Topical Encyclopedia
The term "of" is a preposition used extensively throughout the Bible to indicate possession, origin, association, or relation. While seemingly simple, its usage in Scripture often carries significant theological and doctrinal implications. Below are some key contexts in which "of" is used in the Bible, along with relevant passages from the Berean Standard Bible .
1.
Possession and Ownership: The preposition "of" frequently denotes possession, indicating that something belongs to someone or something. For example, in
Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth," the phrase "of the earth" implies the earth's possession of the heavens and the earth as God's creation.
2.
Origin and Source: "Of" is used to describe the origin or source of something. In
John 1:14, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth," the phrase "of the one and only Son from the Father" indicates the divine origin of Jesus Christ.
3.
Association and Relationship: The preposition often highlights relationships or associations between individuals or groups. In
Romans 8:9, "You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you," the phrase "of God" signifies the relationship between the Spirit and God, emphasizing the divine nature of the Holy Spirit.
4.
Partitive Use: "Of" can indicate a part of a whole. In
1 Corinthians 12:27, "Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it," the phrase "of Christ" suggests that believers are part of the larger body that belongs to Christ.
5.
Identity and Description: The preposition is also used to describe or identify something by its characteristics or attributes. In
Galatians 5:22-23, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control," the phrase "of the Spirit" identifies these virtues as characteristics produced by the Holy Spirit.
6.
Covenantal Language: In the context of covenants, "of" is used to denote the parties involved. In
Genesis 17:7, "I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you," the phrase "of your descendants" indicates the covenantal relationship between God and Abraham's lineage.
7.
Theological Implications: The use of "of" in theological contexts often carries deep implications. For instance, in the phrase "fear of the Lord" (
Proverbs 9:10), "of the Lord" signifies a reverential awe and respect that is due to God, highlighting the relationship between the believer and the divine.
The preposition "of" serves as a crucial linguistic tool in the Bible, connecting concepts, individuals, and divine truths in a manner that underscores the intricate relationships and profound theological meanings within the biblical narrative.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
prep.) In a general sense, from, or out from; proceeding from; belonging to; relating to; concerning; -- used in a variety of applications; as:
2. (prep.) Denoting that from which anything proceeds; indicating origin, source, descent, and the like; as, he is of a race of kings; he is of noble blood.
3. (prep.) Denoting possession or ownership, or the relation of subject to attribute; as, the apartment of the consul: the power of the king; a man of courage; the gate of heaven.
4. (prep.) Denoting the material of which anything is composed, or that which it contains; as, a throne of gold; a sword of steel; a wreath of mist; a cup of water.
5. (prep.) Denoting part of an aggregate or whole; belonging to a number or quantity mentioned; out of; from amongst; as, of this little he had some to spare; some of the mines were unproductive; most of the company.
6. (prep.) Denoting that by which a person or thing is actuated or impelled; also, the source of a purpose or action; as, they went of their own will; no body can move of itself; he did it of necessity.
7. (prep.) Denoting reference to a thing; about; concerning; relating to; as, to boast of one's achievements.
8. (prep.) Denoting nearness or distance, either in space or time; from; as, within a league of the town; within an hour of the appointed time.
9. (prep.) Denoting identity or equivalence; -- used with a name or appellation, and equivalent to the relation of apposition; as, the continent of America; the city of Rome; the Island of Cuba.
10. (prep.) Denoting the agent, or person by whom, or thing by which, anything is, or is done; by.
11. (prep.) Denoting relation to place or time; belonging to, or connected with; as, men of Athens; the people of the Middle Ages; in the days of Herod.
12. (prep.) Denoting passage from one state to another; from.
13. (prep.) During; in the course of.
Greek
1067. geenna -- Gehenna, a valley W. and Southof Jer., also a...... 1066, 1067. geenna. 1068 . Gehenna, a valley W. and South
of Jer., also a
symbolic name for the final place
of punishment
of the ungodly.
...993. Boanerges -- Boanerges, an epithet applied to the two sonsof...
... Boanerges, an epithet applied to the two sonsof Zebedee. Partof Speech: Proper
Noun, Indeclinable Transliteration: Boanerges Phonetic Spelling: (bo-an-erg-es...
