Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical literature, the concept of inclines often appears metaphorically to describe spiritual, moral, or physical directions and attitudes. The term "incline" is used to convey the idea of bending, turning, or directing one's heart, mind, or actions toward a particular path or purpose. This entry explores the various contexts in which inclines are mentioned in the Bible, drawing from the Berean Standard Bible for scriptural references.
Spiritual InclinationThe Bible frequently speaks of the heart's inclination as a reflection of one's spiritual state. In
1 Kings 8:58 , Solomon prays, "May He incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways and to keep His commandments, statutes, and ordinances, which He commanded our fathers." Here, the inclination of the heart is a divine act, suggesting that God can direct human hearts toward obedience and faithfulness.
Similarly,
Psalm 119:36 expresses a plea for divine assistance in moral orientation: "Turn my heart to Your testimonies and not to covetous gain." The psalmist seeks God's intervention to incline his heart away from materialism and toward spiritual truths.
Moral InclinationThe Bible also addresses the natural human tendency to incline toward sin. In
Genesis 6:5 , it is written, "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time." This passage highlights the inherent sinful nature of humanity and the need for divine redemption.
Proverbs 2:2 advises, "making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding." This suggests an active effort to direct one's moral compass toward wisdom and discernment, contrasting the natural inclination toward folly and sin.
Physical InclinationWhile the metaphorical use of inclines is more prevalent, there are instances where physical inclines are mentioned. In
Isaiah 40:4 , the prophet declares, "Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill made low; the uneven ground will become smooth, and the rugged land a plain." This imagery of leveling physical inclines serves as a metaphor for the coming of God's salvation and the removal of obstacles.
Divine InclinationGod's inclination toward humanity is a theme of comfort and hope.
Psalm 116:2 states, "Because He has inclined His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live." This portrays God as attentive and responsive to the prayers of His people, emphasizing His willingness to engage with human concerns.
In conclusion, the concept of inclines in the Bible encompasses both the physical and metaphorical, illustrating the direction of the heart, mind, and actions. Whether describing the natural human tendency toward sin or the divine ability to redirect hearts toward righteousness, inclines serve as a powerful symbol of spiritual and moral orientation in the biblical narrative.
Strong's Hebrew
6213a. asah -- do, make... you over (1), grant (1), granted (1), greedily (1), happen (1), happened (1), held
(2), help (1), hold (1), imitate (1), imparted (1),
inclines (1), indeed
...Library
Whether the virtue of TruthInclines Rather to that which is Less?
... OF TRUTH (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether the virtue of truthinclines rather to
that which is less? Objection 1: It seems that the virtue...
Whether Matrimony is of Natural Law?
... Secondly, that is said to be natural to which natureinclines although it comes
to pass through the intervention of the free-will; thus acts of virtue and the...
God's Great Deliverance of his People. --Ps. Cvii.
... Then unto the Lord they cry; Heinclines a gracious ear,. Sends deliverance from
on high,.... Then unto the Lord they cry; Heinclines a gracious ear,....
Whether Temperance is a virtue?
... ii, 1. Now temperance withdraws us from pleasures to which natureinclines, according
to Ethic. ii, 3,8. Therefore temperance is not a virtue....
Sin is Spiritual Slavery
... The degree of intensity with which any man loves andinclines to evil is the measure
of the amount of power to good which he has thereby lost....
Whether There Should be a Precept of Hope?
... those without which no law is possible: such are the precepts relating to the act
of faith and the act of hope, because the act of faithinclines man's mind so...
Whether Martyrdom is an Act of Fortitude?
... Objection 2: Further, a praiseworthy act belongs chiefly to the virtue whichinclines
thereto, is manifested thereby, and without which the act avails nothing....
Whether Matrimony Still Comes under a Precept?
... Therefore matrimony does not come under a precept. I answer that, Nature
inclines to a thing in two ways. In one way as to that which...
Whether God is a Cause of Sin?
... the cause of sin, either in Himself or in another, since every sin is a departure
from the order which is to God as the end: whereas Godinclines and turns all...
Of a Loving Strife Between the Spirit of God and Our Spirit
... God, through the Holy Ghost,inclines Himself towards us; and, thereby,
we are touched in love. And our spirit, by God's working...
Thesaurus
Inclines (3 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Inclines (3 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 14:7 His armor
bearer said to him, "Do all that is in your heart. Turn
...Inclined (23 Occurrences)
Judaeus
... In so far as Philo needs Logos to connect God with the world, heinclines
to a doctrine of personality. In so far as he makes it...
Philo
... In so far as Philo needs Logos to connect God with the world, heinclines
to a doctrine of personality. In so far as he makes it...
Gaulonitis
... Schumacherinclines to the belief that the ancient Golan may be represented by Sahm
el-Jaulan, a large village fully 4 miles East of Nahr `Allan, and 4 miles...
Golan (4 Occurrences)
... Schumacherinclines to the belief that the ancient Golan may be represented by Sahm
el-Jaulan, a large village fully 4 miles East of Nahr `Allan, and 4 miles...
Weights (14 Occurrences)
... The consensus of opinion at the present dayinclines toward a cubit of 17.6 inches
for commercial purposes and one of about 20 inches for building....
Incline (38 Occurrences)
... vi) To deviate from a line, direction, or course, toward an object; to lean; to
tend; as, converging lines incline toward each other; a roadinclines to the...
Itch (11 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To have an uneasy sensation in the skin,
whichinclines the person to scratch the part affected....
Inclinest (1 Occurrence)
Resources
What does it mean that God draws us to salvation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is antithetical parallelism in Hebrew poetry? | GotQuestions.orgHow does the Bible describe a fool? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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