Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "impress" can be understood in both a literal and figurative sense. It often refers to the act of engraving or stamping something onto a surface, as well as the deeper, more metaphorical sense of leaving a lasting impact on one's heart or mind.
Old Testament UsageThe concept of impressing is notably present in the Shema, a central declaration of the Jewish faith found in
Deuteronomy 6:4-9. In this passage, the Israelites are commanded to love the LORD their God with all their heart, soul, and strength. Verse 6-7 states: "These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." The Hebrew word used here, "שָׁנַן" (shanan), is often translated as "impress" or "teach diligently," indicating the importance of engraving God's commandments onto the hearts and minds of the people and their children.
New Testament ContextWhile the specific term "impress" is not frequently used in the New Testament, the concept is evident in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. For instance, in
Matthew 22:37-40 , Jesus reiterates the greatest commandment: "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commandments." Here, the emphasis is on internalizing these commandments, allowing them to shape one's actions and attitudes.
Impressing God's WordThe Bible frequently emphasizes the importance of impressing God's Word upon one's heart.
Psalm 119:11 states, "I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You." This verse highlights the protective and transformative power of internalizing Scripture, suggesting that impressing God's Word upon one's heart serves as a safeguard against sin.
Impressing OthersIn a broader sense, the Bible also addresses the idea of impressing others, though often with caution. In
Matthew 6:1 , Jesus warns, "Be careful not to perform your righteous acts before men to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." This admonition underscores the importance of sincerity in one's faith and actions, rather than seeking to impress others for personal gain or recognition.
ConclusionThe biblical concept of impressing, whether it involves engraving God's commandments on one's heart or the caution against seeking to impress others for the wrong reasons, underscores the importance of authenticity and internalization of faith. The Scriptures call believers to a genuine and heartfelt commitment to God's Word, ensuring that it shapes their lives and relationships with others.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To press, stamp, or print something in or upon; to mark by pressure, or as by pressure; to imprint (that which bears the impression).
2. (v. t.) To produce by pressure, as a mark, stamp, image, etc.; to imprint (a mark or figure upon something).
3. (v. t.) Fig.: To fix deeply in the mind; to present forcibly to the attention, etc.; to imprint; to inculcate.
4. (n.) To take by force for public service; as, to impress sailors or money.
5. (v. i.) To be impressed; to rest.
6. (n.) The act of impressing or making.
7. (n.) A mark made by pressure; an indentation; imprint; the image or figure of anything, formed by pressure or as if by pressure; result produced by pressure or influence.
8. (n.) Characteristic; mark of distinction; stamp.
9. (n.) A device. See Impress.
10. (n.) The act of impressing, or taking by force for the public service; compulsion to serve; also, that which is impressed.
Greek
29. aggareuo -- toimpress, compel... to
impress, compel. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: aggareuo Phonetic Spelling:
(ang-ar-yew'-o) Short Definition: I
impress, send Definition: I
impress...5480. charagma -- a stamp,impress
... a stamp,impress. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: charagma Phonetic
Spelling: (khar'-ag-mah) Short Definition: sculpture, a stamp, sign Definition...
5481. charakter -- a tool for engraving
... Finally it stood for a stamp orimpress used on a coin or seal (see , 368). In
each case, the stamp conveyed the reality behind the image.]....
Strong's Hebrew
7760. sum -- to put, place, set... establishment (1), expected* (1), fasten (1), fix (1), formed and made (1), gave
(2), give (7), grant (1), had (1), hunt* (1), impose (1),
impress (1), impute
...Library
He came in Human Rather than in any Nobler Form, Because (I) He...
... Section 43. He came in human rather than in any nobler form, because (I) He came
to save, not toimpress ; (2) man alone of creatures had sinned....
Of the Essential Meeting with God Without Means in the Nakedness...
... And this is why the spirit, in its inmost and highest part, that is in its naked
nature, receives without interruption theimpress of its Eternal Archetype...
Abandonment a Pledge of Predestination.
... "Quam bonus Israel Deus his qui recto sunt corde" (Psalm 72, i). Thisimpress of
the Holy Spirit in souls inflamed with His love, is called pure love on...
Rome, Socinus, Arminius, Calvin.
... Lastly, the Reformed confesses that man's whole personality is theimpress of God's
image in his being and attributes; to which belongs naturally that ideal...
The Need of the New Testament Scripture.
... How? Did He say to Paul or John: "Sit down and write"? The gospels and the epistles
do not soimpress us. It does indeed apply to the Revelation of St....
God Makes Known his Will through Creatures.
... divine wisdom. The events of every moment bear theimpress of the will of
God, and of His adorable Name. How holy is this name! It...
Texts Explained; Sixthly, the Context of Proverbs viii. 22 Vz. 22...
... not only be, but be good [2744] , it pleased God that His own Wisdom should condescend
[2745] to the creatures, so as to introduce animpress and semblance of...
Letter i. Behavior and Manners.
... One more point in regard to behavior I wish toimpress upon your mind as of very
great importance, although it relates less to the home and more to general...
"Members one of Another. "
... There are some moral and spiritual truths which it seems to be almost impossible
toimpress upon the practical life of the world, although they meet with a...
Allow Me to Fall a Prey to the Wild Beasts.
... wild beasts. I write to the Churches, andimpress on them all, that I shall
willingly die for God, unless ye hinder me. I beseech...
Thesaurus
Impress (6 Occurrences)... 4. (n.) To take by force for public service; as, to
impress sailors or money. 5.
(vi) To be impressed; to rest.
... 9. (n.) A device. See
Impress. 10.
...Imprint (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) Toimpress; to mark by pressure; to indent; to stamp.... 3. (vt) To fix
indelibly or permanently, as in the mind or memory; toimpress....
Print (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To fix orimpress, as a stamp, mark,
character, idea, etc., into or upon something. 2. (vt) To...
Stamp (25 Occurrences)
... 4. (vi) Toimpress with some mark or figure; as, to stamp a plate with
arms or initials. 5. (vi) Fig.: Toimpress; to imprint; to...
Image (126 Occurrences)
... 405 AD) figura, the King James Version "express image," the Revised Version (British
and American) "very image," the Revised Version, margin "impress." It is...
Zedekiah (63 Occurrences)
... In order the better toimpress his audience Zedekiah produced iron horns, and said
to Ahab, "With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until they be consumed...
Nehushtan (1 Occurrence)
... thousand years had invested the "brazen serpent" with a mysterious sanctity; and
in order to deliver the people from their infatuation, andimpress them with...
Unstable (8 Occurrences)
... 1 Timothy 6:17Impress on those who are rich in the present age that they must not
be haughty nor set their hopes on riches--that unstable foundation--but on...
Oath (286 Occurrences)
... 21:5 1 Kings 18:10 Ezra 10:5). The Mosaic laws concerning oaths were not meant to
limit the widespread custom of making oaths, so much as toimpress upon the...
Ostentation (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Making an unnecessary show or pretentious
display toimpress others; -- usually in a detractive sense....
Resources
What does it mean to preach the Word (2 Timothy 4:2)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the most common things people think are in the Bible that are not actually in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgIs giving a child a Christian education important? | GotQuestions.orgImpress: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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