Topical Encyclopedia
The term "let" in the Bible often serves as a versatile word with various meanings depending on the context. It can denote permission, allowance, or a command to permit something to happen. In the original Hebrew and Greek texts, different words are translated as "let" in English, each carrying its own nuance.
Old Testament UsageIn the Old Testament, "let" frequently appears in the context of God's commands or permissions. For example, in the creation narrative, God uses "let" to initiate creation: "And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light" (
Genesis 1:3). Here, "let" signifies a divine command that brings about creation through God's sovereign will.
The word also appears in the context of human actions and decisions. In
Exodus 5:1, Moses and Aaron speak to Pharaoh, saying, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'Let My people go, so that they may hold a feast to Me in the wilderness.'" In this instance, "let" is a demand for permission, reflecting God's authority over earthly rulers.
New Testament UsageIn the New Testament, "let" often appears in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, emphasizing moral and spiritual directives. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus instructs, "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" (
Matthew 5:16). Here, "let" is an exhortation for believers to live in a way that reflects God's glory.
The Apostle Paul frequently uses "let" in his epistles to guide Christian conduct. For instance, in
Philippians 2:5, he writes, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus" . This usage encourages believers to adopt the mindset and humility of Christ.
Theological ImplicationsThe use of "let" in Scripture underscores the interplay between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. When God uses "let," it often signifies His authoritative command that cannot be thwarted. Conversely, when humans are instructed to "let" something occur, it implies a call to align with God's will and purposes.
In the broader theological context, "let" can also reflect the permissive will of God, where He allows certain events or actions to occur within His sovereign plan. This is evident in the narrative of Job, where God permits Satan to test Job, saying, "Very well, then, everything he has is in your hands, but on the man himself do not lay a finger" (
Job 1:12).
Practical ApplicationFor believers, the frequent biblical exhortation to "let" something happen serves as a reminder of the active role they play in their spiritual journey. It calls for a response of obedience, faith, and alignment with God's will. Whether it is letting one's light shine, letting peace rule in one's heart, or letting the word of Christ dwell richly, these commands encourage a life that reflects the character and purposes of God.
In summary, the word "let" in the Bible is a powerful term that conveys divine authority, human responsibility, and the call to live in accordance with God's will. Its usage throughout Scripture provides insight into the nature of God's interaction with His creation and His expectations for His people.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To retard; to hinder; to impede; to oppose.
2. (n.) A retarding; hindrance; obstacle; impediment; delay; -- common in the phrase without let or hindrance, but elsewhere archaic.
3. (n.) A stroke in which a ball touches the top of the net in passing over.
4. (imp. & p. p.) of Let
5. (v. t.) To leave; to relinquish; to abandon.
6. (v. t.) To consider; to think; to esteem.
7. (v. t.) To cause; to make; -- used with the infinitive in the active form but in the passive sense; as, let make, i. e., cause to be made; let bring, i. e., cause to be brought.
8. (v. t.) To permit; to allow; to suffer; -- either affirmatively, by positive act, or negatively, by neglecting to restrain or prevent.
9. (v. t.) To allow to be used or occupied for a compensation; to lease; to rent; to hire out; -- often with out; as, to let a farm; to let a house; to let out horses.
10. (v. t.) To give, grant, or assign, as a work, privilege, or contract; -- often with out; as, to let the building of a bridge; to let out the lathing and the plastering.
11. (v. i.) To forbear.
12. (v. i.) To be let or leased; as, the farm lets for USD500 a year. See note under Let, v. t.
13. (n.) A noun suffix having a diminutive force; as in streamlet, wavelet, armlet.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
LET(katecho): Usually in the sense of "permit" (Anglo-Saxon, leetan), but also in Old English with meaning of "hinder" (Anglo-Saxon, lettan). This latter sense is found in2 Thessalonians 2:7 the King James Version, "Only he who now letteth will let," where the Revised Version (British and American) has, "Only there is one that restraineth now."
