Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and ConceptIn biblical terms, "plenty" refers to an abundance or a state of having more than enough of what is needed. It is often associated with God's provision and blessings, both materially and spiritually. The concept of plenty is frequently contrasted with scarcity or famine, highlighting God's ability to provide for His people.
Old Testament ReferencesThe theme of plenty is prevalent throughout the Old Testament, often linked to the covenantal blessings promised by God to the Israelites. In
Genesis 41:47, during the time of Joseph, Egypt experienced "seven years of abundance" as foretold by Joseph's interpretation of Pharaoh's dream. This period of plenty was a divine provision that prepared the nation for the subsequent years of famine.
In
Deuteronomy 28:11, as part of the blessings for obedience, God promises Israel, "The LORD will make you prosper abundantly—in the fruit of your womb, the offspring of your livestock, and the produce of your land—in the land the LORD swore to your fathers to give you." Here, plenty is depicted as a direct result of faithfulness to God's commandments.
The Psalms also reflect on God's provision of plenty.
Psalm 65:11 states, "You crown the year with Your bounty, and Your paths overflow with plenty." This verse poetically describes God's generous provision and the resulting abundance in nature.
New Testament ReferencesIn the New Testament, the concept of plenty is often spiritualized, emphasizing the abundance of grace and spiritual blessings available through Christ. In
John 10:10, Jesus declares, "I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness." This fullness of life is understood as a spiritual plenty, encompassing peace, joy, and eternal life.
The Apostle Paul speaks of God's ability to provide abundantly in
2 Corinthians 9:8: "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 focus is on the sufficiency of God's grace to equip believers for good works.
Theological SignificanceTheologically, the concept of plenty underscores God's sovereignty and faithfulness. It serves as a reminder of His ability to provide for His creation and His people. The abundance promised in the Scriptures is not merely material but encompasses spiritual richness and fulfillment in Christ.
Plenty also serves as a call to stewardship. Believers are encouraged to use their abundance to bless others, reflecting God's generosity. In
1 Timothy 6:17-18, Paul instructs the wealthy "not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share."
ConclusionThe biblical concept of plenty is a multifaceted theme that highlights God's provision, the blessings of obedience, and the spiritual abundance found in Christ. It calls believers to trust in God's provision and to reflect His generosity in their lives.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Full or adequate supply; enough and to spare; sufficiency; specifically, abundant productiveness of the earth; ample supply for human wants; abundance; copiousness.
2. (a.) Plentiful; abundant.
Greek
2142. euporia -- prosperity,plenty... prosperity,
plenty. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: euporia Phonetic
Spelling: (yoo-por-ee'-ah) Short Definition: wealth, gain Definition: wealth
...2141. euporeo -- to prosper
... Transliteration: euporeo Phonetic Spelling: (yoo-por-eh'-o) Short Definition: I
have means, am prosperous Definition: I have means, am prosperous, enjoyplenty...
Strong's Hebrew
8231a. sepheq -- sufficiency,plenty... sufficiency,
plenty. Transliteration: sepheq Short Definition:
plenty. Word Origin
from saphaq Definition sufficiency,
plenty NASB Word Usage
plenty (1).
...7647. saba --plenty, satiety
... 7646, 7647. saba. 7648 .plenty, satiety. Transliteration: saba Phonetic
Spelling: (saw-baw') Short Definition: abundance. Word...
6451. pissah -- probably abundance,plenty
... 6450, 6451. pissah. 6452 . probably abundance,plenty. Transliteration: pissah
Phonetic Spelling: (pis-saw') Short Definition: abundance....
8231. shaphar -- sufficiency,plenty
... 8230b, 8231. shaphar. 8231a . sufficiency,plenty. Transliteration: shaphar
Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-far') Short Definition: goodly. goodly...
7646. saba -- to be sated, satisfied or surfeited
... fill (1), enough (1), fed them to the full (1), filled (9), full (2), get enough
(1), glutted (1), had enough (2), have his fill (1), have inplenty (1), have...
7230. rob -- multitude, abundance, greatness
... 25), mass (1), mighty (1), more (2), much (7), multiplied (1), multiply (1), multitude
(11), number (3), numerous (5), plentiful (4),plenty (1), quantities (1...
4723. miqveh -- a hope
... a hope. Transliteration: miqveh Phonetic Spelling: (mik-veh') Short Definition:
abiding. abiding, gathering together, hope, linen yarn,plenty of water, pool...
398. akal -- to eat
... consumed (1), feast (1), fed (8), feed (10), food (4), give him to eat (1), had
(2), has enough (1), lived off (1), meal* (1), moth-eaten* (1),plenty to eat (1...
