Definition and Meaning:
The term "descry" is an archaic English word that means to catch sight of, to discover, or to discern something that is distant or obscure. In biblical contexts, it often refers to the act of perceiving or recognizing something that is not immediately obvious.

Biblical Usage:
While the specific word "descry" does not appear in the Berean Standard Bible , the concept of discerning or perceiving is prevalent throughout the Scriptures. The ability to descry, or discern, is often associated with spiritual insight and wisdom granted by God.

Old Testament Context:
In the Old Testament, the ability to discern is frequently linked to wisdom and understanding. For example, King Solomon is renowned for his discernment, a gift he received from God. In 1 Kings 3:9 , Solomon prays, "Give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil." This request highlights the importance of spiritual perception in leadership and governance.

The prophets also exemplified the ability to descry, as they were often called to see and proclaim truths that were not immediately apparent to the people. Isaiah, for instance, was given visions of future events and the coming of the Messiah, which required spiritual discernment to understand and communicate.

New Testament Context:
In the New Testament, the concept of discerning is closely tied to the work of the Holy Spirit. Believers are encouraged to seek spiritual discernment to understand God's will and to distinguish between truth and falsehood. In 1 Corinthians 2:14 , Paul writes, "The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned."

Jesus Himself demonstrated the ability to descry the hearts and intentions of people. In John 2:24-25 , it is noted, "But Jesus did not entrust Himself to them, for He knew all men. He did not need any testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man." This divine insight allowed Jesus to perceive beyond outward appearances and understand the true nature of individuals.

Theological Significance:
The ability to descry, or discern, is considered a gift from God that enables believers to navigate the complexities of life with wisdom and understanding. It is a crucial aspect of spiritual maturity and is often associated with the development of a deep relationship with God. In Hebrews 5:14 , the author encourages believers to mature in their faith, stating, "But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil."

Practical Application:
For Christians today, the call to descry involves seeking God's guidance through prayer, studying Scripture, and being attentive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. It requires a heart that is open to God's truth and a willingness to act upon it. The pursuit of discernment is essential for making wise decisions, understanding spiritual truths, and living a life that honors God.1. (v. t.) To recognize; to discern; to discover; to spy out or discover by the eye; to espy.

2. (v. t.) To discover; to disclose; to reveal.

3. (n.) Discovery or view, as of an army seen at a distance.

DESCRY

de-skri': This word like "describe" came into the English through the French descrire (Latin, describere); it occurs only in the King James Version of Judges 1:23: "And the house of Joseph sent to Bethel." tur the verb thus translated, signifies "to explore" or "examine," and the Revised Version (British and American) correctly renders "sent to spy out."

8447. tor -- a plait, turn
... 2), standard (1), turn (2). chapman, sent to descry, be excellent, merchantman,
search out, seek, espy out. Or tor {tore}; from tuwr ...
/hebrew/8447.htm - 6k

8446. tur -- to seek out, spy out, explore
... A primitive root; to meander (causatively, guide) about, especially for trade or
reconnoitring -- chap(-man), sent to descry, be excellent, merchant(-man ...
/hebrew/8446.htm - 6k

Some Hymns of Great Witnesses.
... How, Unapproached! shall mind of man Descry Thy dazzling throne, And pierce and
find Thee out, and scan Where Thou dost dwell alone? Unuttered Thou! ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter ii some hymns of.htm

Homer's Obligations to the Sacred Writers.
... The groaning presses foam with floods of wine. Here are the vines in early
flower descry'd. Here grapes discoloured on the sunny side,. ...
/.../chapter xxviii homers obligations to the.htm

The Time Shall Surely Come
... To mortals shall appear. II. Not in a lowly garb,. Shall we the Lord descry,. But
decked in glory like the sun,. That lights the morning sky. III. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the holy eastern church/the time shall surely come.htm

Seven Sanctified Thoughts and Mournful Sighs of a Sick Man Ready ...
... mariner rows with all his force to arrive at the wished port, and that the traveller
never resteth till he come to his journey's end, we fear to descry our port ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/seven sanctified thoughts and mournful.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... We were exerting ourselves to the utmost to weather the cape, which we could descry
by the lightning on our lee, its brow being frequently brilliantly lighted ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 16.htm

God's Attribute of Goodness Considered as Natural; the God of ...
... Now, when I survey the subject in its aspects of time, I nowhere descry it [2581]
from the beginning of material existences, or at the commencement of those ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter xxii gods attribute of goodness.htm

The Personal History of Callistus; his Occupation as a Banker ...
... was anchored in the middle of the harbour; and as the ferryman was slow in his
movements, Callistus, who was in the ship, had time to descry his master at a ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter vii the personal history of.htm

For as Soon as He Understood that the Ignorant Multitudes were ...
... 5. And as the keen-sighted eagle in its heavenward flight is able to descry from
its lofty height the most distant objects on the earth: so did he, whilst ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter viii for as soon.htm

Overthrow of an Idol Temple, and Abolition of Licentious Practices ...
... And as the keen-sighted eagle in its heavenward flight is able to descry from its
lofty height the most distant objects on the earth, so did he, while residing ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter lv overthrow of an idol.htm

They Shall He Mine, Saith the Lord. Mal 3:16-18
... Is noted in his book of grace. Against another day. For they, by faith, a day descry,.
And joyfully expect,. When he, descending from the sky,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 80 they shall he.htm

Descry (1 Occurrence)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. DESCRY. ... Multi-Version Concordance Descry (1 Occurrence).
Judges 1:23 And the house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel. ...
/d/descry.htm - 7k

Desecrate (9 Occurrences)

/d/desecrate.htm - 9k

Display (30 Occurrences)
... of publicity; to parade. 5. (vt) To make conspicuous by large or prominent
type. 6. (vt) To discover; to descry. 7. (vi) To make ...
/d/display.htm - 15k

Descriptions (1 Occurrence)

/d/descriptions.htm - 6k

See (8256 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To perceive by the eye; to have knowledge of the existence and apparent
qualities of by the organs of sight; to behold; to descry; to view. ...
/s/see.htm - 9k

Fortified (79 Occurrences)
... In later times watchmen were set on the tower over the gate to descry the approach
of friend or foe or messenger (2 Samuel 18:24), and the tower had chambers ...
/f/fortified.htm - 63k

Fort (8 Occurrences)
... In later times watchmen were set on the tower over the gate to descry the approach
of friend or foe or messenger (2 Samuel 18:24), and the tower had chambers ...
/f/fort.htm - 41k

Fortress (75 Occurrences)
... In later times watchmen were set on the tower over the gate to descry the approach
of friend or foe or messenger (2 Samuel 18:24), and the tower had chambers ...
/f/fortress.htm - 60k

Fortification (5 Occurrences)
... In later times watchmen were set on the tower over the gate to descry the approach
of friend or foe or messenger (2 Samuel 18:24), and the tower had chambers ...
/f/fortification.htm - 40k

Cities (427 Occurrences)
... In later times watchmen were set on the tower over the gate to descry the approach
of friend or foe or messenger (2 Samuel 18:24), and the tower had chambers ...
/c/cities.htm - 91k

Descry: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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