Topical Bible: Enquire

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Topical Encyclopedia

The term "enquire" in the Bible often refers to the act of seeking information, guidance, or understanding, particularly in a spiritual or religious context. It is a concept that underscores the importance of seeking divine wisdom and direction in one's life. The act of enquiring is frequently associated with prayer, consultation with prophets, or seeking God's will through various means.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "enquire" is "darash," which means to seek, inquire, or require. This term is used in various contexts, including seeking God, consulting prophets, or asking for guidance in decision-making.

One notable instance of enquiring is found in 1 Samuel 28:6, where Saul seeks guidance from the Lord: "He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets." This passage highlights the importance of seeking God's guidance, even though Saul's inquiry was met with silence due to his disobedience.

Another significant example is in 1 Chronicles 10:13-14, which recounts Saul's death: "Saul died for his unfaithfulness to the LORD because he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse." This passage emphasizes the consequences of failing to enquire of the Lord and turning to forbidden practices instead.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the Greek word "eperotao" is often used, meaning to ask, question, or inquire. While the New Testament does not use the term "enquire" as frequently as the Old Testament, the concept of seeking God's will and understanding is prevalent.

Jesus encourages enquiry in the context of seeking truth and understanding. In Matthew 7:7-8, He states, "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened." This passage underscores the importance of actively seeking God's guidance and truth.

Theological Significance

Enquiring of the Lord is a fundamental aspect of a believer's relationship with God. It reflects a heart that is dependent on divine wisdom and direction. The Bible consistently portrays God as a source of wisdom and guidance for those who seek Him earnestly.

The act of enquiring is also closely tied to the concept of prayer. Believers are encouraged to bring their questions, concerns, and decisions before God, trusting that He will provide the necessary guidance. James 1:5 reinforces this idea: "Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him."

Practical Application

For believers today, the principle of enquiring of the Lord remains relevant. It involves seeking God's will through prayer, studying Scripture, and consulting with wise and godly counsel. It is an acknowledgment of human limitations and a demonstration of faith in God's omniscience and benevolence.

In summary, the concept of "enquire" in the Bible is a call to seek God's guidance and wisdom in all aspects of life. It is an invitation to engage in a dynamic relationship with the Creator, who desires to lead His people in paths of righteousness and truth.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

(v. i. & t.) See Inquire.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ENQUIRE

en-kwir':

This is an Old English word now obsolescent. It is common in the King James Version. In the American Standard Revised Version it is nearly always replaced by the more modern "inquire," a few times by "seek" and "ask," once by "salute" (1 Chronicles 18:10). With this one exception in the Old Testament the change does not affect the meaning. In Acts 23:15, "enquire something more perfectly" is substituted by "judge more exactly." In Matthew 10:11, "search out" replaces it. In Matthew 2:7, 16, "learned exactly" replaces "inquired diligently."

See INQUIRE.

Greek

1934. epizeteo -- to inquire for
... desire, enquire, seek after. From epi and zeteo; to search (inquire) for; intensively,
to demand, to crave -- desire, enquire, seek (after, for). see GREEK epi. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1934.htm - 7k

198. akriboo -- exact, precise
... See 199 (). enquire diligently. From the same as akribestatos; to be exact,
ie Ascertain -- enquire diligently. see GREEK akribestatos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/198.htm - 6k

4802. suzeteo -- to examine together, hence to dispute
... discuss (1), discussing (3). dispute, enquire, question, reason together.
From sun and zeteo; to investigate jointly, ie Discuss ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4802.htm - 7k

1231. diaginosko -- to distinguish, to determine
... enquire, know the uttermost. From dia and ginosko; to know thoroughly, ie Ascertain
exactly -- (would) enquire, know the uttermost. see GREEK dia. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1231.htm - 7k

1833. exetazo -- to examine closely
... ask, enquire, search. From ek and etazo (to examine); to test thoroughly (by questions),
ie Ascertain or interrogate -- ask, enquire, search. see GREEK ek. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1833.htm - 7k

1567. ekzeteo -- to seek out, demand, inquire
... the seeker. This seeking is only as valuable (viable) as the motive which
drives it. enquire, seek after diligently. From ek and ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1567.htm - 7k

2212. zeteo -- to seek
... figuratively); specially, (by Hebraism) to worship (God), or (in a bad sense) to
plot (against life) -- be (go) about, desire, endeavour, enquire (for), require ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2212.htm - 9k

4441. punthanomai -- to inquire, by impl. to learn
... hidden; and from deomai, which involves the idea of urgent need); by implication,
to learn (by casual intelligence) -- ask, demand, enquire, understand. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4441.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

1245. baqash -- to seek
... ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure,. A
primitive root; to search out (by any method, specifically ...
/hebrew/1245.htm - 6k

7836. shachar -- to look early or diligently for
... do something betimes, enquire early, seek betimes, seek diligently early,
in the morning. A primitive root; properly, to dawn, ie ...
/hebrew/7836.htm - 6k

