Topical Bible: Charges

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the context of the Bible, the term "charges" can refer to various responsibilities, accusations, or commands given to individuals or groups. The concept of charges is woven throughout the biblical narrative, encompassing both divine mandates and human responsibilities.

Divine Charges

1. Priestly Duties: In the Old Testament, the Levites and priests were given specific charges concerning their duties in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple. These charges included maintaining the sacred space, performing sacrifices, and teaching the Law. Numbers 18:5 states, "You are to perform the duties of the sanctuary and of the altar, so that wrath will not fall on the Israelites again."

2. Prophetic Commissions: Prophets were often given charges by God to deliver His messages to the people of Israel and other nations. These charges were not merely suggestions but divine commands that carried significant weight. For example, Jeremiah was charged with speaking God's words to a rebellious nation (Jeremiah 1:7): "But the LORD told me: 'Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ For to everyone I send you, you must go, and all that I command you, you must speak.'"

3. Moral and Ethical Commands: Throughout Scripture, God charges His people with living according to His statutes and commandments. These charges are often accompanied by promises of blessing for obedience and warnings of consequences for disobedience. Deuteronomy 11:1 emphasizes this: "You shall therefore love the LORD your God and always keep His charge, His statutes, His ordinances, and His commandments."

Human Charges

1. Judicial Accusations: Charges in the form of accusations are seen in both the Old and New Testaments. These can be legal charges brought before judges or accusations made against individuals. In the trial of Jesus, false charges were brought against Him by the religious leaders (Mark 14:55-56): "Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but they did not find any. For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimony was inconsistent."

2. Apostolic Instructions: The apostles, particularly Paul, often issued charges to the early church regarding doctrine, conduct, and church order. These charges were meant to guide the believers in living out their faith. In 1 Timothy 1:18 , Paul writes, "Timothy, my child, I entrust you with this command in keeping with the previous prophecies about you, so that by them you may fight the good fight."

3. Parental and Familial Responsibilities: The Bible also speaks to the charges given to parents and family members in raising children and managing households. Ephesians 6:4 instructs, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."

Spiritual and Communal Charges

1. Community Responsibilities: Believers are charged with caring for one another and living in unity. This includes bearing one another's burdens and encouraging each other in faith. Galatians 6:2 exhorts, "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

2. Evangelistic Mandate: The Great Commission is a charge given by Jesus to His disciples to spread the Gospel to all nations. This charge is foundational to Christian mission and evangelism. Matthew 28:19-20 records, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you."

In summary, the concept of charges in the Bible encompasses a wide range of responsibilities and commands, both divine and human, that are integral to the life of faith and community.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

CHARGES

char'-jiz (dapanao, "to spend"): "Be at charges for them" (Acts 21:24, the King James Version "with them"), i.e. pay the sacrificial expenses of these poorer Nazirites (compare Josephus, Ant, XIX, xvi, 1).

Greek

1225. diaballo -- to bring charges (usually with hostile intent)
... to bring charges (usually with hostile intent). Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
diaballo Phonetic Spelling: (dee-ab-al'-lo) Short Definition: I slander ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1225.htm - 7k

2723. kategoreo -- to make accusation
... to make accusation NASB Word Usage accusation against (1), accuse (10), accused
(3), accuses (2), accusing (3), bring against (1), charges they bring against (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2723.htm - 7k

159b. aitioma -- a charge
... 159a, 159b. aitioma. 160 . a charge. Transliteration: aitioma Short
Definition: charges. Word Origin from aitiaomai (to give as ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/159b.htm - 5k

2702. kataphero -- to bring down
... kataphero Phonetic Spelling: (kat-af-er'-o) Short Definition: I bring down, oppress
Definition: I bear down, overpower; I give a vote or verdict, bring charges ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2702.htm - 6k

1344. dikaioo -- to show to be righteous, declare righteous
... upright"). The believer is "made " (1344 ) by the Lord, cleared of all
charges (punishment) related to their sins. Moreover, they ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1344.htm - 9k

1159. dapanao -- to spend, spend freely
... consume, spend. From dapane; to expend, ie (in a good sense) to incur cost, or
(in a bad one) to waste -- be at charges, consume, spend. see GREEK dapane. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1159.htm - 7k

156. aitia -- cause, reason
... Word Origin from aiteo Definition cause, reason NASB Word Usage charge (1), charge
against (2), charges (2), ground (2), guilt (3), reason (9), relationship (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/156.htm - 6k

1718. emphanizo -- to exhibit, appear (in person), to declare
... Word Origin from emphanes Definition to exhibit, appear (in person), to declare
NASB Word Usage appear (1), appeared (1), brought charges (3), disclose (2 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1718.htm - 7k

