The term "beholds" in the Bible is often used to draw attention to something significant, to emphasize a divine revelation, or to highlight an important event or truth. It is a word that invites the reader or listener to pause and consider the weight of what is being presented. In the original languages of the Bible, the Hebrew word often translated as "behold" is "הִנֵּה" (hinneh), and in Greek, it is "ἰδού" (idou). Both terms serve a similar function in the text, acting as a marker for something noteworthy.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, "behold" is frequently used in narratives and prophetic literature. It serves to draw attention to God's actions, commands, or the unfolding of His divine plan. For example, in Genesis 1:29 , God says, "Behold, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the face of all the earth and every tree whose fruit contains seed. They will be yours for food." Here, "behold" underscores the provision and generosity of God in creation.

In the prophetic books, "behold" often introduces a vision or a message from God. Isaiah 7:14 states, "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel." This usage highlights the miraculous nature of the prophecy and its fulfillment in the New Testament.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, "behold" continues to serve as a literary device to emphasize key moments in the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, as well as in the teachings of the apostles. In Matthew 1:23 , the angel announces, "Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel"—a direct fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah.

The word is also used to draw attention to the miraculous works of Jesus. In John 1:29 , John the Baptist declares, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" This statement not only identifies Jesus as the Messiah but also encapsulates His redemptive mission.

Theological Significance

The use of "behold" in Scripture is more than a mere literary flourish; it is a call to recognize and respond to God's revelation. It invites believers to witness the unfolding of God's redemptive history and to acknowledge His sovereignty and grace. In Revelation 21:5 , the phrase is used to herald the renewal of creation: "He who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I make all things new.'" This declaration points to the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises and the hope of eternal life for believers.

Practical Application

For contemporary readers, the frequent use of "behold" in the Bible serves as a reminder to remain attentive to God's work in the world and in their lives. It encourages believers to pause and reflect on the significance of God's actions and words, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of His divine plan.2334. theoreo -- to look at, gaze
... Word Origin from theoros (an envoy, spectator) Definition to look at, gaze NASB
Word Usage beholds (1), look (1), looking (5), observe (3), observed (4 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2334.htm - 9k7789. shur -- to behold, regard
... root Definition to behold, regard NASB Word Usage behold (5), beholds (1), lie in
wait (1), look (2), notices (1), regard (1), regards (1), see (1), watch (1). ...
/hebrew/7789.htm - 6k

5027. nabat -- to look
... root Definition to look NASB Word Usage beheld (1), behold (1), beholds (2), consider
(2), depend (1), depended (1), gaze (1), gazed (1), look (34), look down ...
/hebrew/5027.htm - 6k

But Even this Rational Light Itself Ought not to be Worshipped by ...
... Chapter XI. But even this rational light itself ought not to be worshipped
by him who beholds? But even this rational light itself ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xi but even this.htm

The Holy Spirit in Relation to the Father and the Son. ...
... He beholds the Lord of Glory, and is bidden to worship Him. He then ... all.
The prophet now beholds the descent of the Beloved. In ...
/.../the demonstration of the apostolic preaching/chapter 2 the holy spirit 2.htm

Transformation by Beholding
... in the perceiving eye. In spiritual sight, the soul which beholds is a
mirror, and at once beholds and reflects. Thus, then, we ...
/.../romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/transformation by beholding.htm

Visions of Future Glory
... "I am pained at my very heart," Jeremiah exclaims as he beholds the desolations
wrought during the closing scenes of earth's history. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 60 visions of future.htm

The Poets Also Bear Testimony to the Truth.
... And in them He Himself exerts his activity: no mortal. Beholds Him, but He beholds
all.". Thus far Orpheus at last understood that he had been in error:". ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter vii the poets also bear.htm

The Approval of the Spirit
... an unusual way and before him as in panoramic vision the past, the present and the
future move quickly, and he makes a record of all the things that he beholds ...
/.../chapman/and judas iscariot/the approval of the spirit.htm

How Our Spirit is Called to Go Out in Contemplation and Fruition
... to intellectual perception, yet this likeness is one with that same Image of the
Holy Trinity, which is the wisdom of God and in which God beholds Himself and ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter iii how our spirit.htm

The vision of God.
... That needs no shadows to enhance its brightness,. He now beholds, so we believe,
for ages already. ... He beholds the Father's Brightness in the Face of the Son,. ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/the vision of god.htm

The Soul Immortal. Proved by -1 Its Being Distinct from the Body ...
... own power, and transcends the natural power of the body, and as though travelling
away from the body while remaining in it, imagines and beholds things above ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 33 the soul immortal.htm

How a Kind of Trinity Exists in the Mind Thinking of Itself. What ...
... When the mind, then, beholds itself in conception, it understands and cognizes itself;
it begets, therefore, this its own understanding and cognition. ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 6 how a kind of.htm

Beholds (9 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Beholds (9 Occurrences). John 6 ... NAS). John 12:45 and
he that beholds me, beholds him that sent me. (DBY). John ...
/b/beholds.htm - 8k

Beholding (45 Occurrences)

/b/beholding.htm - 21k

Witness (295 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) One who is cognizant; a person who beholds, or otherwise has personal
knowledge of, anything; as, an eyewitness; an earwitness. ...
/w/witness.htm - 44k

Backward (39 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT). John 20:14 Having said these things she turned backward
and beholds Jesus standing there, and knew not that it was Jesus. ...
/b/backward.htm - 18k

Behoove

/b/behoove.htm - 7k

Beholder (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who beholds; a spectator. Multi-Version
Concordance Beholder (7 Occurrences). Genesis 16:13 And ...
/b/beholder.htm - 8k

Spectator (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who sees or beholds; a beholder; one who
is present at an exhibition; as, the spectators at a show. ...
/s/spectator.htm - 6k

Transfiguration
... the disciple displays the mind of Christ (Romans 12:2); and by that intimate fellowship
with God, through which, as with unveiled face he beholds the glory of ...
/t/transfiguration.htm - 17k

Garments (232 Occurrences)
... John 20:12 and beholds two angels sitting in white garments, one at the head
and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. (DBY). ...
/g/garments.htm - 37k

Hazael (23 Occurrences)
... Whom God beholds, an officer of Ben-hadad II., king of Syria, who ultimately came
to the throne, according to the word of the Lord to Elijah (1 Kings 19:15 ...
/h/hazael.htm - 23k

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