Topical Encyclopedia The concept of "begin" in the Bible is foundational, as it marks the inception of creation, covenants, and divine plans. The term is often associated with God's creative power, the initiation of His covenants with humanity, and the commencement of significant events in biblical history.Creation and the Beginning of Time The Bible opens with the profound declaration of the beginning of the universe: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1). This verse establishes God as the eternal Creator who exists outside of time and space, initiating the cosmos by His sovereign will. The act of creation is not only a physical beginning but also a theological one, setting the stage for God's relationship with His creation. The Beginning of Humanity The creation narrative continues with the formation of humanity, marking the beginning of human history. Genesis 1:27 states, "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them" . This beginning underscores the unique role of humans as bearers of God's image, tasked with stewardship over creation. Covenantal Beginnings Throughout the Bible, God initiates covenants that signify new beginnings for His people. The covenant with Noah, following the flood, represents a fresh start for humanity: "I establish My covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth" (Genesis 9:11). Similarly, God's covenant with Abraham marks the beginning of a chosen people through whom all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:1-3). The Beginning of Israel as a Nation The Exodus marks the beginning of Israel as a nation, liberated from Egyptian bondage. This pivotal event is commemorated annually in the Passover, as instructed in Exodus 12:2: "This month is to be the beginning of months for you; it is the first month of your year" . The Exodus narrative highlights God's redemptive power and His faithfulness to His promises. The New Beginning in Christ The New Testament presents Jesus Christ as the beginning of a new creation. In the Gospel of John, Jesus is identified with the Word, present at the beginning: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus inaugurates a new covenant, offering salvation and eternal life to all who believe. The Beginning of the Church The Day of Pentecost marks the beginning of the Christian Church, as recorded in Acts 2. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit empowers the apostles to preach the gospel, resulting in the conversion of thousands. This event signifies the fulfillment of Jesus' promise to send the Holy Spirit and the start of the Church's mission to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth. Eschatological Beginnings The Bible also speaks of future beginnings, particularly in the context of eschatology. The prophetic literature and the Book of Revelation describe the ultimate renewal of creation, where God will establish a new heaven and a new earth. Revelation 21:5 declares, "He who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I make all things new.'" This promise of a new beginning offers hope for the consummation of God's redemptive plan. In summary, the theme of "begin" in the Bible encompasses the creation of the world, the establishment of covenants, the formation of Israel, the advent of Christ, the birth of the Church, and the promise of a new creation. Each beginning reflects God's initiative and purpose, underscoring His sovereignty and faithfulness throughout history. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (v. i.) To have or commence an independent or first existence; to take rise; to commence.2. (v. i.) To do the first act or the first part of an action; to enter upon or commence something new, as a new form or state of being, or course of action; to take the first step; to start. 3. (v. t.) To enter on; to commence. 4. (v. t.) To trace or lay the foundation of; to make or place a beginning of. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia BEGINbe-gin': To make the first movement toward a given end (chalal; archomai). Those who interpret it in many passages pleonastically mean by this, that in such passages as "began to teach" or "began to speak," nothing more is intended than to express vividly and graphically the thought of the dependent infinitive. Matthew 4:17 Luke 3:23 Acts 1:1 are so understood. For contrary opinion, see Thayer's Lexicon and Winer's Grammar of New Testament Greek. Greek 4278. proenarchomai -- to begin before ... to begin before. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: proenarchomai Phonetic Spelling: (pro-en-ar'-khom-ahee) Short Definition: I begin before Definition: I ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4278.htm - 6k 5225. huparcho -- to begin, to be ready or at hand, to be 1728. enarchomai -- to begin, to make a beginning 757. archo -- to rule, to begin 2020. epiphosko -- to let shine, ie to dawn 756. archomai -- commence, rule 1036. buthizo -- to sink, to cause to sink 611. apokrinomai -- to answer 3195. mello -- to be about to 1. alpha -- alpha Strong's Hebrew 2490. chalal -- to bore, pierce... to bore, pierce. Transliteration: chalal Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-lal') Short Definition: pierce. begin men began, defile, break, defile, eat as common things ... /hebrew/2490.htm - 6k 1129. banah -- to build 6751. tsalal -- to be or grow dark 2974. yaal -- to show willingness, be pleased, determine ... 8271. shera -- to loosen, abide 4427. malak -- to be or become king or queen, to reign 2490c. chalal -- to pollute, defile, profane 8462. techillah -- a beginning 6030. anah -- to answer, respond 5927. alah -- to go up, ascend, climb Library For, to Begin with what is Important, what Advantage is it to the ... In Thee Will I Begin to Speak, Thou Head that Didst Begin all ... Here Begin the Miracles of the Blessed Hermit Richard. How a Private Man must Begin the Morning with Piety. But as I do not Begin to Doubt About the Necessity... Now as no Animal could Begin to Respire, or Unite with the Breath ... Before we Begin Our Reply, we have to Remark that the Endeavour to ... To Begin with the Real Ground of the Military Crown... We Will Now Begin a Careful Consideration of Each Several Point... To Prevent Ambiguity, we must Begin with Clear Definition. Thesaurus Begin (56 Occurrences)... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BEGIN. be-gin': To make the first movement toward a given end (chalal; archomai). ... Multi-Version Concordance Begin (56 Occurrences). ... /b/begin.htm - 26k Attack (221 Occurrences) Kindle (25 Occurrences) Dawn (70 Occurrences) Proceed (47 Occurrences) Conceive (23 Occurrences) Occupy (25 Occurrences) Lamentations (6 Occurrences) Wilt (324 Occurrences) Reject (56 Occurrences) Resources When did the church begin/start? | GotQuestions.orgI am a new Christian. What is the next step? | GotQuestions.org Does the Bible teach that life begins at conception? | GotQuestions.org Begin: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Begin (56 Occurrences)Matthew 20:8 Matthew 24:6 Matthew 24:49 Luke 3:8 Luke 12:45 Luke 13:25 Luke 13:26 Luke 14:9 Luke 14:29 Luke 21:28 Luke 23:30 Luke 23:54 John 7:14 Acts 18:14 Romans 3:2 1 Corinthians 7:5 2 Corinthians 3:1 2 Corinthians 8:6 2 Corinthians 8:10 Philippians 1:6 1 Timothy 5:11 James 4:2 1 Peter 4:17 Jude 1:3 Revelation 10:7 Genesis 11:6 Genesis 41:54 Numbers 25:1 Numbers 34:3 Deuteronomy 2:24 Deuteronomy 2:25 Deuteronomy 2:31 Deuteronomy 16:9 Deuteronomy 20:6 Deuteronomy 28:30 Joshua 3:7 Joshua 18:3 Judges 10:18 Judges 13:5 Judges 20:31 1 Samuel 3:12 1 Samuel 9:13 1 Samuel 22:15 2 Samuel 7:29 1 Kings 20:14 2 Kings 8:25 1 Chronicles 22:16 1 Chronicles 22:19 2 Chronicles 29:17 Nehemiah 11:17 Jeremiah 25:29 Lamentations 2:19 Ezekiel 9:6 Ezekiel 9:7 Ezekiel 39:14 Hosea 8:10 Subtopics Related Terms |