Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the concept of population is intricately linked to God's command to humanity, His covenant promises, and the unfolding of His divine plan throughout history. The Bible provides insights into the growth, movement, and significance of populations from the earliest chapters of Genesis to the prophetic visions in Revelation.
Creation and the Mandate to MultiplyThe idea of population begins with the creation narrative. In
Genesis 1:28 , God blesses Adam and Eve, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it." This divine mandate establishes the foundation for human population growth as part of God's design for creation. The command to multiply is reiterated to Noah and his sons after the flood in
Genesis 9:1 : "Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth."
The Patriarchs and God's PromisesPopulation growth is also a key element in God's covenant with the patriarchs. To Abraham, God promises numerous descendants, likening them to the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore (
Genesis 22:17). This promise is central to the Abrahamic covenant and is reiterated to Isaac and Jacob, emphasizing the importance of population in the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel.
Israel's Growth in EgyptThe book of Exodus highlights the rapid population growth of the Israelites in Egypt, which becomes a source of concern for Pharaoh.
Exodus 1:7 states, "But the Israelites were fruitful and increased abundantly; they multiplied and became exceedingly strong, so that the land was filled with them." This growth sets the stage for the subsequent oppression and eventual deliverance of the Israelites, demonstrating how population dynamics can influence historical and divine events.
Census and OrganizationThe Bible records several instances of census-taking, reflecting the importance of population data for organizational and military purposes. In
Numbers 1, God commands Moses to take a census of the Israelite men able to serve in the army. This census serves both practical and theological purposes, as it underscores God's provision and the fulfillment of His promises to multiply the descendants of Abraham.
Prophetic Visions and Eschatological PopulationsIn prophetic literature, population themes often appear in visions of future restoration and judgment. The prophets speak of a time when the population of Israel will be restored and multiplied. For instance,
Jeremiah 30:19 declares, "From them will come songs of thanksgiving and the sound of rejoicing. I will multiply them, and they will not be decreased; I will honor them, and they will not be belittled."
The New Testament and the Spread of the GospelIn the New Testament, the concept of population takes on a spiritual dimension with the Great Commission. Jesus commands His disciples to "go and make disciples of all nations" (
Matthew 28:19), emphasizing the expansion of the spiritual population of God's kingdom. The early church's growth, as recorded in Acts, reflects the fulfillment of this commission and the spread of the gospel to diverse populations.
Eschatological FulfillmentThe book of Revelation presents a vision of a great multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language standing before the throne of God (
Revelation 7:9). This imagery highlights the ultimate fulfillment of God's plan for a redeemed population, united in worship and service to Him.
Throughout the Bible, population is not merely a demographic concern but a theological theme that underscores God's sovereignty, faithfulness, and redemptive purposes for humanity.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The act or process of populating; multiplication of inhabitants.
2. (n.) The whole number of people, or inhabitants, in a country, or portion of a country; as, a population of ten millions.
Greek
2415. Hierosolumites -- an inhabitant of Jer.... Cognate: 2415 (-, a masculine noun) -- (the
population of Jerusalem). 2415 () is
only used twice in the NT. Word Origin from Hierosoluma Definition an inhab.
...1553. ekdemeo -- to be away from home, absent
... 1553 (from 1537 , " and " and 1218 , "apopulation, people") -- properly,
out from home, ie with the of being ("away from home")....
Strong's Hebrew
6520. perazon -- perhaps ruralpopulation... 6519, 6520. perazon. 6521 . perhaps rural
population. Transliteration: perazon
Phonetic Spelling: (per-aw-zone') Short Definition: peasantry.
...1546. galuth -- an exile
... Word Origin from galah Definition an exile NASB Word Usage captives (1), exile
(5), exiles (8),population (2). they that are carried away captives....
4186. moshab -- a seat, assembly, dwelling place, dwelling...
... from yashab; a seat; figuratively, a site; abstractly, a session; by extension an
abode (the place or the time); by implication,population -- assembly, dwell...
1995. hamon -- a sound, murmur, roar, crowd, abundance
... commotion (2), great quantity (1), horde (2), hordes (14), many (3), multitude
(31), multitudes (2), noise (2), people (1), populated (1),population (1), roar...
