Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the concept of being "treasured" often relates to the value and significance that God places on His people and His creation. The term is used to convey a sense of preciousness, worth, and special status in the eyes of God.
Old Testament UsageThe idea of being treasured is prominently featured in the Old Testament, particularly in relation to Israel as God's chosen people. In
Exodus 19:5 , God declares to the Israelites, "Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine." Here, the term "treasured possession" (Hebrew: סְגֻלָּה, segullah) signifies a unique and cherished relationship between God and Israel, contingent upon their obedience and faithfulness to His covenant.
Deuteronomy 7:6 further emphasizes this special status: "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession, above all peoples on the face of the earth." This verse underscores the idea that Israel's treasured status is rooted in God's sovereign choice and His covenantal love.
New Testament UsageIn the New Testament, the concept of being treasured extends to all believers in Christ. The Apostle Peter echoes the Old Testament language in
1 Peter 2:9 : "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." Here, the church is described as God's treasured possession, highlighting the continuity of God's redemptive plan from Israel to the church.
Jesus also speaks to the idea of treasure in a spiritual sense. In
Matthew 6:19-21 , He instructs His followers, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." This teaching emphasizes the eternal value of spiritual treasures over earthly wealth, urging believers to prioritize their relationship with God.
Theological ImplicationsThe concept of being treasured by God carries profound theological implications. It speaks to the inherent worth and dignity bestowed upon individuals by their Creator. This treasured status is not based on human merit but on God's grace and love. It calls believers to live in a manner worthy of their calling, reflecting the holiness and righteousness of God.
Moreover, the idea of treasure in heaven challenges believers to evaluate their priorities and affections. It invites them to invest in what is eternal and to find their ultimate satisfaction and security in God alone.
Practical ApplicationsUnderstanding oneself as treasured by God can have transformative effects on a believer's identity and self-worth. It provides assurance of God's love and faithfulness, even amidst trials and challenges. This identity as God's treasured possession encourages believers to live with purpose, knowing they are valued and cherished by their Creator.
Additionally, the call to store up treasures in heaven serves as a guiding principle for Christian living. It encourages generosity, stewardship, and a focus on eternal values, shaping how believers interact with the world and use their resources for God's glory.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Treasure.
Greek
1301. diatereo -- to keep carefully... delivery"). Word Origin from dia and tereo Definition to keep carefully
NASB Word Usage keep...free (1),
treasured (1). keep. From
...614. apokruphos -- hidden
... hidden, kept secret. From apokrupto; secret; by implication,treasured -- hid,
kept secret. see GREEK apokrupto. (apokruphoi) -- 1 Occurrence....
4933. suntereo -- to keep close, ie preserve
... Word Origin from sun and tereo Definition to keep close, ie preserve NASB Word Usage
kept...safe (1), preserved (1),treasured (1). keep, observe, preserve....
2344. thesauros -- treasure
... 2344 (from 5087 , "to put, set") -- properly, (riches); (figuratively)
a , including (treasured) thoughts in the heart and mind....
4041. periousios -- of one's own possession
... Transliteration: periousios Phonetic Spelling: (per-ee-oo'-see-os) Short Definition:
costly, specially chosen Definition: costly,treasured, select, specially...
Strong's Hebrew
2630. chasan -- to betreasured up or hoarded... 2629, 2630. chasan. 2631 . to be
treasured up or hoarded. Transliteration:
chasan Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-san') Short Definition: hoarded.
...6846. Tsephanyah -- "Yah hastreasured," four Israelites
... "Yah hastreasured," four Israelites. Transliteration: Tsephanyah or Tsephanyahu
Phonetic Spelling: (tsef-an-yaw') Short Definition: Zephaniah....
5459. segullah -- possession, property
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition possession, property NASB Word Usage
possession (5), treasure (2),treasured possession (1)....
