Topical Encyclopedia
Prominence in the biblical context often refers to the state of being important, well-known, or influential within a community or society. The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals and groups who achieved prominence, either through divine appointment, personal virtue, or societal influence. This entry explores the concept of prominence as depicted in the Scriptures, highlighting key figures and teachings.
Old Testament Examples1.
Abraham: Abraham is a quintessential example of prominence through divine calling. God chose him to be the father of many nations, promising, "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing" (
Genesis 12:2). Abraham's prominence is rooted in his faith and obedience to God, which set the foundation for the Israelite nation.
2.
Joseph: Joseph's rise to prominence in Egypt is a account of divine providence and personal integrity. Despite being sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph eventually became the second most powerful man in Egypt. His ability to interpret Pharaoh's dreams and manage the nation's resources during a famine is recorded in
Genesis 41:39-41 : "Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, 'Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my house, and all my people are to obey your commands. Only with regard to the throne will I be greater than you.'"
3.
David: David's prominence began with his anointing by Samuel and was solidified through his victory over Goliath. His kingship is marked by military success, expansion of the kingdom, and a heart after God. As stated in
1 Samuel 16:13 , "So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward."
New Testament Examples1.
Jesus Christ: The ultimate example of prominence in the New Testament is Jesus Christ. His life, death, and resurrection are central to Christian faith. Jesus' prominence is not only in His divine nature but also in His teachings and miracles.
Philippians 2:9-11 declares, "Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
2.
The Apostles: The apostles, particularly Peter and Paul, gained prominence through their leadership in the early church and their missionary work. Peter's role is highlighted in
Acts 2:14 , where he addresses the crowd at Pentecost, leading to the conversion of thousands. Paul's prominence is evident in his extensive missionary journeys and epistles, which form a significant portion of the New Testament.
3.
Mary, the Mother of Jesus: Mary holds a place of prominence due to her role as the mother of Jesus. Her faith and obedience are exemplified in
Luke 1:38 , where she responds to the angel Gabriel, "I am the Lord’s servant... May it happen to me according to your word."
Teachings on ProminenceThe Bible teaches that true prominence comes from God and is often accompanied by humility and service. Jesus taught His disciples about the nature of true greatness in
Matthew 20:26-28 : "Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."
The Scriptures also warn against the pursuit of prominence for selfish reasons.
Proverbs 16:18 cautions, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." This highlights the biblical principle that prominence should be sought not for personal glory but for the glory of God and the service of others.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) The quality of being noticeable or distinguished.
Greek
5247. huperoche -- a projection, eminence... preeminence, authority. Cognate: 5247 (from 5242, "hold ") --
prominence (because ); pre-eminent (superior). See 5242 (). 5247 () is
...1851. exoche -- a projection, eminence
... principal. From a compound of ek and echo (meaning to stand out);prominence
(figuratively) -- principal. see GREEK ek. see GREEK echo. (exochen) -- 1 Occurrence...
2158. euschemon -- comely
... Word Origin from eu and schema Definition comely NASB Word Usage appropriate (1),
presentable (1),prominence (1), prominent (2). comely, honorable....
5242. huperecho -- to hold above, to rise above, to be superior
... 5242 (from 5228 , "beyond, above" and 2192, "have") -- properly, "have beyond, ie
be superior, excel, surpass" (); to exerciseprominence (superiority)....
Strong's Hebrew
4760. murah -- crop or alimentary canal... crop. Apparently feminine passive causative participle of ra'ah; something conspicuous,
ie The craw of a bird (from its
prominence) -- crop. see HEBREW ra'ah.
...2124. Ziza -- two Israelites
... NASB Word Usage Ziza (2). Ziza. Apparently from the same as ziyz;prominence; Ziza,
the name of two Israelites -- Ziza. see HEBREW ziyz. 2123b, 2124....
567. Emori -- perhaps "mountain dwellers," a Canaanite tribe
... Probably a patronymic from an unused name derived from 'amar in the sense of publicity,
ieProminence; thus, a mountaineer; an Emorite, one of the Canaanitish...
