Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terms, the concept of "equivalent" often relates to the idea of fairness, justice, and balance, particularly in the context of God's laws and human interactions. The principle of equivalence is deeply rooted in the biblical understanding of justice, where actions and their consequences are expected to be proportionate.
Old Testament ContextThe Old Testament law frequently addresses the idea of equivalence, especially in the context of justice and retribution. One of the most well-known expressions of this principle is found in the law of "an eye for an eye." In
Exodus 21:23-25 , it is written: "But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, and stripe for stripe." This passage underscores the idea that the punishment should be equivalent to the offense, ensuring that justice is served without excess or deficiency.
The principle of equivalence is also evident in the laws concerning restitution. For example, in
Leviticus 6:4-5 , it is stated: "If he has sinned and is guilty, he must return what he has stolen or taken by extortion, or the deposit entrusted to him, or the lost property he found, or whatever it was that he swore falsely about. He must make restitution in full, add a fifth of the value to it, and give it all to the owner on the day he presents his guilt offering." Here, the offender is required to restore what was taken, plus an additional amount, to ensure that the victim is fully compensated.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, Jesus addresses the principle of equivalence in the Sermon on the Mount. In
Matthew 5:38-39 , He says: "You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also." Jesus' teaching here does not negate the principle of justice but rather calls His followers to a higher standard of grace and forgiveness, emphasizing mercy over strict equivalence.
The Apostle Paul also touches on the concept of equivalence in his epistles. In
Romans 12:17-19 , he writes: "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: 'Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.'" Paul encourages believers to trust in God's perfect justice rather than seeking personal retribution, highlighting the ultimate equivalence of divine justice.
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, the concept of equivalence is significant in understanding the nature of God's justice and mercy. While God's justice demands that sin be punished, His mercy provides a way for redemption through Jesus Christ. The sacrificial death of Christ is seen as the ultimate act of equivalence, where the penalty for sin is fully met, and God's justice is satisfied. As stated in
2 Corinthians 5:21 : "God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God." This exchange underscores the profound balance between justice and grace in the Christian faith.
In summary, the biblical concept of equivalence is foundational to understanding justice, restitution, and the transformative power of grace. It calls believers to uphold justice while also embracing the higher calling of mercy and forgiveness as exemplified by Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Equal in worth or value, force, power, effect; as, equivalent expressions; alike in significance and value; of the same import or meaning.
2. (a.) Equal in measure but not admitting of superposition; -- applied to magnitudes; as, a square may be equivalent to a triangle.
3. (a.) Contemporaneous in origin; as, the equivalent strata of different countries.
4. (n.) Something equivalent; that which is equal in value, worth, weight, or force; as, to offer an equivalent for damage done.
5. (n.) That comparative quantity by weight of an element which possesses the same chemical value as other elements, as determined by actual experiment and reference to the same standard. Specifically: (a) The comparative proportions by which one element replaces another in any particular compound; thus, as zinc replaces hydrogen in hydrochloric acid, their equivalents are 32.5 and 1. (b) The combining proportion by weight of a substance, or the number expressing this proportion, in any particular compound; as, the equivalents of hydrogen and oxygen in water are respectively 1 and 8, and in hydric dioxide 1 and 16.
6. (n.) A combining unit, whether an atom, a radical, or a molecule; as, in acid salt two or more equivalents of acid unite with one or more equivalents of base.
7. (v. t.) To make the equivalent to; to equal; equivalence.
Greek
467. antapodidomi -- to give back as anequivalent, recompense... to give back as an
equivalent, recompense. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
antapodidomi Phonetic Spelling: (an-tap-od-ee'-do-mee) Short Definition: I give
...488. antimetreo -- to measure in return
... of Speech: Verb Transliteration: antimetreo Phonetic Spelling: (an-tee-met-reh'-
o) Short Definition: I measure in return, giveequivalent measure Definition: I...
2884. koros -- a cor (a Hebrew measure equiv. to about 15 bushels)
... Transliteration: koros Phonetic Spelling: (kor'-os) Short Definition: a dry measure,
120 gallons Definition: (Hebrew) a (dry) measure,equivalent to 120 gallons...
3039. likmao -- to winnow, to scatter
... grind to powder. From likmos, theequivalent of liknon (a winnowing fan or basket);
to winnow, ie (by analogy), to triturate -- grind to powder....
2470. isos -- equal
... equal. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: isos Phonetic Spelling: (ee'-sos)
Short Definition: equal, identical Definition: equal,equivalent, identical....
3426. modios -- modius, a dry measure of one peck
... 3426 -- a container for goods holding up to eight liters (roughly two gallons);
a measure (the chief grain unit)equivalent to one peck (8.81L)....
1096. ginomai -- to come into being, to happen, to become
... 1096 () fundamentally means "" (becoming, became) so it is an exactequivalent to
the ordinary equative verb "to be" (, , ) as with 1510 (1511 , 2258 )....
5521. chole -- gall (a bitter herb)
... Feminine of anequivalent perhaps akin to the same as Chloe (from the greenish hue);
"gall" or bile, ie (by analogy) poison or an anodyne (wormwood, poppy, etc...
2473. isopsuchos -- like-minded
... 2473 (an adjective, derived from 2470 , "equivalent, equal" and 5590, "soul") --
properly, of equal-soul; having (values) because , ie equally (similarly...
4715. stater -- a stater (a coin)
... 4715 -- a silver coin worth two andequivalent to (a , four drachmae) --
the exact amount of the Temple-tax required for people....
