Topical Encyclopedia
The term "furnish" in the Bible is often used to describe the act of providing, equipping, or supplying what is necessary for a particular purpose or function. This concept is seen throughout Scripture in various contexts, from the provision of physical needs to the equipping of spiritual gifts.
Old Testament UsageIn the Old Testament, the idea of furnishing is frequently associated with the preparation and equipping of the Tabernacle and the Temple. For instance, in
Exodus 25-31, God provides Moses with detailed instructions on how to construct and furnish the Tabernacle. This includes the Ark of the Covenant, the table for the showbread, the lampstand, and other sacred items. The purpose of these furnishings was to create a holy space where God could dwell among His people.
Exodus 31:7-9 states, "the Tent of Meeting, the Ark of the Testimony with the mercy seat upon it, and all the other furnishings of the tent—the table with its utensils, the pure gold lampstand with all its utensils, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the basin with its stand."
The concept of furnishing is also seen in the preparation of the Temple built by Solomon. In
1 Kings 7:48-50 , the Bible describes the furnishings of the Temple: "Solomon also made all the furnishings for the house of the LORD: the golden altar; the golden table on which was placed the Bread of the Presence; the lampstands of pure gold in front of the inner sanctuary, five on the right and five on the left; the gold flowers, lamps, and tongs; the pure gold basins, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, ladles, and censers; and the gold hinges for the doors of the inner temple (that is, the Most Holy Place) as well as for the doors of the main hall of the temple."
New Testament UsageIn the New Testament, the concept of furnishing takes on a more spiritual dimension. The Apostle Paul speaks of God furnishing believers with spiritual gifts and the necessary resources to carry out His work. In
2 Timothy 3:16-17 , Paul writes, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work." Here, the term "fully equipped" can be understood as being furnished with the knowledge and tools needed to live a life pleasing to God.
Additionally, in
Ephesians 4:11-12 , Paul explains that Christ gave various gifts to the church "to equip the saints for works of ministry, to build up the body of Christ." The word "equip" in this context is akin to furnishing the believers with what they need to serve effectively in their God-given roles.
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, the concept of furnishing underscores God's provision and preparation for His people. Whether it is the physical furnishings of the Tabernacle and Temple or the spiritual equipping of believers, God ensures that His purposes are accomplished through adequate provision. This reflects His sovereignty, wisdom, and care for His creation.
In a broader sense, the act of furnishing can be seen as a metaphor for God's ongoing work in the lives of believers, preparing and equipping them for their journey of faith and service in His kingdom.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To supply with anything necessary, useful, or appropriate; to provide; to equip; to fit out, or fit up; to adorn; as, to furnish a family with provisions; to furnish one with arms for defense; to furnish a Cable; to furnish the mind with ideas; to furnish one with knowledge or principles; to furnish an expedition or enterprise, a room or a house.
2. (v. t.) To offer for use; to provide (something); to give (something); to afford; as, to furnish food to the hungry: to furnish arms for defense.
3. (n.) That which is furnished as a specimen; a sample; a supply.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
FURNISHfur'-nish (male; plethomai):
To "furnish" is to supply with what is useful or necessary, to fit out, provide, equip. It is the translation of several Hebrew or Greek words: of male', "to fill in or up," "to complete" (Isaiah 65:11 the King James Version); nasa, "to lift up," "to aid" (1 Kings 9:11); `anaq, Hiphil, probably "to lay on the neck," "to encircle" (with a bracelet) (Deuteronomy 15:14), of a slave set at liberty; `arakh, "to arrange in order," "to lay out a table" (Psalm 78:19 the King James Version;Proverbs 9:2); `asah keli, "to make a vessel for containing things" (Jeremiah 46:19, "Furnish thyself to go into captivity," the Revised Version, margin "Hebrew, make thee vessels of captivity"); plethomai, "to be filled" (Matthew 22:10 the King James Version); stronnumi, "to strew," "to spread" (Mark 14:15Luke 22:12); exartizo, "to complete fully," to equip" (2 Timothy 3:17).
