Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the concept of quantity often relates to the measurement, abundance, or scarcity of material and spiritual resources. The Bible addresses quantity in various forms, including the provision of resources, the measurement of time, and the spiritual implications of abundance and scarcity.
Provision and AbundanceThe Bible frequently illustrates God's provision through the concept of quantity. In the Old Testament, God's provision of manna to the Israelites in the wilderness is a prime example.
Exodus 16:16-18 states, "This is what the LORD has commanded: ‘Each one is to gather as much as he needs. You may take an omer for each person in your tent.’ The Israelites did this, some gathered more and some less. When they measured it by the omer, he who gathered much had no excess, and he who gathered little had no shortfall. Each one gathered as much as he needed."
This passage highlights the sufficiency of God's provision, ensuring that each person had exactly what they needed, regardless of the quantity gathered. It underscores the principle that God's provision is perfectly measured to meet the needs of His people.
Scarcity and DependenceConversely, the Bible also addresses scarcity and the dependence on God that it fosters. In
1 Kings 17:12-14 , the widow of Zarephath expresses her dire situation to Elijah: "As surely as the LORD your God lives, I have no bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and prepare a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die." Elijah assures her that the flour and oil will not run out until the Lord sends rain upon the land. This narrative demonstrates how God can multiply limited resources, emphasizing reliance on divine provision rather than human calculation.
Spiritual Implications of QuantityThe New Testament often shifts the focus from material quantity to spiritual abundance. In
John 10:10 , Jesus declares, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness." Here, the emphasis is on the abundance of life that Jesus offers, transcending material wealth and focusing on spiritual richness.
Moreover, the parable of the talents in
Matthew 25:14-30 illustrates the importance of stewardship over the resources God entrusts to individuals. The servants are judged not by the quantity of their initial endowment but by their faithfulness and productivity with what they were given. This parable teaches that spiritual and material resources should be used wisely and diligently for God's glory.
Measurement of TimeThe Bible also addresses the concept of quantity in the measurement of time.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 states, "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven." This passage reflects the ordered nature of God's creation, where time is measured and purposeful. The quantity of time allotted to various activities is part of God's divine plan, encouraging believers to use their time wisely and in accordance with His will.
ConclusionIn summary, the Bible's treatment of quantity encompasses God's provision, the spiritual implications of abundance and scarcity, and the stewardship of resources. Whether in the form of material goods, spiritual blessings, or time, the concept of quantity in Scripture serves to highlight God's sovereignty, faithfulness, and the call for believers to trust in His perfect provision.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The exact number of an item; a considerable number.
2. (n.) The attribute of being so much, and not more or less; the property of being measurable, or capable of increase and decrease, multiplication and division; greatness; and more concretely, that which answers the question How much?; measure in regard to bulk or amount; determinate or comparative dimensions; measure; amount; bulk; extent; size.
3. (n.) The extent or extension of a general conception, that is, the number of species or individuals to which it may be applied; also, its content or comprehension, that is, the number of its constituent qualities, attributes, or relations.
4. (n.) The measure of a syllable; that which determines the time in which it is pronounced; as, the long or short quantity of a vowel or syllable.
5. (n.) The relative duration of a tone.
6. (n.) That which can be increased, diminished, or measured; especially (Math.), anything to which mathematical processes are applicable.
7. (n.) A determinate or estimated amount; a sum or bulk; a certain portion or part; sometimes, a considerable amount; a large portion, bulk, or sum; as, a medicine taken in quantities, that is, in large quantities.
Greek
2425. hikanos -- sufficient, fit... hikanos Phonetic Spelling: (hik-an-os') Short Definition: sufficient, worthy, many,
much Definition: (a) considerable, sufficient, of number,
quantity, time, (b
...1640. elasson -- smaller, less
... Or elatton el-at-tone'; comparative of the same as elachistos; smaller (in size,
quantity, age or quality) -- less, under, worse, younger. see GREEK elachistos....
3426. modios -- modius, a dry measure of one peck
... bushel. Of Latin origin; a modius, ie Certain measure for things dry (thequantity
or the utensil) -- bushel. (modion) -- 3 Occurrences. 3425, 3426....
4128. plethos -- a great number
... bundle (1), congregation (4), crowd (3), great number (1), multitude (7), multitudes
(1), number (1), number of people (2), people (6),quantity (1), throng (1...
1024. brachus -- short, little
... few words, little space. Of uncertain affinity; short (of time, place,quantity,
or number) -- few words, little (space, while). (bracheon) -- 1 Occurrence....
4053. perissos -- abundant
... From peri (in the sense of beyond); superabundant (inquantity) or superior (in
quality); by implication, excessive; adverbially (with ek) violently; neuter...
5118. tosoutos -- so great, so much, pl. so many
... From tosos (so much; apparently from ho and hos) and houtos (including its variations);
so vast as this, ie Such (inquantity, amount, number of space) -- as...
4052. perisseuo -- to be over and above, to abound
... From perissos; to superabound (inquantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous;
also (transitively) to cause to superabound or excel -- (make, more...
4130 -- furnish, accomplish, fill, supply
... [This root () expresses , and implies full ("up to the max"). (1,733) notes its
cognates () all come from the () meaning "full inquantity." Thus 4130 ("to...
4119. pleion -- more excellent, very great, many
... Or neuter pleion (pli'-on), or pleon (pleh'-on) comparative of polus; more inquantity,
number, or quality; also (in plural) the major portion -- X above...
Strong's Hebrew
8229. shiphah -- abundance,quantity... 8228, 8229. shiphah. 8230 . abundance,
quantity. Transliteration: shiphah Phonetic
Spelling: (shif-aw') Short Definition: abundance. Word Origin fem.