Greek
1554. ekdidomi -- to give up, give out,let out for hire... to give up, give out,
let out for hire. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: ekdidomi
Phonetic Spelling: (ek-did-o'-mee) Short Definition: I give out,
let,
let...2524. kathiemi -- tolet down
... tolet down. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: kathiemi Phonetic Spelling:
(kath-ee'-ay-mee) Short Definition: Ilet down Definition: I send,let down, lower...
1439. eao -- tolet alone, leave
... tolet alone, leave. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: eao Phonetic Spelling:
(eh-ah'-o) Short Definition: I allow, permit, leave Definition: I allow, permit...
2277. eto --let be.
... 2276, 2277. eto. 2278 .let be.... Word Origin imper. of eimi, qv.let be. Third
person singular imperative of eimi;let him (or it) be --let... Be....
3409. misthoo -- tolet for hire, to hire
... tolet for hire, to hire. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: misthoo Phonetic
Spelling: (mis-tho'-o) Short Definition: I hire out, hire, engage Definition: I...
1459. egkataleipo -- to leave behind, ie (in a good sense)let...
... 1458, 1459. egkataleipo. 1460 . to leave behind, ie (in a good sense)
let remain over or (in a bad sense) desert. Part of Speech...
5288. hupostello -- to draw in,let down, draw back
... to draw in,let down, draw back. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: hupostello
Phonetic Spelling: (hoop-os-tel'-lo) Short Definition: I draw back, conceal...
2020. epiphosko -- tolet shine, ie to dawn
... tolet shine, ie to dawn. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: epiphosko Phonetic
Spelling: (ep-ee-foce'-ko) Short Definition: I dawn, am near commencing...
3386. meti ge --let alone, much less, much more
meti ge. 3385, 3386. meti ge. 3387 .let alone, much less, much more.
Transliteration: meti ge Phonetic Spelling: (may'-tig-eh) Short Definition: more....
630. apoluo -- to set free, release
... to set free, release. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: apoluo Phonetic Spelling:
(ap-ol-oo'-o) Short Definition: I release,let go, send away, divorce...
Strong's Hebrew
8058. shamat -- tolet drop... 8057, 8058. shamat. 8059 . to
let drop. Transliteration: shamat Phonetic Spelling:
(shaw-mat') Short Definition: release. Word Origin a prim.
...6544a. para --let go,let alone
... 6544, 6544a. para. 6544b .let go,let alone. Transliteration: para Short
Definition: neglects. Word Origin a prim. root Definition...
7662. shebaq -- to leave,let alone
... 7661, 7662. shebaq. 7663 . to leave,let alone. Transliteration: shebaq Phonetic
Spelling: (sheb-ak') Short Definition: leave.... leave,let alone....
3451. yeshimah --let death seize
... 3450, 3451. yeshimah. 3452 .let death seize. Transliteration: yeshimah Phonetic
Spelling: (yesh-ee-maw') Short Definition: death....let death seize...
3240. yanach -- bestow, cast down, lay down, up, leave off,let...
... bestow, cast down, lay down, up, leave off,let alone remain, pacify, place,.
Transliteration: yanach Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-nakh') Short Definition: bestow....
6544. para' --let go,let alone
... 6543, 6544. para'. 6544a .let go,let alone. Transliteration: para' Phonetic
Spelling: (paw-rah') Short Definition: avenge. avenge...
3361. Yoqmeam -- "let the people be established," a city in...
... Yoqmeam. 3362 . "let the people be established," a city in Northern Israel.
Transliteration: Yoqmeam Phonetic Spelling: (yok-meh-awm') Short Definition: Jokmeam...
3377. Yareb -- "let him contend," the name of an Assyrian king
... 3376, 3377. Yareb. 3378 . "let him contend," the name of an Assyrian king.
Transliteration: Yareb Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-rabe') Short Definition: Jareb....
3378. Yerubbaal -- "let Baal contend," a name of Gideon
... Yerubbaal. 3379 . "let Baal contend," a name of Gideon. Transliteration: Yerubbaal
Phonetic Spelling: (yer-oob-bah'-al) Short Definition: Jerubbaal....
