The term "furnish" in the Bible is often used to describe the act of providing, equipping, or supplying what is necessary for a particular purpose or function. This concept is seen throughout Scripture in various contexts, from the provision of physical needs to the equipping of spiritual gifts.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, the idea of furnishing is frequently associated with the preparation and equipping of the Tabernacle and the Temple. For instance, in Exodus 25-31, God provides Moses with detailed instructions on how to construct and furnish the Tabernacle. This includes the Ark of the Covenant, the table for the showbread, the lampstand, and other sacred items. The purpose of these furnishings was to create a holy space where God could dwell among His people. Exodus 31:7-9 states, "the Tent of Meeting, the Ark of the Testimony with the mercy seat upon it, and all the other furnishings of the tent—the table with its utensils, the pure gold lampstand with all its utensils, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the basin with its stand."

The concept of furnishing is also seen in the preparation of the Temple built by Solomon. In 1 Kings 7:48-50 , the Bible describes the furnishings of the Temple: "Solomon also made all the furnishings for the house of the LORD: the golden altar; the golden table on which was placed the Bread of the Presence; the lampstands of pure gold in front of the inner sanctuary, five on the right and five on the left; the gold flowers, lamps, and tongs; the pure gold basins, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, ladles, and censers; and the gold hinges for the doors of the inner temple (that is, the Most Holy Place) as well as for the doors of the main hall of the temple."

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the concept of furnishing takes on a more spiritual dimension. The Apostle Paul speaks of God furnishing believers with spiritual gifts and the necessary resources to carry out His work. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 , Paul writes, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work." Here, the term "fully equipped" can be understood as being furnished with the knowledge and tools needed to live a life pleasing to God.

Additionally, in Ephesians 4:11-12 , Paul explains that Christ gave various gifts to the church "to equip the saints for works of ministry, to build up the body of Christ." The word "equip" in this context is akin to furnishing the believers with what they need to serve effectively in their God-given roles.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of furnishing underscores God's provision and preparation for His people. Whether it is the physical furnishings of the Tabernacle and Temple or the spiritual equipping of believers, God ensures that His purposes are accomplished through adequate provision. This reflects His sovereignty, wisdom, and care for His creation.

In a broader sense, the act of furnishing can be seen as a metaphor for God's ongoing work in the lives of believers, preparing and equipping them for their journey of faith and service in His kingdom.1. (v. t.) To supply with anything necessary, useful, or appropriate; to provide; to equip; to fit out, or fit up; to adorn; as, to furnish a family with provisions; to furnish one with arms for defense; to furnish a Cable; to furnish the mind with ideas; to furnish one with knowledge or principles; to furnish an expedition or enterprise, a room or a house.

2. (v. t.) To offer for use; to provide (something); to give (something); to afford; as, to furnish food to the hungry: to furnish arms for defense.

3. (n.) That which is furnished as a specimen; a sample; a supply.

FURNISH

fur'-nish (male; plethomai):

To "furnish" is to supply with what is useful or necessary, to fit out, provide, equip. It is the translation of several Hebrew or Greek words: of male', "to fill in or up," "to complete" (Isaiah 65:11 the King James Version); nasa, "to lift up," "to aid" (1 Kings 9:11); `anaq, Hiphil, probably "to lay on the neck," "to encircle" (with a bracelet) (Deuteronomy 15:14), of a slave set at liberty; `arakh, "to arrange in order," "to lay out a table" (Psalm 78:19 the King James Version; Proverbs 9:2); `asah keli, "to make a vessel for containing things" (Jeremiah 46:19, "Furnish thyself to go into captivity," the Revised Version, margin "Hebrew, make thee vessels of captivity"); plethomai, "to be filled" (Matthew 22:10 the King James Version); stronnumi, "to strew," "to spread" (Mark 14:15 Luke 22:12); exartizo, "to complete fully," to equip" (2 Timothy 3:17).

