Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of invention, while not explicitly detailed in the Bible, is closely related to the themes of creativity, wisdom, and human ingenuity as endowed by God. The act of inventing can be seen as a reflection of God's creative nature, as humans are made in the image of God (
Genesis 1:27). This divine image includes the ability to create, design, and innovate.
Biblical Foundations of Invention1.
Creation and Creativity: The Bible begins with the account of creation, where God is depicted as the ultimate Creator.
Genesis 1:1 states, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." This foundational act of creation sets a precedent for human creativity and invention. Humans, being created in God's image, are endowed with the ability to think, plan, and create.
2.
Wisdom and Knowledge: The Bible frequently associates wisdom and knowledge with the ability to invent and create.
Proverbs 8:12 says, "I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion." Wisdom is portrayed as a guiding force in the development of new ideas and technologies. The pursuit of wisdom is encouraged, as it leads to understanding and innovation.
3.
Bezalel and Oholiab: In
Exodus 31:1-6, God specifically appoints Bezalel and Oholiab to construct the Tabernacle, filling them with "the Spirit of God, with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship." This passage highlights the divine inspiration behind human creativity and the ability to invent and construct.
4.
Tools and Technology: The Bible references various tools and technologies that were invented and used by ancient peoples. For example,
Genesis 4:22 mentions Tubal-Cain, "who forged all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron." This indicates an early understanding and development of metallurgy, showcasing human ingenuity in crafting tools for specific purposes.
5.
Parables and Innovation: Jesus often used parables to convey spiritual truths, which can be seen as a form of inventive storytelling. These parables required creative thinking and innovation to communicate complex ideas in relatable ways. The use of parables demonstrates the importance of creativity in teaching and understanding.
Moral and Ethical ConsiderationsWhile the Bible encourages creativity and the use of God-given talents, it also provides guidance on the ethical use of inventions. Inventions should be used to glorify God and serve others, rather than for selfish gain or harm.
Colossians 3:17 advises, "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."
Invention in the Service of GodInventions and innovations can be powerful tools for advancing God's kingdom and serving humanity. Throughout history, Christians have used their inventive talents to improve living conditions, spread the Gospel, and demonstrate God's love through practical means. The Bible encourages believers to use their gifts responsibly and for the greater good, as seen in
1 Peter 4:10: "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."
In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly discuss the concept of invention, it provides a framework for understanding human creativity as a reflection of God's image. The Scriptures encourage the pursuit of wisdom and the ethical use of inventions to glorify God and serve others.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To come or light upon; to meet; to find.
2. (v. t.) To discover, as by study or inquiry; to find out; to devise; to contrive or produce for the first time; -- applied commonly to the discovery of some serviceable mode, instrument, or machine.
3. (v. t.) To frame by the imagination; to fabricate mentally; to forge; -- in a good or a bad sense; as, to invent the machinery of a poem; to invent a falsehood.
Strong's Hebrew
908. bada -- to devise,invent... to devise,
invent. Transliteration: bada Phonetic Spelling: (baw-daw') Short Definition:
devised.
... A primitive root; (figuratively) to
invent -- devise, feign.
...2803. chashab -- to think, account
... make) account (of), conceive, consider, count, cunning (man, work, workman), devise,
esteem, find out, forecast, hold, imagine, impute,invent, be like, mean...
Library
The Poets do notInvent all those Things which Relate to the Gods.
... The Epitome of the Divine Institutes. Addressed to His Brother Pentadius. Chap.
XII."The Poets Do NotInvent All Those Things Which Relate to the Gods....
But is it Only Poets whom You have Thought Proper to Allow to...
... Book IV. 35 But is it only poets whom you have thought proper to allow
toinvent unseemly? But is it only poets whom you have...
Whether the virtues Annexed to Justice are Suitably Enumerated?
... Objection 1: It would seem that the virtues annexed to justice are unsuitably
enumerated Tully [*DeInvent. ii, 53] reckons six, viz....
Can any Ingratitude be More Damned than that which is Fed by...
... treasures? They despise them merely because they have them: Andinvent ways
to make themselves miserable in the presence of riches....
Whether the Parts of Fortitude are Suitably Assigned?
... Objection 1: It seems that the parts of fortitude are unsuitably assigned. For Tully
(DeInvent.... Objection 4: Further, according to Tully (DeInvent. Rhet....
On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xxii. 42, Where the Lord Asks...
... For with a very slanderous accuser have we to deal. If he seek toinvent what
is not, how much more will he seek to object what really is....
One Lion Two Lions no Lion at All
... man seems to cherish that one dread of his about the lions, as if it were his favorite
aversion and he felt it to be too much trouble toinvent another excuse....
Your Origen Allows Himself to Treat of the Transmigration of Souls...
... You also yourself assume such an authority as to turn a heretic into a martyr,
and toinvent a heretical falsification of the books of Origen....
A Nickname Accepted
... not quite make out. They would not fit into any of their categories, and
so they had toinvent a new name for them. It is never...
The Mildness of the Yellow Press
... Our yellow journalistsinvent quite as unscrupulously as this; their moral
condition is, as regards careful veracity, about the same....
Thesaurus
Invent (2 Occurrences)... 3. (vt) To frame by the imagination; to fabricate mentally; to forge; -- in a good
or a bad sense; as, to
invent the machinery of a poem; to
invent a falsehood
...Improvise (1 Occurrence)
... preparation. 3. (vt) Toinvent, or provide, offhand, or on the spur of the
moment; as, he improvised a hammer out of a stone. 4. (vi...
Fable
... 6. (vt) To feign; toinvent; to devise, and speak of, as true or real; to
tell of falsely. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FABLE....
Feign (11 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To pretend; to imagine; toinvent; as, to
feign an injury. 2. (vt) To represent by a false appearance...
Devise (41 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To formulate by thought; to contrive; toinvent;
to scheme; as, to devise a plan of defense, or an argument....
Viol (2 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Amos 6:5 That chant to the sound of the viol, andinvent to
themselves instruments of musick, like David; (KJV ASV WBS)....
Lute (13 Occurrences)
... (Root in WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV). Amos 6:5 that chant to the sound of the
lute, andinvent them instruments of music, like David; (DBY)....
Georgian
... the chief agent in their conversion to Christianity, was also the first translator
of the Bible into Gothic, a work for which he had even toinvent an alphabet...
Gothic
... the chief agent in their conversion to Christianity, was also the first translator
of the Bible into Gothic, a work for which he had even toinvent an alphabet...
Invented (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofInvent. Multi-Version Concordance
Invented (3 Occurrences). 2 Peter 1:16 For we did not...
Resources
What is a kundalini spirit? | GotQuestions.orgWhy is wisdom referred to as a she in Proverbs? | GotQuestions.orgDid God sacrifice Himself to Himself to save us from Himself because of a rule He made Himself? | GotQuestions.orgInvent: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