...8506. token -- a measurement
... token. 8507 . a measurement. Transliteration: token Phonetic Spelling: (to'-ken)
Short Definition:quantity.... From takan; a fixedquantity -- measure, tale....
6996. qatan -- small, young, unimportant
... kaw-tawn') Short Definition: least. least, lesser, little one, smallest,
one,quantity, thing, younger, Or qaton {kaw-tone'}; from...
7690. saggi -- great, much
... (Aramaic) corresponding to saggiy'; large (in size,quantity or number, also adverbial)
-- exceeding, great(-ly); many, much, sore, very. see HEBREW saggiy'....
7230. rob -- multitude, abundance, greatness
... sort* (1), excellent (1), extensively (1), extent (1), great (13), great number
(1), great numbers (1), great quantities (1), greatquantity (1), greatly (1...
3527. kabar -- to be much or many
... A primitive root; properly, to plait together, ie (figuratively) to augment (especially
in number orquantity, to accumulate) -- in abundance, multiply....
7227. rab -- much, many, great
... By contracted from rabab; abundant (inquantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) --
(in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly...
7991. shaliysh -- a third (part)
... from shalowsh; a triple, ie (as a musical instrument) a triangle (or perhaps rather
three-stringed lute); also (as an indefinite, greatquantity) a three-fold...
4767. mirbah -- much
... Word Origin from rabah Definition much NASB Word Usage much (1). much. From rabah;
abundance, ie A greatquantity -- much. see HEBREW rabah. 4766, 4767....
1995. hamon -- a sound, murmur, roar, crowd, abundance
... Word Origin from hamah Definition a sound, murmur, roar, crowd, abundance NASB Word
Usage abundance (4), commotion (2), greatquantity (1), horde (2), hordes...
Library
Whether in this Sacrament the DimensiveQuantity of the Bread or...
... OF THE ACCIDENTS WHICH REMAIN IN THIS SACRAMENT (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether in this
sacrament the dimensivequantity of the bread or wine is the subject of the...
Whether the Whole DimensiveQuantity of Christ's Body is in this...
... OF THE WAY IN WHICH CHRIST IS IN THIS SACRAMENT (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether the
whole dimensivequantity of Christ's body is in this sacrament?...
Whether a DeterminateQuantity of Bread and Wine is Required for...
... OF THE MATTER OF THIS SACRAMENT (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether a determinatequantity
of bread and wine is required for the matter of this sacrament?...
Ep. xxvi. What a Very SmallQuantity of Vegetables You have Sent...
... Ep. XXVI. What a very smallquantity of vegetables you have sent me! They must surely
be? What a very smallquantity of vegetables you have sent me!...
Whether Water Should be Added in GreatQuantity?
... OF THE MATTER OF THIS SACRAMENT (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether water should be
added in greatquantity? Objection 1: It seems that water...
Whether Sin Incurs a Debt of Punishment Infinite inQuantity?
... OF THE DEBT OF PUNISHMENT (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether sin incurs a debt of
punishment infinite inquantity? Objection 1: It would seem...
In Reply to those who Ask Whether the Natures of the Lord are...
... Book III. Chapter VIII."In reply to those who ask whether the natures of the Lord
are brought under a continuous or a discontinuousquantity ....
Whether all Will Rise Again of the Same Stature?
... Objection 1: It would seem that all will rise again of the same stature. For just
as man is measured by dimensivequantity, so is he by thequantity of time....
Whether There is Equality in God?
... For equality is in relation to things which are one inquantity as the
Philosopher says (Metaph. v, text 20). But in the divine...
Whether Charity Increases by Addition?
... For just as increase may be in respect of bodilyquantity, so may it be according
to virtualquantity. Now increase in bodilyquantity...
Thesaurus
Quantity (18 Occurrences)... 4. (n.) The measure of a syllable; that which determines the time in which it is
pronounced; as, the long or short
quantity of a vowel or syllable.
...Infinite (8 Occurrences)
... 4. (a.) Greater than any assignablequantity of the same kind; -- said of certain
quantities.... 7. (n.) An infinitequantity or magnitude....
Equal (70 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Agreeing inquantity, size, quality, degree, value, etc.; having the same
magnitude, the same value, the same degree, etc.; -- applied to number, degree...
Infinitude
... 5. Infinity a Perfection Not aQuantity: This infinitude of God is displayed in
all His attributes-in His eternity, omnipresence, omniscience, omnipotence, etc...
Mass (65 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) Aquantity of matter cohering together so as to make one body, or an
aggregation of particles or things which collectively make one body orquantity...
Part (2071 Occurrences)
... n.) One of the portions, equal or unequal, into which anything is divided, or regarded
as divided; something less than a whole; a number,quantity, mass, or...
Allowance (11 Occurrences)
... is allowed; a share or portion allotted or granted; a sum granted as a reimbursement,
a bounty, or as appropriate for any purpose; a statedquantity, as of...
Greatness (63 Occurrences)
... (b) rabh denotes, rather,quantity, number, therefore, often, "many" (Genesis
21:34, etc.; Exodus 2:23 the Revised Version (British and American), etc...
Little (2458 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Short in duration; brief; as, a little sleep. 3. (a.) Small inquantity
or amount; not much; as, a little food; a little air or water....
Increase (184 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To become greater or more in size,quantity, number, degree, value, intensity,
power, authority, reputation, wealth; to grow; to augment; to advance...
Resources
Did Jesus change the water into wine or grape juice? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Origen of Alexandria? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is eternal life? | GotQuestions.orgQuantity: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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