Topical Encyclopedia The term "dote" is not frequently encountered in modern translations of the Bible, but it carries significant implications when it appears in older translations or in discussions of biblical themes. To "dote" generally means to be excessively fond of someone or something, often to the point of foolishness or weakness. In a biblical context, it can imply a misplaced affection or an unhealthy attachment that leads one away from God’s truth and righteousness.Biblical Usage and Context In the Berean Standard Bible , the term "dote" itself may not be directly used, but the concept is present in various passages that warn against excessive or misguided affection. The Bible consistently emphasizes the importance of directing one's love and devotion towards God and His commandments, rather than earthly desires or idols. Old Testament References While the specific word "dote" might not appear, the concept is evident in the warnings against idolatry and the pursuit of foreign gods. For instance, in Ezekiel 23, the prophet uses vivid imagery to describe Israel and Judah's infidelity to God through their alliances and idol worship. The passage illustrates how the nations "doted" on their lovers, symbolizing their misplaced trust and affection for foreign powers and deities instead of remaining faithful to Yahweh. New Testament Insights In the New Testament, the idea of doting can be related to the warnings against false teachings and the love of the world. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often cautions believers to remain steadfast in their faith and not to be swayed by false doctrines or worldly temptations. For example, in 1 Timothy 6:10 , Paul warns, "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows." Here, the excessive love of money can be seen as a form of doting that leads one away from the truth. Theological Implications From a theological perspective, doting represents a distortion of the love and devotion that should be reserved for God alone. It serves as a reminder of the first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:3). The Bible calls believers to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5), and any affection that detracts from this primary devotion can be seen as a form of spiritual adultery. Practical Application In practical terms, Christians are encouraged to examine their lives for any areas where they might be "doting" on things of the world—whether it be wealth, relationships, or personal ambitions—at the expense of their relationship with God. The call is to realign one's affections and priorities in accordance with biblical teachings, ensuring that God remains the central focus of one's life and devotion. By understanding the concept of doting within the biblical narrative, believers are better equipped to guard their hearts against misplaced affections and to cultivate a love that is rightly ordered towards God and His purposes. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A marriage portion. [Obs.] See 1st Dot, n.2. (n.) Natural endowments. 3. (v. i.) To act foolishly. 4. (v. i.) To be weak-minded, silly, or idiotic; to have the intellect impaired, especially by age, so that the mind wanders or wavers; to drivel. 5. (v. i.) To be excessively or foolishly fond; to love to excess; to be weakly affectionate; -- with on or upon; as, the mother dotes on her child. 6. (n.) An imbecile; a dotard. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia DOTEdot: "To dote" means either "to be weakminded" or "to be foolishly fond." In the latter sense it is employed in Ezekiel 23:5; in the former, in Jeremiah 50:36 the King James Version (the Revised Version (British and American) "shall become fools"); the King James Version Sirach 25:2 (the Revised Version (British and American) "lacking understanding"), and the King James Version 1 Timothy 6:4 (the Revised Version, margin "to be sick"; the King James Version margin"a fool"). Greek 3552. noseo -- to be sick ... dote. From nosos; to be sick, ie (by implication, of a diseased appetite) to hanker after (figuratively, to harp upon) -- dote. see GREEK nosos. 3551, 3552. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3552.htm - 6k 1325. didomi -- to give (in various senses lit. or fig.) 1971. epipotheo -- to long for Strong's Hebrew 2973. yaal -- to be foolish... dote, be become, do foolishly. A primitive root; properly, to be slack, ie (figuratively) to be foolish -- dote, be (become, do) foolish(-ly). 2972, 2973. ... /hebrew/2973.htm - 6k 5689. agab -- to have inordinate affection, lust Library Didache Ton Dodeka Apostolon A New Creation The Importance of Leading a Heavenly Life Upon Earth. Wherefore, if Either Our Reasoning or Our Discourse Hath in any ... Meditations of the Blessed State of a Regenerate Man in Heaven. To Gregory xi 1 Timothy vi. 7-Feb Can any Ingratitude be More Damned than that which is Fed by ... This Taught Me that those Fashions and Tinseled Vanities That violence Wherewith Sometimes a Man Doteth Upon one Creature Thesaurus Dote (1 Occurrence)... 6. (n.) An imbecile; a dotard. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. DOTE. dot: "To ... fool"). Multi-Version Concordance Dote (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah ... /d/dote.htm - 7k Liars (14 Occurrences) Fond (6 Occurrences) Dotaea Drivel (1 Occurrence) Doted (6 Occurrences) Doting (5 Occurrences) Resources Dote: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Dote (1 Occurrence)Jeremiah 50:36 Subtopics Related Terms |
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