120. adam -- man, mankind
... 9), men (104), men of low degree* (1), men's (3), men* (4), mortal (1), one (3),
people (1), person (5), person* (1), persons (3),population (1), someone (1)....
Library
A Group of Miracles among a Semi-HeathenPopulation
... CHAPTER XXXIV. A GROUP OF MIRACLES AMONG A SEMI-HEATHENPOPULATION. (Matthew
15:29-31; Mark 7 31-37; Mark 8:22-26; Matthew 11:27-31.)...
Introduction
... Itspopulation could never have been great, and though cities and villages were
crowded together on the plains and in the valleys, and perched at times on...
The Reformation in Hungary and the Confession of Czenger.
... country on the banks of the lower Danube, once an independent kingdom, then united
with the empire of Austria, and containing a mixedpopulation of Magyars...
Some Preliminary Definitions
... A more practical definition, then, of a "community" would be "That aggregation of
population which is bound together by a predominating proportion of its local...
A Corps Commander
... The business man finds that the hustle, the high rent, floatingpopulation and the
keen competition of the city necessitates extraordinary care and daring to...
Further Refutation of the Pythagorean Theory. The State of...
... We find, however, in the records of the Antiquities of Man, [1713] that the human
race has progressed with a gradual growth ofpopulation, either occupying...
Jews.
... says:" "The statistics of the Jewishpopulation are among the most singular
circumstances of this most singular of all people....
Roman Catholics.
... They form, it is stated, more than three fourths of thepopulation of the Canadas....
Thepopulation of Canada, in 1840, was at least one million....
The Syrian Enrollment in 8 Bc
... Other considerations, also, prove that some attempt was made in Syria, whether
systematically or sporadically, to number thepopulation Such enumerations can...
Spanish Conquest-The Propagation, Decay, and Downfall of Spanish...
... priests and of soldiers were received from Mexico; by the end of ten years baptisms
were reported to the number of eight thousand; the entirepopulation of the...
Thesaurus
Population (11 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) The whole number of people, or inhabitants, in a country, or portion of
a country; as, a
population of ten millions.
...Population (11 Occurrences).
...Lystra (6 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A town of Lycaonia, in Asia Minor, in a wild
district and among a rudepopulation. Here Paul preached...
Ethiopia (26 Occurrences)
... e-thi-o'-pi-a (kush; Aithiopia): 1. Location, Extent andPopulation: Critically
speaking Ethiopia may refer only to the Nile valley above the First Cataract...
Zoan (7 Occurrences)
... zo'-an (tso`an; Tanis): 1. situation 2. Old Testament Notices 3. Early History 4.
Hyksos Monuments 5. HyksosPopulation 6. Hyksos Age 7. Description of Site 1...
Syrians (63 Occurrences)
... The earliest layer of Semiticpopulation was the Amorite which was found in Syria
when the first Babylonian empire extended its authority over the land....
Trachonitis (1 Occurrence)
... Leja', "the refuge" or "asylum." It lies in the midst of an arable and pastoral
country; and although it could never have supported a largepopulation, it has...
Elamites (2 Occurrences)
... Contents 1. Geographical Position and Names 2. Surface Configuration 3. Mountain
Ranges 4. Rivers 5. Climate 6. Vegetation 7. Fauna 8. ThePopulation 9. The...
Elam (24 Occurrences)
... Contents 1. Geographical Position and Names 2. Surface Configuration 3. Mountain
Ranges 4. Rivers 5. Climate 6. Vegetation 7. Fauna 8. ThePopulation 9. The...
Canaan (102 Occurrences)
... Our first knowledge of itspopulation dates from the neolithic period. The neolithic
inhabitants of Gezer were of short stature (about 5 ft....
Antioch (21 Occurrences)
... battle of Actium. A Roman element was added to itspopulation, and several
of the emperors contributed to its adornment. Already a...
Resources
What does the Bible say about population control? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the difference between Microevolution and Macroevolution? | GotQuestions.orgAre mono-ethnic churches, churches that focus on a specific race or ethnic group, following a biblical model? | GotQuestions.orgPopulation: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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