Topical Encyclopedia
The term "innumerable" is used in the Bible to describe quantities or entities that are beyond human ability to count or measure. This concept is often employed to convey the vastness, abundance, or incomprehensibility of God's creation, blessings, or promises.
Biblical Usage and Context1.
Creation and the Stars: One of the most prominent uses of "innumerable" in the Bible is in reference to the stars in the heavens. In
Genesis 15:5, God promises Abraham that his descendants will be as numerous as the stars: "And He took him outside and said, 'Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.' Then He declared, 'So shall your offspring be.'" This imagery is reiterated in
Hebrews 11:12, which states, "And so from one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore."
2.
God's Thoughts and Works: The psalmists often reflect on the innumerable nature of God's thoughts and works.
Psalm 40:5 declares, "Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders You have done, and the plans You have for us—none can compare to You—if I proclaim and declare them, they are more than I can count." Similarly,
Psalm 139:17-18 expresses awe at God's thoughts: "How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God, how vast is their sum! If I were to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand; when I awake, I am still with You."
3.
Angelic Hosts: The Bible also uses "innumerable" to describe the multitude of angels.
Hebrews 12:22 speaks of "the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem," and mentions "myriads of angels," indicating an uncountable number of heavenly beings.
4.
Judgment and Nations: In prophetic literature, the term is used to describe the vast numbers of nations or armies. For example, in
Jeremiah 46:23 , the destruction of Egypt is foretold with the imagery of an innumerable army: "They will chop down her forest, declares the LORD, though it is dense, for they are more numerous than locusts; they cannot be counted."
Theological ImplicationsThe use of "innumerable" in Scripture underscores the infinite nature of God and His works. It serves to remind believers of the limitations of human understanding and the boundless scope of divine power and providence. The concept encourages faith in God's promises, as His ability to fulfill them is beyond human comprehension. The innumerable stars, thoughts, and hosts reflect the majesty and sovereignty of God, inviting worship and trust in His eternal plan.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
a.) Not capable of being counted; indefinitely numerous; of great number.
Greek
382. anarithmetos --innumerable...innumerable. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: anarithmetos Phonetic Spelling:
(an-ar-ith'-may-tos) Short Definition: uncountable,
innumerable...3463. murios -- countless, pl. ten thousand
... ten thousand. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: murios Phonetic Spelling:
(moo'-ree-oi) Short Definition: ten thousand,innumerable Definition: ten...
4519. sabaoth -- Sabaoth, ie armies
... armies. 4519 (the Greek transliteration of the Hebrew term, , OT 6635) --
host(s), aninnumerable throng (limitless company). 4519...
Strong's Hebrew
4557. mispar -- number, tally... number, tally NASB Word Usage account (1), count (1), count* (1), counted (1),
countless* (1), enumeration (1), few (7), infinite* (1),
innumerable* (1), limit
...369. ayin -- nothing, nought
... have none (2), have nothing (2), having a nor (1), having no (2), helpless* (1),
incurable* (1), infinite* (1), infrequent* (1),innumerable* (1), inscrutable...
Library
TwoInnumerable Series
... VOLUME I: PSALMS I to XLIX TWOINNUMERABLE SERIES. 'Many, O Lord my God, are
Thy wonderful works which Thou hast done, and Thy thoughts...
The Twenty-Second Chapter: Remember theInnumerable Gifts of God
... BOOK THREE. INTERNAL CONSOLATION The Twenty-Second Chapter: Remember the
Innumerable Gifts of God. The Disciple OPEN my heart, O...
How, amongInnumerable Other Miracles of Healing Wrought by the...
... How, amonginnumerable other miracles of healing wrought by the wood of the cross,
which King Oswald, being ready to engage against the barbarians, erected, a...
The Jews, Afflicted withInnumerable Evils, Commenced the Last War...
... Book II. Chapter XXVI."The Jews, afflicted withInnumerable Evils, commenced
the Last War Against the Romans. 1. Josephus again...
In one Soul we May be Entertained and Taken up withInnumerable...
... THE SECOND CENTURY 70 In one soul we may be entertained and taken up withinnumerable
beauties.... But in the Soul of Man there areinnumerable infinities....
For we who have Been Persuaded by Many, Yea byInnumerable...
... Chapter LII. For we who have been persuaded by many, yea byinnumerable?
For we who have been persuaded by many, yea byinnumerable...
Of the Palm-bearing Multitude of Personsinnumerable, rejoicing in...
... Of the Palm-bearing Multitude of Personsinnumerable, rejoicing in triumph, out
of all nations, and kindreds, and peoples, and tongues; with the Seventh Trumpet...
But the Ways in Our Life which Turn Aside Towards Sin are...
... II."Ascetic and Moral. Chapter XV. But the ways in our life which turn
aside towards sin areinnumerable? But the ways in our...
The Memory Containeth Also Reasons and LawsInnumerable of Numbers...
... Book X Chapter XII The memory containeth also reasons and lawsinnumerable
of numbers and dimensions? The memory containeth also...
Psalm 139 Part 3 the Mercies of GodInnumerable.
... THE PSALMS OF DAVID PSALM 139 PART 3 The mercies of Godinnumerable.
v.14,17,18 CM. The mercies of Godinnumerable. An evening Psalm....
Thesaurus
Innumerable (12 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Not capable of being counted; indefinitely numerous;
of great number. Multi-Version Concordance
Innumerable (12 Occurrences).
...Countless (11 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Incapable of being counted; not ascertainable;
innumerable.... All men shall draw after him, as there wereinnumerable before him....
Locust (25 Occurrences)
...Innumerable as the drops of water or the sands of the seashore, their flight obscures
the sun and casts a thick shadow on the earth (Exodus 10:15; Judges 6:5; 7...
Witchcraft (8 Occurrences)
... ignorant and innocent, supposed to have been guilty of witchcraft, do not fall within
the scope of this article, but may be perused ininnumerable works: see...
Numerous (88 Occurrences)
... one were begotten -- and that of one who had become dead -- as the stars of the
heaven in multitude, and as sand that 'is' by the sea-shore -- theinnumerable....
Witch (2 Occurrences)
... ignorant and innocent, supposed to have been guilty of witchcraft, do not fall within
the scope of this article, but may be perused ininnumerable works: see...
Yonder (15 Occurrences)
... Psalms 104:25 Yonder is the sea, great and wide, Wherein are things creeping
innumerable, Both small and great beasts. (See JPS ASV DBY RSV)....
Numberless (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.)Innumerable; countless. Multi-Version
Concordance Numberless (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 48:19 Your seed...
Unnumbered (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Not numbered; not counted or estimated;innumerable.
Multi-Version Concordance Unnumbered (9 Occurrences)....
Jabbok (7 Occurrences)
... The length of the stream, taking no account of itsinnumerable windings, is about
60 miles. The mouth of the river has changed its position from time to time....
Resources
How many angels are there? | GotQuestions.orgIs the Bible a fairy tale? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about astrology and the zodiac? Is astrology something a Christian should study? | GotQuestions.orgInnumerable: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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