The term "belongest" is an archaic form of the verb "belong," primarily found in older English translations of the Bible. It is used to denote possession, association, or connection with someone or something. In the context of Scripture, "belongest" often conveys a sense of divine ownership or covenant relationship between God and His people.

Biblical Usage and Context

While the Berean Standard Bible does not use the term "belongest," the concept it represents is deeply rooted in biblical theology. The idea of belonging is central to understanding the relationship between God and His creation, particularly His chosen people, Israel, and, by extension, the Church.

1. Divine Ownership and Covenant: The Bible frequently emphasizes that God's people belong to Him by virtue of His covenant promises. In Exodus 19:5 , God declares to Israel, "Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine." This verse underscores the special status of Israel as belonging to God, contingent upon their obedience to His covenant.

2. Belonging to Christ: In the New Testament, the concept of belonging is expanded to include all who are in Christ. In Romans 14:8 , Paul writes, "If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord." This passage highlights the believer's identity and security in Christ, affirming that life and death are encompassed within the Lordship of Jesus.

3. The Church as the Body of Christ: The New Testament further develops the idea of belonging through the metaphor of the Church as the body of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 12:27 , Paul states, "Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it." This imagery conveys the interconnectedness and mutual belonging of believers within the Church, emphasizing unity and diversity in the body of Christ.

4. Inheritance and Belonging: The theme of belonging is also linked to the inheritance promised to believers. In Ephesians 1:13-14 , Paul writes, "And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth—the gospel of your salvation—you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory." Here, the Holy Spirit is described as a seal, marking believers as belonging to God and guaranteeing their future inheritance.

Theological Implications

The concept of belonging in the Bible carries profound theological implications. It speaks to the identity and security of believers, rooted in God's sovereign choice and covenant faithfulness. Belonging to God implies a call to holiness, obedience, and participation in His redemptive mission. It also assures believers of their place in God's eternal kingdom, secured by the finished work of Christ and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit.

In summary, while "belongest" may not appear in modern translations like the Berean Standard Bible, the underlying concept remains a vital aspect of biblical teaching, reflecting the deep and abiding relationship between God and His people.

Psalm LXXI.
... Already thou belongest: cry out, "Who shall deliver me from the body of this
death?" [3080] Let us hear then this man crying out this. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxi.htm

Our Lord's Prayer for his People's Sanctification
... If any should ask, "To whom belongest thou?" we answer, "I belong to Christ." If
any enquire, "What is thine occupation?" we reply with Jonah, "I fear God." We ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/our lords prayer for his.htm

Psalm XLI.
... "For the disciple is not above his Master, nor the servant above his Lord." [1197] ...
If to Christ's Members thou belongest, come within, cling to the Head. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xli.htm

John Chapter xi. 55-57; xii
... If thou art good, if thou belongest to the body represented by Peter, thou hast
Christ both now and hereafter: now by faith, by sign, by the sacrament of ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate l john chapter xi.htm

Kept from Iniquity
... Remember that Christ has bought thee; thou belongest to him, thou shouldst not be
the slave of any sin, thou must not be such if the life of God be in thee. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 41 1895/kept from iniquity.htm

The American Experiments, 1734-1762.
... do not know that? Learn first thyself, and then teach the people to whom
thou belongest to leave off these things. For who steal ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter xiv the american experiments.htm

Lessons from Nature
... O trembling soul, though thou art half afraid to say that thou belongest to Jesus,
yet come and rest in him, hide in the rift of his side, and thou art safe. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/lessons from nature.htm

Oration Concerning Simeon and Anna
... [3106] Thou art the beginning of our feast; thou art its middle and end; [3107]
the pearl of great price that belongest unto the kingdom; the fat of every ...
/.../the writings of methodius fragments/oration concerning simeon and anna.htm

Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ...
A Source Book for Ancient Church History. <. ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iv the age of.htm

Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ;
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/come and welcome to jesus.htm

Belongest (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Belongest (1 Occurrence). 1 Samuel 30:13 And David
said unto him, To whom belongest thou? and whence art thou? ...
/b/belongest.htm - 6k

Belongeth (36 Occurrences)

/b/belongeth.htm - 17k

Amal'ekite (3 Occurrences)
... Amalekite, Amal'ekite. Amalekites . Multi-Version Concordance Amal'ekite (3
Occurrences). 1 Samuel 30:13 And David said unto him: 'To whom belongest thou? ...
/a/amal'ekite.htm - 7k

Agone (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Agone (1 Occurrence). 1 Samuel 30:13 And David
said unto him, To whom belongest thou? and whence art thou? ...
/a/agone.htm - 7k

Egyptian (35 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). 1 Samuel 30:13 And David
said unto him, To whom belongest thou? and whence art thou? ...
/e/egyptian.htm - 19k

Belonged (105 Occurrences)

/b/belonged.htm - 36k

Whence (84 Occurrences)
... whence they be? (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT). 1 Samuel 30:13 And David said unto
him, To whom belongest thou? and whence art thou? And he ...
/w/whence.htm - 32k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus