Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the concept of "copy" can be understood in several ways, including the replication of texts, the imitation of behaviors, and the representation of heavenly realities. The term is not frequently used in the biblical text, but its implications are significant in understanding the transmission of Scripture, the call to emulate Christ, and the earthly representations of divine truths.
Transmission of ScriptureThe process of copying biblical texts has been crucial for the preservation and dissemination of God's Word. In ancient times, scribes meticulously copied manuscripts to ensure the accuracy and continuity of Scripture. This practice is reflected in the command given to the kings of Israel: "When he is seated on his royal throne, he must write for himself a copy of this instruction on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests" (
Deuteronomy 17:18). This directive underscores the importance of personal engagement with God's law and the role of copying in maintaining the integrity of the text.
Imitation of ChristThe New Testament frequently exhorts believers to imitate Christ and the apostles as a form of spiritual copying. The Apostle Paul encourages the Corinthians, "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ" (
1 Corinthians 11:1). This call to imitation is not merely about external behaviors but involves a deep, transformative process of becoming more like Jesus in character and action. The concept of copying here is about embodying the virtues and teachings of Christ in one's life.
Earthly Representations of Heavenly RealitiesThe idea of earthly copies of heavenly realities is a theme found in the book of Hebrews. The earthly tabernacle and its rituals are described as "a copy and shadow of what is in heaven" (
Hebrews 8:5). This suggests that the physical structures and practices of the Old Covenant were designed to reflect and point to the greater, spiritual truths of the New Covenant. The earthly copies serve as tangible representations that help believers understand and anticipate the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises.
Moral and Ethical ImplicationsThe concept of copying also extends to moral and ethical behavior. Believers are called to "copy" or emulate the virtues of faith, love, and holiness as demonstrated by Christ and the early church. This is seen in the exhortation to the Thessalonians: "And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, when you welcomed the message with the joy of the Holy Spirit in spite of your great suffering" (
1 Thessalonians 1:6). The act of copying here is about adopting a lifestyle that reflects the teachings and example of Jesus, even in the face of adversity.
In summary, the concept of "copy" in the Bible encompasses the faithful transmission of Scripture, the imitation of Christ and His followers, the representation of heavenly truths through earthly means, and the ethical call to live in accordance with God's will. Each aspect highlights the importance of fidelity, transformation, and representation in the life of a believer.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) An abundance or plenty of anything.
2. (n.) An imitation, transcript, or reproduction of an original work; as, a copy of a letter, an engraving, a painting, or a statue.
3. (n.) An individual book, or a single set of books containing the works of an author; as, a copy of the Bible; a copy of the works of Addison.
4. (n.) That which is to be imitated, transcribed, or reproduced; a pattern, model, or example; as, his virtues are an excellent copy for imitation.
5. (n.) Manuscript or printed matter to be set up in type; as, the printers are calling for more copy.
6. (n.) A writing paper of a particular size. Same as Bastard. See under Paper.
7. (n.) Copyhold; tenure; lease.
8. (n.) To make a copy or copies of; to write; print, engrave, or paint after an original; to duplicate; to reproduce; to transcribe; as, to copy a manuscript, inscription, design, painting, etc.; -- often with out, sometimes with off.
9. (n.) To imitate; to attempt to resemble, as in manners or course of life.
10. (v. i.) To make a copy or copies; to imitate.
11. (v. i.) To yield a duplicate or transcript; as, the letter did not copy well.
Greek
5262. hupodeigma -- a figure,copy, example... a figure,
copy, example. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: hupodeigma
Phonetic Spelling: (hoop-od'-igue-mah) Short Definition: a figure,
copy...583. apographo -- tocopy, enroll
... tocopy, enroll. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: apographo Phonetic Spelling:
(ap-og-raf'-o) Short Definition: I enroll, inscribe in a register Definition...
5261. hupogrammos -- a writing to be copied, an example
... an example. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: hupogrammos Phonetic
Spelling: (hoop-og-ram-mos') Short Definition: a writing-copy, an example...
644. aposkiasma -- a shadow
... of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: aposkiasma Phonetic Spelling:
(ap-os-kee'-as-mah) Short Definition: a shadow, a faint image orcopy Definition:...
5481. charakter -- a tool for engraving
... From the same as charax; a graver (the tool or the person), ie (by implication)
engraving (("character"), the figure stamped, ie An exactcopy or (figuratively...
5179. tupos -- typically
... too'-pos) Short Definition: a figure, model, type Definition: (originally: the mark
of a blow, then a stamp struck by a die), (a) a figure; acopy, image, (b...
1503. eiko -- be like.
... be like. Apparently a primary verb (perhaps akin to eiko through the idea of
faintness as acopy); to resemble -- be like. see GREEK eiko....
499. antitupos -- struck back, corresponding to
... Word Origin from anti and tupos Definition struck back, corresponding to NASB Word
Usagecopy (1), corresponding (1). representative, counterpart....
