Topical Encyclopedia
The term "several" in the Bible is often used to denote a number of distinct or individual items, people, or events. It is a word that signifies more than one but not necessarily a large number, and it is used in various contexts throughout the Scriptures to convey the idea of multiplicity or diversity within a group.
Old Testament UsageIn the Old Testament, "several" is used to describe various aspects of the Israelites' lives and God's instructions to them. For example, in the context of the distribution of land or responsibilities, "several" can indicate the division among tribes or individuals. In
Leviticus 26:26, the term is used to describe the rationing of bread during times of scarcity: "When I cut off your supply of bread, ten women will bake your bread in one oven and dole out your bread by weight. You will eat, but you will not be satisfied."
The use of "several" in the Old Testament often underscores the importance of individual responsibility and the distribution of resources or duties among the people. It reflects the organized and structured nature of the Israelite community as ordained by God.
New Testament UsageIn the New Testament, "several" appears in contexts that highlight the diversity of gifts and roles within the body of Christ. For instance, in
1 Corinthians 12:11, the Apostle Paul writes about the distribution of spiritual gifts: "All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, who apportions them to each one as He determines." Here, the concept of "several" is implicit in the idea that the Holy Spirit distributes different gifts to different individuals, emphasizing the unity and diversity within the church.
The term also appears in the parables of Jesus, where it is used to describe the allocation of talents or responsibilities. In
Matthew 25:15, the parable of the talents illustrates this: "To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one—each according to his own ability. And he went on his journey." The use of "several" in this context highlights the principle of stewardship and accountability before God.
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, the use of "several" in the Bible underscores the concept of individual responsibility and the diversity of roles within the community of believers. It reflects the biblical principle that while believers are united in Christ, they are also uniquely gifted and called to serve in different capacities. This diversity is seen as a strength, contributing to the overall health and function of the body of Christ.
Moreover, the distribution of gifts and responsibilities "severally" as determined by God or the Holy Spirit points to the sovereignty of God in equipping His people for service. It encourages believers to recognize and appreciate the unique contributions of each member within the church, fostering a spirit of cooperation and mutual edification.
In summary, the term "several" in the Bible serves as a reminder of the multiplicity and diversity within God's creation and His people, highlighting the importance of individual roles and responsibilities in fulfilling His divine purposes.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Separate; distinct; particular; single.
2. (a.) Diverse; different; various.
3. (a.) Consisting of a number more than two, but not very many; divers; sundry; as, several persons were present when the event took place.
4. (adv.) By itself; severally.
5. (n.) Each particular taken singly; an item; a detail; an individual.
6. (n.) Persons or objects, more than two, but not very many.
7. (n.) An enclosed or separate place; enclosure.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SEVERAL; SEVERALLYsev'-er-al, sev'-er-al-i: The Hebrew words chophshuth and chophshith, translated "several" in the King James Version, the English Revised Version,2 Kings 15:52 Chronicles 26:21, are in both cases translated "separate" in the American Standard Revised Version, and indicate ceremonial uncleanness and consequent severance on account of leprosy. In the parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:15) and also in1 Corinthians 12:11 the word idios, is translated "several," "severally." In both cases it points to the individuality of the recipients of the gift bestowed.
Greek
4613. Simon -- Simon, the name ofseveral Israelites... Simon, the name of
several Israelites. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
Simon Phonetic Spelling: (see'-mone) Short Definition: Simon Definition
...2491. Ioannes -- John, the name ofseveral Israelites
... John, the name ofseveral Israelites. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
Ioannes Phonetic Spelling: (ee-o-an'-nace) Short Definition: John...
3137. Maria -- Mary, the name ofseveral Christian women
... Mary, the name ofseveral Christian women. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine; Proper
Noun, Indeclinable Transliteration: Maria or Mariam Phonetic Spelling: (mar-ee...
2264. Herodes -- perhaps "son of a hero," Herod, the name of...
... perhaps "son of a hero," Herod, the name ofseveral kings of the Jews. Part of Speech:
Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Herodes Phonetic Spelling: (hay-ro'-dace...