7235a. rabah -- to be or become much, many or great
... much (15), much more (2), much* (1), multiplied (21), multiplies (5), multiply
(45), numerous (3), often (2), outnumber (1), pay more (1),plenty (1), profited...
4342. makbir -- abundance
... Word Origin from kabar, qv. abundance Transitive participle of kabar;plenty --
abundance. see HEBREW kabar. 4341, 4342. makbir. 4343 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
Plenty in a Time of Dearth. Gen 41:56:00
... BOOK I. On select Passages of Scripture. GENESIS Hymn 11Plenty in a time of dearth.
Gen 41:56. John Newton 8,8,8,8.Plenty in a time of dearth. Gen 41:56....
Sometimes, However, There were Seasons of Scarcity; yet they were...
... Book I. 15 Sometimes, however, there were seasons of scarcity; yet they were
relieved by times ofplenty.? Sometimes, however, there...
A Prisoner who Became a Mighty Ruler
... That is why I said to Pharaoh, 'God has shown to Pharaoh what he is about to do.'
Seven years of greatplenty all through the land of Egypt are coming....
How to Work God's Joy-Machine
... troubles of life. You know every one must expect them. We all haveplenty of
them, but that is not the cause of your trouble. It is not...
"Now the God of Hope Fill You with all Joy and Peace in Believing...
... weather, good markets, and all things that may facilitate gain, and husbandmen wish
for good seasons, timely showers, and dry harvests, that there may beplenty...
Religious Dangers
... I do not mean a wilderness in the sense of a place of want and misery;
on the contrary, it is a place ofplenty and of comfort....
Joseph and his Brethren.
... give Pharaoh an answer of peace." Then Joseph told Pharaoh that the dreams had been
sent by God, to show him that after seven years of greatplenty had passed...
"The Dearworthy Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ as Verily as it is...
... The preciousplenty of His dearworthy blood descended down into Hell and burst her
bands and delivered all that were there which belonged to the Court of Heaven...
On the Negative Spirit
... There areplenty of wholesome people in Ibsen,plenty of good people,plenty of
happy people,plenty of examples of men acting wisely and things ending well....
Birth and Ancestors. Family Circumstances. "Fist and Skull"...
... Gets Lost. His Father Buys a Farm. The "Improvements."Plenty of Hard Work.... Gets
Lost. His Father Buys a Farm. The "Improvements."Plenty of Hard Work....
Thesaurus
Plenty (43 Occurrences)... 2. (a.) Plentiful; abundant. Multi-Version Concordance
Plenty (43 Occurrences).
Luke 6:25 "Alas for you who now have
plenty to eat, because you will be hungry!
...Famine (99 Occurrences)
... Abraham (Genesis 12:10, etc.), of Isaac (Genesis 26:1), of Jacob, when Joseph was
in Egypt-seven years of famine even in Egypt after seven ofplenty (Genesis 41...
Follows (65 Occurrences)
... Genesis 41:31 and theplenty will not be known in the land by reason of that
famine which follows; for it will be very grievous. (WEB NIV)....
Followeth (18 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). Genesis 41:31 and theplenty shall not be known in the land by reason
of that famine which followeth; for it shall be very grievous. (ASV JPS)....
Tills (2 Occurrences)
... Tills (2 Occurrences). Proverbs 12:11 He who tills his land shall haveplenty of
bread, but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding. (WEB NAS RSV)....
Plenteous (16 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Containingplenty; abundant; copious; plentiful; sufficient for every purpose;
as, a plenteous supply.... 3. (a.) Havingplenty; abounding; rich....
Plentifully (4 Occurrences)
... plentifully: (KJV ASV WBS RSV). Genesis 41:47 And in the seven years ofplenty
the earth brought forth in heaps. (See NIV). Job 26:3 How...
Almug (2 Occurrences)
... of Lebanon" (2 Chronicles 2:8). In 1 Kings 10:11 it is said that the navy of Hiram
"that brought gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir greatplenty of almug...
Corn (107 Occurrences)
... 27:17; Amos 8:5). "Plenty of corn" was a part of Issac's blessing conferred upon
Jacob (Genesis 27:28; Comp. Psalm 65:13). Noah Webster's Dictionary....
Abundance (194 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) An overflowing fullness; ample sufficiency; great
plenty; profusion; copious supply; superfluity; wealth: -- strictly applicable...
Resources
Can I really do all things through Christ? | GotQuestions.orgHow should a Christian view comedy? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about how to get baptized / how to baptize? | GotQuestions.orgPlenty: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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