Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of biblical literature and historical records, a memorandum refers to a written note or record intended to aid the memory. While the term "memorandum" itself does not appear in the Bible, the concept of recording important information for future reference is prevalent throughout the Scriptures. This practice underscores the importance of remembering God's laws, promises, and acts of deliverance.
Biblical Instances of Record-Keeping1.
The Ten Commandments: One of the most significant examples of a divine memorandum is the Ten Commandments, inscribed by God on tablets of stone. These commandments served as a perpetual reminder of God's covenant with Israel.
Exodus 31:18 states, "When He had finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses the two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God."
2.
The Book of the Law: Moses was instructed to write down the laws given by God to ensure that the Israelites would remember and follow them.
Deuteronomy 31:24-26 records, "When Moses had finished writing in a book the words of this law from beginning to end, he gave this command to the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD: 'Take this Book of the Law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, so that it may remain there as a witness against you.'"
3.
Memorial Stones: In
Joshua 4, the Israelites set up twelve stones taken from the Jordan River as a memorial to remind future generations of God's miraculous provision in allowing them to cross on dry ground.
Joshua 4:7 states, "These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever."
4.
The Psalms: Many of the Psalms serve as memoranda of God's faithfulness and mighty works.
Psalm 77:11-12 declares, "I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember Your wonders of old. I will reflect on all You have done and ponder Your mighty deeds."
5.
Prophetic Writings: The prophets often recorded their visions and messages from God as memoranda for the people of Israel and Judah. These writings served as warnings, instructions, and promises.
Habakkuk 2:2 says, "Then the LORD answered me: 'Write down this vision and clearly inscribe it on tablets, so that a herald may run with it.'"
Purpose and SignificanceThe use of memoranda in the Bible highlights the importance of remembering and adhering to God's instructions. These records served as tangible reminders of God's covenant, laws, and acts of salvation. They were intended to instruct, warn, and encourage the people of God to remain faithful and obedient.
Spiritual ApplicationFor believers today, the concept of a memorandum can be applied through the practice of journaling, scripture memorization, and the regular study of God's Word. These practices help Christians to remember God's faithfulness, internalize His teachings, and apply them to their lives. As
2 Timothy 3:16-17 affirms, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work."
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A record of something which it is desired to remember; a note to help the memory.
2. (n.) A brief or informal note in writing of some transaction, or an outline of an intended instrument; an instrument drawn up in a brief and compendious form.
Greek
3422. mnemosunon -- a memorial... memorial. From mnemoneuo; a reminder (
memorandum), ie Record -- memorial. see GREEK
mnemoneuo. (mnemosunon) -- 3 Occurrences. 3421, 3422. mnemosunon. 3423
...Strong's Hebrew
1799a. dikron --memorandum, record... 1799, 1799a. dikron. 1799b .
memorandum, record. Transliteration: dikron Short
Definition:
memorandum. Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding
...1799b. dokran --memorandum, record
... 1799a, 1799b. dokran. 1800 .memorandum, record. Transliteration: dokran
Short Definition: record. Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding...
1799. dikrown --memorandum, record
... 1798, 1799. dikrown. 1799a .memorandum, record. Transliteration: dikrown
Phonetic Spelling: (dik-rone') Short Definition: record. record...
Library
Memorandum. --On Other Letters Ascribed to Athanasius.
... Chapter II.Memorandum."On other Letters ascribed to Athanasius. The above
Collection of Letters is complete upon the principle...
The Arian Controversy Before Nic??a, 319-325.
... Colluthus, whose name stands first among the signatures to thememorandum (to be
mentioned presently) of the deposition of Arius, impatient it would seem at...
A Weekly Journey Round the World.
... You can have a simple schedule ormemorandum to guide your praying.... A little
memorandum can be made running through the days of the week....
Essay ii. Quod Me Non Movet Aestimatione: Verum Est Greek Text...
... Once before (I believe about this time last year), I had taken up the oldmemorandum
book, from which I transcribed the preceding essay, and they had then...
The Exordium.
... And the presbyters of the place accordingly requested us to leave behind us some
memorandum of the things which we alleged in opposition to the adversaries of...
Business Phrases
... Do you realize that you can. E. Enclosed please find amemorandum. Enclosed we beg
to hand you. Enclosed you will find a circular which will fully explain. F....
Home Occupations and Travels in England and Wales.
... 14, 1828.). The entries in the Diary at this period are not numerous: we
select from them the following shortmemorandum:". 1829.4...
Death of Martha Yeardley, and John Yeardley's Journey to Norway.
... The followingmemorandum, touchingly descriptive of her illness and death, was
penned by her bereaved husband, probably soon after her decease....
The Fourth Commandment
... to it, Remember to keep the Sabbath day holy.' This word, remember,' shows that
we are apt to forget Sabbath holiness; therefore we need amemorandum to put us...
A Caution to Stir up to Watch against Sin
... as when first printed, was lately discovered in the Stowe Library, among a great
number of single-sheet poems, songs, and proclamations; amemorandum on it, in...
Thesaurus
Memorandum (1 Occurrence)... drawn up in a brief and compendious form. Multi-Version Concordance
Memorandum (1 Occurrence). Ezra 6:2 There was found at Achmetha
...Note (129 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) A brief writing intended to assist the memory; amemorandum; a minute....
23. (n.) To record in writing; to make amemorandum of. 24....
Memorial (54 Occurrences)
... keep something else in remembrance; a monument. 4. (n.) Amemorandum; a record.
5. (n.) A written representation of facts, addressed...
Tablet (7 Occurrences)
... inscription or a picture. 3. (n.) Hence, a small picture; a miniature. 4.
(n.) A kind of pocketmemorandum book. 5. (n.) A flattish...
Table (125 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A thin, flat piece of wood, stone, metal, or other material, on which anything
is cut, traced, written, or painted; a tablet. 3. (n.) amemorandum book....
Record (71 Occurrences)
... by law. 9. (n.) An official contemporaneousmemorandum stating the proceedings
of a court of justice; a judicial record. 10. (n.) The...
Remembrance (74 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) That which serves to keep in or bring to mind; a memorial; a token; a memento;
a souvenir; amemorandum or note of something to be remembered....
Divorce (18 Occurrences)
... Luke's verse is in no necessary connection with context. It seems to be a mere
memorandum among others of the spiritual or ethical teachings of Christ....
Memorable (3 Occurrences)
Minute (19 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) Thememorandum; a record; a note to preserve the memory of anything; as,
to take minutes of a contract; to take minutes of a conversation or debate....
Resources
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