the Bible, God makes covenants with His people, often encapsulated in key phrases. For example, the phrase "I will be your God, and you will be My people" (
Leviticus 26:12) is a recurring theme that underscores the relationship between God and Israel, and by extension, the Church.
3.
Messianic Prophecies: Phrases predicting the coming of the Messiah are scattered throughout the Old Testament.
Isaiah 9:6 contains the phrase, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given," which Christians interpret as a prophecy of Jesus Christ's birth.
4.
The Great Commission: In the New Testament, Jesus' command to His disciples is encapsulated in the phrase, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (
Mark 16:15). This phrase is central to the mission of the Church and the spread of Christianity.
5.
The Beatitudes: In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus uses a series of phrases beginning with "Blessed are" to describe the values of the Kingdom of Heaven (
Matthew 5:3-12). These phrases highlight the virtues and attitudes that are esteemed in Christian life.
6.
The Lord's Prayer: The phrases within the Lord's Prayer (
Matthew 6:9-13) provide a model for Christian prayer, emphasizing themes of worship, dependence on God, forgiveness, and spiritual warfare.
7.
Pauline Epistles: The Apostle Paul often uses phrases to summarize key theological concepts. For instance, "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain" (
Philippians 1:21) reflects Paul's dedication to Christ and his perspective on life and death.
Theological ImplicationsPhrases in the Bible are not merely linguistic constructs but are imbued with deep theological significance. They often serve as a means of conveying God's character, His promises, and His expectations for humanity. Understanding these phrases within their biblical context is crucial for interpreting Scripture and applying its teachings to daily life.
Historical ContextThe use of phrases in the Bible reflects the literary styles and cultural contexts of the times in which the texts were written. Hebrew poetry, for example, often employs parallelism, where phrases are repeated or contrasted to emphasize a point. In the New Testament, Greek rhetorical styles influence the construction of phrases, particularly in the epistles.
Interpretation and ApplicationInterpreting biblical phrases requires careful consideration of their context, both within the passage and the broader biblical narrative. Theological study, historical background, and linguistic analysis all contribute to a deeper understanding of these phrases. For believers, these phrases are not only historical artifacts but living words that continue to guide faith and practice.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A brief expression, sometimes a single word, but usually two or more words forming an expression by themselves, or being a portion of a sentence; as, an adverbial phrase.
2. (n.) A short, pithy expression; especially, one which is often employed; a peculiar or idiomatic turn of speech; as, to err is human.
3. (n.) A mode or form of speech; the manner or style in which any one expresses himself; diction; expression.
4. (n.) A short clause or portion of a period.
5. (v. t.) To express in words, or in peculiar words; to call; to style.
6. (v. i.) To use proper or fine phrases.
7. (v. i.) To group notes into phrases; as, he phrases well. See Phrase, n., 4.
Greek
529. apantesis -- a meeting... apantesis Phonetic Spelling: (ap-an'-tay-sis) Short Definition: the act of meeting,
to meet Definition: the act of meeting, to meet (a
phrase seemingly almost
...3134. marana tha -- (our) Lord, come!
... the involved). Word Origin transliterated Aramaicphrase Definition (our)
Lord, come! NASB Word Usage Maranatha (1). Maranatha. Of...
3801. ho on kai ho en kai ho erchomenos -- to come
... to come Ho erchomenos (ho own kahee) ho ane kahee (ho er-khom'-en-os) aphrase
combining ho with the present participle and imperfect of eimi and the present...
2148. Eurokludon -- Euroklydon, northeast wind
... Euroklydon, northeast wind From Euros (the east wind) and kludon; a storm from the
East (or southeast), ie (in modernphrase) a Levanter -- Euroklydon....
4519. sabaoth -- Sabaoth, ie armies
... 4519 ("the Lord of ") only occurs in Ro 9:29 and Js 4:5, and correlates
to the familiarphrase, "the Lord of " in the OT and . Word...
4243. presbeuo -- to be the elder, to take precedence
... This term is used in the ancientphrase, "I am to the Emperor, I am an " (Souter) --
ie as someone respected as trustworthy (loyal, knowledgeable), especially...
3498. nekros -- dead
... definite article. Thephrase, ("from the dead"), the Greek article to give
the sense "from what is of death.". Word Origin a prim. word...
Strong's Hebrew
516. al-tashcheth -- "destroy not," aphrase in Psalm titles.... al-tashcheth. 517 . "destroy not," a
phrase in Psalm titles.
