Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Scope:The term "interpret" in the biblical context refers to the act of explaining or elucidating the meaning of words, dreams, visions, or signs. Interpretation is a significant theme in the Bible, as it often involves divine revelation and understanding imparted by God to individuals. The ability to interpret is sometimes depicted as a spiritual gift, enabling individuals to comprehend and convey God's messages accurately.
Biblical Instances of Interpretation:1.
Joseph and Dreams: One of the most notable examples of interpretation in the Bible is Joseph's ability to interpret dreams. In
Genesis 40-41, Joseph interprets the dreams of Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker while in prison, and later, Pharaoh's own dreams. Joseph attributes his ability to interpret to God, saying, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams" (
Genesis 40:8). His interpretations lead to his rise to power in Egypt, demonstrating the importance and impact of divine interpretation.
2.
Daniel and Visions: Daniel is another key figure known for his interpretative skills. In the Book of Daniel, he interprets King Nebuchadnezzar's dreams and the mysterious writing on the wall. Daniel acknowledges that his ability to interpret comes from God, as seen in
Daniel 2:28, "But there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will happen in the latter days" . Daniel's interpretations reveal God's sovereignty and future plans for nations.
3.
New Testament and Spiritual Gifts: In the New Testament, interpretation is linked to the spiritual gifts bestowed by the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul discusses the gift of interpretation, particularly in the context of speaking in tongues. In
1 Corinthians 12:10, Paul lists "the interpretation of tongues" as one of the spiritual gifts. He emphasizes the importance of interpretation for the edification of the church, stating, "Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret" (
1 Corinthians 14:13).
4.
Jesus and Parables: Jesus often used parables to teach spiritual truths, and He sometimes provided interpretations to His disciples. For example, in the Parable of the Sower, Jesus explains the meaning of the parable to His disciples, revealing the different responses to the Word of God (
Matthew 13:18-23). This act of interpretation underscores the necessity of understanding spiritual truths and the role of Jesus as the ultimate interpreter of God's Word.
Theological Significance:Interpretation in the Bible is closely tied to divine revelation and understanding. It is portrayed as a gift from God, enabling individuals to comprehend and communicate His will. The act of interpretation serves to reveal God's plans, provide guidance, and edify the community of believers. It underscores the importance of seeking divine wisdom and understanding in discerning spiritual truths.
Practical Application:Believers are encouraged to seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in interpreting Scripture and understanding God's will. The Bible emphasizes the need for discernment and wisdom in interpretation, as seen in
2 Timothy 2:15, "Make every effort to present yourself approved to God, an unashamed workman who accurately handles the word of truth" . This highlights the responsibility of believers to approach interpretation with humility and reliance on God's guidance.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To explain or tell the meaning of; to expound; to translate orally into intelligible or familiar language or terms; to decipher; to define; -- applied esp. to language, but also to dreams, signs, conduct, mysteries, etc.; as, to interpret the Hebrew language to an Englishman; to interpret an Indian speech.
2. (v. t.) To apprehend and represent by means of art; to show by illustrative representation; as, an actor interprets the character of Hamlet; a musician interprets a sonata; an artist interprets a landscape.
3. (v. i.) To act as an interpreter.
Greek
2059. hermeneuo -- tointerpret... to
interpret. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: hermeneuo Phonetic Spelling:
(her-mayn-yoo'-o) Short Definition: I translate,
interpret Definition: (a) I
...3177. methermeneuo -- to translate, tointerpret
... to translate, tointerpret. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: methermeneuo Phonetic
Spelling: (meth-er-mane-yoo'-o) Short Definition: I translate,interpret...
1329. diermeneuo -- to explain thoroughly, by impl. to translate
... translate. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: diermeneuo Phonetic Spelling:
(dee-er-main-yoo'-o) Short Definition: I translate,interpret, explain Definition...
5419. phrazo -- to show forth, tell
... to show forth, tell. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: phrazo Phonetic Spelling:
(frad'-zo) Short Definition: I declare, explain,interpret Definition: I...
1956. epiluo -- to loose, to solve
... to loose, to solve. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: epiluo Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-ee-loo'-o) Short Definition: I explain,interpret, decide Definition: I...
1421. dusermeneutos -- hard of interpretation
... of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: dusermeneutos Phonetic Spelling:
(doos-er-mane'-yoo-tos) Short Definition: difficult tointerpret Definition: difficult...
4793. sugkrino -- to combine, compare
... sugkrino Phonetic Spelling: (soong-kree'-no) Short Definition: I combine, compare
Definition: I join together, combine, compare,interpret, explain....
Strong's Hebrew
6622. pathar -- tointerpret... 6621, 6622. pathar. 6623 . to
interpret. Transliteration: pathar Phonetic Spelling:
(paw-thar') Short Definition: interpreted. Word Origin a prim.
