In the context of the Bible, "alterations" can refer to changes or modifications, whether in physical structures, spiritual practices, or divine plans. The concept of alteration is significant in understanding how God interacts with His creation, how His people respond to His commands, and how the unfolding of His divine plan may involve changes that align with His sovereign will.

Alterations in Physical Structures

One of the most notable examples of alterations in the Bible is the construction and subsequent modifications of the Tabernacle and the Temple. The Tabernacle, as described in Exodus, was a portable sanctuary for the Israelites during their wilderness journey. God provided Moses with specific instructions for its construction, emphasizing precision and adherence to divine specifications (Exodus 25-27). Alterations to this structure were not taken lightly, as they were seen as changes to a divinely ordained plan.

Similarly, the Temple in Jerusalem underwent several alterations throughout its history. Solomon's Temple, initially constructed with grandeur and precision (1 Kings 6), was later destroyed and rebuilt during the time of Ezra and Nehemiah. The Second Temple also saw modifications, particularly under Herod the Great, who expanded and renovated it to enhance its splendor. These alterations, while sometimes politically motivated, were also seen as part of God's unfolding plan for His people.

Alterations in Spiritual Practices

Alterations in spiritual practices are evident in the transition from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant. The Old Covenant, established through the Law of Moses, required adherence to specific rituals and sacrifices. However, with the coming of Jesus Christ, there was a significant alteration in how God's people were to relate to Him. Jesus fulfilled the Law and established a New Covenant through His death and resurrection, emphasizing faith and grace over ritualistic adherence (Hebrews 8:6-13).

This alteration is further highlighted in the early church's struggle with the inclusion of Gentile believers. The Jerusalem Council, as recorded in Acts 15, addressed the question of whether Gentile converts needed to adhere to Jewish law. The council's decision to forgo certain legal requirements for Gentiles marked a significant alteration in the practice and understanding of faith, emphasizing the universality of the Gospel.

Alterations in Divine Plans

While God's ultimate plan is unchanging, Scripture records instances where God appears to alter His course of action in response to human behavior. One such example is found in the account of Jonah and Nineveh. God initially declared that Nineveh would be overthrown due to its wickedness (Jonah 3:4). However, when the people of Nineveh repented, God relented from the disaster He had planned (Jonah 3:10). This alteration demonstrates God's responsiveness to human repentance and His desire for mercy over judgment.

Another example is King Hezekiah's illness. God, through the prophet Isaiah, initially told Hezekiah to set his house in order, for he would die (2 Kings 20:1). However, after Hezekiah's fervent prayer, God altered His message, granting Hezekiah an additional fifteen years of life (2 Kings 20:5-6). This alteration underscores the power of prayer and God's willingness to engage with His people in a dynamic relationship.

Conclusion

Alterations in the Bible, whether in physical structures, spiritual practices, or divine plans, reflect the dynamic nature of God's interaction with His creation. They reveal a God who is both sovereign and responsive, unchanging in His character yet willing to engage with humanity in ways that accommodate growth, repentance, and faith.8133. shena -- to change
... NASB Word Usage altered (1), change (1), changed (5), changes (1), damaged (1),
different (5), grew even paler (1), grew pale (2), make alterations (1), pale (1 ...
/hebrew/8133.htm - 6k

No Alterations of Christ's Plan.
... PART I. THE PLAN OF CHRIST. CHAPTER 1. A. THE PLAN OF CHRIST'S MINISTRY
IN GENERAL. Section 51. No alterations of Christ's Plan. ...
/.../section 51 no alterations of.htm

Dr. Holmes' Note.
... 4. Epiphanius mentions sundry slight alterations in capp. ... Such are the alterations,
according to Epiphanius, which Marcion made in his Gospel from St. Luke. ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/dr holmes note.htm

Preface.
... the Editor the work of revision, and placed the Lectures in his hands, with the
request that he would read them carefully, and suggest such alterations as he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/finney/systematic theology/preface.htm

Corinthians. God's Yea; Man's Amen
... This is one of the many passages the force and beauty of which are, for the first
time, brought within the reach of an English reader by the alterations in the ...
/.../romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/ii corinthians gods yea mans.htm

The History of Cassian's Writings, Mss. , and Editions.
... The greatest alterations, as might be expected, are visible in the thirteenth
Conference; as Dionysius, in his endeavour to make Cassian orthodox, omits all ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter ii the history of.htm

Later History of Revision.
... The second and third rules deserve our especial attention in reference to the amount
of the emendations and alterations which have been introduced during the ...
/.../address ii later history of.htm

The Christian Urged To, and Assisted In, an Express Act of Self ...
... The chapter concludes with a specimen of such an instrument, together with an abstract
of it, to be used with proper and requisite alterations. ...
/.../chapter xvii the christian urged.htm

American Revision of the Thirty-Nine Articles, AD 1801.
... improvement. [1253] The alterations and omissions were made in the interest
of an unchurchly latitudinarianism which then prevailed. The ...
/.../ 82 american revision of.htm

The Westminster Confession.
... It made some alterations in the governmental chapters, and gave the document the
title, 'Articles of Christian Religion approved and passed by both Houses of ...
/.../ 94 the westminster confession.htm

The Perat?? Derive their System from the Astrologers; this Proved ...
... the Peratic, and Celbes the Carystian, [465] have, in the transference (into their
own system of opinions from these sources), made alterations in name only ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter viii the peratae derive their.htm

Alterations (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Alterations (1 Occurrence). Daniel 7:25 He shall
speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out ...
/a/alterations.htm - 6k

Alter (8 Occurrences)

/a/alter.htm - 9k

Eucharist
... Their omission in whole or part, and the alterations in the order of two or three
verses in the whole section (22:14-20), characteristic of a very small number ...
/e/eucharist.htm - 38k

Corrupt (59 Occurrences)
... 7. (vt) To debase or render impure by alterations or innovations; to falsify;
as, to corrupt language; to corrupt the sacred text. ...
/c/corrupt.htm - 25k

Altered (4 Occurrences)

/a/altered.htm - 7k

Supper (17 Occurrences)
... Their omission in whole or part, and the alterations in the order of two or three
verses in the whole section (22:14-20), characteristic of a very small number ...
/s/supper.htm - 44k

Stay (221 Occurrences)
... although "stay themselves upon" (= "support themselves by") has been kept in
48:2. Otherwise the Revised Version (British and American) has made few alterations...
/s/stay.htm - 38k

Job (60 Occurrences)
... In view of the numerous critical questions by which the interpretation of the book
has been beclouded-questions of later alterations, additions, corruptions ...
/j/job.htm - 62k

Shinar (8 Occurrences)
... Europeans. The alterations in the waterways, owing to changes in the
irrigation-channels, must then, as now, have hindered communication. ...
/s/shinar.htm - 27k

Luke (4 Occurrences)
... Marcion, because that writer, from his aversion to the Third Gospel (which nevertheless
was the only one he admitted into his collection-with alterations it is ...
/l/luke.htm - 55k

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