Topical Encyclopedia
The term "highly" in the context of the Bible often conveys a sense of great esteem, value, or importance. It is used to describe the regard or honor given to individuals, actions, or attributes that are considered significant or worthy of respect in the biblical narrative.
1.
Esteem and Honor: The Bible frequently uses the concept of being "highly esteemed" to describe individuals who are favored by God or respected by others. For example, in the Book of Daniel, the angel Gabriel addresses Daniel as "highly esteemed" (
Daniel 9:23), indicating God's special favor and the importance of Daniel's role as a prophet.
2.
Moral and Spiritual Values: The term is also used to emphasize the importance of certain moral and spiritual values. In
Luke 16:15 , Jesus says, "You are the ones who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God’s sight." This passage highlights the contrast between worldly values and divine values, suggesting that what humans often esteem highly may not align with God's standards.
3.
Divine Favor: Being "highly favored" is another expression found in the Bible, particularly in reference to Mary, the mother of Jesus. In
Luke 1:28 , the angel Gabriel greets Mary with the words, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." This indicates a special selection and blessing from God, underscoring Mary's unique role in the divine plan of salvation.
4.
Leadership and Authority: The concept of being highly regarded is also applied to leaders and those in positions of authority. In the Old Testament, figures such as King David and Solomon are often depicted as being highly esteemed by their people due to their leadership and wisdom. This esteem is seen as a reflection of their God-given authority and the fulfillment of their roles as leaders of Israel.
5.
Wisdom and Understanding: Proverbs frequently associates wisdom with being highly valued.
Proverbs 3:13-15 states, "Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding, for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her." Here, wisdom is portrayed as a highly desirable and esteemed quality, surpassing material wealth.
6.
Cultural and Historical Context: In the cultural and historical context of the Bible, being highly esteemed often carried significant social implications. It could affect one's social standing, influence, and the ability to lead or make decisions within the community. The biblical narrative frequently reflects the tension between human esteem and divine approval, urging believers to seek God's favor above all.
In summary, the use of "highly" in the Bible underscores the importance of divine favor, moral integrity, and the pursuit of wisdom. It challenges believers to align their values with those esteemed by God, rather than merely seeking human approval.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
adv.) In a high manner, or to a high degree; very much; as, highly esteemed.
Greek
5090. Timaios -- "highly prized," Timaeus, an Israelite... 5089, 5090. Timaios. 5091 . "
highly prized
... Word Origin probably from timao
Definition "
highly prized," Timaeus, an Isr. NASB Word Usage Timaeus (1). Timaeus
...5251. huperupsoo -- to exalt beyond measure
... to exalt beyond measure. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: huperupsoo Phonetic
Spelling: (hoop-er-oop-so'-o) Short Definition: Ihighly exalt Definition: I...
5487. charitoo -- to make graceful, endow with grace
... on. Cognate: 5487 (from 5486 , "grace," see there) -- properly,highly-
because receptive to God's . 5487... 1). favorhighly. From...
5252. huperphroneo -- to be overly proud, to have high thoughts
... Word Origin from huper and phroneo Definition to be overly proud, to have high thoughts
NASB Word Usage think morehighly (1). be haughty, think morehighly....
2371. thumomacheo -- to fight desperately
... behighly displeased. From a presumed compound of thumos and machomai; to be in
a furious fight, ie (figuratively) to be exasperated -- behighly displeased....
3547. nomodidaskalos -- a teacher of the law
... This person was sohighly learned (scholarly) in the Hebrew Scriptures (OT), they
had the status of "" -- ie a premier "teacher of the Law" who gave "expert...
4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... 3 For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more
highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound...
1784. entimos -- valued, precious
... Word Origin from en and time Definition valued, precious NASB Word Usage high regard
(1),highly regarded (1), more distinguished (1), precious (2)....
1741. endoxos -- held in honor, glorious
... held in honor, glorious. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: endoxos Phonetic
Spelling: (en'-dox-os) Short Definition:highly esteemed, splendid...
2613. katadikazo -- to pass sentence upon
... 2613 (from 2596 , "according to, down," which intensifies , "to act as judge") --
properly, judge , ie condemn in an (personal) manner that ishighly specific....
Strong's Hebrew
1297. beram -- only, nevertheless... (Aramaic) perhaps from ruwm with a prepositional prefix; properly,
highly, ie Surely;
but used adversatively, however -- but, nevertheless, yet.
...4605. maal -- above, upwards
... 7), above* (32), covered* (1), exceedingly (1), forward (2), greater (1), greatly
(1), heaven (4), high above (1), high* (1), higher (4),highly (2), hovered...
1342. gaah -- to rise up
... exalted. Word Origin a prim. root Definition to rise up NASB Word Usage grow
(1),highly exalted (2), lifted (1), risen (1). gloriously...