7592. shaal -- to ask, inquire
... to request; by extension, to demand -- ask (counsel, on), beg, borrow, lay to charge,
consult, demand, desire, X earnestly, enquire, + greet, obtain leave, lend ...
/hebrew/7592.htm - 6k

6440. panim -- face, faces
... a-(be-)fore(-time), against, anger, X as (long as), at, + battle, + because (of), +
beseech, countenance, edge, + employ, endure, + enquire, face, favour, fear ...
/hebrew/6440.htm - 8k

Library

In Answer to those who Enquire Whether the Holy Mother of God Bore ...
... Book IV. Chapter VII."In answer to those who enquire whether the holy Mother of
God bore two natures, and whether two natures hung upon the Cross. ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter vii in answer to those.htm

Prayer --The Forerunner of Mercy
... First, I enquire what the promise is. ... I expect the blessing to arrive; I
go and enquire whether there is any tidings of its coming. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/prayerthe forerunner of mercy.htm

John x. 22-24
... But it is necessary rather to enquire into the whole passage from the
beginning. ... He did not reply, "What enquire ye [1638] of Me? ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lxi john x 22-24.htm

O virgin, Maintain Thy Purpose which is Destined for a Great ...
... receives those gifts which, as an earnest, are bestowed in the case of human betrothals,
immediately begins earnestly and diligently to enquire of domestics ...
/.../life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter xii o virgin maintain.htm

That Christ is Very God is Proved from the Fact that He is God's ...
... [1858] If, then, we enquire His Name, it is "the Truth;" if ... 110. If, then, we enquire
into His natural pre-eminence, we find it to consist in being begotten. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xvii that christ is.htm

The Sound in the Mulberry Trees
... be because you have trusted in the Lord with all your heart, and have not leaned
to your own understanding; you have said like David, "Let us enquire of the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the sound in the mulberry.htm

1 Cor. Iii. 15-Dec
... This is no small subject of enquiry which we propose, but rather about things which
are of the first necessity and which all men enquire about; namely, whether ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily ix 1 cor iii.htm

In the Birth of the Son Light Dawned, --And Darkness Fled from the ...
... 16. "Whether haply some other be for you"the King that is born, enquire ye concerning
Him."This is the son of a lowly woman,"of one who is not meet to ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn xv in the birth.htm

The Rediscovered Law and Its Effects
... Go ye, enquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning
the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the Lord ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the rediscovered law and its.htm

Ahab and Micaiah
... THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS AHAB AND MICAIAH. 'And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here
a prophet of the Lord besides, that we might enquire of him? ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/ahab and micaiah.htm

Thesaurus

Enquire (42 Occurrences)
...ENQUIRE. ... In Acts 23:15, "enquire something more perfectly" is substituted by "judge
more exactly." In Matthew 10:11, "search out" replaces it. ...
/e/enquire.htm - 21k

Baalzebub (4 Occurrences)
... fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick:
and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, enquire of Baalzebub the ...
/b/baalzebub.htm - 9k

Enquired (12 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 8:23 Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper
concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers ...
/e/enquired.htm - 10k

Forasmuch (64 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 1:16 And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast sent
messengers to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron, is it not because ...
/f/forasmuch.htm - 28k

Perfectly (24 Occurrences)
... Acts 23:15 Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he
bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more ...
/p/perfectly.htm - 13k

Welfare (32 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 18:10 He sent Hadoram his son to king David, to enquire of his welfare,
and to congratulate him, because he had fought against Hadarezer, and ...
/w/welfare.htm - 16k

Whatsoever (167 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV). Matthew 10:11 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire
who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. (KJV ASV DBY). ...
/w/whatsoever.htm - 35k

Wouldest (66 Occurrences)
... 23:20 And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring
down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of ...
/w/wouldest.htm - 26k

Fellowhelper (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Corinthians 8:23 Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper
concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers ...
/f/fellowhelper.htm - 6k

Thence (152 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). Matthew 10:11 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter,
enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. (KJV WBS). ...
/t/thence.htm - 37k

Resources

Does the Bible say that an increase in technology is a sign of the end times? | GotQuestions.org

What are spirit guides? Should Christians consult spirit guides? | GotQuestions.org

Enquire: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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

Concordance

Enquire (42 Occurrences)

Matthew 10:11
And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.
(KJV)

Luke 22:23
And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing.
(KJV)

John 16:19
Now Jesus knew that they were desirous to ask him, and said unto them, Do ye enquire among yourselves of that I said, A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me?
(KJV)

Acts 9:11
And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
(KJV)

Acts 19:39
But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly.
(KJV)

Acts 23:15
Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.
(KJV)

Acts 23:20
And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly.
(KJV YLT)

2 Corinthians 8:23
Whether any do enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.
(KJV)

Galatians 1:18
then, after three years I went up to Jerusalem to enquire about Peter, and remained with him fifteen days,
(YLT)

