Topical Encyclopedia
The term "slightest" is not directly found in the Berean Standard Bible , but the concept of smallness or insignificance is present throughout the Scriptures. The Bible often emphasizes the importance of even the smallest actions, thoughts, or faith, highlighting that nothing is too insignificant in the eyes of God.
Biblical Context and Usage:1.
Faith as Small as a Mustard Seed: In
Matthew 17:20 , Jesus speaks to the power of faith, even if it is as small as a mustard seed: "He said to them, 'Because of your little faith. For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.'" This passage underscores that even the slightest amount of genuine faith can lead to miraculous outcomes.
2.
The Value of Small Offerings: In
Mark 12:41-44 , Jesus observes a poor widow giving two small coins as an offering and commends her for giving all she had, despite the smallness of the amount: "Calling His disciples to Him, He said, 'Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. For they all contributed out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.'" This teaches that the value of a gift is not in its size but in the heart and sacrifice behind it.
3.
The Power of Small Beginnings:Zechariah 4:10 states, "For who has despised the day of small things? These seven eyes of the LORD, which roam throughout the earth, will rejoice when they see the plumb line in Zerubbabel’s hand." This verse encourages believers not to underestimate small beginnings, as God delights in seeing His plans unfold, no matter how insignificant they may seem at first.
4.
Guarding Against Small Sins: The Bible warns against dismissing small sins as inconsequential. In
Song of Solomon 2:15 , it is written, "Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom." This metaphor illustrates how small, unchecked sins can lead to greater spiritual damage.
5.
The Least of These: In
Matthew 25:40 , Jesus emphasizes the importance of caring for the "least of these," saying, "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.'" This passage highlights that acts of kindness, no matter how small, are significant in God's kingdom.
Theological Implications:The concept of the "slightest" in the Bible serves as a reminder of God's omniscience and His ability to see and value what humans might overlook. It challenges believers to recognize the potential and significance in small acts of faith, obedience, and love. The Scriptures encourage a perspective that values the seemingly insignificant, understanding that God can use the smallest things to accomplish His purposes.
Strong's Hebrew
3276. yaal -- to confer or gain profit or benefit... root Definition to confer or gain profit or benefit NASB Word Usage avail (1), furnish
the
slightest (1), gain (1), profit (17), profitable (1),
slightest...Library
But if Men Either Knew Themselves Thoroughly, or had theSlightest...
... Book II. 19 But if men either knew themselves thoroughly, or had theslightest
knowledge of God? But if men either knew themselves...
Of the Toils which a Deserter from a Monastery must Undergo...
... Chapter X. Of the toils which a deserter from a monastery must undergo through
covetousness, though he used formerly to murmur at the veryslightest tasks....
Of the Coenobium of Abbot Paul and the Patience of a Certain...
... But the youth of remarkable patience received it with such calmness of mind that
not only did he let no word fall from his mouth or give theslightest sign of...
The Crucifixion
... Consider Him, and then consider ourselves, ruffled and put out of temper by the
slightest cross accident, theslightest harsh word, too often by theslightest...
Shame on Account of God's Displeasure.
... There is an instinctive and exact correspondence between our feelings and every
slightest hint of disapprobation on the part of our acquaintances; and so...
Questions and Answers
... of life; its joys and sorrows, hardships and trials that are before them; but they
know that they dearly love each other, and have not theslightest fear in...
Rest, Rest
... You shall take a needle which is highly polished, which appears to be without the
slightest inequality upon its surface, and you shall put it under a microscope...
Meditation.
... The sense of touch in the soul can by careful, earnest cultivation be refined to
such a degree as to make it susceptible to theslightest impressions of the...
Jesus on Mount Golgotha.
... and Jesus had the greatest difficulty in walking with his heavy burden on his shoulders;
but his cruel enemies, far from feeling theslightest compassion, or...
The victory
... with the insinuation of distrust, "If Thou be the Son of God." Christ was tempted
to answer the "if;" but He refrained from theslightest acceptance of the...
Thesaurus
Slightest (2 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Slightest (2 Occurrences). James
... Light. In Him there
is no variation nor the
slightest suggestion of change. (WEY).
...Eternal (166 Occurrences)
... idea that the "second death" (Revelation 20:14) is in the case of the wicked their
absolute destruction, their annihilation, has not theslightest support from...
Temptation (22 Occurrences)
... This was absolutely necessary to any wise prosecution of it. Without theslightest
precedent Jesus must determine what a Messiah would do, how He would act....
Slight (13 Occurrences)
Net (91 Occurrences)
... The fowling-nets were (1) the trap, consisting of a net spread over a frame, and
supported by a stick in such a way that it fell with theslightest touch (Amos...
Ophel (6 Occurrences)
... Simon. There is not theslightest ground for applying the name Ophel, as
has been so commonly done, to the whole southeastern hill....
Liquid (15 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) A substance whose parts change their relative position on theslightest
pressure, and therefore retain no definite form; any substance in the state of...
Inspiration (4 Occurrences)
... heathen religions-in the world. These, as theslightest inspection of them
shows, have no unity. They are accumulations of heterogeneous...
Totemism
... proved; and, above all, we must hold that the religion of Israel as it presents
itself in the Old Testament has not retained the veryslightest recollection of...
Breath (95 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) Fig.: That which gives or strengthens life. 7. (n.) A single word; the
slightest effort; a trifle. 8. (n.) A very slight breeze; air in gentle motion....
Resources
What does the Bible say about bravery / being brave? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I avoid being a doubting Thomas? | GotQuestions.orgWhy are there some pastors who do not believe? | GotQuestions.orgSlightest: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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