Topical Encyclopedia
The term "previous" is not directly found in the text of the Bible; however, the concept of what is prior or preceding is a significant theme throughout the Scriptures. The Bible often reflects on past events, covenants, and teachings to provide context and understanding for present and future actions.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the concept of what is previous is often tied to the history of the Israelites and God's covenants with them. The Israelites are frequently reminded of their past, particularly their deliverance from Egypt, as a foundation for their identity and faithfulness to God. For example, in
Deuteronomy 5:15 , Moses instructs the Israelites: "Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the LORD your God brought you out of there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm." This remembrance of previous events serves as a basis for the Israelites' obedience to God's commandments.
The prophets also call the people to remember previous acts of God as a means of encouraging repentance and faithfulness. In
Isaiah 46:9 , God declares, "Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me." Here, the previous acts of God are a testament to His uniqueness and sovereignty.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of previous is often related to the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. The Gospels frequently reference previous prophecies to demonstrate that Jesus is the promised Messiah. For instance,
Matthew 1:22-23 states, "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel' (which means, 'God with us')."
The Apostle Paul also reflects on his previous life before his conversion to highlight the transformative power of Christ. In
Philippians 3:7 , he writes, "But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ." Here, Paul contrasts his previous achievements with the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, the concept of what is previous underscores the continuity and faithfulness of God throughout history. It emphasizes the importance of remembering God's past actions as a foundation for faith and obedience. The Bible encourages believers to learn from previous experiences, both personal and communal, to grow in wisdom and understanding.
In the life of the church, the remembrance of previous teachings and traditions is vital for maintaining doctrinal integrity and spiritual vitality. The Apostle Paul, in
2 Thessalonians 2:15 , exhorts believers, "So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter."
Practical ApplicationFor believers today, reflecting on previous experiences, both personal and biblical, can provide guidance and encouragement. The Bible encourages the faithful to remember God's past faithfulness as a source of hope and strength in present challenges. As
Hebrews 13:8 reminds us, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever," affirming the unchanging nature of God and His promises.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
a.) Going before in time; being or happening before something else; antecedent; prior; as, previous arrangements; a previous illness.
Greek
3761. oude -- and not, neither... included in 100. Thus if "A" (100 in the
previous example) is invalid,
so is what (statement "B" -- 90, 80, 70). [Regardless of
...1813. exaleipho -- to wipe out, erase, obliterate
... from 1537 , "wholly out from," intensifying 218 , "smear") -- properly, to rub
(smear) , ie remove (wipe away); obliterate; remove from aprevious state with...
646. apostasia -- defection, revolt
... leave, depart," which is derived from 575 , "away from" and 2576 , "stand") -- properly,
departure (implying ); -- literally, "a leaving, from aprevious ."....
595. apothesis -- a putting away
... 595 (from 659 , "put away, let go") -- properly, a putting off (letting go) to
(set something aside); a from aprevious obligation; (figuratively) removal, by...
873. aphorizo -- to mark off by boundaries from, ie set apart
... 873 (from 575 , "separated from" and 3724 , "make ") -- properly, from a boundary,
ie aprevious condition/situation (note the prefix, )....
4268. prognosis -- foreknowledge
... Noun, Feminine Transliteration: prognosis Phonetic Spelling: (prog'-no-sis) Short
Definition: foreknowledge Definition: foreknowledge,previous determination....
1990. epistemon -- knowing, skilled
... It emphasizes understanding that results from buildingprevious knowledge, which
supports the next stage of understanding (note , "upon"). See 1987 ()....
1991. episterizo -- to make stronger
... 4741 , "make firm") -- properly, "prop up, uphold, support, confirm" (Souter), ie
support (establish) in an , way; to confirm as it the Lord'sprevious work of...
4387. proteros -- before
... former. Comparative of pro; prior orprevious -- former. see GREEK pro. (proteran) --
1 Occurrence. 4386, 4387. proteros. 4388 . Strong's Numbers.
654. apostrepho -- to turn away, turn back
... reject. 654 (from 575 , "away from," which intensifies 4762 , "to turn") --
properly, turn , ie () from theprevious . 654 () emphasizes...
Strong's Hebrew
3602. kakah -- thus... From koh; just so, referring to the
previous or following context -- after that
(this) manner, this matter, (even) so, in such a case, thus. see HEBREW koh.
