Topical Encyclopedia
The word "therefore" is a conjunction used frequently in the Bible to indicate a conclusion or result based on previously stated facts or arguments. It serves as a pivotal term that connects doctrinal teachings with practical applications, often marking a transition from theological exposition to ethical exhortation. In the original languages of the Bible, the Greek word "οὖν" (oun) and the Hebrew word "לָכֵן" (lakhen) are commonly translated as "therefore."
Old Testament UsageIn the Old Testament, "therefore" is used to draw conclusions from God's actions or commands. For example, in
Isaiah 1:18-20, God invites Israel to reason together with Him, promising forgiveness and blessing if they obey, but warning of consequences if they refuse. The passage uses "therefore" to emphasize the logical outcome of their choices: "If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best of the land. But if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken" (
Isaiah 1:19-20).
New Testament UsageIn the New Testament, "therefore" often appears in the epistles, where it serves to connect doctrinal truths with practical living. The Apostle Paul frequently uses "therefore" to transition from theological teachings to ethical instructions. For instance, in
Romans 12:1, Paul writes, "Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship" . Here, "therefore" links the preceding chapters' exposition of God's mercies with the call to live a life of worship and obedience.
Similarly, in
Ephesians 4:1, Paul states, "As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received" . The "therefore" in this context connects the believer's high calling in Christ, as outlined in the first three chapters, with the practical exhortations that follow.
Theological SignificanceThe use of "therefore" in Scripture underscores the importance of applying theological truths to daily life. It reflects the biblical principle that belief and behavior are intrinsically linked. The conjunction serves as a reminder that the truths of the faith are not merely theoretical but demand a response in the believer's conduct.
Practical ImplicationsFor believers, the frequent use of "therefore" in the Bible serves as a call to action. It challenges Christians to live out their faith in tangible ways, responding to God's grace with obedience and service. The word encourages a holistic approach to faith, where doctrine and practice are seamlessly integrated.
In summary, "therefore" is a key term in biblical literature that bridges the gap between divine revelation and human responsibility, urging believers to live in a manner consistent with the truths they profess.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
adv.) For that or this reason, referring to something previously stated; for that.
2. (adv.) Consequently; by consequence.
Greek
686. ara --therefore (an illative particle)...therefore (an illative particle). Part of Speech: Particle, Disjunctive Particle
Transliteration: ara Phonetic Spelling: (ar'-ah) Short Definition: then
...5620. hoste -- so as to, so then,therefore
... so as to, so then,therefore. Part of Speech: Conjunction Transliteration: hoste
Phonetic Spelling: (hoce'-teh) Short Definition: so that,therefore Definition...
5105. toigaroun -- wherefore then, sotherefore
... wherefore then, sotherefore. Part of Speech: Particle, Disjunctive Particle
Transliteration: toigaroun Phonetic Spelling: (toy-gar-oon') Short Definition...
5106. toinun -- accordingly,therefore
... accordingly,therefore. Part of Speech: Particle, Disjunctive Particle Transliteration:
toinun Phonetic Spelling: (toy'-noon) Short Definition: indeed now...
3767. oun --therefore, then, (and) so
...therefore, then, (and) so. Part of Speech: Conjunction Transliteration: oun Phonetic
Spelling: (oon) Short Definition:therefore, then Definition:therefore...
3766. oukoun --therefore, so then
...therefore, so then. Part of Speech: Adverb, Negative Transliteration: oukoun Phonetic
Spelling: (ook-oon') Short Definition: nottherefore Definition:therefore...
1534. eita -- then, next,therefore (an adv. denoting sequence)
... 1533, 1534. eita. 1535 . then, next,therefore (an adv.... Word Origin
a prim. particle Definition then, next,therefore (an adv....
1352. dio -- wherefore, on which account
... Part of Speech: Conjunction Transliteration: dio Phonetic Spelling: (dee-o') Short
Definition: wherefore Definition: wherefore, on which account,therefore....
1360. dioti -- on the very account that, because, inasmuch as
... Word Origin from dia and hoti Definition on the very account that, because, inasmuch
as NASB Word Usage because (14),therefore (2). because, for,therefore....
1211. de -- indeed, now (used to give emphasis or urgency to a...
... particle akin to ede Definition indeed, now (used to give emphasis or urgency to
a statement) NASB Word Usage indeed (1), then (1),therefore (1)....
Strong's Hebrew
3860. lahen -- on this account,therefore... 3859, 3860. lahen. 3861 . on this account,
therefore. Transliteration: lahen
Phonetic Spelling: (law-hane') Short Definition:
therefore.
...3861a. lahen --therefore
...therefore. Transliteration: lahen Short Definition:therefore. Word Origin (Aramaic)
corresponding to lahen Definitiontherefore NASB Word Usagetherefore (3)....
3861. lawhen --therefore
... 3860, 3861. lawhen. 3861a .therefore. Transliteration: lawhen Phonetic Spelling:
(law-hane') Short Definition: but. but, except, save,therefore, wherefore...
