In the context of the Bible, the term "brief" can refer to something that is short in duration or concise in expression. While the word "brief" itself is not frequently used in most English translations of the Bible, the concept is present in various passages that emphasize the brevity of life, the fleeting nature of human existence, and the importance of concise communication.

Brevity of Life

The Bible often highlights the transient nature of human life, reminding believers of the importance of living with an eternal perspective. In the Psalms, David reflects on the shortness of life, saying, "Behold, You have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before You. Truly, each man at his best exists as but a breath" (Psalm 39:5). This verse underscores the idea that human life, in comparison to God's eternal nature, is brief and should be lived with awareness of its temporary state.

Similarly, James writes, "You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 4:14). This imagery of life as a mist or vapor serves as a poignant reminder of its fleeting nature and the need for humility and dependence on God.

Concise Communication

The Bible also values concise and clear communication, as seen in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. Jesus often used parables—short, illustrative stories—to convey profound spiritual truths in a way that was accessible and memorable. For example, the Parable of the Mustard Seed (Matthew 13:31-32) is brief yet powerfully illustrates the growth of the Kingdom of Heaven from small beginnings.

The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently emphasizes the importance of speaking truthfully and succinctly. In Ephesians 4:29, he advises, "Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen" . This instruction highlights the value of words that are not only brief but also edifying and purposeful.

Wisdom Literature

The wisdom literature of the Bible, particularly the Book of Proverbs, often employs brevity to convey wisdom. Proverbs are typically short, pithy statements that encapsulate moral and practical truths. For instance, Proverbs 17:27 states, "A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit" . This proverb suggests that wisdom is often demonstrated through the restraint and careful choice of words, emphasizing the power of brevity in communication.

Eternal Perspective

The brevity of life is a recurring theme that encourages believers to focus on eternal matters rather than temporary concerns. In 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, Paul writes, "For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal" . This passage encourages Christians to view their earthly lives as brief in the context of eternity, motivating them to prioritize spiritual growth and eternal rewards.

In summary, while the term "brief" may not frequently appear in the text of the Bible, the concept is woven throughout Scripture, emphasizing the transient nature of life, the value of concise communication, and the importance of living with an eternal perspective.1. (a.) Short in duration.

2. (a.) Concise; terse; succinct.

3. (a.) Rife; common; prevalent.

4. (adv.) Briefly.

5. (adv.) Soon; quickly.

6. (n.) A short concise writing or letter; a statement in few words.

7. (n.) An epitome.

8. (n.) An abridgment or concise statement of a client's case, made out for the instruction of counsel in a trial at law. This word is applied also to a statement of the heads or points of a law argument.

9. (n.) A writ; a breve. See Breve, n., 2.

10. (n.) A writ issuing from the chancery, directed to any judge ordinary, commanding and authorizing that judge to call a jury to inquire into the case, and upon their verdict to pronounce sentence.

11. (n.) A letter patent, from proper authority, authorizing a collection or charitable contribution of money in churches, for any public or private purpose.

12. (v. t.) To make an abstract or abridgment of; to shorten; as, to brief pleadings.

3641. oligos -- few, little, small
... few, little, small. Part of Speech: Adjective; Adverb Transliteration: oligos Phonetic
Spelling: (ol-ee'-gos) Short Definition: small, brief, few, soon ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3641.htm - 7k

166. aionios -- agelong, eternal
... and therefore: practically eternal, unending; partaking of the character of that
which lasts for an age, as contrasted with that which is brief and fleeting. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/166.htm - 8k

5034. tachos -- speed
... speed. From the same as tachus; a brief space (of time), ie (with en prefixed) in
haste -- + quickly, + shortly, + speedily. see GREEK tachus. see GREEK en. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5034.htm - 6k

4935. suntomos -- briefly
... briefly. Word Origin adverb from suntomos (cut short); from suntemno Definition
briefly NASB Word Usage brief (1). briefly. Adverb ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4935.htm - 6k

8160. shaah -- a brief time, moment
... 8159, 8160. shaah. 8161 . a brief time, moment. Transliteration: shaah
Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-aw') Short Definition: immediately. ...
/hebrew/8160.htm - 6k

6996b. qaton -- small, insignificant
... Word Origin from qaton Definition small, insignificant NASB Word Usage all* (2),
brief (1), lesser (1), little (6), minor (2), small (22), smallest one (1 ...
/hebrew/6996b.htm - 5k

4592. meat -- a little, fewness, a few
... Word Origin from maat Definition a little, fewness, a few NASB Word Usage almost
(2), brief (1), close (1), diminish (1), easily (1), enough (3), few (20 ...
/hebrew/4592.htm - 6k

3902. Lachmi -- a brother of Goliath
... Lahmi. From lechem; foodful; Lachmi, an Israelite; or rather probably a brief form
(or perhaps erroneous transcription) for Beyth hal-Lachmiy -- Lahmi. ...
/hebrew/3902.htm - 6k