Strong's Hebrew
6573. parshegen -- acopy... 6572, 6573. parshegen. 6574 . a
copy. Transliteration: parshegen Phonetic
Spelling: (par-sheh'-ghen) Short Definition:
copy. Word
...4932. mishneh -- a double,copy, second
... 4931, 4932. mishneh. 4933 . a double,copy, second. Transliteration: mishneh
Phonetic Spelling: (mish-neh') Short Definition: second....
6572. parshegen -- acopy
... 6571b, 6572. parshegen or pathshegen. 6573 . acopy. Transliteration: parshegen
or pathshegen Phonetic Spelling: (par-sheh'-ghen) Short Definition:copy....
6275. atheq -- to move, proceed, advance
...copy out, leave off, become wax old, remove. A primitive root; to remove
(intransitive or transitive) figuratively, to grow old; specifically...
8403. tabnith -- construction, pattern, figure
... Word Origin from banah Definition construction, pattern, figure NASB Word Usage
copy (1), form (4), image (1), likeness (5), model (2), pattern (4), plan (2)....
4385. miktab -- writing
... writing. From kathab; a thing written, the characters, or a document (letter,copy,
edict, poem) -- writing. see HEBREW kathab. 4384, 4385. miktab. 4386 ....
Library
Of Type andCopy.
... Book I. 19. (4) of Type andCopy. In addition to these meanings there is
that in which we speak of an arche, [4540] according to...
Is "Copy of the Letter Written by John, Bishop of Antioch, to...
... Letters of the Blessed Theodoret, CXLIX is "Copy of the Letter written by
John, Bishop of Antioch, to Nestorius.". This letter has...
ACopy of the Letter which Pope Gregory Sent to the Abbot Mellitus...
... BOOK I CHAP. XXX. Acopy of the letter which Pope Gregory sent to the Abbot
Mellitus, then going into Britain. [601 AD]. The aforesaid...
Copy of Letter to the Right Hon. Lord William Hervey
...Copy of Letter to the Right Hon. Lord William Hervey. LABAJOS, PROVINCE
OF SEGOVIA, August 23rd, 1838. MY LORD,"I beg leave to...
ACopy of the Letter as Follows:
... Chapter II. 23. Acopy of the letter as follows. Constantius Victor Augustus
to Athanasius [1354] . It is not unknown to your Prudence...
ACopy of the Letter of Constantius against Athanasius.
... Chapter II. 30. Acopy of the letter of Constantius against Athanasius.
Victor Constantius Maximus Augustus to the Alexandrians....
Copy of an Imperial Epistle in which Money is Granted to the...
... Book X. Chapter VI. "Copy of an Imperial Epistle in which Money is granted
to the Churches. 1. "Constantine Augustus to C??cilianus...
Those who by Baptism have Put on Christ have Professed that they...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon XCVI. Those who by baptism have put
on Christ have professed that they willcopy his? Those...
Preaching of the Apostle Thadd??us at Edessa;Copy of Five Letters...
... Ancient Syriac Documents. Moses of Chorene. History of Armenia. VIII. Preaching
of the apostle Thadd??us at Edessa;copy of five letters....
The Power of God's Word Over the Human Affections.
... More than two hundred years ago when acopy of the Bible was much more expensive
than it is in these days, a peasant who lived in the County of Cork, Ireland...
Thesaurus
Copy (18 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) An imitation, transcript, or reproduction of an original work; as,
a
copy of a letter, an engraving, a painting, or a statue.
...Pattern (28 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) Figure or style of decoration; design; as, wall paper of a beautiful
pattern. 5. (n.) Something made after a model; acopy....
Sinaiticus
... Returning from their promenade, Tischendorf accompanied the monk to his room, and
there had displayed to him what his companion called acopy of the LXX...
Imitate (13 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To follow as a pattern, model, or example;
tocopy or strive tocopy, in acts, manners etc. 2. (vt...
Example (54 Occurrences)
... a sample; a specimen. 2. (n.) That which is to be followed or imitated as
a model; a pattern orcopy. 3. (n.) That which resembles...
Published (18 Occurrences)
... Esther 3:14 Acopy of the letter, that the decree should be given out in every province,
was published to all the peoples, that they should be ready against...
Print (3 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To take (acopy, a positive picture, etc.), from a negative, a transparent
drawing, or the like, by the action of light upon a sensitized surface....
Ar-ta-xerx'es (14 Occurrences)
... Ezra 4:11 This is thecopy of the letter that they sent to Artaxerxes the king:
Your servants the men beyond the River, and so forth. (See RSV)....
Edict (22 Occurrences)
... Esther 3:14 Acopy of the letter, that the decree should be given out in every province,
was published to all the peoples, that they should be ready against...
Code (6 Occurrences)
... of cuneiform tablets from the library of the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal (668-628
BC), he also then suggested that these pieces were parts of acopy of an old...
Resources
Is Jesus a copy of Dionysus? | GotQuestions.orgIs Jesus a myth? Is Jesus just a copy of the pagan gods of other ancient religions? | GotQuestions.orgCopy it Right'The cure for Christian plagiarism | GotQuestions.orgCopy: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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