...8638. tirgam -- tointerpret, translate
... 8637, 8638. tirgam. 8639 . tointerpret, translate. Transliteration: tirgam
Phonetic Spelling: (teer-gam') Short Definition: translated....interpret....
6590. peshar -- tointerpret
... 6589, 6590. peshar. 6591 . tointerpret. Transliteration: peshar Phonetic Spelling:
(pesh-ar') Short Definition: interpretations. Word Origin (Aramaic) a prim...
3887. luts -- ambassador, have in derision, interpreter, make a...
... A primitive root; properly, to make mouths at, ie To scoff; hence (from the effort
to pronounce a foreign language) tointerpret, or (generally) intercede...
995. bin -- to discern
... 1), gives understanding (1), has understanding (6), have understanding (1),
have...understanding (1), intelligent (1),interpret (1), investigating (1...
Library
He Further Proceeds Notably toInterpret the Language of the...
... Book XII. Section 3. He further proceeds notably tointerpret the language
of the Gospel. Section 3. He further proceeds notably...
Appion Proceeds toInterpret the Myths.
... Homily VI. Chapter III."Appion Proceeds toInterpret the Myths. "There was
once a time when nothing existed but chaos and a confused...
On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xii. 56, 58, "Ye Know How to...
... 56, 58, "Ye know how tointerpret the face of the Earth and the Heaven," etc.; and
of the words, "for as thou art going with thine adversary before the...
The Jews violate the Eternal Law, andInterpret Ill that of Moses.
... Chapter XII."The Jews violate the eternal law, andinterpret ill that
of Moses. I also adduced another passage in which Isaiah...
Texts Explained; Sixthly, the Context of Proverbs viii. 22 Vz. 22...
... Chapter II. Chapter XXII."Texts Explained; Sixthly, the Context of Proverbs viii.
22 Vz. 22-30 It is right tointerpret this passage by the Regula Fidei....
Whether Doubts Should be Interpreted for the Best?
... Now with regard to himself, a man shouldinterpret doubtful matters for the worst,
according to Job 9:28, "I feared all my works." Therefore it seems that...
Whether He who is under a Law May Act Beside the Letter of the Law...
... Objection 2: Further, he alone is competent tointerpret the law who can make the
law. But those who are subject to the law cannot make the law....
Limits of God's Plan for Human Salvation
... Therefore, just as we shouldinterpret "every herb" to mean "every kind of herb,"
so also we caninterpret "all men" to mean "all kinds of men." We could...
Hosea
... life: it was not at once that he discovered Gomer to be an unfaithful wife, i.2,
and it must have been later still that he learned tointerpret the impulse...
Joseph and his Brethren.
... Both had dreams which troubled them much, but Joseph was enabled by God tointerpret
their dreams for them. By-and-by Pharaoh, the king, dreamed a dream....
Thesaurus
Interpret (27 Occurrences)... to language, but also to dreams, signs, conduct, mysteries, etc.; as, to
interpret the Hebrew language to an Englishman; to
interpret an Indian speech.
...Dreamed (20 Occurrences)
... Genesis 40:8 They said to him, "We have dreamed a dream, and there is no one who
caninterpret it." Joseph said to them, "Don't interpretations belong to God?...
Speaketh (367 Occurrences)
... ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that
prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except heinterpret, that the...
Azazel (3 Occurrences)
... Someinterpret this word as referring to a demon of the wilderness (compare Psalm
106:37 Deuteronomy 32:17 Leviticus 17:7 2 Chronicles 11:15; Isaiah 13:21...
Understandest (10 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). Genesis 41:15 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, I have dreamt a
dream, and there is none tointerpret it. And I have heard...
Jonah (30 Occurrences)
... Some critics have sought tointerpret the book as a parable or allegory,
and not as a history. They have done so for various reasons....
Dreamt (6 Occurrences)
... tell me your dreams, I pray you. (DBY). Genesis 41:15 And Pharaoh said to Joseph,
I have dreamt a dream, and there is none tointerpret it....
Canst (62 Occurrences)
... Genesis 41:15 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, I have dreamed a dream, and there is
none that caninterpret it: and I have heard say of thee, that thou canst...
Appearance (126 Occurrences)
... Luke 12:56 You hypocrites! You know how tointerpret the appearance of the earth
and the sky, but how is it that you don'tinterpret this time?...
Unknown (15 Occurrences)
... (KJV WEY WBS YLT). 1 Corinthians 14:13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in
an unknown tongue pray that he mayinterpret. (KJV WBS YLT)....
Resources
Can / Should we interpret the Bible as literal? | GotQuestions.orgDeconstructionism - is it a valid way to interpret the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgHow should the different genres of the Bible impact how we interpret the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgInterpret: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
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