Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context:To presume is to take for granted or assume something to be true without proof. In a biblical context, presumption often involves overstepping boundaries set by God, acting with unwarranted confidence, or making decisions without seeking divine guidance. It is closely related to pride and self-reliance, which are cautioned against in Scripture.
Biblical References:1.
Deuteronomy 18:20 · "But the prophet who dares to speak a message in My name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet must be put to death."
This verse warns against presumption in the context of prophecy. It underscores the seriousness of claiming divine authority without God's command, highlighting the danger of presuming to speak for God without His instruction.
2.
Psalm 19:13 · "Keep Your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then I will be blameless and cleansed of great transgression."
Here, the psalmist prays for protection against willful sins, which can include presumptuous actions. The plea is for divine help to avoid the arrogance of acting independently of God's will.
3.
Numbers 14:44 · "But they dared to go up to the ridge of the hill country, though neither the ark of the covenant of the LORD nor Moses departed from the camp."
This passage recounts the Israelites' presumption in attempting to enter the Promised Land against God's command. Their actions, taken without divine approval, resulted in failure and defeat, illustrating the consequences of presumption.
4.
Proverbs 27:1 · "Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring."
This proverb cautions against presuming upon the future. It serves as a reminder of human limitations and the need to trust in God's sovereignty rather than relying on one's own plans.
5.
James 4:13-16 · "Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.' You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.' As it is, you boast in your proud intentions. All such boasting is evil."
James addresses the presumption of making plans without acknowledging God's will. This passage emphasizes humility and the recognition of God's ultimate control over human affairs.
Theological Implications:Presumption is often linked to a lack of faith and trust in God. It reflects an attitude of self-sufficiency and a disregard for divine authority. The Bible consistently warns against such attitudes, encouraging believers to seek God's guidance and submit to His will in all things. Presumption can lead to spiritual downfall, as it often results in actions that are contrary to God's purposes.
Practical Application:Believers are encouraged to cultivate humility and dependence on God, avoiding the temptation to act presumptuously. This involves seeking God's guidance through prayer, studying Scripture, and being attentive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. By acknowledging God's sovereignty and aligning one's actions with His will, Christians can avoid the pitfalls of presumption and live in accordance with divine wisdom.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To assume or take beforehand; esp., to do or undertake without leave or authority previously obtained.
2. (v. t.) To take or suppose to be true, or entitled to belief, without examination or proof, or on the strength of probability; to take for granted; to infer; to suppose.
3. (v. i.) To suppose or assume something to be, or to be true, on grounds deemed valid, though not amounting to proof; to believe by anticipation; to infer; as, we may presume too far.
4. (v. i.) To venture, go, or act, by an assumption of leave or authority not granted; to go beyond what is warranted by the circumstances of the case; to venture beyond license; to take liberties; -- often with on or upon before the ground of confidence.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PRESUME; PRESUMPTUOUS; PRESUMPTUOUSLYpre-zum', pre-zump'-tu-us, pre-zump'-tu-us-li: "To presume" ("to take or go beforehand") is to speak or act without warrant or proudly. In the Old Testament the words are for the most part the translation of zudh, and zidh, "to boil up" (as water), and derivatives; hence, to act proudly, to speak unauthorizedly, etc. (Deuteronomy 18:20, 22, of the prophet;Exodus 21:14Deuteronomy 1:43;Deuteronomy 17:12, 13Psalm 19:13, "presumptuous sins" (zedh, "proud"); comparePsalm 86:14;Psalm 119:21, etc.;Proverbs 21:24, etc.). Other words are male', "to fill," "to be full" (Esther 7:5, "presume"); `aphal, "to lift oneself up" (Numbers 14:44); beyadh ramah, "with a high hand" (Numbers 15:30, the Revised Version (British and American) "with a high hand"); in2 Peter 2:10 tolmetes, "bold," "daring," is translated "presumptuous," the Revised Version (British and American) "daring"; in 2 Maccabees 3:24; 5:15 we have katatolmao; thrasus, is rendered "presumption" in 2 Maccabees 5:18, the Revised Version (British and American) "daring deed."
W. L. Walker
Greek
5274. hupolambano -- to take or bear up, to receive, to assume... and lambano; to take from below, ie Carry upward; figuratively, to take up, ie Continue
a discourse or topic; mentally, to assume (
presume) -- answer, receive
...5111. tolmao -- to have courage, to be bold
... Word Usage am...bold (1), bold (2), courageous (1), dare (4), dared (1), gathered
up courage (1), have courage (1), have...courage (1),presume (1), venture (2...
Strong's Hebrew
6075. aphal -- to swell... be lifted up,
presume A primitive root; to swell; figuratively, be elated -- be
lifted up,
presume. 6074b, 6075. aphal. 6075a . Strong's Numbers.