5396. phluareo -- to talk nonsense
... phluareo Phonetic Spelling: (floo-ar-eh'-o) Short Definition: I gossip against
Definition: I gossip against, talk idly, make empty charges against, talk ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5396.htm - 7k

476. antidikos -- an opponent, adversary
... law; an "opponent at law" (). 476 ("an accuser, adversary") brings charges,
ie as they are to . acts as such an adversary, bringing ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/476.htm - 8k

Strong's Hebrew

7170. qerats -- a piece
... 7169, 7170. qerats. 7171 . a piece. Transliteration: qerats Phonetic
Spelling: (ker-ats') Short Definition: charges. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/7170.htm - 6k

7760. sum -- to put, place, set
... 9), assign (1), assigned (2), attached (1), bestowed (1), bring (1), brought (1),
care* (2), changes (2), charge* (1), charged (1), charges (2), consider (4 ...
/hebrew/7760.htm - 7k

Library

On Account of the Charges against Athanasius, the Emperor Convokes ...
... SCHOLASTICUS. Book I. Chapter XXVIII."On Account of the Charges against Athanasius,
the Emperor convokes a Synod of Bishops at Tyre. The ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of scholasticus/chapter xxviii on account of the.htm

Ep. xxv. Amphilochius was Acquitted of the Charges Made against ...
... Division III. Miscellaneous Letters. Ep. XXV. Amphilochius was acquitted
of the charges made against him? (Amphilochius was acquitted ...
/.../select letters of saint gregory nazianzen/ep xxv amphilochius was acquitted.htm

All These Charges, Then, which Might Truly be Better Termed Abuse. ...
... Book III. 1 All these charges, then, which might truly be better termed
abuse? All these charges, then, which might truly be better ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/1 all these charges then.htm

Confutation of the Other Charges Brought against the Christians.
... Chapter XXXI."Confutation of the Other Charges Brought Against the Christians.
But they have further also made up stories against ...
/.../athenagoras/a plea for the christians/chapter xxxi confutation of the other.htm

Charges Brought against the Christians.
... Chapter III."Charges Brought Against the Christians. Three things are alleged against
us: atheism, Thyestean feasts, [706] OEdipodean intercourse. ...
/.../a plea for the christians/chapter iii charges brought against the.htm

He Then Again Charges Eunomius with Having Learnt his Term ...
... Book XII. Section 4. He then again charges Eunomius with having learnt
his term agennesiafrom the hieroglyphic writings. Section ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 4 he then again.htm

Let us Notice the Charges which are Next Advanced by Celsus...
... Chapter XLI. Let us notice the charges which are next advanced by Celsus?
Let us notice the charges which are next advanced by ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xli let us notice.htm

Other Charges Repelled by the Same Method the Story of the Noble ...
... Book I. Chapter XVI. "Other Charges Repelled by the Same Method The Story
of the Noble Roman Youth and His Parents. I am now come ...
/.../tertullian/ad nationes/chapter xvi name charges repelled.htm

He Next Charges the Christians with Being "Guilty of Sophistical ...
... Chapter XXXI. He next charges the Christians with being "guilty of
sophistical reasoning? He next charges the Christians with ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxxi he next charges.htm

Pelagius' Answer to the Charges Brought Together under the Seventh ...
... A work on the proceedings of pelagius, Chapter 24."Pelagius' Answer to
the Charges Brought Together Under the Seventh Item. The ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 24 pelagius answer to the.htm

Thesaurus

Charges (58 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia CHARGES. char'-jiz (dapanao, "to ... xvi, 1).
Multi-Version Concordance Charges (58 Occurrences). Matthew 27 ...
/c/charges.htm - 22k

Charge (379 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To lay on, impose, or make subject to or liable for. 4. (vt) To fix or demand
as a price; as, he charges two dollars a barrel for apples. ...
/c/charge.htm - 41k

Courses (28 Occurrences)
... 8:14 And he appointed, according to the order of David his father, the courses of
the priests to their service, and the Levites to their charges, to praise and ...
/c/courses.htm - 17k

Bringing (288 Occurrences)
... Matthew 27:12 When however the High Priests and the Elders kept bringing their
charges against Him, He said not a word in reply. (WEY). ...
/b/bringing.htm - 35k

Upwards (18 Occurrences)
... from three years old and upward, even every one that entered into the house of the
LORD, for his daily portion, for their service in their charges according to ...
/u/upwards.htm - 12k

Grievous (73 Occurrences)
... American) "committing a trespass"; kobhedh, "weight" (Isaiah 21:15), "grievousness";
barus, "heavy," "grievous wolves" (Acts 20:29), "grievous charges" (Acts 25 ...
/g/grievous.htm - 31k