2181. zanah -- to commit fornication, be a harlot
... A primitive root (highly-fed and therefore wanton); to commit adultery (usually
of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary...
2536b. chamudah -- desirableness, preciousness
... Word Origin from chamad Definition desirableness, preciousness NASB Word Usage best
(1), high esteem (2),highly esteemed (1), precious (1), precious things (1...
3966. meod -- muchness, force, abundance
... 1), extremely* (1), far (1), firmly (1), fully (1), great (16), great abundance
(1), greatly (52), greatly* (1), hard (1), harder* (1),highly (4), immense (1...
1431. gadal -- to grow up, become great
... 5), great things he has done (1), greater (4), grew (15), grew...great (1), grow
(2), grow long (1), grown (5), grown-up (1), grows (1),highly valued (2...
Library
We Ought to ThinkHighly of Christ.
... The Homily. Chap. i."we ought to thinkhighly of christ. Brethren, it is
fitting that you should think of Jesus Christ as of God...
We Ought to ThinkHighly of Christ.
... The Second Epistle of Clement. Chapter I."We Ought to ThinkHighly of
Christ. Brethren, it is fitting that you should think of...
I Exceedingly Love, andHighly Reverence the Divine Authority of...
... Address 72: I exceedingly love, andhighly reverence the divine authority
of the sacred writings of the? I exceedingly love, and...
"Though we beHighly Lifted up into Contemplation by the Special...
... THE SIXTEENTH REVELATION CHAPTER LXXVIII "Though we behighly lifted up into
contemplation by the special gift of our Lord, yet it is needful to us to have...
Athanasius the Great is VeryHighly Esteemed by the Emperor, and...
... Book VI. Chapter V."Athanasius the Great is VeryHighly Esteemed by the Emperor,
and rules over the Churches of Egypt. Vision of Antony the Great....
Men OftenHighly Esteem what God Abhors.
... XXI. MEN OFTENHIGHLY ESTEEM WHAT GOD ABHORS.... Show how and why it is that menhighly
esteem that which God abhors. 1. They have a different rule of judgment....
Ambrose MostHighly Praised by Pelagius.
... A Treatise on the grace of christ, and on original sin, Chapter 47
[XLIII.]"Ambrose MostHighly Praised by Pelagius. "The blessed...
By Such Enormous Sins, However, they VeryHighly Offend God...
... Fifth Head of Doctrine Article 5 By such enormous sins, however, they very
highly offend God? By such enormous sins, however, they...
And this is that Regeneration SoHighly Extolled in Scripture...
... Third and Fourth Heads of Doctrine Article 12 And this is that regeneration
sohighly extolled in Scripture? And this is that...
Diversity of Dreams and visions Epicurus Thought Lightly of Them...
... Chapter XLVI."Diversity of Dreams and Visions Epicurus Thought Lightly of Them,
Though Generally MostHighly Valued. Instances of Dreams....
Thesaurus
Esteemed (44 Occurrences)... Luke 16:15 And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men;
but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is
highly esteemed among men is
...Nightmonster
... FOLKLORE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT 1. Paucity of References 2. References inHighly Poetical
Passages 3. The References Allusive 4. Possibility of Non-mythological...
Night-monster
... FOLKLORE IN THE OLD TESTAMENT 1. Paucity of References 2. References inHighly Poetical
Passages 3. The References Allusive 4. Possibility of Non-mythological...
Valued (27 Occurrences)
... 1. (imp. & pp) of Value. 2. (a.)Highly regarded; esteemed; prized; as, a valued
contributor; a valued friend. Multi-Version Concordance...
Exalt (56 Occurrences)
... the Revised Version (British and American) "exalted overmuch"; huperupsoo, "to lift
up above" (Philippians 2:9), is translated "highly exalted"; hupsos...
Dear (120 Occurrences)
... 2. (superl.) Marked by scarcity or dearth, and exorbitance of price; as, a dear
year. 3. (superl.)Highly valued; greatly beloved; cherished; precious....
Priced (5 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:9 All these buildings were made, inside and out, from base to crowning
stone, and outside to the great walled square, ofhighly priced stone, cut to...
Exalted (126 Occurrences)
... (See NAS NIV). Philippians 2:9 Therefore God alsohighly exalted him, and gave to
him the name which is above every name; (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)....
Olive (61 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary The fruit of the olive-tree. This tree yielded
oil which washighly valued. The best oil was from olives...
Linen (111 Occurrences)
... the spinning and weaving of linen were carried on by the women (Proverbs 31:13,
19), among whom skill in this work was consideredhighly praiseworthy (Exodus 35...
Resources
Why was a father's blessing so highly valued in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.orgAre atheists more intelligent than believers? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about the virgin Mary? | GotQuestions.orgHighly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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