Topical Encyclopedia
The term "ingenious" refers to the quality of being clever, original, and inventive. In the context of the Bible, while the specific word "ingenious" may not be directly used in most translations, the concept is evident in various narratives and teachings that highlight human creativity and wisdom as gifts from God.
Biblical Examples of Ingenuity1.
Bezalel and Oholiab: In the construction of the Tabernacle, God endowed Bezalel and Oholiab with exceptional skill and wisdom.
Exodus 31:3-5 states, "And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, understanding, and ability in all kinds of craftsmanship, to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze, to cut gemstones for settings, and to carve wood, so that he may be a master of every craft." Their ingenuity was divinely inspired, serving a sacred purpose.
2.
Noah's Ark: The account of Noah in
Genesis 6-9 demonstrates remarkable ingenuity. God provided Noah with specific instructions to build an ark, a massive vessel designed to preserve life during the Flood. Noah's obedience and skill in constructing the ark reflect human ingenuity guided by divine revelation.
3.
Solomon's Wisdom: King Solomon is renowned for his wisdom, which encompassed not only judicial and philosophical insight but also practical ingenuity.
1 Kings 4:29-34 describes Solomon's vast understanding and his ability to speak about various subjects, from botany to zoology, showcasing a breadth of knowledge and creativity.
Theological InsightsThe Bible presents human ingenuity as a reflection of the imago Dei, the image of God in humanity. This creative capacity is a divine gift, intended for the stewardship of creation and the advancement of God's purposes on earth. However, the Bible also warns against the misuse of ingenuity for selfish or idolatrous ends.
1.
Tower of Babel: In
Genesis 11, the construction of the Tower of Babel illustrates how human ingenuity can be misdirected. The people sought to make a name for themselves, leading to divine intervention and the scattering of languages. This narrative serves as a cautionary tale about the potential for human creativity to be used in defiance of God's will.
2.
Proverbs on Wisdom: The Book of Proverbs frequently extols the virtues of wisdom and understanding, which are closely related to ingenuity.
Proverbs 8:12 states, "I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion." Here, wisdom is portrayed as a guiding force for the proper application of knowledge and creativity.
Practical ApplicationsIn the Christian life, ingenuity is to be exercised with humility and a heart aligned with God's purposes. Believers are encouraged to use their talents and creativity for the edification of the church and the betterment of society. The New Testament emphasizes the diversity of gifts within the body of Christ, as seen in
1 Corinthians 12, where each member contributes uniquely to the whole.
In summary, while the Bible may not explicitly use the term "ingenious," it provides numerous examples and teachings that underscore the value of creativity and wisdom as gifts from God, meant to be used in accordance with His will and for His glory.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Possessed of genius, or the faculty of invention; skillful or prompt to invent; having an aptitude to contrive, or to form new combinations; as, an ingenious author, mechanic.
2. (a.) Proceeding from, pertaining to, or characterized by, genius or ingenuity; of curious design, structure, or mechanism; as, an ingenious model, or machine; an ingenious scheme, contrivance, etc.
3. (a.) Witty; shrewd; adroit; keen; sagacious; as, an ingenious reply.
4. (a.) Mental; intellectual.
Strong's Hebrew
2805. chesheb --ingenious work... 2804, 2805. chesheb. 2806 .
ingenious work. Transliteration: chesheb
Phonetic Spelling: (khay'-sheb) Short Definition: band. Word
...Library
Let it be Supposed, that YourIngenious Reason Should Suggest to...
... [Way-3-8] Let it be supposed, that youringenious reason should suggest
to you? Let it be supposed, that youringenious reason...
"The Things of God," Says St. ...
... But Mr. Green has got together hisingenious, his eminent writers, his excellent,
learned, judicious authors, his cool, rational- morality doctors (a set of...
Introductory Note to the Epistle of Barnabas
... It is with great reluctance that I yield to modern scholars, in dismissing the
ingenious and temperate argument of Archbishop Wake [1438] for the apostolic...
No Sorrow Like Messiah's Sorrow
...Ingenious men, and sometimes men not veryingenious, have endeavoured to discover
types [prophetic symbols] and mysteries in the plainest of historical parts...
An Israelite Indeed
... John 1:47. 1. Some years ago a veryingenious man, Professor Hutcheson of Glasgow,
published two treatises, The Original of our Ideas of Beauty and Virtue....
Semi-Parasitism.
... Is parasitism, after all, not a somewhat clever ruse? Is it not aningenious way
of securing the benefits of life while evading its responsibilities?...
Manifold Struggles
... Their hypocrisy became soingenious that it even deceived themselves, and they voided
the most envenomed virulence on those who repudiated their pretensions...
Estimate of St. Augustin.
... Baur draws aningenious and suggestive comparison between Augustin and Origen,
the two greatest intellects among the church fathers....
Elucidations.
... as to believe that Divine Providence led the Athenians to set up the very inscription
which was to prompt Christ's apostle to aningenious interpretation, and...
The Work of the Holy Spirit in Prophets and Apostles.
... is nothing in the Bible more inspired than the tabernacle, and if the Destructive
Critics would study it more, they would give up theiringenious but untenable...
Thesaurus
Ingenious (1 Occurrence)... or the faculty of invention; skillful or prompt to invent; having an aptitude to
contrive, or to form new combinations; as, an
ingenious author, mechanic.
...Star (16 Occurrences)
... Some three centuries ago theingenious and devout Kepler supposed that he could
identify the star with a conjunction of the planets Jupiter and Saturn in the...
Magi (4 Occurrences)
... Some three centuries ago theingenious and devout Kepler supposed that he could
identify the star with a conjunction of the planets Jupiter and Saturn in the...
Siege (63 Occurrences)
... 5. Siege Operations: Defense: While the besiegers employed this variety of means
of attack, the besieged were equallyingenious and active in maintaining the...
Sabbath (126 Occurrences)
... Notice must be taken of aningenious and able paper by Professor M. Jastrow, which
was read before the Eleventh International Congress of Orientalists in Paris...
Jabez (3 Occurrences)
... For aningenious reconstruction of the passage see EB, under the word (2) Person:
The head of a family of Judah, noted for his "honorable" character, though...
Wings (81 Occurrences)
... Wings in the abstract typified shelter, strength or speed, as a rule, while in some
instances their use wasingenious and extremely poetical, as when Job...
Ingatherings (1 Occurrence)
Ingenuity (1 Occurrence)
Trick (11 Occurrences)
... trade. 2. (n.) A sly, dexterous, oringenious procedure fitted to puzzle
or amuse; as, a bear's tricks; a juggler's tricks. 3. (a...
Resources
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