Gatekeepers (38 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 26:12 According to these 'are' the courses of the gatekeepers; to the
heads of the mighty ones 'are' charges over-against their brethren, to ...
/g/gatekeepers.htm - 19k

Reply (61 Occurrences)
... Matthew 27:12 When however the High Priests and the Elders kept bringing their
charges against Him, He said not a word in reply. (WEY). ...
/r/reply.htm - 23k

Genealogical (26 Occurrences)
... in the genealogical register, all that came into the house of Jehovah, as the duty
of every day required, for their service in their charges, according to ...
/g/genealogical.htm - 15k

Caesar's (10 Occurrences)
... The charges brought against all three were atheism and inclination to Jewish customs:
surely such charges were sufficiently vague and even self-contradictory. ...
/c/caesar's.htm - 18k

Resources

Are the teachings of Witness Lee and the Local Church biblical? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Herod Agrippa II? | GotQuestions.org

What happened between Paul's third and fourth missionary journeys? | GotQuestions.org

Charges: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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

Concordance

Charges (58 Occurrences)

Matthew 27:12
When however the High Priests and the Elders kept bringing their charges against Him, He said not a word in reply.
(WEY)

Mark 15:4
Pilate again and again asked Him, "Do you make no reply? Listen to the many charges they are bringing against you."
(WEY NAS RSV)

Luke 3:14
The soldiers also once and again inquired of him, "And we, what are we to do?" His answer was, "Neither intimidate any one nor lay false charges; and be content with your pay."
(WEY)

Luke 16:1
He also said to his disciples, "There was a certain rich man who had a manager. An accusation was made to him that this man was wasting his possessions.
(See RSV)

Luke 23:14
and said to them, "You brought this man to me as one that perverts the people, and see, I have examined him before you, and found no basis for a charge against this man concerning those things of which you accuse him.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

John 18:29
Pilate therefore went out to them, and said, "What accusation do you bring against this man?"
(See NIV)

Acts 7:1
The high priest said, "Are these things so?"
(See NIV)

Acts 17:8
Great was the excitement among the crowd, and among the magistrates of the city, when they heard these charges.
(WEY)

Acts 19:38
If therefore Demetrius and the craftsmen who are with him have a matter against anyone, the courts are open, and there are proconsuls. Let them press charges against one another.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 21:24
Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.
(KJV ASV WBS)

Acts 23:30
When I was told that the Jews lay in wait for the man, I sent him to you immediately, charging his accusers also to bring their accusations against him before you. Farewell."
(See NAS)

Acts 24:1
After five days, the high priest, Ananias, came down with certain elders and an orator, one Tertullus. They informed the governor against Paul.
(See NAS NIV)

Acts 24:8
By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him."
(See NIV)

Acts 24:13
Nor can they prove the charges which they are now bringing against me.
(WEY NAS NIV)

Acts 24:19
They ought to have been here before you, and to make accusation, if they had anything against me.
(See NIV)

Acts 25:2
Then the high priest and the principal men of the Jews informed him against Paul, and they begged him,
(See NAS NIV)

Acts 25:5
"Let them therefore," said he, "that are in power among you go down with me, and if there is anything wrong in the man, let them accuse him."
(See NIV)

Acts 25:7
When he had come, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing against him many and grievous charges which they could not prove,
(WEB WEY ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 25:9
Then Festus, being anxious to gratify the Jews, asked Paul, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, and there stand your trial before me on these charges?"
(WEY NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 25:11
For if I have done wrong, and have committed anything worthy of death, I don't refuse to die; but if none of those things is true that they accuse me of, no one can give me up to them. I appeal to Caesar!"
(See RSV NIV)

Acts 25:15
about whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, asking for a sentence against him.
(See NAS NIV)

Acts 25:16
unto whom I answered, that it is not a custom of Romans to make a favour of any man to die, before that he who is accused may have the accusers face to face, and may receive place of defence in regard to the charge laid against 'him'.
(See NAS NIV)

Acts 25:18
Concerning whom, when the accusers stood up, they brought no charge of such things as I supposed;
(See NAS)

Acts 25:20
Being perplexed how to inquire concerning these things, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these matters.
(See NIV)

Acts 25:27
For it seems to me unreasonable, in sending a prisoner, not to also specify the charges against him."
(WEB WEY ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Corinthians 9:7
Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
(KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT)

1 Thessalonians 4:2
For ye know what charges we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
(DBY)

Numbers 8:26
but shall minister with their brethren in the tent of meeting, to keep the charge, and shall do no service. Thus shalt thou do unto the Levites touching their charges.
(ASV DBY JPS)

