Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Scope:Intelligence, in a biblical context, refers to the capacity for understanding, reasoning, and discerning truth. It encompasses wisdom, knowledge, and the ability to apply these attributes in a manner that aligns with God's will. Intelligence is often seen as a gift from God, enabling individuals to comprehend His creation and His commandments.
Biblical References:1.
Divine Source of Intelligence: Intelligence is portrayed as a divine endowment. In the Book of Daniel, it is noted that God gave Daniel and his friends "knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning" (
Daniel 1:17). This suggests that true intelligence is a gift from God, intended for His purposes.
2.
Wisdom and Understanding: The Bible frequently associates intelligence with wisdom and understanding.
Proverbs 2:6 states, "For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding" . This verse highlights that intelligence is not merely an intellectual pursuit but is deeply connected to spiritual insight and moral discernment.
3.
The Role of the Holy Spirit: The New Testament emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in imparting intelligence. In
1 Corinthians 2:10-12, Paul explains that the Spirit reveals the deep things of God, granting believers the ability to understand spiritual truths. This underscores the belief that intelligence, particularly in spiritual matters, is facilitated by the Holy Spirit.
4.
Human Responsibility: While intelligence is a gift, humans are called to cultivate and apply it responsibly.
Proverbs 4:7 advises, "Wisdom is supreme; therefore acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding" . This implies an active pursuit of knowledge and discernment, aligning one's intellect with God's principles.
5.
The Limitations of Human Intelligence: The Bible also acknowledges the limitations of human intelligence. In
Isaiah 55:8-9, God declares, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways" . This serves as a reminder that human understanding is finite and should be humbly submitted to God's infinite wisdom.
6.
Intelligence and Humility: Intelligence should be accompanied by humility.
James 3:13-17 contrasts earthly wisdom, characterized by envy and selfish ambition, with heavenly wisdom, which is pure, peace-loving, and full of mercy. This passage encourages believers to exercise their intelligence with humility and righteousness.
Applications in Christian Life:·
Discernment: Christians are encouraged to use their intelligence to discern truth from falsehood. 1
John 4:1 advises believers to "test the spirits to see whether they are from God" , highlighting the need for critical thinking and spiritual discernment.
·
Teaching and Learning: Intelligence is vital in teaching and learning within the Christian community. Paul instructs Timothy to "devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, and to teaching" (
1 Timothy 4:13), emphasizing the role of intelligence in understanding and communicating God's Word.
·
Moral and Ethical Decision-Making: Intelligence aids in making moral and ethical decisions that reflect God's character.
Philippians 1:9-10 encourages believers to "abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best" , linking intelligence with moral clarity.
Conclusion:While intelligence is a valuable gift, it is to be used in service to God and others, guided by wisdom, humility, and the Holy Spirit.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The act or state of knowing; the exercise of the understanding.
2. (n.) The capacity to know or understand; readiness of comprehension; the intellect, as a gift or an endowment.
3. (n.) Information communicated; news; notice; advice.
4. (n.) Acquaintance; intercourse; familiarity.
5. (n.) Knowledge imparted or acquired, whether by study, research, or experience; general information.
6. (n.) An intelligent being or spirit; -- generally applied to pure spirits; as, a created intelligence.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
INTELLIGENCEin-tel'-i-gens (bin): Occurs only once in the King James Version as the translation of bin, "to discriminate" (frequently translated "to understand"), inDaniel 11:30 the King James Version, "(he shall) have intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant," the Revised Version (British and American) renders "have regard unto them." "Intelligence" occurs in 2 Maccabees 3:9 the King James Version, in the sense of information (so the Revised Version (British and American)).
Greek
4908. sunetos -- intelligent... more neutral. But even here it doesn't reflect the prudence (
intelligence)
that comes directly from the Holy Spirit.]. Word Origin
...5429. phronimos -- practically wise, sensible
... ie Sagacious or discreet (implying a cautious character; while sophos denotes practical
skill or acumen; and sunetos indicates ratherintelligence or mental...
4907. sunesis -- a running together, spec. understanding
... knowledge, understanding. From suniemi; a mental putting together, ieIntelligence
or (concretely) the intellect -- knowledge, understanding. see GREEK suniemi....
50. agnoeo -- to be ignorant, not to know
... From a (as a negative particle) and noieo; not to know (through lack of information
orintelligence); by implication, to ignore (through disinclination) -- (be...
4441. punthanomai -- to inquire, by impl. to learn
... a search for something hidden; and from deomai, which involves the idea of urgent
need); by implication, to learn (by casualintelligence) -- ask, demand...
4678. sophia -- skill, wisdom
... Feminine Transliteration: sophia Phonetic Spelling: (sof-ee'-ah) Short Definition:
wisdom Definition: wisdom, insight, skill (human or divine),intelligence....
Strong's Hebrew
946. Bunah -- "intelligence," a man of Judah... 945, 946. Bunah. 947 . "
intelligence," a man of Judah. Transliteration:
Bunah Phonetic Spelling: (boo-naw') Short Definition: Bunah.
...7919a. sakal -- to be prudent
... giving attention (1), had...regard (1), have insight (4), have success (2), insight
(1), instruct (2), instructed (1), instructs (1),intelligence (1), prosper...
