Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Meaning:Insight, in a biblical context, refers to the ability to understand and discern the deeper truths and principles of God's Word and His creation. It involves a spiritual perception that goes beyond mere knowledge, allowing individuals to apply wisdom in their lives. Insight is closely related to wisdom, understanding, and discernment, and is considered a gift from God.
Biblical References:1.
Proverbs 2:6 : "For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding." This verse highlights that insight, along with wisdom and understanding, is a divine gift. It is not merely human intellect but a spiritual endowment from God.
2.
Proverbs 3:5-6 : "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Here, the emphasis is on relying on God's insight rather than human understanding, suggesting that true insight comes from trusting in the Lord.
3.
Daniel 2:21 : "He changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning." This passage underscores God's sovereignty in granting insight and understanding to those who seek Him.
4.
Ephesians 1:17-18 : "I ask that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints." The Apostle Paul prays for believers to receive spiritual insight, which is essential for understanding God's purposes and promises.
Characteristics of Insight:·
Spiritual Discernment: Insight involves the ability to discern spiritual truths and apply them to life situations. It is more than intellectual knowledge; it is a deep understanding that aligns with God's will.
·
Moral Clarity: Insight provides clarity in distinguishing right from wrong, helping believers to live in accordance with biblical principles.
·
Practical Application: True insight leads to practical wisdom, enabling individuals to make decisions that reflect God's character and purposes.
The Role of the Holy Spirit:The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in imparting insight to believers. As the Spirit of truth, He guides and teaches, opening the eyes of believers to understand the Scriptures and the mysteries of God's kingdom (
John 16:13).
Examples of Insight in the Bible:·
Solomon's Wisdom: Solomon is renowned for his God-given wisdom and insight. When he asked God for wisdom to govern Israel, God granted him unparalleled insight, which became evident in his judgments and proverbs (
1 Kings 3:9-12).
·
Joseph's Interpretation of Dreams: Joseph's ability to interpret Pharaoh's dreams was a demonstration of divine insight. His understanding of the dreams' significance saved Egypt from famine and elevated him to a position of authority (
Genesis 41:15-16).
·
Jesus' Parables: Jesus often used parables to convey deep spiritual truths. Those with insight, granted by the Holy Spirit, could understand the hidden meanings and apply them to their lives (
Matthew 13:10-17).
The Pursuit of Insight:Believers are encouraged to seek insight through prayer, study of the Scriptures, and reliance on the Holy Spirit.
Proverbs 4:7 states, "Wisdom is supreme; therefore acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding." This pursuit is a lifelong journey that deepens one's relationship with God and enhances one's ability to live a life pleasing to Him.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Power of acute observation and deduction; discernment; perception.
2. (n.) A sight or view of the interior of anything; a deep inspection or view; introspection; -- frequently used with into.
Greek
5428. phronesis -- understanding, practical wisdom... See 5429 (). Word Origin from phroneo Definition understanding, practical wisdom
NASB Word Usage attitude (1),
insight (1). prudence, wisdom.
...1271. dianoia -- the mind, disposition, thought
... Transliteration: dianoia Phonetic Spelling: (dee-an'-oy-ah) Short Definition:
understanding, intellect, mind Definition: understanding, intellect, mind,insight...
4920. suniemi -- to set together, fig. to understand
... to understand NASB Word Usage gained...insight (1), understand (17), understanding
(1), understands (2), understood (5). understand, be wise....
4907. sunesis -- a running together, spec. understanding
... Word Origin from suniemi Definition a running together, spec. understanding NASB
Word Usage cleverness (1),insight (1), understanding (5)....
1404. drakon -- a dragon (a mythical monster)
... of . 1404 ("a dragon") was believed to have incredibleinsight, able to
spot prey in any hiding place.]. Word Origin from an alt....
4678. sophia -- skill, wisdom
... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: sophia Phonetic Spelling:
(sof-ee'-ah) Short Definition: wisdom Definition: wisdom,insight, skill (human...
Strong's Hebrew
7922. sekel -- prudence,insightsekel or sekel. 7921, 7922. sekel or sekel. 7923 . prudence,
insight.