Exodus 18:15
And Moses said to his father-in-law, Because the people come to me to enquire of God.
(DBY)

Deuteronomy 12:30
take heed to thee, lest thou be snared after them, after their being destroyed out of thy presence, and lest thou enquire about their gods, saying, How do these nations serve their gods, and I do so -- even I?
(YLT)

1 Kings 22:5
And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.
(KJV)

1 Kings 22:7
And Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him?
(KJV)

1 Kings 22:8
And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.
(KJV)

2 Kings 1:2
And Ahaziah fell down through a lattice in his upper chamber that was in Samaria, and was sick: and he sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease.
(KJV)

2 Kings 1:3
But the angel of the LORD said to Elijah the Tishbite, Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say unto them, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that ye go to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron?
(KJV)

2 Kings 1:6
And they said unto him, There came a man up to meet us, and said unto us, Go, turn again unto the king that sent you, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Is it not because there is not a God in Israel, that thou sendest to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron? therefore thou shalt not come down from that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.
(KJV)

2 Kings 1:16
And he said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast sent messengers to enquire of Baalzebub the god of Ekron, is it not because there is no God in Israel to enquire of his word? therefore thou shalt not come down off that bed on which thou art gone up, but shalt surely die.
(KJV)

2 Kings 3:11
But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may enquire of the LORD by him? And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah.
(KJV)

2 Kings 8:8
And the king said unto Hazael, Take a present in thine hand, and go, meet the man of God, and enquire of the LORD by him, saying, Shall I recover of this disease?
(KJV)

2 Kings 16:15
And king Ahaz commanded Urijah the priest, saying, Upon the great altar burn the morning burnt offering, and the evening meat offering, and the king's burnt sacrifice, and his meat offering, with the burnt offering of all the people of the land, and their meat offering, and their drink offerings; and sprinkle upon it all the blood of the burnt offering, and all the blood of the sacrifice: and the brazen altar shall be for me to enquire by.
(KJV)

2 Kings 22:13
Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.
(KJV)

2 Kings 22:18
But to the king of Judah which sent you to enquire of the LORD, thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, As touching the words which thou hast heard;
(KJV)

1 Chronicles 10:13
So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it;
(KJV)

1 Chronicles 18:10
He sent Hadoram his son to king David, to enquire of his welfare, and to congratulate him, because he had fought against Hadarezer, and smitten him; (for Hadarezer had war with Tou;) and with him all manner of vessels of gold and silver and brass.
(KJV)

1 Chronicles 21:30
But David could not go before it to enquire of God: for he was afraid because of the sword of the angel of the LORD.
(KJV)

2 Chronicles 18:4
And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the LORD to day.
(KJV)

2 Chronicles 18:6
But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD besides, that we might enquire of him?
(KJV)

2 Chronicles 18:7
And the king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat, There is yet one man, by whom we may enquire of the LORD: but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil: the same is Micaiah the son of Imla. And Jehoshaphat said, Let not the king say so.
(KJV)

2 Chronicles 32:31
Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.
(KJV)

2 Chronicles 34:21
Go, enquire of the LORD for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD, to do after all that is written in this book.
(KJV)

2 Chronicles 34:26
And as for the king of Judah, who sent you to enquire of the LORD, so shall ye say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel concerning the words which thou hast heard;
(KJV)

Ezra 7:14
Forasmuch as thou art sent of the king, and of his seven counsellors, to enquire concerning Judah and Jerusalem, according to the law of thy God which is in thine hand;
(KJV)

Job 8:8
For enquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers:
(KJV)

Psalms 27:4
One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
(KJV)

Ecclesiastes 7:10
Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.
(KJV)

Isaiah 21:12
The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will enquire, enquire ye: return, come.
(KJV)

Jeremiah 21:2
Enquire, I pray thee, of the LORD for us; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon maketh war against us; if so be that the LORD will deal with us according to all his wondrous works, that he may go up from us.
(KJV)

Jeremiah 37:7
Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel; Thus shall ye say to the king of Judah, that sent you unto me to enquire of me; Behold, Pharaoh's army, which is come forth to help you, shall return to Egypt into their own land.
(KJV)

Ezekiel 14:7
For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself:
(KJV)

Ezekiel 20:1
And it came to pass in the seventh year, in the fifth month, the tenth day of the month, that certain of the elders of Israel came to enquire of the LORD, and sat before me.
(KJV)

Ezekiel 20:3
Son of man, speak unto the elders of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Are ye come to enquire of me? As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I will not be enquired of by you.
(KJV)

Subtopics

Enquire

Related Terms

Enquire (42 Occurrences)

Diligently (85 Occurrences)

Judicious (2 Occurrences)

Wroth (65 Occurrences)

Fellowhelper (1 Occurrence)

Forth (1639 Occurrences)

Enquirest (1 Occurrence)

Mend (7 Occurrences)

Privily (15 Occurrences)