...7223. rishon -- former, first, chief
... 1), former (25), former ones (4), former things (6), formerly (6), front (1), old
(1), older (1), one in front (1), past (1),previous (1), previously (1)....
6933. qadmay -- former, first
... first. Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding to qadmoni Definition former,
first NASB Word Usage first (2),previous ones (1). first....
3423. yarash -- to take possession of, inherit, dispossess
... Or yaresh {yaw-raysh'}; a primitive root; to occupy (by driving outprevious tenants,
and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to...
Library
From thePrevious Part of the Work we Clearly See How Completely...
... Of Prayer. John Calvin Chapter 1 FROM theprevious part of the work we clearly
see how completely destitute man is? FROM theprevious...
Book v. Our Reply, in thePrevious Books, to the Mad and...
... Book V. Our reply, in theprevious books, to the mad and blasphemous
doctrines of the heretics? 1. Our reply, in theprevious...
WhetherPrevious Satisfaction Begins to Avail after Man is...
... Whetherprevious satisfaction begins to avail after man is restored to charity?
Objection 1: It would seem that when a man has recovered...
Testimony of hisPrevious Writings and Letters.
... A Treatise on the gift of perseverance, Chapter 55."Testimony of HisPrevious
Writings and Letters. And, indeed, in that treatise...
Clement'sPrevious Knowledge of Appion.
... Homily V. Chapter II."Clement'sPrevious Knowledge of Appion. "Yesterday,
when I left this, O friends, I confess that, through...
Previous Writings Anticipatively Refuted the Pelagian Heresy.
... A Treatise on the gift of perseverance, Chapter 52."Previous Writings
Anticipatively Refuted the Pelagian Heresy. But in respect...
Human Offspring, EvenPrevious to Birth, under Condemnation at the...
... Book II. On Original Sin. Chapter 43 [XXXVIII.]"Human Offspring, Even
Previous to Birth, Under Condemnation at the Very Root....
God Known by his Works his Goodness Shown in his Creative Energy...
... Chapter III."God Known by His Works His Goodness Shown in His Creative Energy; But
Everlasting in Its Nature; Inherent in God,Previous to All Exhibition of...
The Platonists' Opinion About the Existence of the SoulPrevious...
... Book II. On Original Sin. Chapter 36 [XXXI]"The Platonists' Opinion About
the Existence of the SoulPrevious to the Body Rejected....
Plato's Inconsistency He Supposes the Soul Self-Existent, yet...
... Chapter XXIV."Plato's Inconsistency He Supposes the Soul Self-Existent,
Yet Capable of Forgetting What Passed in aPrevious State....
Thesaurus
Previous (5 Occurrences)... (a.) Going before in time; being or happening before something else; antecedent;
prior; as,
previous arrangements; a
previous illness.
...Previous (5 Occurrences).
...Isaac (127 Occurrences)
... 3. Significance of Marriage III. STORY OF LIFE 1.Previous to Marriage 2.
Subsequent to Marriage IV. BIBLICAL REFERENCES 1. In the...
Pastoral
... His 2nd visit was his 3 years' residence in Ephesus, as narrated in Acts 19; and
when he left the city, he had,previous to his own departure from it, already...
Zenas (1 Occurrence)
... probably be Zenodorus, literally, meaning "the gift of Zeus"): 1. A Jewish Lawyer:
Paul calls Zenas "the lawyer." The meaning of this is, that,previous to his...
Warning (30 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Warn. 2. (a.) Givingprevious
notice; cautioning; admonishing; as, a warning voice. 3. (n.)Previous notice....
Improvise (1 Occurrence)
... to act, extemporaneously. 2. (vt) To bring about, arrange, or make, on a
sudden, or withoutprevious preparation. 3. (vt) To invent...
Provision (50 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of providing, or makingprevious
preparation. 2. (n.) That which is provided or prepared...
Caesar's (10 Occurrences)
... And, first, there is no need at all to suppose that the gospel was unknown,
even in the palace,previous to the arrival of Paul in Rome....
Hermogenes (1 Occurrence)
... of his being brought before the emperor's supreme court, to be tried on a charge
now involving the death penalty, or whether it was at someprevious time in...
First (4693 Occurrences)
... PAUL'SPREVIOUS RELATIONS WITH CORINTH 1. Corinth in 55 AD 2. Founding of
the Church IV.... III. Paul'sPrevious Relations with Corinth....
Resources
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