Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and ConceptProvision, in a biblical context, refers to the act of God supplying the needs of His people. It encompasses both physical sustenance and spiritual nourishment. The concept of provision is deeply rooted in the understanding of God as Jehovah Jireh, "The Lord Will Provide," a name first revealed in
Genesis 22:14 when God provided a ram as a substitute sacrifice for Isaac.
Old Testament ExamplesThe Old Testament is replete with instances of God's provision. In the wilderness, God provided manna and quail for the Israelites (
Exodus 16:4-15). This daily sustenance was a direct demonstration of God's care and faithfulness. In
1 Kings 17:6, God provided for Elijah through ravens that brought him bread and meat during a time of drought. These examples illustrate God's ability to provide in miraculous ways, often beyond human understanding.
New Testament TeachingsIn the New Testament, Jesus emphasizes God's provision in the Sermon on the Mount. In
Matthew 6:31-33 , Jesus instructs, "So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans strive after all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." This passage highlights the priority of seeking God's kingdom, with the assurance that God will provide for our needs.
Spiritual ProvisionBeyond physical needs, the Bible speaks of God's provision for spiritual needs. In
John 6:35 , Jesus declares, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst." Here, Jesus presents Himself as the ultimate provision for spiritual fulfillment and eternal life. The Apostle Paul also speaks of spiritual provision in
Philippians 4:19 , stating, "And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus."
Principles of ProvisionThe biblical principle of provision is closely tied to faith and obedience. In
Malachi 3:10 , God challenges His people to bring the full tithe into the storehouse, promising, "Test Me in this," says the LORD of Hosts, "and see if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure." This passage underscores the relationship between faithful giving and divine provision.
Human ResponsibilityWhile God promises provision, the Bible also teaches human responsibility in stewardship and work.
Proverbs 6:6-8 advises, "Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways and be wise. Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food at harvest." This wisdom literature encourages diligence and planning as part of God's design for provision.
ConclusionThe theme of provision in the Bible reveals a God who is intimately involved in the lives of His people, caring for their physical and spiritual needs. Through faith, obedience, and responsible stewardship, believers are invited to trust in God's unfailing provision.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The act of providing, or making previous preparation.
2. (n.) That which is provided or prepared; that which is brought together or arranged in advance; measures taken beforehand; preparation.
3. (n.) Especially, a stock of food; any kind of eatables collected or stored; -- often in the plural.
4. (n.) That which is stipulated in advance; a condition; a previous agreement; a proviso; as, the provisions of a contract; the statute has many provisions.
5. (n.) A canonical term for regular induction into a benefice, comprehending nomination, collation, and installation.
6. (n.) A nomination by the pope to a benefice before it became vacant, depriving the patron of his right of presentation.
7. (v. t.) To supply with food; to victual; as, to provision a garrison.
Greek
4307. pronoia -- foresight, forethought... Transliteration: pronoia Phonetic Spelling: (pron'-oy-ah) Short Definition: forethought,
foresight Definition: forethought, foresight,
provision for, providence
...2024. epichoregia -- a supply
... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: epichoregia Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-ee-khor-ayg-ee'-ah) Short Definition: supply,provision, equipment Definition...
1979. episitismos -- provisions
... provisions. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: episitismos Phonetic
Spelling: (ep-ee-sit-is-mos') Short Definition:provision, nourishment, food...
5527. chortasma -- fodder
... of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: chortasma Phonetic Spelling: (khor'-tas-
mah) Short Definition: food, sustenance Definition: food, sustenance,provision...
1967. epiousios -- for the coming day, for subsistence
... It refers to God'sprovision that is needed for (Mt 6:11; Lk 11:3) -- literally,
"bread that (meets) the unique demands of the coming day."....
3111. makellon -- a meat market
... a meat market, food market. Of Latin origin (macellum); a butcher's stall, meat
market orprovision-shop -- shambles. (makello) -- 1 Occurrence. 3110, 3111....
1305. diatrophe -- food, nourishment
... 1305 (from 1223 , "thoroughly," intensifying 5610 , "food, supplies") -- properly,
provision ( supplies) -- as (used only in 1 Tim 6:8)....
5524. choregeo -- to lead a chorus (ie a group of performers), to...
... "Theprovision of a chorus at public festivals was a costly business for
the Athenian public offices, who supplied " (P. Hughs).]....
740. artos -- bread, a loaf
... 740 -- properly, bread; (figuratively) divineprovision; all the sustenance God
supplies to yielded believers scene-by-scene to live in His preferred-will...
Strong's Hebrew
6718b. tsayid --provision, food... 6718a, 6718b. tsayid. 6719 .
provision, food. Transliteration: tsayid
Short Definition:
provision. Word Origin from an unused word
...6720. tsedah --provision, food
... tsedah. 6721 .provision, food. Transliteration: tsedah Phonetic Spelling:
(tsay-daw') Short Definition: provisions.... meat,provision, venison, victuals....
6719b. tsid -- take as one'sprovision
... 6719a, 6719b. tsid. 6720 . take as one'sprovision. Transliteration:
tsid Short Definition: provisions. Word Origin denominative...