6845. tsaphan -- to hide, treasure up
... restrains (1), saved (1), secret place (1), stealthily watch (1), store (1), stored
(5), stores (1), stores away (1), treasure (2),treasured (3), treasures (1...
Library
To Prayer, Then, are we Indebted for Penetrating to those Riches...
... Of Prayer. John Calvin Chapter 2 To prayer, then, are we indebted for
penetrating to those riches which aretreasured up? To prayer...
Of the Nature and the Amazing Power of Memory.
... There istreasured up whatsoever likewise we think, either by enlarging or diminishing,
or by varying in any way whatever those things which the sense hath...
James v. 1-6
... moth-eaten: Your gold and silver is cankered, and the rust of them shall be a witness
against you, and shall eat your flesh, [as ye havetreasured up fire] for...
The Second Part.
... He hathtreasured on earth, his heart doth not withdraw from earth: he hathtreasured
in heaven, his heart from heaven doth not come down: for the Lord saith...
Origin of the World; Basilides' Account of the "Sonship. "
... (But this Deity) the creature can neither express nor grasp by perception. (Now,
all these things) were inherent,treasured in the Seed, as we afterwards...
The Hebrew Sages and their Proverbs
... to have been the product of the early nomadic Semitic life, in which books were
unknown and the practical wisdom gained by experience wastreasured in the...
The Purification of the virgin and the Presentation in the Temple
... who, wondering, had heard what the shepherds told, was she whom most it concerned,
who laid it up deepest in her heart, and brought to ittreasured stores of...
All Fulness in Christ
... all we could need between the gates of hell, where we lay in our blood, to the gates
of heaven, where we shall find welcome admission, istreasured up for us...
The Growth of the Old Testament Prophetic Histories
... of expression among the Hebrews, In this respect their literary history is parallel
with that of other early peoples; for first theytreasured their thought in...
Jehovah-Jireh
... Sacrifice which taketh away the sins of the world, we receive them all on the condition
that we are found in the place where all God's provision istreasured....
Thesaurus
Treasured (20 Occurrences)... (imp. & pp) of Treasure. Multi-Version Concordance
Treasured (20 Occurrences). Luke
1:66 All who heard the story
treasured it in their memories.
...Zephaniah (11 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ZEPHANIAH. zef-a-ni'-a (tsephanyah, tsephanyahu,
"Yah hathtreasured"): (1) The prophet. See ZEPHANIAH, BOOK OF....
Gold (429 Occurrences)
... (2.) Hebrews segor, from its compactness, or as being enclosed ortreasured
up; thus precious or "fine gold" (1 Kings 6:20; 7:49)....
Treasure-house (6 Occurrences)
Treasure-house.Treasured, Treasure-house. Treasurer . Noah Webster's Dictionary...
(See JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT).Treasured, Treasure-house. Treasurer ....
Brethren (528 Occurrences)
... But, on the other hand, no one of the disciples understood Jesus and
appreciated His work andtreasured up His words as did John....
Lord (59401 Occurrences)
... But, on the other hand, no one of the disciples understood Jesus and
appreciated His work andtreasured up His words as did John....
Often (74 Occurrences)
... Luke 2:19 But Marytreasured up all these things, often dwelling on them in her
mind. (WEY). Luke 5:16 But he withdrew himself into the desert, and prayed....
Obedient (39 Occurrences)
... Luke 2:51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was always obedient
to them; but His mother carefullytreasured up all these incidents in her...
Incidents (1 Occurrence)
... Luke 2:51 Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was always obedient
to them; but His mother carefullytreasured up all these incidents in her...
Impious (19 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 3:7 and the present heavens and the earth, by the same word aretreasured,
for fire being kept to a day of judgment and destruction of the impious men....
Resources
What does the Bible say about the virgin Mary? | GotQuestions.orgDoes the Bible say anything that would apply to paying child support? | GotQuestions.orgWho does God say I am? | GotQuestions.orgTreasured: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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