... Word Origin from al
and shachath Definition "destroy not," a
phrase in Psalm titles. Al-taschith
...Library
Meaning of thePhrase --In the Beginning Tertullian Connects it...
... Chapter XX."Meaning of thePhrase"In the Beginning Tertullian Connects It with the
Wisdom of God, and Elicits from It the Truth that the Creation Was Not...
Explanation of thePhrase: "For I Delight in the Law of God after...
... The Conferences of John Cassian. Chapter XI. Explanation of thephrase:
"For I delight in the law of God after the inner man," etc....
He Then Explains thePhrase of S. Peter, "Him God Made Lord and...
... Book V. Section 2. He then explains thephrase of S. Peter, "Him God made Lord and
Christ." And herein he sets forth the opposing statement of Eunomius, which...
No Mere Metaphor in thePhrase Resurrection of the Dead in...
... Chapter XXI."No Mere Metaphor in thePhrase Resurrection of the Dead In Proportion
to the Importance of Eternal Truths, is the Clearness of Their Scriptural...
Examination of this Point. ThePhrase "Old Testament" Used in Two...
... A work on the proceedings of pelagius, Chapter 14."Examination of This Point. The
Phrase "Old Testament" Used in Two Senses. The Heir of the Old Testament....
He Explains thePhrase "The Lord Created Me," and the Argument...
... He explains thephrase "The Lord created Me," and the argument about the origination
of the Son, the deceptive character of Eunomius' reasoning, and the...
Against those who Assert that it is not Proper for "With Whom" to...
... Chapter VII. Against those who assert that it is not proper for "with whom" to be
said of the Son, and that the properphrase is "through whom.". 16....
He Then Ingeniously Shows that the Generation of the Son is not...
... Book IX. Section 2. He then ingeniously shows that the generation of the
Son is not according to thephrase of Eunomius. Section...
The Sophistical Sense Put by Heretics on thePhrase "Resurrection...
... Chapter XIX."The Sophistical Sense Put by Heretics on thePhrase "Resurrection
of the Dead," As If It Meant the Moral Change of a New Life....
How we are to Discern Whether aPhrase is Figurative.
... Book III. Chapter 10."How We are to Discern Whether aPhrase is Figurative.
14. But in addition to the foregoing rule, which guards...
Thesaurus
Phrase (2 Occurrences)... sometimes a single word, but usually two or more words forming an expression by
themselves, or being a portion of a sentence; as, an adverbial
phrase.
...Proper (62 Occurrences)
... of Hebrew Names. 1. Various Types: The Hebrew proper name consists of a
single word, aphrase, or a sentence. (1) Where the name...
Asaramel
... Thephrase "in Asaramel" has been taken as referring to a place, and as
the name of a title of Simon. Ewald and others take it to...
Air (74 Occurrences)
... AIR. ar (aer): In the Old Testament "air" is used (with one exception) in thephrase
"fowl" or "fowls (birds) of the air." The Hebrew word is usually rendered...
Yoke (79 Occurrences)
... nature of the work to be done, but the use of "iron yokes" (Deuteronomy 28:48 Jeremiah
28:13 f) must have been very rare, if, indeed, thephrase is anything...
People (13047 Occurrences)
... min'-g'-ld pe'-pl: (1) "Mixed multitude" occurs in Numbers 11:4 as a translation
of asaphcuph, "collection," "rabble." The samephrase in Exodus 12:38 Nehemiah...
Almost (27 Occurrences)
... Thephrase occurs first in the Hymn to Hermes, 240, and here it is evidently an
abbreviated expression for the Homeric oligo eni choro (M 423)....
Order (809 Occurrences)
... 18:23 (kathexes)). Thephrase "in order unto" (Psalm 119:38) expresses
causal sequence and hence, purpose. 3. Classification and...
Respect (204 Occurrences)
... re-spekt': Thephrase nasa' phanim, means literally, "lift up the face," and, among
other translations, is rendered indifferently "accept" or "respect the...
Persons (156 Occurrences)
... re-spekt': Thephrase nasa' phanim, means literally, "lift up the face," and, among
other translations, is rendered indifferently "accept" or "respect the...
Resources
What does the husband of one wife phrase in 1 Timothy 3:2 mean? Can a divorced man serve as a pastor, elder, or deacon? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of the phrase raising Cain? | GotQuestions.orgWhy is it important to study the Bible in context? What is wrong with taking verses out of context? | GotQuestions.orgPhrase: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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