4390. male -- to be full, to fill
... 1), messengers (1), mount* (1), mounted (1), ordain* (4), ordained* (4), ordination*
(1), overflowing* (1), overflows* (1), passed (1),presume* (1), refresh (1...
3820. leb -- inner man, mind, will, heart
... 1), kindly (5), life (1), merry-hearted* (1), middle (2), midst (1), mind (36),
minds (3), myself (6), obstinate* (2), planned* (1),presume* (1), pride* (1...
2102. zud -- to boil up, seethe, act proudly or presumptuously or...
... Or (by permutation) ziyd {zeed}; a primitive root; to seethe; figuratively, to be
insolent -- be proud, deal proudly, &?Presume, (come) presumptuously, sod....
Library
(That no Bishop ShouldPresume in Anything Pertaining to Another's...
... The Second Epistle. III. (That no bishop shouldpresume in anything pertaining
to another's parish, and of the transference of bishops.)....
Whosoever ShallPresume to Set Aside the Decree of the Holy and...
... Canon I. Whosoever shallpresume to set aside the decree of the holy and
great Synod which? Whosoever shallpresume to set aside...
No Bishop ShallPresume to Pass from one Province to Another...
... The Canons of the Blessed and Holy Fathers Assembled at Antioch in Syria. Canon
XIII. No bishop shallpresume to pass from one province to another?...
If any one ShallPresume to Take the Fruits Offered to the Church....
... Canon VII. If any one shallpresume to take the fruits offered to the Church?
If any one shallpresume to take the fruits offered...
That a Man Should notPresume to Work in this Work Before the Time...
... HERE BEGINNETH THE EIGHT AND TWENTIETH CHAPTER That a man should notpresume to
work in this work before the time that he be lawfully cleansed in conscience of...
If any of the Clergy Should Fall Away, and Publicly or Privately...
... Canon IV. If any of the clergy should fall away, and publicly or privately
presume to maintain? If any of the clergy should fall...
If any Bishop, or Presbyter, or any one Whatever of the Canon...
... Canon XI. If any bishop, or presbyter, or any one whatever of the canon
shallpresume to? If any bishop, or presbyter, or any...
Epistle xxx. To Constantina Augusta.
... and those who were present and working, monks and mansionarii [1553] , who saw the
body of the same martyr, which they did not indeedpresume to touch, all...
Perfect Modesty Will Abstain from Whatever Tends to Sin, as Well...
... More useful, then, is it to apprehend that we may possibly fail, than topresume
that we cannot; for apprehending will lead us to fear, fearing to caution, and...
Whether Presumption Trusts in God or in Our Own Power?
... But man's power is less than God's. Therefore it is a more grievous sin to
presume on human power than topresume on the power of God....
Thesaurus
Presume (10 Occurrences)... assume something to be, or to be true, on grounds deemed valid, though not amounting
to proof; to believe by anticipation; to infer; as, we may
presume too far
...Presumptuous (3 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Done with hold design, rash confidence, or in violation of known duty; willful.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.PRESUME; PRESUMPTUOUS; PRESUMPTUOUSLY....
Presumptuously (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In a presumptuous manner; arrogantly. Int. Standard
Bible Encyclopedia.PRESUME; PRESUMPTUOUS; PRESUMPTUOUSLY....
Liberty (32 Occurrences)
... Christians are earnestly warned not topresume upon, or abuse their liberty in Christ
(Galatians 5:13 1 Peter 2:16). James Orr. Multi-Version Concordance...
Think (601 Occurrences)
... to-morrow. 6. (vt) To purpose; to intend; to design; to mean. 7. (vt) To
presume; to venture. 8. (vt) To conceive; to imagine. 9...
Temples (17 Occurrences)
... "Dost thou, who regardest the mere touch of an idol as a horrible defilement,presume
to rob their temples?" There is abundant evidence to show that this crime...
Robbers (21 Occurrences)
... "Dost thou, who regardest the mere touch of an idol as a horrible defilement,presume
to rob their temples?" There is abundant evidence to show that this crime...
Results (16 Occurrences)
... Romans 15:18 For I will notpresume to mention any of the results that Christ has
brought about by other agency than mine in securing the obedience of the...
Resulting (7 Occurrences)
... Romans 15:18 For I will notpresume to mention any of the results that Christ has
brought about by other agency than mine in securing the obedience of the...
Dared (9 Occurrences)
... Esther 7:5 Then King Ahasuerus said to Esther the queen, "Who is he, and where
is he who daredpresume in his heart to do so?" (WEB NIV)....
Resources
What is narrative criticism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are Y-Chromosomal Adam and Mitochondrial Eve? | GotQuestions.orgSummary of the Book of Proverbs - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.orgPresume: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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