2106. zavith -- a corner
... Apparently from the same root as Ziv (in the sense ofprominence); an angle (as
projecting), ie (by implication) a corner-column (or anta) -- corner(stone)....
6643. tsbiy -- beauty, honor
... From tsabah in the sense ofprominence; splendor (as conspicuous); also a gazelle
(as beautiful) -- beautiful(-ty), glorious, goodly, pleasant, roe(-buck)....
Library
Water Chosen as a Vehicle of Divine Operation and Wherefore Its...
... Chapter III."Water Chosen as a Vehicle of Divine Operation and Wherefore
ItsProminence First of All in Creation. Mindful of this...
Of the Question Whether Mark's Reports of the Repeated Occasions...
... Chapter III."Of the Question Whether Mark's Reports of the Repeated Occasions on
Which the Name of Peter Was Brought intoProminence are Not at Variance with...
Prepositions, 89-98
... SYNTAX PREPOSITIONS, 89-98. 89.Prominence of Prepositions. Theprominence
of prepositions in the LXX is partly a characteristic...
The Main Current of the Reformation
... It brought man into greaterprominence, and the Church as an ecclesiastical system
into lessprominence; for life, they discovered, was settled in the teaching...
The Doctrine of the Last Things.
... I. ITS IMPORTANCE. 1.PROMINENCE IN THE SCRIPTURES. 2. THE CHRISTIAN HOPE. 3. THE
CHRISTIAN INCENTIVE.... I. ITS IMPORTANCE. 1. ITSPROMINENCE IN THE SCRIPTURES....
Preface.
... The Bishop of Rome"a personage unknown to the writers of the New Testament" meanwhile
rose intoprominence, and at length took precedence of all other...
The Missionary in India (Continued).
... of some of their former views, in all, perhaps, though in different degrees, to
a readjustment of their doctrinal position, to giving moreprominence to some...
Jesus' Conception of Himself
... When Jesus called forth the confession of Peter at Caesarea Philippi he brought
intoprominence the question which during the earlier stages of the Galilean...
Whether Vainglory is a Capital vice?
... Neither therefore is the desire of vainglory. Objection 3: Further, a capital
vice has a certainprominence. But vainglory seems...
New Haven Orthodox Creed.
... "In the earlier revivals of this country, greatprominence was given, in the preaching,
to the doctrine of dependence, in the forms of regeneration, election...
Thesaurus
Prominence (1 Occurrence)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The quality of being noticeable or distinguished.
Multi-Version Concordance
Prominence (1 Occurrence).
...Kings (350 Occurrences)
... While in the Chronicles greaterprominence is given to the priestly or Levitical
office, in the Kings greaterprominence is given to the kingly....
Judaeus
... The Alexandrian Jews wielded great influence in the contemporary Roman empire, and
theprominence of Philo's family is attested by the fact that his brother...
Philo
... The Alexandrian Jews wielded great influence in the contemporary Roman empire, and
theprominence of Philo's family is attested by the fact that his brother...
Swelling (14 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A protuberance; aprominence. 4. (n.) an unnaturalprominence or protuberance;
as, a scrofulous swelling. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SWELLING....
Tiberius (1 Occurrence)
... by Augustus. From this date on Tiberius came more and more intoprominence,
receiving the tribunician power for 10 years. 3. Reign...
Messiah (9 Occurrences)
... But it is not till we reach the Assyrian age, when the personality of the king is
brought intoprominence against the great world-power, that we meet with any...
Sirach
... Yet Sirach gives far moreprominence than Proverbs to the idea that the Divine Will
is specially made known in the Law of Moses (Sirach 24:23; 45:1-4). We do...
Prominent (13 Occurrences)
Macedonia (23 Occurrences)
... THE MACEDONIAN CHURCH 1.Prominence of Women 2. Marked Characteristics 3. Its Members
LITERATURE A country lying to the North of Greece, afterward enlarged and...
Resources
What is the significance of Babylon in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about sedition? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of the city of Rome in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgProminence: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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