In Ecclesiasticus 29:26 we have "furnish a table" (kosmeo); 44:6, "furnished with ability" (choregeo); APC 1Macc 14:34 the King James Version, "He furnished them with all things" (tithemi).
W. L. Walker
Greek
3930. parecho -- tofurnish, to present... to
furnish, to present. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: parecho Phonetic Spelling:
(par-ekh'-o) Short Definition: I offer, provide Definition: act.
...4130 --furnish, accomplish, fill, supply
furnish, accomplish, fill, supply. Part of Speech: Verb Phonetic Spelling:
(play'-tho) Short Definition: I fill Definition: I fill, fulfill, complete....
1822. exartizo -- to complete, to equip fully
... to equip fully. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: exartizo Phonetic Spelling:
(ex-ar-tid'-zo) Short Definition: I completelyfurnish, equip, finish...
5524. choregeo -- to lead a chorus (ie a group of performers), to...
... defray the cost of a chorus. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: choregeo Phonetic
Spelling: (khor-ayg-eh'-o) Short Definition: Ifurnish abundantly Definition...
4766. stronnuo -- to spread
... root stor- Definition to spread NASB Word Usage furnished (2), make...bed (1),
spread (2), spreading (1). make bed,furnish, spread, strew....
2023. epichoregeo -- to supply
... epichoregeo Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ee-khor-ayg-eh'-o) Short Definition: I supply,
provide Definition: I supply, provide (perhaps lavishly),furnish....
1928. epidiatassomai -- to add provisions
... add provisions. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: epidiatassomai Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-ee-dee-ah-tas'-som-ahee) Short Definition: Ifurnish with additions...
5543. chrestos -- serviceable, good
... Cognate: 5543 (an adjective, derived from 5530 , "tofurnish what is suitable, useful")
-- properly, (serviceable, productive); (); beneficial, benevolent)....
3903. paraskeuazo -- to prepare, make ready
... prepare self, make ready. From para and a derivative of skeuos; tofurnish aside,
ie Get ready -- prepare self, be (make) ready. see GREEK para....
4222. potizo -- to give to drink
... give drink, feed, water. From a derivative of the alternate of pino; tofurnish
drink, irrigate -- give (make) to drink, feed, water. see GREEK pino....
Strong's Hebrew
6329. puq -- to bring out,furnish, promote... 6328, 6329. puq. 6330 . to bring out,
furnish, promote. Transliteration: puq
Phonetic Spelling: (pook) Short Definition: obtains. Word Origin a prim.
...5274b. naal -- tofurnish with sandals, shoe
... 5274a, 5274b. naal. 5275 . tofurnish with sandals, shoe. Transliteration:
naal Short Definition: sandals. Word Origin denominative...
2836b. chashaq -- tofurnish with fillets or rings
... 2836a, 2836b. chashaq. 2837 . tofurnish with fillets or rings. Transliteration:
chashaq Short Definition: bands. Word Origin denominative...
6059. anaq -- to serve as a necklace
... Word Origin denominative verb from anaq Definition to serve as a necklace
NASB Word Usagefurnish him liberally (1), necklace (1)....
3627. keli -- an article, utensil, vessel
... yokes (1). armour bearer, artillery, bag, carriage,furnish, furniture,
instrument, jewel,. From kalah; something prepared, ie Any...
4390. male -- to be full, to fill
... be at an end, be expired, be fenced, fill, fulfil, (be, become, X draw, give in,
go) full(-ly, -ly set, tale), (over-)flow, fulness,furnish, gather (selves...
6213. asah -- do, make
... do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, + feast,
(fight-)ing man, + finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill,furnish, gather, get, go about...
6186. arak -- to arrange or set in order
... a very wide variety of applications) -- put (set) (the battle, self) in array, compare,
direct, equal, esteem, estimate, expert (in war),furnish, handle, join...
