Jump to: ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia The term "by" in the Bible is a preposition that is used to indicate agency, means, or proximity. It is a small but significant word that appears frequently throughout the Scriptures, serving to clarify relationships between people, actions, and divine interventions. In the context of the Bible, "by" often denotes the means through which God's will is accomplished, the agency of individuals, or the manner in which events unfold.Agency and Divine Intervention In many instances, "by" is used to express the agency through which God acts in the world. For example, in the account of creation, God creates the world "by" His word. Psalm 33:6 states, "By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and by the breath of His mouth all their host." This usage underscores the power and authority of God's spoken word as the means of creation. Similarly, the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt is often described in terms of divine agency. In Exodus 14:31, the Israelites saw the great power that the LORD used "by" His hand against the Egyptians, leading them to fear the LORD and believe in Him. Human Agency and Actions The Bible also uses "by" to describe human actions and the means by which individuals accomplish tasks. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul frequently speaks of his ministry as being conducted "by" the grace of God. In 1 Corinthians 15:10, Paul writes, "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not in vain. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me." This highlights the concept that while human effort is involved, it is ultimately God's grace that enables and empowers believers to fulfill their callings. Proximity and Relationship The preposition "by" is also used to indicate proximity or relationship. In the Gospels, Jesus often taught "by" the sea, as seen in Mark 4:1: "Again Jesus began to teach by the sea, and such a large crowd gathered around Him that He got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge." This usage emphasizes the physical setting of Jesus' ministry and His accessibility to the people who came to hear Him. Means of Salvation In theological discussions, "by" is crucial in articulating the means of salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast." Here, "by" is used to clarify that salvation is achieved through God's grace, accessed through faith, and not by human effort or merit. Conclusion The word "by" in the Bible, though small, carries significant theological weight. It helps to articulate the means and agency through which God's purposes are fulfilled, the relationship between divine grace and human action, and the proximity of individuals to the divine narrative. Through its various uses, "by" serves as a reminder of the intricate ways in which God interacts with His creation and the means by which His will is accomplished in the world. Easton's Bible Dictionary By myselfIn the expression "by myself" (A.V., 1 Corinthians 4:4), means, as rendered in the Revised Version, "against myself." By and byImmediately (Matthew 13:21; R.V., "straightway;" Luke 21:9). 2. (pref.) On; along; in traversing. Compare 5. 3. (pref.) Near to, while passing; hence, from one to the other side of; past; as, to go by a church. 4. (pref.) Used in specifying adjacent dimensions; as, a cabin twenty feet by forty. 5. (pref.) Against. 6. (pref.) With, as means, way, process, etc.; through means of; with aid of; through; through the act or agency of; as, a city is destroyed by fire; profit is made by commerce; to take by force. 7. (adv.) Near; in the neighborhood; present; as, there was no person by at the time. 8. (adv.) Passing near; going past; past; beyond; as, the procession has gone by; a bird flew by. 9. (adv.) Aside; as, to lay by; to put by. 10. (a.) Out of the common path; aside; -- used in composition, giving the meaning of something aside, secondary, or incidental, or collateral matter, a thing private or avoiding notice; as, by-line, by-place, by-play, by-street. It was formerly more freely used in composition than it is now; as, by-business, by-concernment, by-design, by-interest, etc. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia BYIn the sense of "against" which survives only in dialectal English (compare Wright, Dialect Dict., I, 470, for examples) is the King James Version rendering of the dative emauto of 1 Corinthians 4:4 (the American Standard Revised Version renders this "against"). In classical Greek the same idiom sunoida with dative = "be conscious" or "be cognizant of" a thing. Greek 3855. parago -- to lead by, to pass by or away ... to lead by, to pass by or away. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: parago Phonetic Spelling: (par-ag'-o) Short Definition: I pass by, depart, pass away ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3855.htm - 6k 2315. theopneustos -- God-breathed, ie inspired by God 1281. diapragmateuomai -- to examine thoroughly, to gain by ... 3844. para -- from beside, by the side of, by, beside 5496. cheiragogeo -- to lead by the hand 3513. ne -- by (a particle of affirmation employed in oaths) 5500. cheirotoneo -- to vote by stretching out the hand, to ... 2975. lagchano -- to obtain by lot 1793. entugchano -- to chance upon, by impl. confer with, by ext. ... 2820. kleroo -- to assign by lot Strong's Hebrew 3187. yachas -- to enroll oneself or be enrolled by genealogy... 3186, 3187. yachas. 3188 . to enroll oneself or be enrolled by genealogy. Transliteration: yachas Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-khas') Short Definition: genealogy ... /hebrew/3187.htm - 6k 5980. ummah -- close by, side by side with 4481. min -- from, out of, by, by reason of, at, more than 801. ishsheh -- an offering made by fire 5674a. abar -- to pass over, through, or by, pass on 3119. yomam -- daytime, by day 775. Arpakshad -- third son of Shem, also the region settled by ... 5455. Sabteka -- a son of Cush, also the territory settled by his ... 8485. Tema -- a son of Ishmael, also his desc. and the region ... 1215. betsa -- gain made by violence, unjust gain, profit Library The Bible Period by Period The Terror by Night Allegation 1 "It is Taught by us that Certain Men, and Few in ... Stanzas by the Warden Live by Faith. By the Same Author. The Opinions of Hermogenes, by the Prescriptive Rule of Antiquity ... Growth by Transplanting Preface by the Author 'Constrained by the Word' Thesaurus By (30426 Occurrences)... Easton's Bible Dictionary By myself. In the expression "by myself" (AV, 1 Corinthians 4:4), means, as rendered in the Revised Version, "against myself.". ... /b/by.htm - 8k Passers-by (9 Occurrences) Passer-by (5 Occurrences) By-word (6 Occurrences) By-paths (1 Occurrence) By-ways (1 Occurrence) Good-by (8 Occurrences) Sound (1245 Occurrences) Voluntary (17 Occurrences) Zacchaeus (3 Occurrences) Resources By: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance By (30426 Occurrences)By occurs 30426 times in 12 translations. You can narrow your search using the Advanced Bible Search. Subtopics Related Terms |
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