Transliteration: sekel or sekel Phonetic Spelling: (seh'-kel) Short Definition:
...7924. soklethanu --insight
... 7923, 7924. soklethanu. 7925 .insight. Transliteration: soklethanu Phonetic
Spelling: (sok-leth-aw-noo') Short Definition:insight....
5094b. nahiru -- illumination,insight
... 5094a, 5094b. nahiru. 5095 . illumination,insight. Transliteration:
nahiru Short Definition: illumination. Word Origin (Aramaic...
7919a. sakal -- to be prudent
... 1), acts wisely (3), behaved himself wisely (1), comprehend (1), consider (1),
considers (2), discern (1), expert (1), failed* (1), gaininsight (2), give you...
8454. tushiyyah -- sound, efficient wisdom, abiding success
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition sound, efficient wisdom, abiding success
NASB Word Usage deliverance (1), helpfulinsight (1), sound wisdom (7...
Library
Sight andInsight. August 1.
... Sight andInsight. August 1. Do the work that's nearest, Though it's dull
at whiles, Helping, when you meet them, Lame dogs over...
TrueInsight. July 13.
... TrueInsight. July 13. It is easy to see the spiritual beauty of Raffaelle's
Madonnas, but it requires a deeper and more practised...
At that Time, Nabuchodonosor had a Dream Marvelous for that...
... Book II. Chapter II. At that time, Nabuchodonosor had a dream marvelous for that
insight into the future which? At that time, Nabuchodonosor...
Bartimaeus
... have mercy upon me!'. Now, note two or three things about that cry. The
first is the clearinsight into Christ's place and dignity....
That God May be Glorified
... worth. And the clearer a man'sinsight into the purpose, the better fitted
will he be to take charge of the higher parts of the work....
Who Bring Christ
... level. Every act of obedience to any moral truth is rewarded by additionalinsight....
view. Obedience is in all things the parent ofinsight....
Works by the Rev. Marcus Dods, DD
... The crisp, pointed, and graphic style of Dr. Dods is in harmony with the keen and
spiritualinsight which marks him out as a prince among the living expositors...
Of a Private Fast.
... This penitency consists in three things"First, An inwardinsight of sin, and sense
of mercy; Secondly, A bewailing of thy vile state; Thirdly, An humble and...
Hiram, the Inspired Artificer
... It is instructive to find that in Scripture, genius as displayed in literaryinsight
and facility, in ingenuity and inventiveness as to the various arts, and...
Baptismal Regeneration
... IN the preceding verse our Lord Jesus Christ gives us some littleinsight into the
natural character of the apostles whom he selected to be the first ministers...
Thesaurus
Insight (39 Occurrences)...Insight (39 Occurrences).
... Ephesians 3:4 By means of that explanation, as you read
it, you can judge of my
insight into the truth of Christ (WEY NAS RSV NIV).
...Divorce (18 Occurrences)
... Christ. The question may come up, Whoseinsight is likely to be truest?
Why, then, will reason stand by this exception? Because...
Sin (782 Occurrences)
... In the sources of light which are to help men discern good from evil, increasing
stress is laid upon inner moralinsight (compare Isaiah 58:5; Hosea 6:1-7...
Creation (35 Occurrences)
... of the religious consciousness. Such consciousness is marked by deeper
insight than belongs to science. The underlying truth is...
Affliction (120 Occurrences)
... The classical passage is Isaiah 53:1-12, which deals with the woes of the oppressed
and afflicted Servant of God with profound spiritualinsight....
Taste (46 Occurrences)
... Christ. The question may come up, Whoseinsight is likely to be truest?
Why, then, will reason stand by this exception? Because...
Job (60 Occurrences)
... uniformity of tenet, are quite aptly individualized: Eliphaz as a venerable and
devout sage who, with his eminent penetrativeness ofinsight, combines a...
Nostril (4 Occurrences)
... the anterior nares. 2. (n.) Perception;insight; acuteness. Multi-Version
Concordance Nostril (4 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 32:22...
Unbelief (16 Occurrences)
... He is infinitely sympathetic in Hisinsight, and infallibly knows where distrust
comes only of the dim perceptions and weak mis-givings of our mortal nature...
Insides (1 Occurrence)
Resources
What is godly wisdom? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Mary of Bethany in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the wiles of the devil in Ephesians 6:11? | GotQuestions.orgInsight: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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