8281. sharah -- tolet loose
... 8280, 8281. sharah. 8282 . tolet loose. Transliteration: sharah Phonetic Spelling:
(shaw-raw') Short Definition: loose. Word Origin a prim....
Library
"Let us Pray"
... "Let Us Pray". A Sermon (No.288). Delivered... If we must have forms at all,
let them be of the most excellent kind. So far so good. But...
Let those of us who are under the Rod, be Very Solicitous to...
... 4.LET those of us who are under the Rod, be very solicitous to improve
it aright, that in the End it may indeed be well. HEAR, my...
Let us have Peace
... ROMANSLET US HAVE PEACE. 'Let us have peace with God through our Lord
Jesus Christ.'"Romans 5:1. (RV). In the rendering of the...
Let Me Find Thee!
...LET ME FIND THEE!LET ME FIND THEE! 8,7,8,7,8,7. "Seek ye the Lord while he my be
found.""Isa.55:6.... I bring.Let me find Thee,"let me find Thee"....
Alleluia,Let us Sing,
... CHRISTMAS I Alleluia,let us sing,. 7,8,7,6. Gladness fills the world this morn,"....
With the joy that thrills in glory;". Sons of men,let praise abound,....
'Let Him Alone'
... HOSEA 'LET HIM ALONE'. 'Ephraim is joined to idols:let him alone.'"Hosea
4:17. The tribe of Ephraim was the most important member...
ButLet us Admit That, as is Said, Jupiter Has Himself Appointed...
... Book V. 3 Butlet us admit that, as is said, Jupiter has himself appointed
against himself ways? Butlet us admit that, as is...
Let Him In. PM
... 220Let Him In. PM. The Stranger at the Door. There's a stranger at the
door,Let him in, He has been there oft before,Let him in...
Let it be Supposed, that Your Ingenious Reason Should Suggest to...
... [Way-3-8]Let it be supposed, that your ingenious reason should suggest
to you?Let it be supposed, that your ingenious reason...
Let us not Sink in Hopeless Sorrow, or Break Out into Clamorous...
... 3.LET us not sink in hopeless Sorrow, or break out into clamorous Complaints,
if GOD has brought this heavy Affliction upon us....
Thesaurus
Let (16815 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) A retarding; hindrance; obstacle; impediment; delay; -- common in the phrase
without
let or hindrance, but elsewhere archaic.
... 4. (imp. & pp) of
Let.
...Let's (74 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version ConcordanceLet's (74 Occurrences).... If you want,let's make three tents
here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." (WEB)....
Sea-lands (24 Occurrences)
... families and languages. (BBE). Psalms 97:1 The Lord is King,let the earth
have joy;let all the sea-lands be glad. (BBE). Isaiah 11...
Vine-garden (43 Occurrences)
... Matthew 20:8 And when evening came, the lord of the vine-garden said to his manager,
Let the workers come, and give them their payment, from the last to the...
Stubborn (40 Occurrences)
... He refuses tolet the people go. (WEB JPS ASV NAS).... But the heart of Pharaoh
was stubborn, and he didn'tlet the people go. (WEB JPS ASV)....
Seemeth (36 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). 1 Corinthians 3:18Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you
seemeth to be wise in this world,let him become a fool, that he may be wise....
Vindication (14 Occurrences)
... Job 6:29 Please return.Let there be no injustice. Yes, return again.... Psalms 17:2
Let my sentence come forth from your presence.Let your eyes look on equity....
Shelter (36 Occurrences)
... Pleaselet me bring them out to you, and you may do to them what seems good to you....
Let them rise up and help you!Let them be your protection. (See NIV)....
Vines (39 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 25:4 Butlet the seventh year be a Sabbath of rest for the land, a Sabbath
to the Lord; do not put seed into your land or have your vines cut. (BBE)....
Storehouses (23 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 20:13 And Hezekiah was glad at their coming andlet them see all his store
of wealth, the silver and the gold and the spices and the oil of great price...
Resources
Are we supposed to let go and let God? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did God say, “Let there be light,” during creation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to “let the weak say I am strong” in Joel 3:10? | GotQuestions.orgLet: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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