3559. kun -- to be firm
... established (3), formed (1), founds (1), full (1), get yourself ready (1), installed
(1), made it ready (1), made preparations (1), madeprovision (1), made...
6679. tsud -- to hunt
... root Definition to hunt NASB Word Usage catches (1), hunt (8), hunt down (2), hunted
(2), hunted me down (1), hunts (2). chase, hunt, sore, takeprovision....
6598. path-bag -- portion, delicacies
... portionprovision of meat. Of Persian origin; a dainty -- portion (provision)
of meat. 6597, 6598. path-bag. 6599 . Strong's Numbers.
3740. kerah -- a feast
... Word Origin from karah Definition a feast NASB Word Usage feast (1).provision.
From karah; a purchase --provision. see HEBREW karah. 3739, 3740....
3978. maakal -- food
... Word Origin from akal Definition food NASB Word Usage eaten (1), food (26), fruit
(2),provision (1), something to eat (1). food, fruit, victual....
3899. lechem -- bread, food
... lacham Definition bread, food NASB Word Usage bread (188), food (87), fruit (1),
loaves (3), meal (7), meal* (1), meals (2), prey (1),provision (1), showbread...
1697. dabar -- speech, word
... lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, X ought, X parts, + pertaining, +
please, portion, + power, promise,provision, purpose, question, rate...
Library
AProvision Ground
... CHAPTER XVI: APROVISION GROUND. The 'provision grounds' of the
were very interesting. I had longed to behold, alive and...
Frugality a GoodProvision for the Christian.
... Chapter VII."Frugality a GoodProvision for the Christian.... A fairprovision for the
journey to heaven is theirs who bear frugality with chaste gravity....
Christianity, by ItsProvision for the Flesh, Has Put on it the...
... Chapter VIII."Christianity, by ItsProvision for the Flesh, Has Put on It the Greatest
Honour The Privileges of Our Religion in Closest Connection with Our...
Second Day. God'sProvision for Holiness.
... Second Day. God'sProvision for Holiness.... Here is God'sprovision for our
holiness, God's response to our question, How to be holy?...
Blessed Martyrs Designate, -- Along with theProvision which Our...
... Chapter I. Blessed Martyrs Designate, " Along with theprovision which our
lady mother the Church? [8961] Blessed Martyrs Designate...
If God had Anyhow Checked Man's Liberty, Marcion Would have Been...
... Opposite Cavil. Man's Fall Foreseen by God.Provision Made for It Remedially
and Consistently with His Truth and Goodness. By such...
God Willing that all Men Should be Saved.
... part. Those for whom noprovision was made, would be in like state with
persons who have committed the sin unto death, for whom St....
Jehovah-Jireh
... So he named that place by a name that spoke nothing of his trial, but everything
of God'sprovision"'The Lord will see,' or 'The Lord will provide.'....
The Mission of the Christian Home.
... This involves obedience to the law of co-operation; and has special reference to
thatprovision which the heads of families should make for the wants of those...
Note B. --Chap. Iv the Law Written in the Heart
... F. Webster, at Keswick last year, in confirmation of what I have just said: "Put
ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make notprovision for the flesh, to fulfil...
Thesaurus
Provision (50 Occurrences)... 7. (vt) To supply with food; to victual; as, to
provision a garrison.
Multi-Version Concordance
Provision (50 Occurrences).
...Provisions (41 Occurrences)
... Genesis 45:21 And the sons of Israel did so; and Joseph gave them wagons, according
to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave themprovision for the way....
Mouldy (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Of the Gibeonites it is said that "all the bread
of theirprovision was dry and mouldy" (Joshua 9:5, 12)....
Bringeth (313 Occurrences)
... Genesis 27:25 And he saith, 'Bring nigh to me, and I do eat of my son'sprovision,
so that my soul doth bless thee;' and he bringeth nigh to him, and he eateth...
Provided (68 Occurrences)
... Genesis 27:33 and Isaac trembleth a very great trembling, and saith, 'Who, now,
'is' he who hath providedprovision, and bringeth in to me, and I eat of all...
Wages (52 Occurrences)
... the hire of wrongdoing." (7) Opsonion, meaning primarily "rations for soldiers"
(opson being the word for cooked meat) and so "pay" or stipend,provision wages...
Tasteful (6 Occurrences)
... Genesis 27:7 Bring for meprovision, and make for me tasteful things, and I
do eat, and bless thee before Jehovah before my death. (YLT)....
Tasty (7 Occurrences)
... Genesis 27:7 Bring for meprovision, and make for me tasteful things, and I do
eat, and bless thee before Jehovah before my death. (See NIV)....
Entertainment (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) That which entertains, or with which one is entertained; as: (a) Hospitality;
hospitableprovision for the wants of a guest; especially,provision for...
Moldy (2 Occurrences)
... Joshua 9:5 and old and patched shoes on their feet, and wore old garments. All the
bread of theirprovision was dry and moldy. (WEB WBS RSV NIV)....
Resources
What should be the focus of Christians on Thanksgiving? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that God provides? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Feast of Tabernacles / Booths / Sukkot? | GotQuestions.orgProvision: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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