In Ecclesiasticus 29:26 we have "furnish a table" (kosmeo); 44:6, "furnished with ability" (choregeo); APC 1Macc 14:34 the King James Version, "He furnished them with all things" (tithemi).

W. L. Walker

3930. parecho -- to furnish, to present
... to furnish, to present. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: parecho Phonetic Spelling:
(par-ekh'-o) Short Definition: I offer, provide Definition: act. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3930.htm - 8k

4130 -- furnish, accomplish, fill, supply
furnish, accomplish, fill, supply. Part of Speech: Verb Phonetic Spelling:
(play'-tho) Short Definition: I fill Definition: I fill, fulfill, complete. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4130.htm - 7k

1822. exartizo -- to complete, to equip fully
... to equip fully. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: exartizo Phonetic Spelling:
(ex-ar-tid'-zo) Short Definition: I completely furnish, equip, finish ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1822.htm - 7k

5524. choregeo -- to lead a chorus (ie a group of performers), to ...
... defray the cost of a chorus. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: choregeo Phonetic
Spelling: (khor-ayg-eh'-o) Short Definition: I furnish abundantly Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5524.htm - 7k

4766. stronnuo -- to spread
... root stor- Definition to spread NASB Word Usage furnished (2), make...bed (1),
spread (2), spreading (1). make bed, furnish, spread, strew. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4766.htm - 6k

2023. epichoregeo -- to supply
... epichoregeo Phonetic Spelling: (ep-ee-khor-ayg-eh'-o) Short Definition: I supply,
provide Definition: I supply, provide (perhaps lavishly), furnish. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2023.htm - 7k

1928. epidiatassomai -- to add provisions
... add provisions. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: epidiatassomai Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-ee-dee-ah-tas'-som-ahee) Short Definition: I furnish with additions ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1928.htm - 6k

5543. chrestos -- serviceable, good
... Cognate: 5543 (an adjective, derived from 5530 , "to furnish what is suitable, useful")
-- properly, (serviceable, productive); (); beneficial, benevolent). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5543.htm - 7k

3903. paraskeuazo -- to prepare, make ready
... prepare self, make ready. From para and a derivative of skeuos; to furnish aside,
ie Get ready -- prepare self, be (make) ready. see GREEK para. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3903.htm - 6k

4222. potizo -- to give to drink
... give drink, feed, water. From a derivative of the alternate of pino; to furnish
drink, irrigate -- give (make) to drink, feed, water. see GREEK pino. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4222.htm - 7k

6329. puq -- to bring out, furnish, promote
... 6328, 6329. puq. 6330 . to bring out, furnish, promote. Transliteration: puq
Phonetic Spelling: (pook) Short Definition: obtains. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/6329.htm - 6k

5274b. naal -- to furnish with sandals, shoe
... 5274a, 5274b. naal. 5275 . to furnish with sandals, shoe. Transliteration:
naal Short Definition: sandals. Word Origin denominative ...
/hebrew/5274b.htm - 5k

2836b. chashaq -- to furnish with fillets or rings
... 2836a, 2836b. chashaq. 2837 . to furnish with fillets or rings. Transliteration:
chashaq Short Definition: bands. Word Origin denominative ...
/hebrew/2836b.htm - 5k

6059. anaq -- to serve as a necklace
... Word Origin denominative verb from anaq Definition to serve as a necklace
NASB Word Usage furnish him liberally (1), necklace (1). ...
/hebrew/6059.htm - 6k

3627. keli -- an article, utensil, vessel
... yokes (1). armour bearer, artillery, bag, carriage, furnish, furniture,
instrument, jewel,. From kalah; something prepared, ie Any ...
/hebrew/3627.htm - 6k

4390. male -- to be full, to fill
... be at an end, be expired, be fenced, fill, fulfil, (be, become, X draw, give in,
go) full(-ly, -ly set, tale), (over-)flow, fulness, furnish, gather (selves ...
/hebrew/4390.htm - 7k

6213. asah -- do, make
... do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, + feast,
(fight-)ing man, + finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about ...
/hebrew/6213.htm - 6k