1223. dia -- through, on accountof, becauseof
... through, on accountof, becauseof. Partof Speech: Preposition Transliteration:
dia Phonetic Spelling: (dee-ah') Short Definition: through, on accountof...
5228. huper -- over, beyond, fig. on behalfof, for the sakeof...
... on behalfof, for the sakeof, concerning. Partof Speech: Preposition Transliteration:
huper Phonetic Spelling: (hoop-er') Short Definition: in behalfof...
4747. stoicheion -- oneof a row, hence a letter (of the alphabet)...
... 4746b, 4747. stoicheion. 4748 . oneof a row, hence a letter (of the
alphabet), by ext. the elements (of knowledge). Partof Speech...
4641. sklerokardia -- hardnessof heart
... hardnessof heart. Partof Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: sklerokardia
Phonetic Spelling: (sklay-rok-ar-dee'-ah) Short Definition: hardnessof heart...
5012. tapeinophrosune -- lowlinessof mind, humility
... lowlinessof mind, humility. Partof Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
tapeinophrosune Phonetic Spelling: (tap-i-nof-ros-oo'-nay) Short Definition...
5484. charin -- in favorof, for the pleasureof
... in favorof, for the pleasureof. Partof Speech: Adverb Transliteration: charin
Phonetic Spelling: (khar'-in) Short Definition: on accountof Definition: for...
4244. presbuterion -- a bodyof elders
... a bodyof elders. Partof Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: presbuterion Phonetic
Spelling: (pres-boo-ter'-ee-on) Short Definition: an assemblyof elders...
1799. enopios -- in sightof, before
... in sightof, before. Partof Speech: Adverb Transliteration: enopios Phonetic Spelling:
(en-o'-pee-on) Short Definition: before the faceof, in the presenceof...
Strong's Hebrew
6380. Pokereth Hatstsebayim -- "bindressof the gazelles," headof...Pokereth Hatstsebayim. 6379, 6380. Pokereth Hatstsebayim. 6381 . "bindress
of the gazelles," head
of a postexilic family. Transliteration: Pokereth
...885. Beeroth Bene-yaaqan -- "wellsof (the) sonsof Jaakan," a...
... "wellsof (the... Word Origin from beer, ben and Yaaqan Definition "wellsof (the) sons
of Jaakan," a place in the desert NASB Word Usage Beeroth Bene-jaakan (1)....
758. Aram -- Syria and its inhab., also the namesof a sonof Shem...
... 757, 758. Aram. 759 . Syria and its inhab., also the namesof a sonof
Shem, a grandsonof Nahor, and an Israelite. Transliteration...
5516. Sisera -- a generalof the kingof Hazor, also the fatherof...
... a generalof the kingof Hazor, also the fatherof some returning exiles.
Transliteration: Sisera Phonetic Spelling: (see-ser-aw') Short Definition: Sisera....
2441. chek -- palate, roofof the mouth, gums
... 2440, 2441. chek. 2442 . palate, roofof the mouth, gums. Transliteration:
chek Phonetic Spelling: (khake) Short Definition: mouth....
1913. Hadoram -- a sonof Joktan and his desc., also sonof the...
... 1912, 1913. Hadoram. 1914 . a sonof Joktan and his desc., also son
of the kingof Hamath, perhaps also an officialof Rehoboam....
1010. Beth Baal Meon -- "houseof Baalof (the) habitation," a...
Beth Baal Meon. 1009, 1010. Beth Baal Meon. 1011 . "houseof Baalof (the)
habitation," a place Eastof the Jordan. Transliteration: Beth Baal Meon Phonetic...
6936. qodqod -- head, crownof the head
... 6935, 6936. qodqod. 6937 . head, crownof the head. Transliteration: qodqod
Phonetic Spelling: (kod-kode') Short Definition: head....
5664. Abed Nego -- "servantof Nebo," Bab. nameof oneof Daniel's...
... "servantof Nebo," Bab. nameof oneof Daniel's companions. Transliteration: Abed
Nego Phonetic Spelling: (ab-ade' neg-o') Short Definition: Abed-nego....
