Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "plentiful" in the Bible often refers to abundance, prosperity, and the bountiful provision of God. This theme is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating both physical and spiritual abundance as a blessing from the Lord.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the idea of plentifulness is frequently associated with the Promised Land, a land "flowing with milk and honey" (
Exodus 3:8). This description signifies not only the fertility and richness of the land but also God's promise of provision and prosperity for His people. The land of Canaan was to be a place where the Israelites would experience God's abundant blessings, contingent upon their obedience to His commandments.
The book of Deuteronomy emphasizes this theme, as Moses reminds the Israelites of the blessings that come with obedience: "The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of His bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but borrow from none" (
Deuteronomy 28:12). Here, plentifulness is directly linked to divine favor and the covenant relationship between God and His people.
Wisdom LiteratureIn the wisdom literature, particularly the book of Proverbs, the concept of abundance is often tied to diligence and righteousness.
Proverbs 3:9-10 states, "Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine." This passage underscores the principle that honoring God with one's resources leads to His blessing and provision.
Prophetic WritingsThe prophets also speak of a future time of abundance as part of God's redemptive plan.
Joel 2:24 prophesies, "The threshing floors will be full of grain, and the vats will overflow with new wine and oil." This imagery of plentifulness is often used to describe the restoration and blessing that will come to God's people after a period of judgment and repentance.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the theme of plentifulness takes on a more spiritual dimension. Jesus Christ, in His teachings, often used agricultural metaphors to describe the kingdom of God and the spiritual abundance available to believers. In
John 10:10 , Jesus declares, "I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness." This statement highlights the abundant life that Jesus offers, which transcends material wealth and points to spiritual richness and eternal life.
The parable of the sower, found in
Matthew 13,
Mark 4, and
Luke 8, further illustrates the concept of spiritual abundance. The seed that falls on good soil represents those who hear the word, understand it, and produce a bountiful harvest, "some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty" (
Matthew 13:23). This parable emphasizes the potential for spiritual fruitfulness in the life of a believer who is receptive to God's word.
Apostolic TeachingsThe apostle Paul also speaks of God's abundant provision in the context of generosity and giving. In
2 Corinthians 9:8 , he writes, "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things, at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." Here, the idea of plentifulness is connected to God's grace and the believer's ability to contribute to the needs of others, reflecting the character of God.
Throughout Scripture, the theme of plentifulness serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and His desire to bless His people both materially and spiritually. It calls believers to trust in His provision, live righteously, and seek the abundant life found in Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Containing plenty; copious; abundant; ample; as, a plentiful harvest; a plentiful supply of water.
2. (a.) Yielding abundance; prolific; fruitful.
3. (a.) Lavish; profuse; prodigal.
Greek
4183. polus -- much, many... many subjects (1), many things (17), many...things (4), more (25), more numerous
(1), most (8), most people's (1), much (50), often (1),
plentiful (2), quite (2
...Strong's Hebrew
5071. nedabah -- voluntariness, freewill offering... from nadab Definition voluntariness, freewill offering NASB Word Usage freely (1),
freewill offering (12), freewill offerings (9),
plentiful (1), voluntarily (1
...3759. karmel -- a plantation, garden land, fruit, garden growth
... thickest (2). full green ears of corn, fruitful field place,plentiful field.
From kerem; a planted field (garden, orchard, vineyard...
3760. Karmel -- a mountain promontory on the Mediterranean, also a...
... Word Usage Carmel (22). Carmel, fruitfulplentiful field, place. The same
as karmel; Karmel, the name of a hill and of a town in...
7230. rob -- multitude, abundance, greatness
... 1), many (25), mass (1), mighty (1), more (2), much (7), multiplied (1), multiply
(1), multitude (11), number (3), numerous (5),plentiful (4), plenty (1...
1277. bari -- fat
... Word Origin adjective from bara Definition fat NASB Word Usage fat (10), fatter*
(1),plentiful (1), plump (2). fat fleshed fed, firm, plenteous, rank....