3276. yaal -- to confer or gain profit or benefit
... root Definition to confer or gain profit or benefit NASB Word Usage avail (1),furnish
the slightest (1), gain (1), profit (17), profitable (1), slightest...
5274. na'al -- to bar, bolt, lock
... A primitive root; properly, to fasten up, ie With a bar or cord; hence (denominative
from na'al), to sandal, ieFurnish with slippers -- bolt, inclose, lock...
Library
Author's Preface.
... He believes that it contains instructions which alonefurnish the basis of
wise and worthy conduct both for individuals and for nations....
"The Lord is Good"
... "Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can Godfurnish a table in the
wilderness?" This seemed a very innocent question to ask....
From the Close of the General Conference of 1812 to the Death of...
... In 1810 the American Board of Commissioners commenced its operations, and not long
after, with a view tofurnish them with suitable agents, who might be...
The "Fraternity" of Pharisees
... the nature of it, would be kept a profound secret, should have become known to
"Paul's sister's son" (v 16), the circumstances of the casefurnish a sufficient...
Thomas Traherne and the Spiritual Poets of the Seventeenth Century
... They exhibit, in their loose and unmoralized freedom, the inherent dangers which
attach to the proclamation of spiritual liberty, and theyfurnish a clear...
Completeness and Universality of his Character.
... History exhibits to us many men of commanding and comprehensive genius, who stand
at the head of their age and nation, andfurnish material for the...
The Jewish Sadducees a Link Between the Pagan Philosophers and the...
... to doubtful points; to accomplish those of which men had had but a foretaste; to
give present reality to the objects of prophecy; and tofurnish not only by...
The Third
... The false prophets will eat to the full at the table of another Jezebel: Why should
not God "furnish a table" (Psalm 78:19) for His own in that coming day, in...
Funeral Oration on the Great S. Basil, Bishop of C??sarea in...
... 1. It has then been ordained that the great Basil, who used so constantly tofurnish
me with subjects for my discourses, of which he was quite as proud as any...
How Internal Exercises are to be Practised in Times Improper and...
... 2. Particularly in a state of distractive offices and employments. Sec. 3. Souls
ought to prepare andfurnish themselves beforehand for such times. Sec. Sec....
Thesaurus
Furnish (8 Occurrences)... 1. (vt) To supply with anything necessary, useful, or appropriate; to provide; to
equip; to fit out, or fit up; to adorn; as, to
furnish a family with
...Supply (40 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To fill up, or keep full; tofurnish with what is wanted; to afford, or
furnish with, a sufficiency; as, rivers are supplied by smaller streams; an...
Arm (110 Occurrences)
... 14. (vt) Tofurnish with arms or limbs. 15. (vt) Tofurnish or equip with weapons
of offense or defense; as, to arm soldiers; to arm the country. 16....
Endow (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) Tofurnish with money or its equivalent, as a permanent fund for support;
to make pecuniary provision for; to settle an income upon; especially, to...
Produce (140 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To bring forth, as young, or as a natural product or growth; to give birth
to; to bear; to generate; to propagate; to yield; tofurnish; as, the earth...
Man (26072 Occurrences)
... 11. (vt) To supply with men; tofurnish with a sufficient force or... 12. (vt) Tofurnish
with strength for action; to prepare for efficiency; to fortify. 13....
Help (1694 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) Tofurnish with strength or means for the successful performance of any
action or the attainment of any object; to aid; to assist; as, to help a man in...
Nourish (16 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To feed and cause to grow; to supply with matter which increases bulk or
supplies waste, and promotes health; tofurnish with nutriment....
Garnish (1 Occurrence)
... Overlay with stones (2 Chronicles 3:6), adorn (Revelation 21:19), deck with garlands
(Matthew 23:29),furnish (12:44).... 3. (vt) Tofurnish; to supply....
Fill (126 Occurrences)
... 3. (v.) Tofurnish an abundant supply to; tofurnish with as mush as is desired
or desirable; to occupy the whole of; to swarm in or overrun....
Resources
What is a prayer closet? | GotQuestions.orgFurnish: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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