Topical Encyclopedia The term "before" in the Bible often denotes a position in time or space, indicating precedence or priority. It is used in various contexts, including temporal sequences, spatial arrangements, and hierarchical order. The concept of "before" is significant in understanding the chronology of biblical events, the order of creation, and the precedence of divine authority.Temporal Context In the temporal sense, "before" is used to describe events that occur prior to others. For example, in Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth," the phrase implies that God's existence and creative act precede the formation of the universe. This establishes the foundational belief in God's eternal nature and His sovereignty over time. The prophetic literature often uses "before" to indicate events that will happen prior to others. In Amos 3:7, it is written, "Surely the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing His plan to His servants the prophets." This suggests that prophetic revelation occurs before the fulfillment of God's plans, underscoring the importance of prophecy in biblical theology. Spatial Context Spatially, "before" can denote physical presence or position. In Exodus 20:3, the first of the Ten Commandments states, "You shall have no other gods before Me." Here, "before" signifies the exclusive worship and reverence due to God, placing Him above all other entities in the lives of the Israelites. In the context of worship, "before" often describes the act of presenting oneself in the presence of God. In Psalm 95:6, the psalmist invites, "Come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker." This use of "before" emphasizes the posture of humility and reverence required in worship. Hierarchical Context "Before" also conveys a sense of priority or superiority in hierarchical terms. In Colossians 1:17, Paul writes, "He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." This passage highlights the preeminence of Christ in creation and His sustaining power over the universe, affirming His divine authority and centrality in Christian doctrine. In the context of moral and ethical teachings, "before" can indicate the priority of certain virtues or commandments. For instance, in Matthew 6:33, Jesus instructs, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." Here, "before" implies the precedence of spiritual pursuits over material concerns. Covenantal Context The use of "before" in covenantal language often signifies the establishment of a relationship or agreement. In Genesis 17:1-2, God appears to Abram and says, "I am God Almighty; walk before Me and be blameless. I will establish My covenant between Me and you, and I will multiply you exceedingly." The phrase "walk before Me" indicates a life lived in accordance with God's will, as part of the covenantal relationship. Judgment and Accountability "Before" is also used in the context of divine judgment and accountability. In Romans 14:10, Paul writes, "For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God." This underscores the belief that all individuals are accountable to God and will be judged according to His standards. Conclusion The term "before" in the Bible is rich with meaning, encompassing temporal, spatial, hierarchical, covenantal, and judgmental dimensions. It serves as a reminder of God's eternal nature, His rightful place in worship, the preeminence of Christ, the priority of spiritual pursuits, and the accountability of all creation to the Creator. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (prep.) In front of; preceding in space; ahead of; as, to stand before the fire; before the house.2. (prep.) Preceding in time; earlier than; previously to; anterior to the time when; -- sometimes with the additional idea of purpose; in order that. 3. (prep.) An advance of; farther onward, in place or time. 4. (prep.) Prior or preceding in dignity, order, rank, right, or worth; rather than. 5. (prep.) In presence or sight of; face to face with; facing. 6. (prep.) Under the cognizance or jurisdiction of. 7. (prep.) Open for; free of access to; in the power of. 8. (adv.) On the fore part; in front, or in the direction of the front; -- opposed to in the rear. 9. (adv.) In advance. 10. (adv.) In time past; previously; already. 11. (adv.) Earlier; sooner than; until then. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia BEFOREbe-for': The translation of a great variety of Hebrew and Greek words. "Haran died before (the English Revised Version "in the presence of," literally "before the face of") his father Terah" (Genesis 11:28). To be "before" God is to enjoy His favor (Psalm 31:22). "The Syrians before" (Isaiah 9:12 the Revised Version, margin "on the east," as "behind," owing to the position of Canaan, relative to Syria, implies the west). DAY BEFORE THE SABBATH (he paraskeue, "preparation"): Considered as a day of preparation, in accordance with Exodus 16:23, both before the regular Sabbath and before a feast Sabbath (Matthew 27:62 Mark 15:42 Luke 23:54 John 19:14, 31, 42). At 3 p.m., the Hebrews began to prepare their food for the next day, and to perform all labors which were forbidden to be done on the Sabbath and yet must be done. They bathed and purified themselves, dressed in festive apparel, set their tables, and lighted their lamps. On the day before Easter, the Hebrews of the later period made it their chief business to remove all leaven from the house (1 Corinthians 5:7). This custom of converting at least a portion of the day before the Sabbath into a holy day was recognized by the Romans to such an extent that, according to a rescript of Augustus, Jews need not appear in court after 3 p.m. on such days. Criminal cases were not brought before court on this day, and journeys exceeding 12 Roman miles were prohibited. The signal for the preparations was given by the priests by means of trumpets blown six times at intervals. SABBATH, DAY BEFORE THE Greek 4313. proporeuomai -- to make to go before, to cause to go before ... to make to go before, to cause to go before. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: proporeuomai Phonetic Spelling: (prop-or-yoo'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4313.htm - 6k 4254. proago -- to lead forth, to go before 4363. prospipto -- to fall upon, fall prostrate before 1715. emprosthen -- before, in front of (in place or time) 4315. prosabbaton -- the day before the Sabbath 4253. pro -- before 1725. enanti -- before, ie in the presence of 4295. prokeimai -- to be set before, to be set forth 1799. enopios -- in sight of, before 3908. paratithemi -- to place beside, to set before Strong's Hebrew 6925. qodam -- before... 6924b, 6925. qodam. 6926 . before. Transliteration: qodam Phonetic Spelling: (kod-awm') Short Definition: before. Word Origin (Aramaic ... /hebrew/6925.htm - 6k 2962. terem -- not yet, ere, before that 6903. qobel -- in front of, before, because of, because that 6905. qabal -- before 3942. liphnay -- before 5226. nekach -- before, over against 8032. shilshowm -- three days ago, day before, yesterday 2958. terom -- before 8032a. shilshom -- three days ago, day before, yesterday 1162. Boaz -- "quickness," an ancestor of David, also a pillar ... Library With, Before, After Christ Before Pilate. Before the Sanhedrin Grace Before Meat. 'Before Governors and Kings' Jesus Before Caiaphas Paul Before Felix Sunday Before Lent That it was Before Predicted that the World Would Hold us in ... Esther Before the King. Thesaurus Before (18954 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (prep.) In front of; preceding in space; ahead of; as, to stand before the fire; before the house. ...BEFORE. ... /b/before.htm - 9k Before-time (1 Occurrence) Vail (44 Occurrences) Splendour (32 Occurrences) Seats (40 Occurrences) Yard (8 Occurrences) Zephon (5 Occurrences) Kiriath (34 Occurrences) Knelt (20 Occurrences) Kneeled (12 Occurrences) Resources What does the Bible say about sex before marriage? | GotQuestions.orgIs abstinence before marriage a realistic message? | GotQuestions.org When was before the foundation of the world? | GotQuestions.org Before: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Before (18954 Occurrences)Before appears 18954 times in 12 translations. You can narrow your search using the Advanced Bible Search. Subtopics Related Terms |
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