Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, "observance" refers to the practice of adhering to religious laws, commandments, rituals, and traditions as prescribed by God. Observance is a key theme throughout both the Old and New Testaments, reflecting the covenant relationship between God and His people. It encompasses a wide range of practices, including the observance of the Sabbath, festivals, dietary laws, and moral commandments.
Old Testament ObservanceThe concept of observance is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where God establishes His covenant with the Israelites and provides them with the Law through Moses. The observance of the Law is central to the identity and faithfulness of the Israelite community. In
Deuteronomy 6:17, the Israelites are commanded, "You shall diligently keep the commandments of the LORD your God and His testimonies and statutes that He has commanded you."
The Sabbath is one of the most significant observances, instituted by God as a day of rest and worship.
Exodus 20:8-10 states, "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God." The observance of the Sabbath serves as a sign of the covenant between God and Israel (
Exodus 31:16-17).
In addition to the Sabbath, the Israelites were commanded to observe various feasts and festivals, such as Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and the Feast of Tabernacles. These observances were not only acts of worship but also served as reminders of God's deliverance and provision (Leviticus 23).
New Testament ObservanceIn the New Testament, the concept of observance is transformed through the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. While Jesus affirms the importance of the Law, He emphasizes the spirit of the Law over mere ritualistic observance. In
Matthew 5:17, Jesus declares, "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."
Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for their legalistic approach to observance, highlighting the need for genuine faith and love. In
Matthew 23:23, He admonishes them, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin, but you have disregarded the weightier matters of the Law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness."
The early Christian community grappled with the question of observance, particularly regarding the necessity of following Jewish laws. The Jerusalem Council, as recorded in
Acts 15, determined that Gentile believers were not required to observe the entirety of the Mosaic Law, emphasizing faith in Christ as the basis for salvation.
Spiritual ObservanceBeyond the external observance of laws and rituals, the Bible emphasizes the importance of internal, spiritual observance. This involves a heart aligned with God's will, characterized by love, humility, and obedience. In
1 Samuel 15:22, the prophet Samuel declares, "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, obedience is better than sacrifice, and attentiveness is better than the fat of rams."
The Apostle Paul reiterates this principle in
Romans 12:1, urging believers to present their bodies as "a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God," which is their "reasonable service." This spiritual observance reflects a life transformed by the Holy Spirit, marked by the fruit of the Spirit (
Galatians 5:22-23).
ConclusionObservance in the biblical sense is a multifaceted concept that encompasses both external adherence to God's commandments and internal devotion to His will. It is a reflection of the covenant relationship between God and His people, calling for a life of faith, obedience, and worship.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The act noticing with special attention; a heeding or keeping with care; as, the observance of the Sabbath is general; the strict observance of duties.
2. (n.) An act, ceremony, or rite, as of worship or respect; especially, a customary act or service of attention; a form; a practice; a rite; a custom.
3. (n.) Servile attention; sycophancy.
Greek
5084. teresis -- a watching, hence imprisonment, a keeping... a keeping. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: teresis Phonetic Spelling:
(tay'-ray-sis) Short Definition: a prison,
observance Definition: a prison
...2357. threskos of unc. or. -- religious.
... or. Phonetic Spelling: (thrace'-kos) Short Definition: religious Definition: (refers
probably to a carefulobservance of religious restrictions), religious...
2356. threskeia -- religion
... religion, worshipping. From a derivative of threskos; ceremonialobservance -- religion,
worshipping. see GREEK threskos. (threskeia) -- 3 Occurrences....
4521. sabbaton -- the Sabbath, ie the seventh day (of the week)
... Of Hebrew origin (shabbath); the Sabbath (ie Shabbath), or day of weekly repose
from secular avocations (also theobservance or institution itself); by...
Strong's Hebrew
7677. shabbathon -- sabbathobservance, sabbatism... 7676, 7677. shabbathon. 7678 . sabbath
observance, sabbatism. Transliteration:
shabbathon Phonetic Spelling: (shab-baw-thone') Short Definition: rest.
...4929. mishmar -- place of confinement, jail, prison, guard, watch...
... mishmar. 4930 . place of confinement, jail, prison, guard, watch,observance.
Transliteration: mishmar Phonetic Spelling: (mish-mawr') Short Definition: guard...
8107. shimmur -- a watching, vigil
... be much observed. From shamar; anobservance -- X be (much) observed. see HEBREW
shamar. 8106, 8107. shimmur. 8108 . Strong's Numbers.