7227a. rab -- much, many, great
... times (2), many...things (1), masses (1), mighty (7), more (5), more numerous (1),
much (16), multitude (2), numerous (10), older (1),plentiful (1), plenty (2...
Library
For as a Fountain Within a Narrow Compass, is MorePlentiful...
... Book XII Chapter XXVII For as a fountain within a narrow compass, is more
plentiful? For as a fountain within a narrow compass...
A Question About the Fact that aPlentiful Supply of Tears is not...
... II. Second Conference of Abbot Moses. Chapter XXVIII. A question about the fact
that aplentiful supply of tears is not in our own power....
Your Origen Allows Himself to Treat of the Transmigration of Souls...
... Go over Aristotle once more and Alexander the commentator on Aristotle; you will
recognize from reading these what aplentiful crop of uncertainties exists...
Concerning the Tower of Babylon, and the Confusion of Tongues.
... of the earth, that they might not raise seditions among themselves, but might cultivate
a great part of the earth, and enjoy its fruits after aplentiful manner...
Sunday
... Of the eternal glorious King: On Sunday Heaven's gate stands ope; Blessings are
plentiful and rife,. Moreplentiful than hope. Thou art a day of mirth;...
Go Back? Never!
... It will be something else that will prevent you, for these opportunities areplentiful
indeed.... Perhaps you will say, "Why does the Lord make them soplentiful?...
The Cocal
... It isplentiful in Trinidad; still moreplentiful in Guiana; and yet all of it which
reaches Europe is a little of its hard beautiful wood for the use of...
The Answer to the Effect that Bad Men Cannot Possess True...
... and fruitful; and the seed of the word of salvation which has been committed by
you to the hearts of your hearers, will be watered by theplentiful showers of...
The Original Translator's Preface.
... interlaced with the school men's controversies, made a great hardness in the author's
own book, in that tongue wherein otherwise he is bothplentiful and easy...
What Carey did for Science --Founder of the Agricultural and...
... Fish is veryplentiful, and the principal animal food of the inhabitants....
Edible vegetables are scarce, and fruit far fromplentiful....
Thesaurus
Plentiful (17 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Containing plenty; copious; abundant; ample; as,
a
plentiful harvest; a
plentiful supply of water.
...Plentiful (17 Occurrences).
...Laborers (19 Occurrences)
... Laborers (19 Occurrences). Matthew 9:37 Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest
indeed isplentiful, but the laborers are few. (WEB ASV WBS RSV)....
Botany
... to Bible evidence it is clear from very many references in the historical books
of the Old Testament that "forest" or "woodland" was veryplentiful in those...
Tree (245 Occurrences)
... In all ages this oil has been used for illumination (Matthew 25:3). 4. Greater Plenty
of Olive Trees in Ancient Times: Comparativelyplentiful as olive trees...
Indeed (628 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT). Matthew 9:37 Then he said to his disciples, "The
harvest indeed isplentiful, but the laborers are few. (WEB ASV YLT)....
Syria (73 Occurrences)
... valleys. The walnut and mulberry areplentiful everywhere, and wheat, corn,
barley, maize and lentils are widely cultivated. Pasture...
Harvest (109 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Harvest (109 Occurrences). Matthew 9:37 Then he said to
his disciples, "The harvest indeed isplentiful, but the laborers are few....
Vintage (14 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 16:10 And gladness is taken away, and joy out of theplentiful field; and
in the vineyards there shall be no singing, neither shall there be shouting...
Nettles (5 Occurrences)
... with the "saltwort" and the retm, "broom," in the passage would best be met by the
supposition that it means the low thorny bushesplentiful in association...
Negeb (37 Occurrences)
... its soil it is a transition from the fertility of Canaan to the wilderness of the
desert; it is essentially a pastoral land, where grazing isplentiful in the...
Resources
What does the Bible say about fertility? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible mean when it tells us to fear not / do not fear? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a spiritual harvest and how can I achieve one? | GotQuestions.orgPlentiful: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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