Topical Encyclopedia
The term "innermost" in the biblical context often refers to the deepest, most intimate parts of a person or a place, both physically and spiritually. It is a concept that appears in various forms throughout the Scriptures, symbolizing the core of human emotions, thoughts, and the sacred spaces within the tabernacle or temple.
Innermost BeingIn the Bible, the innermost being of a person is frequently associated with the heart, soul, and spirit. It is the seat of emotions, thoughts, and moral inclinations.
Psalm 51:6 states, "Surely You desire truth in the inmost being; You teach me wisdom in the inmost place." This verse highlights God's desire for authenticity and integrity within the deepest parts of a person, emphasizing the importance of inner truth and wisdom.
The Apostle Paul also touches on this concept in
Romans 7:22 , where he writes, "For in my inner being I delight in God’s law." Here, Paul acknowledges the struggle between the sinful nature and the desire to follow God's law, indicating that the innermost part of a believer is inclined towards righteousness and divine truth.
Innermost Parts of the TempleThe innermost parts of the temple, particularly the Holy of Holies, hold significant theological importance. This sacred space was the most revered area within the tabernacle and later the temple, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. It symbolized God's presence among His people and was only accessible to the high priest once a year on the Day of Atonement (
Leviticus 16:2-34).
The construction of the temple, as described in
1 Kings 6, emphasizes the sanctity and separation of the innermost chamber. The Holy of Holies was a place of divine encounter, representing the ultimate spiritual reality that God dwells in the innermost parts of His creation and His people.
Spiritual ImplicationsThe concept of the innermost being extends beyond physical spaces to the spiritual realm. It calls believers to examine their hearts and align their innermost desires with God's will.
Hebrews 4:12 states, "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart." This passage underscores the power of God's Word to penetrate the innermost parts of a person, revealing true intentions and prompting spiritual transformation.
In the New Testament, Jesus emphasizes the importance of inner purity over outward appearances. In
Matthew 23:27-28 , He rebukes the Pharisees, saying, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness." This teaching highlights the necessity of inner righteousness and sincerity in one's relationship with God.
ConclusionThe biblical concept of the innermost being and spaces serves as a profound reminder of the importance of inner truth, purity, and the presence of God within the believer. It calls for a deep, introspective faith that seeks to align one's innermost desires and actions with the divine will, reflecting the holiness and righteousness of God in every aspect of life.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
a.) Farthest inward; most remote from the outward part; inmost; deepest within.
Greek
2836. koilia -- belly... Word Origin from koilos (hollow) Definition belly NASB Word Usage appetite (1),
appetites (1), belly (1),
innermost being (1), stomach (7), womb (11), wombs (1
...5427. phronema -- the thought (that which is in the mind)
... Cognate: 5427 (a neuter noun) -- properly visceral opinion (theinnermost, personal
level of opinion); inner perspective as it determines (regulating) outward...
Strong's Hebrew
1687. debir -- perhaps (a place of) speaking (theinnermost room...... perhaps (a place of) speaking (the
innermost room of Solomon's temple). Transliteration:
debir Phonetic Spelling: (deb-eer') Short Definition: sanctuary.
...2315. cheder -- a chamber, room
... Definition a chamber, room NASB Word Usage bedroom (3), bedroom* (5), chamber (1),
chambers (4), inner chamber (1), inner room (5),innermost (1),innermost...
3411. yerekah -- flank, side, extreme parts, recesses
... of yarek Definition flank, side, extreme parts, recesses NASB Word Usage extreme
rear (1), far (1), flank (1), hold (1), inner recesses (1),innermost part (1...
2910. tuchah -- inward parts
... Short Definition: being. Word Origin from tuach Definition inward parts NASB
Word Usageinnermost being (2). inward parts. From tachah...
Library
Taken into theInnermost Life.
... IV Closer Wooing (Chapters xiii.-xvii.) Taken into theInnermost Life.... He
takes them into Hisinnermost heart-life for a brief moment....
On the Feast of St Michael and all Angels
... We now come to the third hierarchy; these Angels work and look into theinnermost
part of man; into that which was formed in the Image of God....
The Ark of his Covenant
... The two words for "temple" here may relate not only to the temple itself,
but also to the Holy of Holies, theinnermost shrine....
God's Scrutiny Longed For
... By His Spirit He will come into theinnermost corners of our nature, if this prayer
is a real expression of our desire, and there the illumination of His...
Of the Parts of Man: the Eyes and Ears.
... with transparent membranes, that the images of objects placed opposite them, being
refracted [1859] as in a mirror, might penetrate to theinnermost perception...
The Blood of Sprinkling
... Observe itsinnermost place in the passage before us.... Now is your joy complete; but
you have a further object to behold. What is in thatinnermost shrine?...
Jacob Boehme: his Life and Spirit
... which reflected the bright sunlight, when suddenly he felt himself environed and
penetrated by the Light of God, and admitted into theinnermost ground and...
Jacob Boehme's "Way of Salvation"
... Another word for this efficacious and dynamic Faith is "Birth" or "innermost Birth,"
by which Boehme means the act of discovering the Gate to the Heart and...
'They Also Serve who Only Stand and Wait'
... something worse, upon any but divine lips, that opened with conscious authority,
and whose Utterer knew that His hand was laid upon theinnermost springs of...
Relation viii. Addressed to F. Rodrigo Alvarez.
... A transport comes on by one sole act of His Majesty, wrought in theinnermost part
of the soul with such swiftness that it is as if the higher part thereof...
Thesaurus
Innermost (22 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Innermost (22 Occurrences).
... Now David and his men were
abiding in the
innermost parts of the cave. (WEB JPS ASV RSV).
...Wounds (57 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Proverbs 18:8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go
down into theinnermost parts of the belly. (KJV WBS YLT)....
Belly (62 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) The part of anything which resembles the human belly in protuberance or
in cavity; theinnermost part; as, the belly of a flask, muscle, sail, ship....
Fruitful (57 Occurrences)
... messengers you have defied the Lord, and have said,'With the multitude of my chariots,
I have come up to the height of the mountains, to theinnermost parts of...
Whisperer (4 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS RSV). Proverbs 18:8 The words of a whisperer are as dainty
morsels, And they go down into theinnermost parts. (See JPS ASV NAS RSV)....
Forests (12 Occurrences)
... messengers thou hast taunted the Lord, and hast said: With the multitude of my chariots
am I come up to the height of the mountains, to theinnermost parts of...
Fir-trees (11 Occurrences)
... messengers thou hast defied the Lord, and hast said, With the multitude of my chariots
am I come up to the height of the mountains, to theinnermost parts of...
Talebearer (8 Occurrences)
... friends. (DBY). Proverbs 18:8 The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they
go down into theinnermost parts of the belly. (KJV DBY)....
Taunted (18 Occurrences)
... messengers thou hast defied the Lord, and hast said, With the multitude of my chariots
am I come up to the height of the mountains, to theinnermost parts of...
Tale-bearer (7 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Proverbs 18:8 The words of a tale-bearer are as wounds, and they
go down into theinnermost parts of the belly. (WBS YLT)....
Resources
Why does God love us? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the Holy of Holies? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I restore my soul? | GotQuestions.orgInnermost: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
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