A Brief Commentary on the Apocalypse
A Brief Commentary on the Apocalypse. <. A Brief Commentary on the Apocalypse
Sylvester Bliss. Table of Contents. Title Page. PREFACE. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/

A Brief Prayer for the Morning.
... THE PRACTICE OF PIETY. A brief Prayer for the Morning. O merciful Father,
for Jesus Christ's sake, I beseech thee forgive me all ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/a brief prayer for the.htm

Brief Memoir of Thomas Watson
... Brief Memoir Of Thomas Watson. Compiled by CH Spurgeon Thomas Watson's
Body of Practical Divinity is one of the most precious of ...
/.../watson/a body of divinity/brief memoir of thomas watson.htm

A Brief Examination of the Construction of Our Bodies from a ...
... III."Philosophical Works. XXX. A brief examination of the construction
of our bodies from a medical point of view. 1. Now the ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/xxx a brief examination of.htm

A Brief Recapitulation of all the Previous Books.
... Book XV. Chapter 3."A Brief Recapitulation of All the Previous Books. 4.
But since the necessities of our discussion and argument ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 3 a brief recapitulation of.htm

A Brief Notice of the Destruction of the Tyrants.
... The Life of the blessed emperor constantine, by eusebius pamphilus. Book I. Chapter
XXIII."A Brief Notice of the Destruction of the Tyrants. ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xxiii a brief notice of.htm

A Brief Reference to the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Luke their ...
... Chapter XXVI."A Brief Reference to the Gospels of St. Matthew and St. Luke
Their Agreement with St. John, in Respect to the Distinct ...
/.../tertullian/against praxeas/chapter xxvi a brief reference to.htm

Peaceable Principles and True: Or, a Brief Answer to Mr. D'Anver's ...
... PEACEABLE PRINCIPLES AND TRUE: OR, A BRIEF ANSWER TO MR. D'ANVER'S AND MR.
PAUL'S BOOKS AGAINST MY CONFESSION OF FAITH, AND DIFFERENCES ...
/.../the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/peaceable principles and true or.htm

Brief Directions How to Read the Holy Scriptures once Every Year ...
... THE PRACTICE OF PIETY. BRIEF DIRECTIONS HOW TO READ THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
ONCE EVERY YEAR OVER, WITH EASE, PROFIT, AND REVERENCE. ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/brief directions how to read.htm

Brief Statement of the Reformed Faith, 1902.
... cSYMBOLA EVANGELICA. PARS QUARTA: RECENT CONFESSIONAL DECLARATIONS AND TERMS OF
CORPORATE CHURCH UNION. Brief Statement of the Reformed Faith, 1902. Art. ...
/.../brief statement of the reformed.htm

Brief (7 Occurrences)
... 12. (vt) To make an abstract or abridgment of; to shorten; as, to brief
pleadings. Multi-Version Concordance Brief (7 Occurrences). ...
/b/brief.htm - 9k

Glide (2 Occurrences)
... Also (by Bell and others), the vanish (or brief final element) or the brief initial
element, in a class of diphthongal vowels, or the brief final or initial ...
/g/glide.htm - 8k

Transient (3 Occurrences)
... sight or perception and then disappearing; of short duration; not permanent; not
lasting or durable; not stationary; passing; fleeting; brief; transitory; as ...
/t/transient.htm - 7k

Ten (234 Occurrences)
... ANALYSIS OF THE DECALOGUE WITH BRIEF EXEGETICAL NOTES 1. How Numbered 2.
How Grouped 3. Original Form 4. Brief Exegetical Notes IV. ...
/t/ten.htm - 60k

Note (129 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) A brief remark; a marginal comment or explanation; hence, an annotation
on a text or author; a comment; a critical, explanatory, or illustrative ...
/n/note.htm - 37k

Commandments (181 Occurrences)
... ANALYSIS OF THE DECALOGUE WITH BRIEF EXEGETICAL NOTES 1. How Numbered 2.
How Grouped 3. Original Form 4. Brief Exegetical Notes IV. ...
/c/commandments.htm - 65k

Trip (4 Occurrences)
... See It. 2. (ni) To make a brief journey or pleasure excursion; as, to trip to Europe. ...
12. (n.) A brief or rapid journey; an excursion or jaunt. 13. ...
/t/trip.htm - 9k

Memorandum (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) A brief or informal note in writing of some transaction, or an outline of
an intended instrument; an instrument drawn up in a brief and compendious form ...
/m/memorandum.htm - 7k

Bull (114 Occurrences)
... Incarnationis, ie, from the day of the Incarnation. See Apostolical brief,
under Brief. 11. (n.) A grotesque blunder in language; an ...
/b/bull.htm - 40k

Short (128 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (superl.) Not long; having brief length or linear
extension; as, a short distance; a short piece of timber; a short flight. ...
/s/short.htm - 37k

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