Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terms, "oracles" refer to divine communications or messages delivered by God to His people. These messages often come through prophets, priests, or other chosen individuals who serve as intermediaries between God and humanity. The concept of oracles is deeply rooted in the understanding that God desires to communicate His will, guidance, and commandments to His people.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, oracles are frequently associated with the prophetic tradition. Prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel received direct revelations from God, which they then conveyed to the Israelites. These messages often included warnings, instructions, and promises. For instance, in the book of Isaiah, the prophet delivers numerous oracles concerning the fate of nations and the coming of the Messiah (Isaiah 13-23).
The term "oracle" is also used in reference to the "Most Holy Place" or the "Holy of Holies" in the temple, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. This sacred space was considered the dwelling place of God's presence, and it was from here that God would communicate with the high priest (
1 Kings 6:19).
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of oracles expands to include the teachings and revelations of Jesus Christ and the apostles. The apostle Paul refers to the "oracles of God" in
Romans 3:2, emphasizing the privilege and responsibility of the Jewish people in being entrusted with God's revelations. The writer of Hebrews also mentions the "oracles of God" in
Hebrews 5:12, urging believers to mature in their understanding of these divine truths.
The New Testament further highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding believers into all truth, as seen in
John 16:13. The Spirit acts as a divine oracle, revealing the will of God and the teachings of Christ to the church.
Role and SignificanceOracles in the Bible serve several key purposes. They provide guidance and direction, offering insight into God's will and plan for His people. They also serve as a means of correction and warning, calling individuals and nations to repentance and obedience. Furthermore, oracles often contain promises of hope and redemption, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment of God's covenant through Jesus Christ.
The delivery of oracles requires discernment and faithfulness on the part of the recipient. Prophets and other messengers are called to accurately convey God's message, regardless of personal cost or public reception. This responsibility underscores the sacred nature of oracles as divine communications that carry the authority and truth of God Himself.
Key Biblical References·
1 Kings 6:19 : "He prepared the inner sanctuary within the temple to set the ark of the covenant of the LORD there."
·
Isaiah 13-23: A series of oracles concerning various nations.
·
Romans 3:2 : "Much in every way. First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God."
·
Hebrews 5:12 : "Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food!"
·
John 16:13 : "However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come."
In summary, oracles in the Bible are a profound expression of God's desire to communicate with His people, providing them with guidance, correction, and hope through His chosen messengers.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SIBYLLINE ORACLESsib'-i-lin, -lin or'-a-k'-lz.
SeeAPOCALYPTIC LITERATURE, sec. B, V.
ORACLES, SIBYLLINE
sib'-i-lin, -lin.
SeeAPOCALYPTIC LITERATURE, sec. V.
Greek
3051. logion -- a saying, an oracle... Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: logion Phonetic Spelling: (log'-ee-on) Short
Definition: divine communication Definition: plur:
oracles, divine responses
...Strong's Hebrew
4065. madduach -- something which draws aside, an enticement... 4064, 4065. madduach. 4066 . something which draws aside, an enticement.
Transliteration: madduach Phonetic Spelling: (mad-doo'akh) Short Definition:
oracles...4853b. massa -- utterance, oracle
... Word Origin from nasa Definition utterance, oracle NASB Word Usage burden (3), oracle
(25),oracles (1). 4853a, 4853b. massa. 4854 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
Oracles on the Scythians. (With Some Others: iv. 5-vi. 29. )
... 2.Oracles on the Scythians. (With some others: IV. 5-VI. 29.). The invasion
of Western Asia by the Scythians happened some time...
Oracles on the Edge of Doom. (vii. 16-xviii Passim, xxii, Xlv. )
... 3.Oracles on the Edge of Doom. (VII. 16-XVIII passim, XXII, XLV.). From
the seventh to the tenth chapters of the Book of Jeremiah...
The NumerousOracles
... Section 47. The numerousoracles. Section 47. The numerousoracles,"fancied apparitions
in sacred places, &c., dispelled by the sign of the Cross....
His EarliestOracles. (ii. 2-iv. 4. )
... 1. His EarliestOracles. (II.... All the rest of theOracles may be taken to be from
himself. Duhm after much hesitation has come to doubt the genuineness of Ch....
HeathenOracles.
... Book IV. Chapter XXI."HeathenOracles. "Whence it is evident that they
since they are demoniac spirits, know some things both...
TheOracles of the Prophets must be Looked Into; and of their...
... Book IV. Of True Wisdom and Religion. Chap. V."TheOracles of the Prophets Must
Be Looked Into; And of Their Times, and the Times of the Judges and Kings....
HeathenOracles Testify of Moses.
... Chapter XI."Heathenoracles testify of Moses. But as you do not see the
necessity of giving up the ancient error of your forefathers...
The SibyllineOracles.
... IV. MIXED. THE SIBYLLINEORACLES. The work thus named is a collection of
Judaeo-Christian poems, of various dates, designed to propagate...
TheOracles.
... CHAPTER VI. THEORACLES. BC547 Plans of Croesus."The River Halys."Nature
of theoracles."Situation of Delphi."The gaseous...
Fragment i. From the Exposition of theOracles of the Lord.
... Fragment I. From the exposition of theoracles of the Lord. [1734] [The
writings of Papias in common circulation are five in number...
Thesaurus
Oracles (8 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia SIBYLLINE
ORACLES. sib'-i-lin, -lin or'-ak'-lz.
See APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE, sec. B, V.
ORACLES, SIBYLLINE. sib'-i-lin, -lin.
...Burden (111 Occurrences)
... reading; Ezekiel 12:10 Nahum 1:1 Habakkuk 1:1 Zechariah 9:1; Zechariah 12:1 Malachi
1:1. As was natural under the circumstances, suchoracles usually denounced...
Oracle (57 Occurrences)
... The Scriptures are called "livingoracles" (Comp. Hebrews 4:12) because of their
quickening power (Acts 7:38).... 8. (vi) To utteroracles. Int....
Sibylline
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SIBYLLINEORACLES. sib'-i-lin, -lin or'-ak'-lz.
See APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE, sec. B, V.ORACLES, SIBYLLINE. sib'-i-lin, -lin....
Rudiments (5 Occurrences)
... In Hebrews 5:12, the King James Version "Ye have need that one teach you again which
be the first principles of theoracles of God." This means that the Hebrew...
Proselyte (2 Occurrences)
... After the persecution of Antiochus Epiphanes (170 BC) they scattered themselves
in every direction, and, in the words of the SibyllineOracles (circa 160 BC...
Divination (25 Occurrences)
... agent is professedly under the immediate influence of some spirit or god who enables
the diviner to see the future, etc., and to utteroracles embodying what...
Ezekiel (4 Occurrences)
... 1:1, with the consecration of the prophet immediately following it; 3:16; 8:1;
20:1; 24:1)-there follow as a second subdivision the sevenoracles against the...
Greece (15 Occurrences)
... REVELATION: INSPIRATION 1. Omens 2. Divination by Sacrifice 3. Dreams 4.Oracles
III.... 4.Oracles: The most important oracle was that of Apollo at Delphi....
Zechariah (55 Occurrences)
... 23). (2) Zechariah 9-14, consisting of twooracles, without dates; (a)
Zechariah 9-11, an oracle of promise to the new theocracy....
Resources
What are the oracles of God? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was a prophet in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are Ouija boards? Should a Christian play with Ouija boards? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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