The term "bethink" is an archaic English word that means to recall, consider, or reflect upon something. In the context of the Bible, it often involves a process of remembering or coming to one's senses, particularly in relation to one's spiritual state or actions. The concept of bethinking is closely tied to repentance and the turning of one's heart back to God.

Biblical Context and Usage

While the specific word "bethink" may not appear in modern translations of the Bible, the concept is present throughout Scripture. It is often associated with the idea of repentance, where individuals or nations are called to remember their covenant with God and return to Him.

Old Testament Examples

In the Old Testament, the idea of bethinking is evident in the narratives of the Israelites. When the people of Israel strayed from God's commandments, prophets were sent to remind them of their covenant with God and to call them to repentance. For instance, in the book of Deuteronomy, Moses exhorts the Israelites to remember the laws and statutes given to them by God, urging them to bethink themselves and follow His ways.

Deuteronomy 4:39 : "Acknowledge and take to heart this day that the LORD is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other."

The call to bethink is a call to acknowledge God's sovereignty and to realign one's life according to His will.

New Testament Examples

In the New Testament, the concept of bethinking is closely linked to the message of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ, who both preached repentance. The parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15 is a vivid illustration of bethinking. The prodigal son, after squandering his inheritance, comes to his senses and remembers his father's house, deciding to return and seek forgiveness.

Luke 15:17-18 : "Finally he came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have plenty of food? But here I am, starving to death! I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.’"

This moment of realization and decision to return home is a powerful example of bethinking, where the individual reflects on their situation and chooses to turn back to God.

Theological Significance

Bethinking is a crucial aspect of the Christian life, emphasizing the importance of self-examination and the continual need for repentance. It involves a conscious effort to remember God's faithfulness, His commandments, and the believer's own commitment to live according to His will. This process is not merely intellectual but involves a heartfelt turning back to God, seeking His forgiveness and guidance.

Practical Application

For believers today, bethinking serves as a reminder to regularly reflect on their spiritual journey, to remember God's past mercies, and to realign their lives with His purposes. It encourages a lifestyle of repentance and humility, recognizing the need for God's grace and the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in leading a life that honors Him.1. (v. t.) To call to mind; to recall or bring to recollection; to as bethink oneself for a moment; to think; to consider; -- generally followed by a reflexive pronoun, often with of or that before the subject of thought.

2. (v. i.) To think; to recollect; to consider.

BETHINK

be-think' (heshibh 'el lebh, "to lay to heart," hence, "recall to mind"): Anglo-Saxon word used only in seventh petition of Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the Temple. If the people, carried into captivity, because of sin, should "take it to heart," then God (he prayed) would hear and forgive (1 Kings 8:47 2 Chronicles 6:37). A choice illustration of the mental and heart process in reflection, repentance and conversion.

3824. lebab -- inner man, mind, will, heart
... wholeheartedly* (1), yourself (1). bethink themselves, breast, comfortably,
courage, faint, tenderhearted. From labab; the heart ...
/hebrew/3824.htm - 6k

The Thunderbolt Averted
... bethink thee of the magnanimity of the wise Constantine when his statues were pelted,
and he only smiled, and, raising his hand to his cheek, said that he felt ...
/.../chapter viii the thunderbolt averted.htm

Wherefore, that Thou May'st be Rightly Disposed Both for Thy Soul ...
... The third, honest and profitable occupation. Also, cleanness of mouth, three things
keep: one is that thou should'st bethink thee before thou speakest. ...
/.../chapter vi wherefore that thou.htm

Intercessory Prayer
... Remember his words, "God forbid that I should sin against the Lord, in ceasing to
pray for you." Or bethink you of Solomon, and of his earnest intercession at ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/intercessory prayer.htm

The Uses of the Law
... When I turned to Baxter, I found him saying some such things as these:""Sinner,
bethink thee, within an hour thou mayest be in hell. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the uses of the law.htm

The Remission of Sins.
... of its divergence! What is there for us when we discover that we are out
of the way, but to bethink ourselves and turn? By those ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/hope of the gospel/the remission of sins.htm

The Passion of the Scillitan Martyrs.
... Speratus said: Books and epistles of Paul, a just man. Saturninus the proconsul
said: Have a delay of thirty days and bethink yourselves. ...
/.../unknown/the passion of the scillitan martyrs/the passion of the scillitan 2.htm

An Epistle on Charity.
... Look and bethink thee how Christ loved Judas, who was both His bodily enemy and
a sinful caitiff: how goodly Christ was to him; how benign; how courteous; how ...
/.../the form of perfect living and other prose treatises/an epistle on charity.htm

Reverence in Prayer
... We should at once bethink ourselves of those men of our acquaintance who had been
at court, and we should throw ourselves on them to tell us everything. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/xvii reverence in prayer.htm

The Middle Ages.
... their power rightly; they would become angry, and excommunicate people for opposing
them, and not for doing what was wrong, and they did not bethink them of ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson xxxi the middle ages.htm

Justice.
... the thief? I may forgive him, but is the wrong removed? By no means. But
suppose the thief to bethink himself, to repent. He has ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/unspoken sermons/justice.htm

Bethink (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To call to mind; to recall or bring to recollection; to as bethink oneself
for a moment; to think; to consider; -- generally followed by a reflexive ...
/b/bethink.htm - 8k

Iniquitously (6 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 8:47 yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried
captive, and turn again, and make supplication unto thee in the land of ...
/i/iniquitously.htm - 8k

Beth-hor'on (12 Occurrences)
Beth-hor'on. Beth-horon, Beth-hor'on. Bethink . Multi-Version Concordance ... (See
RSV). Beth-horon, Beth-hor'on. Bethink . Reference Bible.
/b/beth-hor'on.htm - 9k

Bethinketh (1 Occurrence)

/b/bethinketh.htm - 6k

Captives (69 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 8:47 Yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were
carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of ...
/c/captives.htm - 29k

Amiss (8 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 6:37 Yet if they bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried
captive, and turn and pray unto thee in the land of their captivity ...
/a/amiss.htm - 10k

Curses (55 Occurrences)
... it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and
the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt bethink thyself among ...
/c/curses.htm - 22k

Whither (151 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 8:47 Yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were
carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of ...
/w/whither.htm - 40k

Draweth (52 Occurrences)
... him, 'What -- to thee, O sleeper? rise, call unto thy God, it may be God
doth bethink himself of us, and we do not perish.' (YLT). ...
/d/draweth.htm - 21k

Wherever (107 Occurrences)
... it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and
the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt bethink thyself among ...
/w/wherever.htm - 38k

Bethink: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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