3820. leb -- inner man, mind, will, heart
... heart (1), encouragingly* (1), heart (396), heart's (2), hearts (40), Himself (1),
himself (6), imagination (1), inspiration (2),intelligence (1), kindly (5...
4486. manda -- knowledge, the power of knowing
... knowledge, reason, understanding. (Aramaic) corresponding to madda'; wisdom or
intelligence -- knowledge, reason, understanding. see HEBREW madda'. 4485, 4486...
7922. sekel -- prudence, insight
... Or sekel {say'-kel}; from sakal;intelligence; by implication, success -- discretion,
knowledge, policy, prudence, sense, understanding, wisdom, wise....
8394. tebunah -- an understanding
... And (feminine) tbuwnah {teb-oo-naw'}; or towbunah {to-boo-naw'}; from biyn;
intelligence; by implication, an argument; by extension, caprice -- discretion...
2808. cheshbon -- a reckoning, account
... account, device, reason. From chashab; properly, contrivance; by implication,
intelligence -- account, device, reason. see HEBREW chashab. 2807, 2808....
995. bin -- to discern
... ie(generally) understand -- attend, consider, be cunning, diligently, direct, discern,
eloquent, feel, inform, instruct, haveintelligence, know, look well to...
2940. taam -- taste, judgment
... From ta'am; properly, a taste, ie (figuratively) perception; by implication,
intelligence; transitively, a mandate -- advice, behaviour, decree, discretion...
4093. madda -- knowledge, thought
... knowledge, science, thought. Or maddai {mad-dah'}; from yada';intelligence or
consciousness -- knowledge, science, thought. see HEBREW yada'. 4092, 4093....
Library
Intelligence from Newfoundland
...Intelligence from Newfoundland. The author of this memoir had written to
Kallihirua, whilst he was at St. Augustine's, and had received...
WhetherIntelligence is a Power Distinct from Intellect?
... OF THE INTELLECTUAL POWERS (THIRTEEN ARTICLES) Whetherintelligence is a power distinct
from intellect?... Therefore also intellect andintelligence are distinct....
Whether an Angel's Power ofIntelligence is his Essence?
... OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE ANGELS (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether an angel's power
ofintelligence is his essence? Objection 1: It would seem...
The Soul's vitality andIntelligence. Its Character and Seat in...
... Chapter XV."The Soul's Vitality andIntelligence. Its Character and Seat
in Man. In the first place, (we must determine) whether...
In Memory, Understanding [OrIntelligence], and Will, we have to...
... Book X. Chapter 11."In Memory, Understanding [orIntelligence], and Will, We
Have to Note Ability, Learning, and Use. Memory, Understanding...
Blind Force orIntelligence, Which?
... BLIND FORCE ORINTELLIGENCE, WHICH? In the discussion of this... Was it blind
force orintelligence, which? The existence of a supreme...
As Soon as I had GottenIntelligence of This...
... Section 72. As soon as I had gottenintelligence of this? 72. As soon
as I had gottenintelligence of this, I sent two thousand...
Human Government.
... 1. The particular forms of state government must, and will, depend upon
the virtue andintelligence of the people. When virtue and...
Divine Sovereignty.
... reasons; reasons so good and so weighty, that he could in no case act otherwise
than he does, without violating the law of his ownintelligence and conscience...
Attributes of Love.
... It must cease to exist, or manifest itself in exertions to secure its end, as
soon as, and whenever theintelligence deems it wise to do so....
Thesaurus
Intelligence (45 Occurrences)... 6. (n.) An intelligent being or spirit; -- generally applied to pure spirits; as,
a created
intelligence. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
INTELLIGENCE.
...Intelligent (47 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Possessed ofintelligence, education, or judgment; knowing; sensible; skilled;
marked byintelligence; as, an intelligent young man; an intelligent...
Information (14 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of informing, or communicating
knowledge orintelligence. 2. (vt) News, advice, or knowledge...
Shrewd (14 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). 1 Corinthians 4:10 We, for Christ's sake, are labeled as "foolish";
you, as Christians, are men of shrewdintelligence....
Angel (209 Occurrences)
... Angels never die (Luke 20:36). They are possessed of superhumanintelligence
and power (Mark 13:32; 2 Thessalonians 1:7; Psalm 103:20)....
Evolution
... genera. The second variety of evolution operates in the higher realm of
intelligence, morality, social activity and religion. The...
Old (3966 Occurrences)
... most centrally located of all, the tree of "knowledge of good and evil" The being
fitted to this habitat is a man adult in stature andintelligence, but still...
Keen (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Keen (3 Occurrences). Acts 13:7 who was a friend of the
Proconsul Sergius Paulus. The Proconsul was a man of keenintelligence....
News (453 Occurrences)
... 1. (n) A report of recent occurrences; information of something that has lately
taken place, or of something before unknown; fresh findings; recentintelligence...
Notice (44 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.)Intelligence, by whatever means communicated; knowledge given or received;
means of knowledge; express notification; announcement; warning....
Resources
Is artificial intelligence (AI) biblically possible? | GotQuestions.orgAre atheists more intelligent than believers? | GotQuestions.orgIs God imaginary? | GotQuestions.orgIntelligence: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
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