Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Etymology:The term "meditate" in the biblical context generally refers to deep contemplation, reflection, or focused thought on the truths of God and His Word. The Hebrew word often translated as "meditate" is "hagah," which means to murmur, ponder, or imagine. In the Greek New Testament, the concept is captured by words like "meletao," meaning to care for, attend to, or practice.
Biblical Usage:Meditation in the Bible is primarily an exercise of the mind and heart, focusing on God's law, His works, and His character. It is a spiritual discipline that involves intentional and sustained thought on divine truths.
Old Testament References:Meditation is frequently mentioned in the Psalms, where it is associated with delighting in and reflecting on God's law.
Psalm 1:2 states, "But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night." This verse highlights the continuous and deliberate nature of meditation as a means to spiritual prosperity and growth.
Psalm 19:14 further illustrates the personal and prayerful aspect of meditation: "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." Here, meditation is linked with speech and the inner life, suggesting that what one meditates on influences one's words and actions.
Joshua 1:8 underscores the importance of meditation for success and obedience: "This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do."
New Testament Context:While the New Testament does not use the term "meditate" as frequently, the concept is present in the encouragement to dwell on spiritual truths.
Philippians 4:8 exhorts believers to focus their thoughts on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy. This aligns with the meditative practice of filling one's mind with God's truth.
1 Timothy 4:15 advises, "Be diligent in these matters and absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all." This suggests a meditative focus on spiritual growth and the teachings of the faith.
Purpose and Benefits:Meditation in the biblical sense serves several purposes. It aids in internalizing God's Word, leading to a deeper understanding and application of His truths. It fosters a closer relationship with God, as believers reflect on His nature and deeds. Meditation also provides spiritual nourishment and strength, equipping believers to face life's challenges with faith and wisdom.
Practical Application:Biblical meditation involves setting aside time to read, reflect, and pray over Scripture. It can be practiced through memorization, journaling, or silent contemplation. The goal is to allow God's Word to transform the mind and heart, resulting in a life that honors Him.
Conclusion:While the Bible does not provide a detailed methodology for meditation, it clearly emphasizes its importance as a means of spiritual growth and intimacy with God. By meditating on Scripture, believers align their thoughts with God's will, leading to a life marked by obedience, peace, and joy.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. i.) To keep the mind in a state of contemplation; to dwell on anything in thought; to think seriously; to muse; to cogitate; to reflect.
2. (v. t.) To contemplate; to keep the mind fixed upon; to study.
3. (v. t.) To purpose; to intend; to design; to plan by revolving in the mind; as, to meditate a war.
Greek
4304. promeletao -- to premeditate... to premeditate. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: promeletao Phonetic Spelling:
(prom-el-et-ah'-o) Short Definition: I
meditate beforehand, prepare
...1760. enthumeomai -- to reflect on, to ponder
... to reflect on, to ponder. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: enthumeomai Phonetic
Spelling: (en-thoo-meh'-om-ahee) Short Definition: Imeditate upon, reflect...
3191. meletao -- to care for, practice, study
... imagine, premeditate. From a presumed derivative of melo; to take care of, ie (by
implication) revolve in the mind -- imagine, (pre-)meditate. see GREEK melo....
Strong's Hebrew
7878. siach -- to muse, complain, talk (of)... 7877, 7878. siach. 7879 . to muse, complain, talk (of). Transliteration:
siach Phonetic Spelling: (see'-akh) Short Definition:
meditate.
...1897. hagah -- to moan, growl, utter, speak, muse
... hagah. 1898 . to moan, growl, utter, speak, muse. Transliteration: hagah Phonetic
Spelling: (daw-gaw') Short Definition:meditate. Word Origin a prim....
7742. suach -- perhaps to muse
... 7741, 7742. suach. 7743 . perhaps to muse. Transliteration: suach Phonetic
Spelling: (soo'-akh) Short Definition:meditate....meditate....
1239. baqar -- to inquire, seek
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to inquire, seek NASB Word Usage care (1),
concerned (1), inquire (1), make inquiry (1),meditate (1), seek (2)....