4931. mishmereth -- a guard, watch, charge, function
...Observance, ie (abstr.) Duty or (obj.) A usage or party -- charge, keep, or to be
kept, office, ordinace, safeguard, ward, watch. see HEBREW mishmar....
Library
SabbathObservance
... THE BOOK OF NEHEMIAH SABBATHOBSERVANCE.... Our passage is particularly concerned
with Nehemiah's efforts to enforce Sabbathobservance....
True SabbathObservance
... VOLUME II: ST. LUKE Chaps. XIII to XXIV TRUE SABBATHOBSERVANCE. 'And He
was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath.11....
WhetherObservance is a Special virtue, Distinct from Other...
... OFOBSERVANCE, CONSIDERED IN ITSELF, AND OF ITS PARTS (THREE ARTICLES) Whether
observance is a special virtue, distinct from other virtues?...
OfObservance, Considered in Itself, and of Its Parts (Three...
... OFOBSERVANCE, CONSIDERED IN ITSELF, AND OF ITS PARTS (THREE ARTICLES).... Under
the head ofobservance there are three points of inquiry:...
Whether it Belongs toObservance to Pay Worship and Honor to those...
... OFOBSERVANCE, CONSIDERED IN ITSELF, AND OF ITS PARTS (THREE ARTICLES) Whether it
belongs toobservance to pay worship and honor to those who are in positions...
WhetherObservance is a Greater virtue than Piety?
... OFOBSERVANCE, CONSIDERED IN ITSELF, AND OF ITS PARTS (THREE ARTICLES) Whether
observance is a greater virtue than piety? Objection...
Of theObservance of Days Connected with Idolatry.
... Chapter XIII."Of theObservance of Days Connected with Idolatry. But why
speak of sacrifices and priesthoods? Of spectacles, moreover...
He Enjoins the GeneralObservance of the Lord's Day, and the Day...
... Book IV. Chapter XVIII."He enjoins the GeneralObservance of the Lord's
Day, and the Day of Preparation. He ordained, too, that...
Christ'sObservance of the Jewish Worship and Law.
... CHAPTER II. THE PLAN OF CHRIST IN ITS RELATION TO THE OLD TESTAMENT IDEA OF THE
KINGDOM OF GOD. Section 53. Christ'sObservance of the Jewish Worship and Law....
Of theObservance of one Uniform Rule Throughout the Whole of...
... Prolegomena. Chapter III. Of theobservance of one uniform rule throughout the whole
of Egypt, and of the election of those who are set over the brethren....
Thesaurus
Observance (8 Occurrences)... 1. (n.) The act noticing with special attention; a heeding or keeping with care;
as, the
observance of the Sabbath is general; the strict
observance of duties.
...Sabbatical (1 Occurrence)
... All debts, except those of foreigners, were to be remitted (Deuteronomy 15:1-11).
There is little notice of theobservance of this year in Biblical history....
Ten (234 Occurrences)
... Theobservance of the Sabbath was probably unknown to other nations, though
it may have been already known in the family of Abraham. II....
Eucharist
... by Paul to his account of the Institution, wherein he emphasizes the memorial aspect
and evidential value of the witness the eucharisticobservance would give...
Supper (17 Occurrences)
... by Paul to his account of the Institution, wherein he emphasizes the memorial aspect
and evidential value of the witness the eucharisticobservance would give...
Festivals (17 Occurrences)
... There were daily (Leviticus 23), weekly, monthly, and yearly festivals, and great
stress was laid on the regularobservance of them in every particular...
Rudiments (5 Occurrences)
... of the Jews. These requirements involved much and protracted difficulty
in theirobservance; they were "a yoke.... which neither...
Commemorate (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (vt) To call to remembrance by a special act orobservance;
to celebrate with honor and solemnity; to honor, as a person or event, by...
Trumpets (52 Occurrences)
... Perhaps Psalm 81 was especially written for this feast (compare 81:3). 4. Origin:
Mentions of a specialobservance of the 1st of Tishri are found also in...
Fasts (3 Occurrences)
... Other fasts and feasts no doubt were instituted on similar occasions and received
a local or temporaryobservance, for example, the Feast of Acra (1 Maccabees...
Resources
Is the observance of First Communion biblical? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the Holy Days of Obligation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does shabbat mean? | GotQuestions.orgObservance: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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