Strong's Hebrew
4062. madhebah -- golden city... Word Origin see marhebah. golden city Perhaps from the
equivalent of dhab; goldmaking,
ie Exactness -- golden city. see HEBREW dhab. 4061, 4062.
...2761. charak -- to singe
... singe. (Aramaic) a root probably allied to theequivalent of charar; to scorch --
singe. see HEBREW charar. 2760, 2761. charak. 2762 . Strong's Numbers.
1761. dachavah -- perhaps a musical instrument
... instrument of music (Aramaic) from theequivalent of dachah; probably a musical
instrument (as being struck) -- instrument of music. see HEBREW dachah....
1262. barah -- to eat
... meat. A primitive root; to select; also (as denominative from bar) to feed;
also (asequivalent to barar) to render clear (Eccl....
1115. bilti -- not, except
... Constructive feminine of balah (equivalent to bliy); properly, a failure of, ie
(used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not...
2918. tirah -- encampment, battlement
... goodly castle, habitation, palace, row. Feminine of (anequivalent to) tuwr; a wall;
hence, a fortress or a hamlet -- (goodly) castle, habitation, palace, row....
290. Achimaats -- "my brother is wrath," two Israelites
... Ahimaaz. From 'ach and theequivalent of Ma'ats; brother of anger; Achimaats, the
name of three Israelites -- Ahimaaz. see HEBREW 'ach. see HEBREW Ma'ats....
2942. teem -- taste, judgment, command
... (Aramaic) from t'am, andequivalent to ta'am; properly, flavor; figuratively, judgment
(both subjective and objective); hence, account (both subj....
5646. ab -- perhaps a landing
... Or sob {obe}; from an unused root meaning to cover; properly,equivalent to ab;
but used only as an architectural term, an architrave (as shading the pillars...
154. Edrei -- a chief city of Bashan, also a place in Naphtali
... Edrei. From theequivalent of edra'; mighty; Edrei, the name of two places in Palestine
-- Edrei. see HEBREW edra'. 153, 154. Edrei. 155 . Strong's Numbers
Library
Whether it is Lawful to Grant Spiritual Things in Return for an...
... ON SIMONY (SIX ARTICLES) Whether it is lawful to grant spiritual things in return
for anequivalent of service, or for an oral remuneration?...
Appendix V
... Three theses are here brought forward: (1) that "Instrumentum" in Tertullian (and
when used elsewhere in the Church) isequivalent to "Testamentum"; (2) that...
'The Form of Teaching'
... It has also the other meaning which its Englishequivalent has taken on very
extensively of late years, such as, for instance, you find in expressions like '...
Geological Contemporaneity and Persistent Types of Life.
... This is a living populationequivalent to that of a new continent in mere number;
equivalent to that of a new hemisphere, if we take into account the small...
Chapter xviii
... This attitude is rebuked by Yahweh as being theequivalent of saying that something
is "too difficult for Yahweh." Such an opinion, of course, is patent...
Preface.
... When I could not, I have replaced it with the best modernequivalent I
could find or invent. In extenuation of the occasional use...
Grace Abounding
... It is opposed to all idea of bargaining, to all acceptance of anequivalent,
or that which might be construed into anequivalent....
The Lord's Prayer: the Preface in Matthew
... response to a disciple's request. One might, however, say the prayers are
equivalent and were spoken as one. On the one occasion...
Preface.
... This volume, containing theequivalent of three volumes of the Edinburgh series
of the Ante-Nicene Fathers, will be found a library somewhat complete in itself...
Sixteenth Proposition of Arminius
... According to which view this sentiment isequivalent to the former, which ascribes
the ordination of sin to a decree, from which sin necessarily exists....
Thesaurus
Equivalent (3 Occurrences)... 1. (a.) Equal in worth or value, force, power, effect; as,
equivalent expressions;
alike in significance and value; of the same import or meaning.
...Worth (36 Occurrences)
... Woe be to the day, woe be to the man, etc., areequivalent phrases.... 3. (a.) Equal
in value to; furnishing anequivalent for; proper to be exchanged for....
What (14976 Occurrences)
... what eloquence! what courage! 4. (pron., a., & adv.) Sometimes prefixed to adjectives
in an adverbial sense, as nearlyequivalent to how; as, what happy boys!...
For (102061 Occurrences)
... 6. (prep.) Indicating that on place of or instead of which anything acts or serves,
or that to which a substitute, anequivalent, a compensation, or the like...
Recompense (79 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To render anequivalent to, for service,
loss, etc.; to requite; to remunerate; to compensate....
Purchase (25 Occurrences)
... or acquire. 2. (vt) To obtain by paying money or itsequivalent; to buy
for a price; as, to purchase land, or a house. 3. (vt) To...
Compensate (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To make equal return to; to remunerate; to pay; to recompense; to give an
equivalent to; to requite suitably; as, to compensate a laborer for his work...
Sensual (8 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SENSUAL. sen'-shoo-al (psuchikos, "animal,"
"natural"): Biblical psychology has no Englishequivalent for this Greek original....
Cord (47 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A solid measure,equivalent to 128 cubic feet; a pile of wood, or other
coarse material, eight feet long, four feet high, and four feet broad...
Punishment (417 Occurrences)
... SCRIPTURAL SUPPORT 1. Old Testament and Jewish Conceptions 2. New Testament Teaching
(1) "Eternal" (2)Equivalent Expressions (3) The Last Judgment 3. Teaching...
Resources
Is baptism the New Covenant equivalent of circumcision? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is dynamic equivalence in Bible translation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the definitions of some common theological terms? | GotQuestions.orgEquivalent: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
