Topical Encyclopedia
The term "instantly" refers to something occurring immediately or without delay. In the context of the Bible, this concept is often associated with the immediacy of God's actions, the urgency of obedience, and the suddenness of divine intervention or judgment.
Divine Intervention and MiraclesThroughout the Scriptures, God's power is frequently demonstrated through instantaneous acts. For example, in the New Testament, Jesus performs miracles that occur instantly, showcasing His divine authority. In the healing of the leper, "Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. 'I am willing,' He said, 'be clean!' And immediately the leprosy was cleansed" (
Matthew 8:3). This immediate healing underscores the power and compassion of Christ.
Similarly, in the account of the healing of the paralytic, Jesus commands, "Get up, pick up your mat, and go home." The man "got up and went home" (
Matthew 9:6-7), illustrating the instant nature of Jesus' miraculous works.
Urgency of ObedienceThe Bible also emphasizes the importance of immediate obedience to God's commands. In the Old Testament, when God called Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, Abraham responded without delay. "Early the next morning, Abraham got up and loaded his donkey" (
Genesis 22:3). This prompt obedience reflects a heart fully surrendered to God's will.
In the New Testament, the call to follow Christ is often met with immediate response. When Jesus called Peter and Andrew, "At once they left their nets and followed Him" (
Matthew 4:20). This immediate action signifies the disciples' recognition of Jesus' authority and their willingness to prioritize Him above all else.
Suddenness of JudgmentThe Bible also speaks of the suddenness of divine judgment. In the account of Ananias and Sapphira, their deceit is met with immediate consequences. "As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died" (
Acts 5:5). This instant judgment serves as a sobering reminder of God's holiness and the seriousness of sin.
In the Old Testament, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is another example of swift judgment. "Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens" (
Genesis 19:24). The immediacy of this event highlights the urgency of repentance and the reality of divine justice.
The Return of ChristThe concept of "instantly" is also relevant to eschatological themes, particularly the return of Christ. The New Testament describes the Second Coming as an event that will occur suddenly and without warning. "For the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect" (
Matthew 24:44). Believers are therefore called to live in a state of readiness, anticipating the instant return of their Savior.
In summary, the concept of "instantly" in the Bible underscores the immediacy of God's actions, the urgency of obedience, and the suddenness of divine intervention and judgment. It serves as a reminder of the power and authority of God, the importance of prompt obedience, and the need for readiness in anticipation of Christ's return.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
adv.) Without the least delay or interval; at once; immediately.
2. (adv.) With urgency or importunity; earnestly; pressingly.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
INSTANT; INSTANTLYin'-stant, in'-stant-li: Derivative from Latin instare. Found in English with various meanings from the 15th century to the present time.
Instant is used once inIsaiah 29:5 in the sense of immediate time; elsewhere in the sense of urgent, pressing;Luke 23:23, where "were instant" is the King James Version translation of the verb epekeinto;Romans 12:12, where it is involved in the verb proskartereo; compareActs 6:4. In2 Timothy 4:2 it stands for the expressive verb epistethi, "stand to."
Instantly (urgently, steadfastly) is the King James Version rendering of two different Greek phrases, spoudaios, found inLuke 7:4; and en ekteneia, inActs 26:7. In both cases the American Standard Revised Version renders "earnestly."
Russell Benjamin Miller
Greek
3916. parachrema --instantly...instantly. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: parachrema Phonetic Spelling:
(par-akh-ray'-mah) Short Definition:
instantly, immediately Definition
...1824. exautes -- at once, forthwith
... forthwith. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: exautes Phonetic Spelling:
(ex-ow'-tace) Short Definition: immediately,instantly Definition: immediately...
4709. spoudaios -- with haste, diligently
... diligently,instantly. Adverb from spoudaios; earnestly, promptly -- diligently,
instantly. see GREEK spoudaios. (spoudaios) -- 3 Occurrences. 4708, 4709....
1616. ekteneia -- zeal, intentness
... earnestness, intentness. From ektenes; intentness -- Xinstantly. see GREEK ektenes.
(ekteneia) -- 1 Occurrence. 1615, 1616. ekteneia. 1617 . Strong's Numbers
Strong's Hebrew
6621. petha -- suddenness... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition suddenness NASB Word Usage instant
(1),
instantly (2), suddenly (3), very (1). at an instant, suddenly, very.
