The term "erred" in the Bible refers to the act of straying from the truth, making a mistake, or deviating from the correct path, both morally and spiritually. This concept is significant in biblical teachings, as it highlights the human propensity to fall into error and the need for divine guidance and correction.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "erred" is "ta'ah," which means to wander or go astray. This term is frequently used to describe the Israelites' spiritual and moral failings. For example, in Isaiah 53:6 , it is written, "We all like sheep have gone astray; each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all." This verse underscores the universal tendency to err and the need for redemption through the Messiah.

The concept of erring is also evident in the narrative of the Israelites in the wilderness. In Numbers 14:33 , God declares, "Your children will be shepherds in the wilderness for forty years and bear the brunt of your unfaithfulness, until your bodies lie scattered in the wilderness." Here, the Israelites' error in doubting God's promise leads to a prolonged period of wandering.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the Greek word "planao" is often used to denote error, meaning to lead astray or deceive. The apostle Paul warns against false teachings and the danger of being led into error. In 1 Timothy 6:10 , Paul writes, "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." This passage highlights how erring from the faith can result from misplaced priorities and desires.

James also addresses the issue of erring in James 5:19-20 : "My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, consider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins." This emphasizes the importance of community and accountability in correcting error and restoring individuals to the truth.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of erring is closely tied to the doctrine of sin and the fallibility of human nature. The Bible teaches that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), indicating that error is an inherent part of the human condition. However, Scripture also provides hope for redemption and correction through Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).

The role of the Holy Spirit is crucial in guiding believers away from error and into all truth (John 16:13). The Spirit's work in the life of a Christian involves convicting of sin, illuminating Scripture, and empowering believers to live in accordance with God's will.

Practical Application

For believers, recognizing the potential to err is essential for spiritual growth and maturity. Regular engagement with Scripture, prayer, and fellowship with other believers are vital practices to guard against error. The Bible encourages believers to test all things and hold fast to what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21), ensuring that their faith and practice align with biblical truth.

In summary, the concept of erring in the Bible serves as a reminder of human fallibility and the need for divine guidance. It calls believers to remain vigilant, seek truth, and rely on God's grace for correction and restoration.(imp. & p. p.) of Err.7686. shagah -- to go astray, err
... root Definition to go astray, err NASB Word Usage commits error (1), committed a
error (1), erred (2), exhilarated (2), go astray (1), goes astray (1 ...
/hebrew/7686.htm - 6k

That Lucretius and Others have Erred, and Cicero Himself, in ...
... Of the False Wisdom of Philosophers. Chap. XIV."That Lucretius and Others Have
Erred, and Cicero Himself, in Fixing the Origin of Wisdom. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xiv that lucretius and others.htm

Argument. --That These have Therefore Erred, by Thinking that ...
... Argument."That These Have Therefore Erred, by Thinking that There Was No Difference
Between the Son of God and the Son of Man; Because They Have Ill ...
/.../chapter xxiv argument that these have.htm

But what Wonder is it that they Should have Erred in the Matter of ...
... Section IX. But what wonder is it that they should have erred in the matter
of the? But what wonder is it that they should have ...
/.../the paschal canon of anatolius of alexandria/section ix but what wonder.htm

But in what Cyprian Adds, Saying, "Nor yet Because Men once have ...
... Book V. Chapter. 3. " 3. But in what Cyprian adds, saying, "Nor yet because
men once have erred? "3. But in what Cyprian adds ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /chapter 3 3 but.htm

That Cicero and Other Men of Learning Erred in not Turning Away ...
... the divine institutes. Book II. Of the Origin of Error. Chap. iii."that cicero and
other men of learning erred in not turning away the people from error. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap iii that cicero and other.htm

How Hermes Openly Confessed the Error of his Forefathers, the ...
... Because, therefore, our forefathers erred very far with respect to the knowledge
of the gods, through incredulity and through want of attention to their ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 24 how hermes openly confessed.htm

Letter Lxi. To vigilantius.
... He has erred concerning the resurrection of the body, he has erred concerning the
condition of souls, he has erred by supposing it possible that the devil may ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lxi to vigilantius.htm

The Pelagians Maintain that Raising Questions About Original Sin ...
... produces no danger to the faith,""in order that they may appear, forsooth, if they
are convicted of having deviated from it, to have erred not criminally ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 26 xxiii the pelagians maintain.htm

Exposition of St. Paul's Words. --1 Tim. vi. 20.
... keep the deposit, shunning profane novelties of words and oppositions of the knowledge
falsely so called, which some professing have erred concerning the faith ...
/.../vincent/the commonitory of vincent of lerins/exposition of st pauls words 1.htm

Letter cxliii. (AD 412. )
... mistake is not to be regarded with surprise or grief, but rather forgiven, and made
the occasion of congratulating me, not, of course, on having erred, but on ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cxliii a d 412.htm

Erred (14 Occurrences)
... (imp. & pp) of Err. Multi-Version Concordance Erred (14 Occurrences). ... (KJV WBS).
1 Timothy 6:21 which some professing have erred concerning the faith. ...
/e/erred.htm - 10k

Wandered (29 Occurrences)
... sorrows. (DBY NAS RSV NIV). 1 Timothy 6:21 which some professing have erred
concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen. (See NIV). ...
/w/wandered.htm - 15k

Overpowered (12 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Isaiah 28:7 But these also have erred through wine, and through
strong drink are they gone astray. The priest and the ...
/o/overpowered.htm - 10k

Judicially (1 Occurrence)
... Isaiah 28:7 And even these through wine have erred, And through strong drink have
wandered, Priest and prophet erred through strong drink, They have been ...
/j/judicially.htm - 6k

Beer (15 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 28:7 And even these through wine have erred, And through strong drink have
wandered, Priest and prophet erred through strong drink, They have been ...
/b/beer.htm - 12k

Stumbled (47 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Isaiah 28:7 But these also have erred through wine, and through strong
drink are they gone astray. The priest and the prophet ...
/s/stumbled.htm - 19k

Zadokites (1 Occurrence)
... Ezekiel 48:11 For the priests who are sanctified of the sons of Zadok, who have
kept My charge, who erred not in the erring of the sons of Israel, as the ...
/z/zadokites.htm - 6k

Erring (13 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Ezekiel 48:11 For the priests who are sanctified of the sons of Zadok, who
have kept My charge, who erred not in the erring of the sons of Israel, as the ...
/e/erring.htm - 10k

Err (41 Occurrences)
... "to wander," "to go astray." We have shaghah in 1 Samuel 26:21, "I have played the
fool, and have erred"; Job 19:4, "Mine error remaineth with myself," ie "is ...
/e/err.htm - 22k

Overwhelmed (33 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 28:7 But they also have erred through wine, and through strong drink are
out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink ...
/o/overwhelmed.htm - 15k

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