Deuteronomy 22:14
and lay shameful things to her charge, and bring up an evil name upon her, and say, I took this woman, and when I came nigh to her, I found not in her the tokens of virginity;
(See JPS NAS RSV)

1 Kings 21:13
The two men, the base fellows, came in and sat before him. The base fellows testified against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, "Naboth cursed God and the king!" Then they carried him out of the city, and stoned him to death with stones.
(See NIV)

1 Chronicles 25:8
And they cast lots with one another over the charges, the small as well as the great, the teacher with the scholar.
(DBY)

1 Chronicles 26:12
Among these were the divisions of the doorkeepers, among the head-men, as to the charges together with their brethren, for performing the service in the house of Jehovah.
(DBY YLT)

2 Chronicles 7:6
And the priests stood in their charges, and the Levites with Jehovah's instruments of music, which David the king had made to praise Jehovah, for his loving-kindness endureth for ever, when David praised by their means; and the priests sounded the trumpets opposite to them, and all Israel stood.
(DBY YLT)

2 Chronicles 8:14
And he appointed, according to the order of David his father, the courses of the priests to their service, and the Levites to their charges, to praise and minister before the priests, as the duty of every day required: the porters also by their courses at every gate: for so had David the man of God commanded.
(KJV JPS DBY WBS YLT)

2 Chronicles 31:16
Beside their genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even unto every one that entereth into the house of the LORD, his daily portion for their service in their charges according to their courses;
(KJV JPS DBY WBS YLT)

2 Chronicles 31:17
Both to the genealogy of the priests by the house of their fathers, and the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in their charges by their courses;
(KJV JPS DBY WBS YLT)

2 Chronicles 35:2
And he set the priests in their charges, and encouraged them to the service of the house of the LORD,
(KJV JPS DBY WBS YLT)

Nehemiah 5:6
I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.
(See NIV)

Nehemiah 5:7
Then I consulted with myself, and contended with the nobles and the rulers, and said to them, You exact usury, everyone of his brother. I held a great assembly against them.
(See RSV)

Nehemiah 12:9
and Bakbukiah and Unni, their brethren, 'are' over-against them in charges.
(YLT)

Nehemiah 13:14
Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds which I have done for the house of my God, and for the charges thereof!
(DBY YLT)

Nehemiah 13:30
Thus cleansed I them from all foreigners, and appointed charges for the priests and for the Levites, every one in his work;
(ASV DBY YLT)

Job 4:18
Behold, he puts no trust in his servants. He charges his angels with error.
(WEB NAS RSV NIV)

Job 10:2
I will tell God,'Do not condemn me. Show me why you contend with me.
(See NIV)

Job 13:19
Who is he who will contend with me? For then would I hold my peace and give up the spirit.
(See NIV)

Job 22:4
Is it for your piety that he reproves you, that he enters with you into judgment?
(See NIV)

Job 23:6
Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power? No, but he would listen to me.
(See NIV)

Job 24:12
From out of the populous city, men groan. The soul of the wounded cries out, yet God doesn't regard the folly.
(See NIV)

Job 39:21
He paws in the valley, and rejoices in his strength. He goes out to meet the armed men.
(See NIV)

Proverbs 25:8
Don't be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
(WEB)

Isaiah 50:8
He is near who justifies me; who will bring charges against me? Let us stand up together: who is my adversary? Let him come near to me.
(WEB NIV)

Jeremiah 2:9
For this reason, I will again put forward my cause against you, says the Lord, even against you and against your children's children.
(See NIV)

Jeremiah 2:29
Why will you put forward your cause against me? You have all done evil against me, says the Lord.
(See NIV)

Jeremiah 25:31
A noise shall come even to the end of the earth; for Yahweh has a controversy with the nations; he will enter into judgment with all flesh: as for the wicked, he will give them to the sword, says Yahweh.
(See NIV)

Daniel 3:8
Therefore at that time drawn near have certain Chaldeans, and accused the Jews;
(See NAS)

Daniel 6:4
Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find occasion against Daniel as touching the kingdom; but they could find no occasion nor fault, because he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.
(See NIV)

Daniel 6:5
Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.
(See NIV)

Hosea 4:4
"Yet let no man bring a charge, neither let any man accuse; For your people are like those who bring charges against a priest.
(WEB NIV)

Subtopics

Charges

Related Terms

Chargeth (15 Occurrences)

Judah's (18 Occurrences)

Charges (58 Occurrences)

Ish-bo'sheth (13 Occurrences)

Belongeth (36 Occurrences)

Ish-bosheth (14 Occurrences)

Displeasing (31 Occurrences)

Reference (23 Occurrences)