3651. ken -- so, thus
... same (8), same way (1), since* (1), so (226), so* (1), such (3), such a thing (2),
such* (1), surely (2), then (1), thereafter* (1),therefore (190),therefore...
6903. qobel -- in front of, before, because of, because that
... 1), because* (4), before (1), forasmuch* (1), front (1), inasmuch* (9), just (1),
opposite (1), presence (1), reason* (2), result (1),therefore* (4), though (1...
1836. denah -- this
... Word Origin (Aramaic) a prim. pronoun Definition this NASB Word Usage one
another* (1),therefore* (6), this (42), thus (2). aforetime...
5922. al -- upon, over, above
... 3), account (1), against (6), among (1), around (3), concerning (7), disregarded*
(1), more (1), over (15), reason* (1), than* (1),therefore* (2), toward (1)....
4616. maan -- purpose, intent
... purpose, intent NASB Word Usage account (1), because (14), behalf (1), order (40),
purpose (2), reason is so (1), sake (50), so (54),therefore (1), this...
834. asher -- who, which, that
... powder* (1), reason (1), set (1), since (3), since* (5), so (9), so* (1), steward*
(4), storehouses (1), such (8), such* (2), than* (1),therefore (1), these (2...
227. az -- at that time
... A demonstrative adverb; at that time or place; also as a conjunction,therefore --
beginning, for, from, hitherto, now, of old, once, since, then, at which time...
Library
WhenTherefore the Faithful Mother of a Faithful Son Departed...
... 7. Whentherefore the faithful mother of a faithful son departed desired
to have his? 7. Whentherefore the faithful mother of...
AndTherefore it Is, that Fallen Man was Immediately Helped...
... [Way-1-89] Andtherefore it is, that fallen man was immediately helped?
Andtherefore it is, that fallen man was immediately helped...
Therefore at that Time, when the Law Also...
... Section 27.Therefore at that time, when the Law also? 27.Therefore
at that time, when the Law also, following upon the days...
Therefore that Bitterness of Persecution of which You Speak is Our...
... Book II. 77Therefore that bitterness of persecution of which you speak
is our deliverance and not persecution?Therefore that...
Therefore, when You Urge against us that we Turn Away from the...
... Book II. 67Therefore, when you urge against us that we turn away from
the religion of past?Therefore, when you urge against...
Far be It,Therefore, that the Apostle So Said...
... Section 20. Far be it,therefore, that the Apostle so said? 20. Far be
it,therefore, that the Apostle so said, unto such as are...
To AskTherefore, Why the Fallen Angels Continue in their State...
... [Way-1-84] To asktherefore, why the fallen angels continue in their state?
To asktherefore, why the fallen angels continue in...
Would YouTherefore be a Divine Philosopher, You must be a True...
... [Way-2-72] Would youtherefore be a divine philosopher, you must be a TRUE
Christian? Would youtherefore be a divine philosopher...
Predestination,Therefore, is an Act of the Divine Good-Pleasure.....
... THESIS 2 Predestination,therefore, is an act of the divine good-pleasure?
Predestination,therefore, is an act of the divine...
All that ScriptureTherefore, which is Called the Old Testament...
... Section 5. All that Scripturetherefore, which is called the Old Testament?
5. All that Scripturetherefore, which is called the...
Thesaurus
Therefore (9582 Occurrences)... 2. (adv.) Consequently; by consequence. Multi-Version Concordance
Therefore (9582
Occurrences).
Therefore is found 9582 times in 12 translations.
...Kir (11 Occurrences)
... kur, kir (kir): 1. Meaning: The meaning of Kir is "inclosure" or "walled place,"
and it istherefore doubtful whether it is a place-name in the true sense of...
Arrogance (30 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 19:28 Because of your raging against me, and because your arrogance has
come up into my ears,therefore will I put my hook in your nose, and my bridle...
Kir-heres (3 Occurrences)
... He suggests,therefore, that we should possibly read qiryath chadhdshah, "new city."
W. Ewing. Multi-Version Concordance Kir-heres (3 Occurrences)....
Kirheres (3 Occurrences)
... He suggests,therefore, that we should possibly read qiryath chadhdshah, "new city."
W. Ewing. Multi-Version Concordance Kirheres (3 Occurrences)....
Sakes (35 Occurrences)
... 2 Timothy 2:10Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may
also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. (KJV)....
Shouldst (61 Occurrences)
... Philemon 1:15 For perhaps hetherefore departed for a season, that thou shouldst
receive him for ever; (WBS). Numbers 11:12 Have I conceived all this people?...
Sudden (33 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Joshua 10:9 Joshuatherefore came on them suddenly.... (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV
BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Job 22:10Therefore snares are around you....
Shouldest (79 Occurrences)
... Matthew 5:23 Iftherefore thou shouldest offer thy gift at the altar, and there
shouldest remember that thy brother has something against thee, (DBY)....
Stumblingblock (14 Occurrences)
... Romans 14:13 Let us nottherefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather,
that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's...
Resources
What are the 95 Theses of Martin Luther? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the supremacy of Christ and what are its implications? | GotQuestions.orgIs there such a thing as absolute truth / universal truth? | GotQuestions.orgTherefore: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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