Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the concept of "reduces" can be understood as the act of diminishing, decreasing, or bringing something to a lower state or condition. This theme is prevalent throughout Scripture, often illustrating God's sovereignty, judgment, and the humbling of individuals or nations.
Divine Sovereignty and JudgmentThe Bible frequently depicts God as the ultimate authority who has the power to reduce the proud and exalt the humble. In the book of Daniel, King Nebuchadnezzar's pride leads to his reduction from a powerful ruler to a state of madness, living among the animals.
Daniel 4:37 states, "Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, for all His works are true and all His ways are just. And He is able to humble those who walk in pride."
Similarly, the account of Pharaoh in the book of Exodus demonstrates how God reduces the might of Egypt through a series of plagues, ultimately leading to the liberation of the Israelites.
Exodus 10:3 records Moses and Aaron confronting Pharaoh: "So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and told him, 'This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me? Let My people go, so that they may worship Me.'"
Humility and Dependence on GodThe theme of reduction is also evident in the call for personal humility and reliance on God.
Proverbs 3:34 states, "He mocks the mockers but gives grace to the humble." This verse highlights the biblical principle that God opposes the proud but shows favor to those who recognize their need for Him.
In the New Testament, Jesus teaches about the importance of humility and the dangers of self-exaltation. In
Luke 18:14 , Jesus concludes the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector by saying, "I tell you, this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
Reduction as a Path to Spiritual GrowthThe process of being reduced can also be seen as a means of spiritual growth and refinement. In the book of James, believers are encouraged to find joy in trials, understanding that these challenges can lead to maturity and completeness.
James 1:2-4 states, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."
ConclusionThe biblical theme of reduction serves as a reminder of God's power to humble the proud and elevate the humble. It underscores the importance of humility, dependence on God, and the transformative potential of trials and challenges in the life of a believer.
Strong's Hebrew
398. akal -- to eat... 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),
reduces (1), shared
...5414. nathan -- to give, put, set
... 2), presented (1), prevent* (2), produces (1), provide (1), provided (2), provides
(1), put (192), puts (4), putting (2), raised (2),reduces (1), render (2...
Library
To what Straits Hermogenes AbsurdlyReduces the Divine Being He...
... Chapter X."To What Straits Hermogenes AbsurdlyReduces the Divine Being
He Does Nothing Short of Making Him the Author of Evil....
How Divine Love Makes Use of all the Passions and Affections of...
... SOUL. CHAPTER XX. HOW DIVINE LOVE MAKES USE OF ALL THE PASSIONS AND AFFECTIONS
OF THE SOUL, ANDREDUCES THEM TO ITS OBEDIENCE. Love...
Simon's Interpretation of the Mosaic Hexaemeron; his Allegorical...
... all things in itself, and is an image of the indefinite power about which Simon
speaks,""an image from an incorruptible form, that alonereduces all things...
Whether the Will Moves Itself?
... But it is evident that the intellect, through its knowledge of the principle,reduces
itself from potentiality to act, as to its knowledge of the conclusions...
Pleasing Christ
... points, the supreme aim of the Christian life; the concentration of effort which
that aim demands; and the insignificance to which itreduces all external...
Of the Divine Providence in General.
... this consideration. Thus, dear Theotimus, this providence reaches all,
reigns over all, andreduces all to its glory. There are...
The Dignity of Woman.
... Hereduces to naught those who confide in their own power and strength,
while He sustains and exalts the humble. He freely shares...
Preface.
... the early origin, the authenticity, and the general veracity of the Gospels; yet
he rejects all the miracles which they record, andreduces their narratives to...
Of Meditating on the Future Life.
... That they may not long with too much eagerness after fleeting and fading riches,
or rest in those which they already possess, hereduces them to want, or, at...
A Question for a Questioner
... The question before us is what the logician would call a reductio ad absurdum; it
reduces doubt to an absurdity; it puts into plain and truthful words the...
Thesaurus
Reduces (3 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Reduces (3 Occurrences). Leviticus
... (See NAS). Proverbs
6:26 For a prostitute
reduces you to a piece of bread. The
...Reduced (16 Occurrences)
Reducing (1 Occurrence)
Philosopher (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) One whoreduces the principles of philosophy to practice in the conduct
of life; one who lives according to the rules of practical wisdom; one who...
Adulteress (12 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Proverbs 6:26 For a prostitutereduces you to a piece of bread. The
adulteress hunts for your precious life. (WEB JPS ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Judaeus
... Philoreduces it to an expert art, and uses it as an instrument to dissipate all
difficulties. He believed himself to be thoroughly true to the Old Testament....
Philo
... Philoreduces it to an expert art, and uses it as an instrument to dissipate all
difficulties. He believed himself to be thoroughly true to the Old Testament....
Immaculate
... holiness at all. This dogma reads Mary out of the human family,reduces her
to an image and makes her life a phantasm. Moreover, the...
Prostitute (83 Occurrences)
... NIV). Proverbs 6:26 For a prostitutereduces you to a piece of bread. The
adulteress hunts for your precious life. (WEB NIV). Proverbs...
Conception (6 Occurrences)
... holiness at all. This dogma reads Mary out of the human family,reduces her
to an image and makes her life a phantasm. Moreover, the...
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