1315. Basemath -- "perfume," a wifeof Esau (or perhaps two wives...
... 1314, 1315. Basemath. 1316 . "perfume," a wifeof Esau (or perhaps two wives
with the same name), also a daughterof Solomon. Transliteration...
Library
Lettersof Catherine Benincasa
Lettersof Catherine Benincasa. <. Lettersof Catherine Benincasa
Catherine Benincasa. Anne Soulard, Charles Franks, Robert...
Expositionsof Holy Scripture
Expositionsof Holy Scripture. <. Expositionsof Holy Scripture
Alexander Maclaren. Produced by Tiffany Vergon, David...
Expositionsof Holy Scripture
Expositionsof Holy Scripture. <. Expositionsof Holy Scripture
Alexander Maclaren. Produced by Charles Franks, Anne...
Expositionsof Holy Scripture
Expositionsof Holy Scripture. <. Expositionsof Holy Scripture
Alexander Maclaren. This eBook was produced by Anne...
The Instructionsof Commodianus in favourof Christian Discipline
The Instructionsof Commodianus in favourof Christian Discipline. <. The
Instructionsof Commodianus in favourof Christian Discipline Commodianus....
The Practiceof Piety
The Practiceof Piety. <. The Practiceof Piety Lewis Bayly. Tableof Contents.
Title Page. BIOGRAPHICAL PREFACE. THE PRACTICEOF PIETY. CONTENTS....
Expositionsof Holy Scripture
Expositionsof Holy Scripture. <. Expositionsof Holy Scripture
Alexander Maclaren. Produced by Charles Franks, Don...
On the Catechisingof the Uninstructed
On the Catechisingof the Uninstructed. <. On the Catechisingof the Uninstructed
St. Augustine. Translated by Professor JF Shaw, Londonderry....
The Dolorous Passionof Our Lord Jesus Christ
The Dolorous Passionof Our Lord Jesus Christ. <. The Dolorous Passionof
Our Lord Jesus Christ Anna Catherine Emmerich. Tableof Contents....
The Creedsof the Evangelical Protestant Churches
The Creedsof the Evangelical Protestant Churches. <. The Creedsof the
Evangelical Protestant Churches Philip Schaff. Tableof Contents....
Thesaurus
Of (369523 Occurrences)... 1. (prep.) In a general sense, from, or out from; proceeding from; belonging to;
relating to; concerning; -- used in a variety
of applications; as:
...Unheard-of (1 Occurrence)
Unheard-of. Unheard, Unheard-of. Unhewn . Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) New;
unprecedented; unparalleled. Multi-Version Concordance Unheard-of (1 Occurrence...
Mother-of-pearl (1 Occurrence)
Mother-of-pearl. Mother-in-law, Mother-of-pearl. Mothers . Noah Webster's
Dictionary (n.) The hard pearly internal layerof several kindsof shells, esp....
Cause-of-fear-on-every-side (1 Occurrence)
Cause-of-fear-on-every-side. Causeless, Cause-of-fear-on-every-side. Causes .
Multi-Version Concordance Cause-of-fear-on-every-side (1 Occurrence)....
Ko'hathites (19 Occurrences)
... Numbers 3:27Of Kohath was the familyof the Amramites, and the familyof the Izharites,
and the familyof the Hebronites, and the familyof the Uzzielites...
Kohathite (18 Occurrences)
... Numbers 3:27Of Kohath was the familyof the Amramites, and the familyof the Izharites,
and the familyof the Hebronites, and the familyof the Uzzielites...
Zin (9 Occurrences)
... A low palm-tree, the south-eastern cornerof the desert et-Tih, the wildernessof
Paran, between the Gulfof Akabah and the headof the Wady Guraiyeh (Numbers...
Kare'ah (14 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 25:23 Now when all the captainsof the forces, they and their men, heard
that the kingof Babylon had made Gedaliah governor, they came to Gedaliah to...
Zelophehad (9 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary First-born,of the tribeof Manasseh, andof
the familyof Gilead; died in the wilderness. Having left...
Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences)
... Cityof jaars; ie,of woods or forests, a Gibeonite town (Joshua 9:17) on the
borderof Benjamin, to which tribe it was assigned (18:15, 28)....
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