Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "wanting" often refers to a lack or deficiency, whether in material possessions, spiritual fulfillment, or moral character. The concept of wanting is addressed throughout Scripture, highlighting both the physical and spiritual dimensions of human need.
Material WantingThe Bible acknowledges the reality of material want and provides guidance on how believers should respond to it. In the Old Testament, God's provision for the Israelites in the wilderness is a testament to His care for those in need.
Exodus 16:18 states, "When they measured it by the omer, he who gathered much had no excess, and he who gathered little had no shortfall. They gathered as much as they needed to eat." This passage illustrates God's provision, ensuring that no one was left wanting.
The wisdom literature also addresses material want.
Proverbs 13:25 notes, "The righteous eat to their hearts’ content, but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry." This suggests a moral dimension to material sufficiency, where righteousness is linked to provision.
Spiritual WantingSpiritual wanting is a significant theme in the Bible, often depicted as a deeper, more profound need than physical lack.
Psalm 23:1 famously declares, "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want." This verse conveys the idea that with God as a shepherd, spiritual needs are fully met, and there is no lack.
In the New Testament, Jesus addresses spiritual wanting in the Beatitudes.
Matthew 5:6 states, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." Here, the desire for righteousness is portrayed as a spiritual hunger that God promises to satisfy.
Moral and Ethical WantingThe Bible also speaks to moral and ethical deficiencies, often using the term "wanting" to describe a lack of integrity or righteousness. In the book of Daniel, King Belshazzar is found wanting in moral character.
Daniel 5:27 reads, "TEKEL means that you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient." This passage underscores the importance of moral integrity and the consequences of being found wanting in God's eyes.
Response to WantingScripture provides guidance on how believers should respond to both their own wanting and the needs of others.
Acts 20:35 encourages generosity: "In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’" This teaching emphasizes the Christian duty to address the wants of others through acts of charity and kindness.
Furthermore, the Bible calls believers to trust in God's provision.
Philippians 4:19 assures, "And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus." This promise encourages faith in God's ability to meet both material and spiritual needs.
In summary, the concept of wanting in the Bible encompasses material, spiritual, and moral dimensions. Scripture provides both assurance of God's provision and a call to ethical living and generosity, addressing the multifaceted nature of human need.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Want.
2. (a.) Absent; lacking; missing; also, deficient; destitute; needy; as, one of the twelve is wanting; I shall not be wanting in exertion.
Greek
3007. leipo -- to leave, leave behind... to leave, leave behind. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: leipo Phonetic Spelling:
(li'-po) Short Definition: I am
wanting, am left behind Definition
...2309. thelo -- to will, wish
... design. Cognate: 2309 (a primitive verb, dictionary) -- to desire (wish,
will),wanting what is () because someone is and to act....
1014. boulomai -- to will
... desire (2), desires (1), desiring (1), intend (1), intended (3), intending (1),
like (1), planned (1), unwilling* (1), want (7), wanted (3),wanting (2), will...
1365. distazo -- twenty thousand
... shifting between positions; choosing "a double-stance" and hence (waver); (figuratively)
because refusing to choose way over the other -- "wanting to have our...
1729b. endees -- in want, needy
... Word Origin from endeo (to fall short, bewanting or lacking); from en and deo
Definition in want, needy NASB Word Usage needy (1). 1729a, 1729b....
2360. throeo -- to be troubled
... 2360 (from, "clamor, tumult") -- properly, (thrown into confusion, , 953);
(figuratively) troubled (disturbed),wanting to "cry aloud, to scream (passive...
5228. huper -- over, beyond, fig. on behalf of, for the sake of...
... 5228 () signifies something like ' . .concerning.' JB Lightfoot (on Gal
1:4) . .remarks that has 'a sense of in,' which iswanting to...
5302. hustereo -- to come late, be behind, come short
... 5302 (from 5306 , "last") -- properly, at "the end," ie coming behind (to "be posterior,
late"); (figuratively) coming ; leftwanting (falling short)....
Strong's Hebrew
2627. chassir -- lacking,wanting, deficient... chassir or chassir. 2628 . lacking,
wanting, deficient. Transliteration: chassir
or chassir Phonetic Spelling: (khas-seer') Short Definition: deficient.
