Topical Encyclopedia
In the Bible, the concept of pairs is a recurring theme that signifies unity, partnership, and the fulfillment of divine purposes. From the creation narrative to the teachings of Jesus, pairs are used to illustrate the complementary nature of relationships and the importance of working together in harmony.
Creation and the First PairThe concept of pairs is introduced in the creation account in Genesis. God creates the first human pair, Adam and Eve, to inhabit the Garden of Eden.
Genesis 2:18 states, "The LORD God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make for him a suitable helper.'" This foundational pair represents the ideal of marital unity and partnership, as further emphasized in
Genesis 2:24 : "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh."
Animals Entering the ArkThe account of Noah's Ark also highlights the significance of pairs. God commands Noah to bring animals into the ark in pairs to preserve life during the flood.
Genesis 7:9 records, "two by two they came to Noah to enter the ark, male and female, as God had commanded Noah." This pairing ensured the continuation of each species after the floodwaters receded.
The Mission of the DisciplesIn the New Testament, Jesus sends out His disciples in pairs to spread the Gospel.
Mark 6:7 notes, "And He called the twelve to Him and began to send them out two by two, giving them authority over unclean spirits." This practice underscores the importance of mutual support and accountability in ministry, as well as the strength found in partnership.
Symbolic PairsThe Bible also uses pairs symbolically to convey spiritual truths. For instance, the pairing of faith and works is a central theme in the Epistle of James.
James 2:17 states, "So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead." This pairing emphasizes the necessity of both belief and action in the Christian life.
Contrasting PairsContrasting pairs are used to illustrate moral and spiritual lessons. The parable of the wise and foolish builders in
Matthew 7:24-27 contrasts those who hear and act on Jesus' words with those who do not, highlighting the importance of a firm foundation in faith. Similarly, the parable of the ten virgins in
Matthew 25:1-13 contrasts preparedness with negligence, urging believers to remain vigilant for the coming of the Kingdom.
ConclusionThroughout Scripture, pairs serve as a powerful motif that reflects God's design for relationships, the importance of cooperation, and the balance between complementary elements. Whether in creation, mission, or moral teaching, pairs illustrate the divine principle that "two are better than one" (
Ecclesiastes 4:9), as they provide support, strength, and fulfillment of God's purposes.
Greek
1417. duo -- two... Word Origin a primary number Definition two NASB Word Usage both (1), forty-two*
(2),
pairs (2), twenty (1), two (124), two men (3). both, twain, two.
...Strong's Hebrew
6776. tsemed -- a couple, pair... Word Origin from tsamad Definition a couple, pair NASB Word Usage acre (1), acres
(1), couple (1), pair (3),
pairs (3), team (1), together (1), two (1), yoke (3
...Library
Pairs.
... Homily II. Chapter XV."Pairs.... Footnotes: [923] Literally, "twofoldly and oppositely."
[On the doctrine ofpairs compare chap. 33, iii. 23, Recognitions, iii....
TenPairs.
... Book III. Chapter LXI."TenPairs. "The tenpairs [707] of which we have spoken have
therefore been assigned to this world from the beginning of time....
Doctrine ofPairs.
... Homily II. Chapter XXXIII."Doctrine ofPairs. These things having been
thus spoken, the excellent Peter himself also proceeded...
Good and Evil inPairs.
... Book III. Chapter LIX."Good and Evil inPairs. "For, as I was beginning
to say, [706] God has appointed for this world certain...
Simon's System of a Threefold Emanation byPairs.
... Book VI. Chapter VII."Simon's System of a Threefold Emanation byPairs.
For, he says, he is in the habit of considering that all...
The Introduction: Chapter 1
... The INTRODUCTION (chap. i) is constructed on exactly the same plan as the CONCLUSION
(xxii.6-21). Each consists of fourpairs of four members each....
On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xiv. 16, "A Certain Man Made a...
... Another said, I have bought fivepairs of oxen, and I go to prove them; I pray thee
have me excused.... The fivepairs of oxen are the senses of this body....
On the Study of Zoology.
... Behind these, on the under side of the body, are twopairs of long feelers, or antennae,
followed by sixpairs of jaws, folded against one another over the...
The Scope of the Apocalypse Shewn by Its Structure
... in chap. xxi.1 - xxii.5, we find that the whole body of the book is divided
for us into sevenpairs of connected events. Perhaps...
The Clementine Homilies
... Chapter XIV.--Righteousness and Unrighteousness. Chapter XV.--Pairs.... Chapter
XXXII.--Simon's Prodigies. Chapter XXXIII.--Doctrine ofPairs....
Thesaurus
Pairs (13 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Pairs (13 Occurrences).
... (See NAS). Genesis 7:2 You shall
take seven
pairs of every clean animal with you, the male and his female.
...Pair (18 Occurrences)
... parliamentary body, who mutually agree not to vote on a given question, or on issues
of a party nature during a specified time; as, there were twopairs on the...
Crane (2 Occurrences)
... of a cask. 6. (n.) A forked post or projecting bracket to support spars,
etc., -- generally used inpairs. See Crotch, 2. 7. (vt...
Stork (6 Occurrences)
... Two species are found in Palestine, the white, which are dispersed inpairs over
the whole country; and the black, which live in marshy places and in great...
Lamentations (6 Occurrences)
... double lines. In Lamentations 3 a letter controls threepairs, but is
repeated at the beginning of each line. In Lamentations 5...
Gier-eagle (4 Occurrences)
... all. The word is derived from a Hebrew root, meaning "to love," and was
applied to the birds because matedpairs seldom separated....
Giereagle
... all. The word is derived from a Hebrew root, meaning "to love," and was
applied to the birds because matedpairs seldom separated....
Double (49 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Being inpairs; presenting two of a kind, or two in a set together; coupled....
(n.) A game between twopairs of players; as, a first prize for doubles....
Caterpillar (6 Occurrences)
... The true caterpillars have threepairs of true legs, and severalpairs of abdominal
fleshy legs (prolegs) armed with hooks. Some are hairy, others naked....
Sister (113 Occurrences)
... (7) 'Achoth is used of objects which go inpairs, as curtains, each `coupled to
its sister' (Exodus 26:3, 6), and of wings inpairs (Ezekiel 1:9; Ezekiel 3:13...
Resources
What made some animals clean and others unclean (Genesis 7)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are Y-Chromosomal Adam and Mitochondrial Eve? | GotQuestions.orgWho are the Two by Twos and the Cooneyites, and what do they believe? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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