Topical Encyclopedia
The term "inscrutable" refers to something that is impossible to understand or interpret. In a biblical context, it often describes the nature and ways of God, which are beyond human comprehension. The concept of God's inscrutability is a recurring theme in Scripture, emphasizing His sovereignty, wisdom, and the mystery of His divine plan.
Biblical References:1.
Isaiah 55:8-9 : "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so My ways are higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." This passage highlights the vast difference between human understanding and God's infinite wisdom, underscoring the inscrutability of His thoughts and plans.
2.
Romans 11:33 : "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and untraceable His ways!" The Apostle Paul marvels at the depth of God's wisdom and knowledge, acknowledging that His judgments and ways are beyond human tracing or understanding.
3.
Job 11:7-9 : "Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know? Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea." Zophar, one of Job's friends, speaks to the unfathomable nature of God's wisdom and power, suggesting that human beings cannot fully grasp the extent of His greatness.
Theological Implications:The inscrutability of God serves as a reminder of His transcendence and the limitations of human understanding. It calls believers to a posture of humility and trust, recognizing that while God's ways may be mysterious, they are always good and just. This theme encourages faith in God's ultimate plan, even when circumstances are difficult to understand.
Practical Application:In the life of a believer, acknowledging God's inscrutability can lead to a deeper reliance on His guidance and a more profound sense of peace. When faced with trials or uncertainties, Christians are encouraged to trust in God's perfect wisdom and timing, knowing that His purposes are ultimately for their good and His glory (
Romans 8:28).
Related Concepts:·
Sovereignty of God: The belief that God is supreme and in control of all things, which is closely related to His inscrutability.
·
Divine Mystery: The acknowledgment that certain aspects of God's nature and plan are beyond human understanding.
·
Faith and Trust: The response of believers to God's inscrutable nature, relying on His character and promises.
The concept of inscrutability invites believers to worship God for His infinite wisdom and to rest in the assurance that, though His ways are beyond our understanding, they are always perfect and righteous.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
a.) Unsearchable; incapable of being fathomed or understood by inquiry or study; impossible or difficult to be explained or accounted for satisfactorily; obscure; incomprehensible; as, an inscrutable design or event.
Greek
419. anexeraunetos -- unsearchable... Transliteration: anexeraunetos Phonetic Spelling: (an-ex-er-yoo'-nay-tos) Short
Definition: that cannot be searched into,
inscrutable Definition: that cannot
...421. anexichniastos -- that cannot be traced out
... able to trace the steps of") -- properly, impossible to "track" ("trace the steps
of"); unable to follow or fully comprehend ("incomprehensible");inscrutable...
Strong's Hebrew
369. ayin -- nothing, nought... 2), have nothing (2), having a nor (1), having no (2), helpless* (1), incurable*
(1), infinite* (1), infrequent* (1), innumerable* (1),
inscrutable* (1), lack
...2714. cheqer -- a searching, a thing (to be) searched out
... Word Origin from chaqar Definition a searching, a thing (to be) searched out NASB
Word Usage depths (1), inquiry (1),inscrutable* (1), recesses (1), search (1...
Library
Of theInscrutable Providence of God.
... The Conferences of John Cassian. Chapter XVII. Of theinscrutable providence of
God.... Howinscrutable are the judgments of God and His ways past finding out!...
It is anInscrutable Mystery Why Some are Saved, and Others Not.
... A Treatise on the Merits and Forgiveness of Sins, and on the Baptism of Infants
Chapter 29 [XXI.]"It is anInscrutable Mystery Why Some are Saved, and Others...
Why Perseverance Should be Given to one and not Another is...
... A Treatise on rebuke and grace, Chapter 17 [VIII.]"Why Perseverance Should
Be Given to One and Not Another isInscrutable. Here...
Why one is Baptized and Another Not, not OtherwiseInscrutable.
... A Treatise on the Merits and Forgiveness of Sins, and on the Baptism of Infants
Chapter 30."Why One is Baptized and Another Not, Not OtherwiseInscrutable....
'Thy Will be Done'
... The will of an unknown God will be in their thoughts a dark and tyrannous necessity,
a mysterious,inscrutable force, which rules by virtue of being stronger...
A Treatise on the Gift of Perseverance,
... That it isinscrutable why, of adults, one rather than another should be called;
just as, moreover, of two infants it isinscrutable why the one should be taken...
To My Fellow Presbyter, Timothy, Dionysius the Presbyter.
... And you will find many of the Theologians, who have celebrated It, not only as
invisible and incomprehensible, but also asinscrutable and untraceable, since...
Regeneration and Faith.
... Scripture and the symbols of faith always point to the mysterious background, to
a wonderful work of God hiding back of it, to aninscrutable mystery without...
Of the Manifold Grace of Men's Calls.
... And by this it is clearly shown that God's "judgments areinscrutable and His ways
past finding out," [1843] by which He draws mankind to salvation....
Of the Creation of the Human Race in Time, and How this was...
... the human race, and this mortal condition of ours, took its origin, nor how it will
be brought to an end, since they cannot penetrate theinscrutable wisdom of...
Thesaurus
Inscrutable (2 Occurrences)... by inquiry or study; impossible or difficult to be explained or accounted for
satisfactorily; obscure; incomprehensible; as, an
inscrutable design or event.
...Election (6 Occurrences)
... In Romans 9:11 the context is charged with the most urgent and even staggering
challenges to submission and silence in the presence of theinscrutable....
Insect (6 Occurrences)
Inscription (18 Occurrences)
Unsearchable (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Not searchable;inscrutable; hidden; mysterious.
Multi-Version Concordance Unsearchable (8 Occurrences)....
Job (60 Occurrences)
... It exhibits the harmony of the truths of revelation and the dealings of Providence,
which are seen to be at onceinscrutable, just, and merciful....
Terrible (90 Occurrences)
... God is terrible by reason of His awful greatness, His infinite power, Hisinscrutable
dealings, His perfect holiness, His covenant faithfulness, His strict...
Terror (137 Occurrences)
... God is terrible by reason of His awful greatness, His infinite power, Hisinscrutable
dealings, His perfect holiness, His covenant faithfulness, His strict...
Darkness (177 Occurrences)
... When the psalmist (Psalm 97:2) describes theinscrutable nature of God's workings
among the sons of men, he says, "Clouds and darkness are round about him...
Porter (6 Occurrences)
... For someinscrutable reason the Revised Version (British and American) renders
sho`er by "doorkeeper" in 1 Chronicles 15-26, but not elsewhere. See DOORKEEPER....
Resources
What are the attributes of God? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the peace that passes all understanding? | GotQuestions.orgUnconditional election - is it biblical? | GotQuestions.orgInscrutable: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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