4826. Sumeon -- Symeon, Simeon, the name ofseveral Israelites...
... Symeon, Simeon, the name ofseveral Israelites, also a tribe of Isr.... Shimon Definition
Symeon, Simeon, the name ofseveral Isr., also a tribe of Isr....
2501. Ioseph -- Joseph, the name ofseveral Israelites
... Joseph, the name ofseveral Israelites. Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable
Transliteration: Ioseph Phonetic Spelling: (ee-o-safe') Short Definition...
1050. Gaios -- Gaius, the name ofseveral Christian
... Gaius, the name ofseveral Christian. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
Gaios Phonetic Spelling: (gah'-ee-os) Short Definition: Gaius Definition...
2455. Ioudas -- Judah, Judas, the name ofseveral Israelites, also...
... 2454, 2455. Ioudas. 2456 . Judah, Judas, the name ofseveral Israelites, also
one of the twelve tribes of Isr., also the Southern kingdom....
2385. Iakobos -- James, the name ofseveral Israelites
... James, the name ofseveral Israelites. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
Iakobos Phonetic Spelling: (ee-ak'-o-bos) Short Definition: James...
3017. Leui -- Levi, the name ofseveral Israelites
... Levi, the name ofseveral Israelites. Part of Speech: Proper Noun, Indeclinable
Transliteration: Leui Phonetic Spelling: (lyoo'-ee) Short Definition: Levi...
Strong's Hebrew
1130. Ben-hadad -- "son of Hadad," the name ofseveral Aramean...... "son of Hadad," the name of
several Aramean (Syrian) kings. Transliteration:
Ben-hadad Phonetic Spelling: (ben-had-ad') Short Definition: Ben-hadad.
...511. Elqanah -- "God has created," or "God has taken possession...
... 510, 511. Elqanah. 512 . "God has created," or "God has taken possession,"
the name ofseveral Israelites. Transliteration: Elqanah...
1867. Dareyavesh -- the name ofseveral Pers. kings
... Dareyavesh. 1868 . the name ofseveral Pers.... Word Origin of foreign origin Definition
the name ofseveral Pers. kings NASB Word Usage Darius (10). Darius....
6659. Tsadoq -- the name ofseveral Israelites
... 6658b, 6659. Tsadoq. 6660 . the name ofseveral Israelites. Transliteration:
Tsadoq Phonetic Spelling: (tsaw-doke') Short Definition: Zadok....
447. Eliel -- "my God is God," the name ofseveral Israelites
... 446, 447. Eliel. 448 . "my God is God," the name ofseveral Israelites.
Transliteration: Eliel Phonetic Spelling: (el-ee-ale') Short Definition: Eliel....
6022. Amasay -- the name ofseveral Israelites
... 6021, 6022. Amasay. 6023 . the name ofseveral Israelites. Transliteration:
Amasay Phonetic Spelling: (am-aw-sah'-ee) Short Definition: Amasai....
6018. Omri -- a king of Isr., alsoseveral other Isr.
... 6017, 6018. Omri. 6019 . a king of Isr., alsoseveral other Isr.... Word Origin
from an unused word Definition a king of Isr., alsoseveral other Isr....
501. Elasah -- "God has made," the name ofseveral Israelites
... 500, 501. Elasah. 502 . "God has made," the name ofseveral Israelites.
Transliteration: Elasah Phonetic Spelling: (el-aw-saw') Short Definition: Eleasah....
494. Elnathan -- "God has given," the name ofseveral Israelites
... Elnathan. 495 . "God has given," the name ofseveral Israelites. Transliteration:
Elnathan Phonetic Spelling: (el-naw-thawn') Short Definition: Elnathan....
564. Immer -- the name ofseveral Israelites, perhaps also a place...
... Immer. 565 . the name ofseveral Israelites, perhaps also a place in Babylon.
Transliteration: Immer Phonetic Spelling: (im-mare') Short Definition: Immer....