...wanting...2642. chesron -- a thing lacking, deficiency
... what is lacking (1).wanting. From chacer; deficiency --wanting. see HEBREW
chacer. 2641, 2642. chesron. 2643 . Strong's Numbers.
5737. adar -- to help
... A primitive root; to arrange, as a battle, a vineyard (to hoe); hence, to muster
and so to miss (or findwanting) -- dig, fail, keep (rank), lack....
Library
Weighed andWanting
Weighed andWanting. <. Weighed andWanting Dwight L. Moody. Produced by Keith
G Richardson Table of Contents. Title Page. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS....
Weighed, and FoundWanting
... THE BOOK OF NUMBERS WEIGHED, AND FOUNDWANTING. 'And all the congregation
lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that...
October the Seventh Needing andWanting
... OCTOBER The Seventh NEEDING ANDWANTING. ACTS xvii.22-31. "As though He
needed anything." "He may not need us; but does He want us...
Courage in War was notWanting in Our Forefathers...
... Three Books on the Duties of the Clergy. by St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan. Book I.
Chapter XL. Courage in war was notwanting in our forefathers?...
There is Now, I Think,Wanting in These Remarks no Answer to...
... IV."Apologetic Works. Chapter XXXVIII. There is now, I think,wanting
in these remarks no answer to inquiries concerning the?...
The Ninth Chapter:Wanting no Share in Comfort
... BOOK TWO. THE INTERIOR LIFE The Ninth Chapter:Wanting No Share in Comfort. IT
IS not hard to spurn human consolation when we have the divine....
What Then could HeWanting unto Thy Good, which Thou Thyself Art.....
... Book XIII Chapter IV What then could hewanting unto Thy good, which Thou
Thyself art? What then could hewanting unto Thy good...
Letter v. --The Fear of BeingWanting in Submission.
... OF GOD. Letter V."The Fear of BeingWanting in Submission. To... Monthureus (1734).
On the fear of beingwanting in submission to God. God...
Weighed andWanting
Weighed andWanting. <.... Title Page. Weighed andWanting Addresses
on the Ten Commandments. BY. DL MOODY. "Tekel: Thou art...
Now from this Longing on Both Sides, NatureWanting God...
... [Way-3-52] Now from this longing on both sides, naturewanting God? Now
from this longing on both sides, naturewanting God, and...
Thesaurus
Wanting (27 Occurrences)... & vb. n.) of Want. 2. (a.) Absent; lacking; missing; also, deficient; destitute;
needy; as, one of the twelve is
wanting; I shall not be
wanting in exertion.
...Fail (130 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To bewanting; to fall short; to be or become deficient in any measure or
degree up to total absence; to cease to be furnished in the usual or expected...
Weak (102 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi)Wanting physical strength.... 11. (vi) Feeble of mind;wanting discernment;
lacking vigor; spiritless; as, a weak king or magistrate. 12....
Incompetent (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (a.) Not competent; incapable; unable; inadequate; unfit;wanting in adequate
strength, power, capacity, means, qualifications, or the like....
Thin (39 Occurrences)
... thin. 4. (superl.) Not full or well grown;wanting in plumpness. 5... 6. (superl.)
Wanting in body or volume; small; feeble; not full. 7. (superl...
Deficient (6 Occurrences)
... (a.) Not having an adequate supply or amount;wanting, to make up... (WEY). Daniel
5:27 TEKEL; you are weighed in the balances, and are foundwanting. (See NAS)....
Much (2586 Occurrences)
... & superl.wanting, but supplied by) Great in quantity; long in duration; as, much
rain has fallen; much time....wanting, but supplied by) Many in number....
Poor (276 Occurrences)
... 17. Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (superl.) Destitute of property;wanting
in material riches or goods; needy; indigent. 2. (superl...
Lean (22 Occurrences)
... 6. (vi)Wanting flesh; destitute of or deficient in fat; not plump; meager;
thin; lank; as, a lean body; a lean cattle. 7. (vi)Wanting...
Worshipers (12 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 10:19 Now therefore call to me all the prophets of Baal, all his servants,
and all his priests; let none bewanting: for I have a great sacrifice to do...
Resources
What does the Bible say about popularity / wanting to be popular? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about self-pity? | GotQuestions.orgI want a baby, but my spouse does not. What do we do? | GotQuestions.orgWanting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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