559. amar -- to utter, say
... 2), gave an order (2), gave the order (2), gave orders (2), indeed say (1), informed
(1), intend (2), intended (1), intending (1),meditate (1), mentioned (1...
Library
How we mustMeditate on God.
... I. First Conference of Abbot Moses. Chapter XV. How we mustmeditate on God.
But the contemplation of God is gained in a variety of ways....
It was Your Friend's Delight toMeditate the Principles of Upright...
... THE FOURTH CENTURY 54 It was your friend's delight tomeditate the principles
of upright nature. It was your friend's delight to...
The Passion. "If Thou Knowest not How toMeditate on High and...
... THE PASSION. "If thou knowest not how tomeditate on high and heavenly things, rest
on the Passion of Christ, and willingly dwell in his sacred wounds....
Of Meditation --The First Degree of Prayer or Mystical Theology.
... In the first Psalm, the man is said to be blessed: Whose will is in the way
of the Lord, and who in his law shallmeditate day and night....
Meditations Before Dinner and Supper.
...Meditate that hunger is like the sickness called a wolf; which, if thou dost not
feed, will devour thee, and eat thee up; and that meat and drink are but as...
On the Unspeakable Advantages to be Derived from Meditating on the...
... The Servant."Truly, Lord, the unfathomable good which is found in Thy Passion for
those who avail themselves of the time and place tomeditate on it is a...
Letter ix. Meditation.
... LETTER IX. Meditation. "Meditate upon these things.""1:TIM.4:15.... Isaac went out into
the field tomeditate in the stillness and solemnity of the evening....
Whether the Precepts Referring to Knowledge and Understanding were...
... Objection 4: Further, it is not possible while asleep tomeditate on things pertaining
to knowledge and understanding: moreover it is hindered by extraneous...
March 30 Morning
... MARCH 30 MORNING. Isaac went out tomeditate in the field at the
eventide."GEN.24:63. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation...
On the Feast of the Holy virgin, St Catherine
... Of the great advantage and fruitfulness to which we may attain, if we diligently
meditate on, and exercise ourselves in, the Sufferings of Christ....
Thesaurus
Meditate (37 Occurrences)... 3. (vt) To purpose; to intend; to design; to plan by revolving in the mind; as,
to
meditate a war. Multi-Version Concordance
Meditate (37 Occurrences).
...Meditation (15 Occurrences)
... med-i-ta'-shun (haghuth, sichah): "Meditation" is the translation of haghuth, from
haghah, "to murmur," "to have a deep tone," hence, "tomeditate" (Psalm 49:3...
Muse (5 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A poet; a bard. 5. (n.) To think closely; to study in silence; tomeditate....
7. (n.) To wonder. 8. (vt) To think on; tomeditate on....
Precepts (40 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Psalms 119:15 I willmeditate on your
precepts, and consider your ways.... Then I willmeditate on your wondrous works....
Contemplate (2 Occurrences)
... carefully; to look at on all sides or in all its bearings; to view or consider with
continued attention; to regard with deliberate care; tomeditate on; to...
Night-watches (4 Occurrences)
... flock, (YLT). Psalms 63:6 When I remember thee upon my bed, Andmeditate
on thee in the night-watches. (See JPS ASV DBY). Psalms 119...
Imagine (24 Occurrences)
... we have also haghah in the King James Version and the English Revised Version, but
not in the American Standard Revised Version, "tomeditate," "mutter," "speak...
Chew (5 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To ruminate mentally; tomeditate on. 3. (vi) To perform the action of
biting and grinding with the teeth; to ruminate; tomeditate....
Wondrous (41 Occurrences)
... Then I willmeditate on your wondrous works.... Psalms 145:5 Of the glorious majesty
of your honor, of your wondrous works, I willmeditate....
Doings (111 Occurrences)
... Psalms 77:12 I will alsomeditate on all your work, and consider your doings.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT).... Imeditate on all your doings....
Resources
How can I meditate on God's Word? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are some biblical examples of meditation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about meditation? | GotQuestions.orgMeditate: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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