Library
Sermons onSeveral Occasions
Sermons onSeveral Occasions. <. Sermons onSeveral Occasions John Wesley.
Table of Contents. Title Page. Title Index. Number Index. Preface....
Several Discourses Concerning the Terms of Acceptance with God
Several Discourses Concerning the Terms of Acceptance with God. <....
Whether There areSeveral Persons in God?
... THE PLURALITY OF PERSONS IN GOD (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether there areseveral persons
in God? Objection 1: It would seem that there are notseveral persons in God....
WhetherSeveral Persons Can be the Term of one Notional Act?
... OF THE PERSONS IN REFERENCE TO THE NOTIONAL ACTS (SIX ARTICLES) Whetherseveral
persons can be the term of one notional act? Objection...
Whether Suffrages Offered forSeveral are of as Much Value to Each...
... OF THE SUFFRAGES FOR THE DEAD (FOURTEEN ARTICLES) Whether suffrages offered for
several are of as much value to each one as if they had been offered for each...
An Account of theSeveral Annual Conferences, and of the General...
... CONFERENCE IN 1792. CHAPTER 3 An Account of theseveral Annual Conferences,
and of the General Conference of 1792. There were no...
Several Degrees and Stations in an Internal Life; as the Three...
... MEDITATION. CHAPTER I.Several degrees and stations in an internal life; as the
three ways? Sec. Sec.... The grounds of theseveral degrees of prayer. Sec. Sec....
According to the Working of EachSeveral Part
... XVI According to the Working of eachseveral Part. That we may grow up in
all things into Him, which is the Head, even Christ; from...
Whether an Angel Can be inSeveral Places at Once?
... OF THE ANGELS IN RELATION TO PLACE (THREE ARTICLES) Whether an angel can be inseveral
places at once?... Therefore an angel can be inseveral places at once....
WhetherSeveral Angels Can be at the Same Time in the Same Place?
... OF THE ANGELS IN RELATION TO PLACE (THREE ARTICLES) Whetherseveral angels
can be at the same time in the same place? Objection...
Thesaurus
Several (40 Occurrences)... 3. (a.) Consisting of a number more than two, but not very many; divers; sundry;
as,
several persons were present when the event took place.
...SEVERAL; SEVERALLY.
...Divers (36 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Different in kind or species; diverse. 2. (a.)Several; sundry; various;
more than one, but not a great number; as, divers philosophers....
Severally (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) Separately; distinctly; apart from others;
individually. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.SEVERAL; SEVERALLY....
One-tenth (9 Occurrences)
... See NAS). Numbers 28:21 aseveral tenth deal thou preparest for the one lamb,
for the seven lambs, (See NIV). Numbers 28:29 Aseveral...
Tenth-part (6 Occurrences)
... Numbers 28:13 And aseveral tenth-part of flour mingled with oil for a meat-offering
to one lamb, for a burnt-offering of a sweet savor, a sacrifice made by...
Diversities (4 Occurrences)
... di'-verz, di-vurs', di-vur'-si-tiz: "Divers" meaning "various," "different in kind,"
is now obsolete and used only as a synonym of "several," ie more than one....
Diverse (15 Occurrences)
... di'-verz, di-vurs', di-vur'-si-tiz: "Divers" meaning "various," "different in kind,"
is now obsolete and used only as a synonym of "several," ie more than one....
Assur (2 Occurrences)
... double wall. The space between the walls,several rods in width, was occupied
by houses, possibly the homes of the soldiers. The...
Sherghat
... double wall. The space between the walls,several rods in width, was occupied
by houses, possibly the homes of the soldiers. The...
Asshur (133 Occurrences)
... double wall. The space between the walls,several rods in width, was occupied
by houses, possibly the homes of the soldiers. The...
Resources
What is the history of the Bible in English? | GotQuestions.orgWhat happened in the Six-Day War? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did Jesus mention Tyre and Sidon in Luke 10:14? | GotQuestions.orgSeveral: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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