...7281. rega -- a moment
... Word Origin from raga Definition a moment NASB Word Usage instant (1),instantly
(2), moment (14), momentary* (1), suddenly (3), while (1)....
6597. pithom -- suddenness, suddenly
... straightway, suddenly. Or pith.om {pith-ome'}; from petha';instantly -- straightway,
sudden(-ly). see HEBREW petha'. 6596, 6597. pithom. 6598 ....
Library
Whether the Angel Obtained Beatitude Immediately after one Act of...
... Objection 1: It would seem that the angel did not possess beatitudeinstantly after
one act of merit.... Henceinstantly after merit the angel secured beatitude....
To the Rev. A. Brandram
... Sheinstantly commenced reading it with a loud voice, and continued so for at least
ten minutes, occasionally exclaiming, 'Que lectura tan bonita, que lectura...
In Sanctuary
... Something portentous must have happened, and without even guessing what it was,
the youth's shrewd and practical intellectinstantly took in the importance of...
To the Rev. A. Brandram
... barley to us. Iinstantly enquired of the latter what the man had said
to him, but only obtained an evasive answer. It appeared...
A Glance at the Disciples of Jesus on Holy Saturday.
... themselves called to it by a special grace, or who follow a rule given by God and
his Church), they heard a knock at the door, which wasinstantly opened, and...
The Second Continental Journey.
... the head. He never spoke more, but diedinstantly. He... the whole concern.
We spranginstantly out, and set the quiet animals free....
Narrow Escapes. Is Thrown from a Horse. Has Pneumonia. Nearly...
...Instantly he came at me with a large cheese knife, swearing vengeance and his eyes
flashing fire.... I decidedinstantly on the only possible way of escape....
Giving God a Clear Road for Action.
... for some months.Instantly he thought of his peculiar unwelcome Washington
experience, and became intensely interested. But not...
To the Rev. A. Brandram
... Theyinstantly made Vitoriano prisoner, and, after seizing the books and laying
an embargo on the pony, proceeded amidst much abuse to drag their captive to...
To the Rev. J. Jowett
... captain of the vessel, perceiving that the squall was increasing, ordered the topsails
to be taken in, whereupon this man with several othersinstantly ran up...
Thesaurus
Instantly (39 Occurrences)... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. INSTANT;
INSTANTLY. in'-stant, in'-stant-li: Derivative
from Latin instare.
... Multi-Version Concordance
Instantly (39 Occurrences).
...Instant (19 Occurrences)
... 4. (a.) Present; current. 5. (adv.)Instantly.... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
INSTANT;INSTANTLY. in'-stant, in'-stant-li: Derivative from Latin instare....
Willing (152 Occurrences)
... Matthew 8:3 So Jesus put out His hand and touched him, and said, "I am willing:
be cleansed."Instantly he was cleansed from his leprosy; (WEY NAS NIV)....
Regained (6 Occurrences)
... (WEY NAS). Mark 10:52 "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has cured you."Instantly he
regained his sight, and followed Him along the road. (WEY NAS)....
Dropped (52 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Acts 9:18Instantly there dropped from his eyes what seemed to be scales,
and he could see once more. Upon this he rose and received baptism; (WEY)....
Cured (62 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Mark 10:52 "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has cured you."Instantly he
regained his sight, and followed Him along the road. (WEY)....
Stood (491 Occurrences)
... Luke 5:25Instantly he stood up in their presence, took up the mattress on which
he had been lying, and went away to his home, giving glory to God. (WEY NIV)....
Notice (44 Occurrences)
... came trembling, and throwing herself down at His feet she stated before all the
people the reason why she had touched Him and how she wasinstantly cured....
Now (15352 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (adv.) At the present time; at this moment;
at the time of speaking;instantly; as, I will write now....
Usurers (1 Occurrence)
... Usurers (1 Occurrence). Habakkuk 2:7 Do not thy usurersinstantly rise up, And those
shaking thee awake up, And thou hast been for a spoil to them? (YLT)....
Resources
Does the Bible say anything about teleportation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat happens after death? | GotQuestions.orgWhat should we learn from the walls of Jericho falling down? | GotQuestions.orgInstantly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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