6186. arak -- to arrange or set in order
... a very wide variety of applications) -- put (set) (the battle, self) in array, compare,
direct, equal, esteem, estimate, expert (in war), furnish, handle, join ...
/hebrew/6186.htm - 5k

3276. yaal -- to confer or gain profit or benefit
... root Definition to confer or gain profit or benefit NASB Word Usage avail (1), furnish
the slightest (1), gain (1), profit (17), profitable (1), slightest ...
/hebrew/3276.htm - 6k

5274. na'al -- to bar, bolt, lock
... A primitive root; properly, to fasten up, ie With a bar or cord; hence (denominative
from na'al), to sandal, ie Furnish with slippers -- bolt, inclose, lock ...
/hebrew/5274.htm - 5k

Author's Preface.
... He believes that it contains instructions which alone furnish the basis of
wise and worthy conduct both for individuals and for nations. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tidwell/the bible period by period/authors preface.htm

"The Lord is Good"
... "Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the
wilderness?" This seemed a very innocent question to ask. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 7 the lord is.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1812 to the Death of ...
... In 1810 the American Board of Commissioners commenced its operations, and not long
after, with a view to furnish them with suitable agents, who might be ...
/.../chapter 2 from the close.htm

The "Fraternity" of Pharisees
... the nature of it, would be kept a profound secret, should have become known to
"Paul's sister's son" (v 16), the circumstances of the case furnish a sufficient ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 14 the fraternity of.htm

Thomas Traherne and the Spiritual Poets of the Seventeenth Century
... They exhibit, in their loose and unmoralized freedom, the inherent dangers which
attach to the proclamation of spiritual liberty, and they furnish a clear ...
/.../chapter xvii thomas traherne and.htm

Completeness and Universality of his Character.
... History exhibits to us many men of commanding and comprehensive genius, who stand
at the head of their age and nation, and furnish material for the ...
/.../schaff/the person of christ/completeness and universality of his.htm

The Jewish Sadducees a Link Between the Pagan Philosophers and the ...
... to doubtful points; to accomplish those of which men had had but a foretaste; to
give present reality to the objects of prophecy; and to furnish not only by ...
/.../on the resurrection of the flesh/chapter ii the jewish sadducees a.htm

The Third
... The false prophets will eat to the full at the table of another Jezebel: Why should
not God "furnish a table" (Psalm 78:19) for His own in that coming day, in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bullinger/commentary on revelation/the third.htm

Funeral Oration on the Great S. Basil, Bishop of C??sarea in ...
... 1. It has then been ordained that the great Basil, who used so constantly to furnish
me with subjects for my discourses, of which he was quite as proud as any ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xliii funeral oration on.htm

How Internal Exercises are to be Practised in Times Improper and ...
... 2. Particularly in a state of distractive offices and employments. Sec. 3. Souls
ought to prepare and furnish themselves beforehand for such times. Sec. Sec. ...
/.../chapter iv how internal exercises.htm

Furnish (8 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To supply with anything necessary, useful, or appropriate; to provide; to
equip; to fit out, or fit up; to adorn; as, to furnish a family with ...
/f/furnish.htm - 11k

Supply (40 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To fill up, or keep full; to furnish with what is wanted; to afford, or
furnish with, a sufficiency; as, rivers are supplied by smaller streams; an ...
/s/supply.htm - 21k

Arm (110 Occurrences)
... 14. (vt) To furnish with arms or limbs. 15. (vt) To furnish or equip with weapons
of offense or defense; as, to arm soldiers; to arm the country. 16. ...
/a/arm.htm - 42k

Endow (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To furnish with money or its equivalent, as a permanent fund for support;
to make pecuniary provision for; to settle an income upon; especially, to ...
/e/endow.htm - 8k

Produce (140 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To bring forth, as young, or as a natural product or growth; to give birth
to; to bear; to generate; to propagate; to yield; to furnish; as, the earth ...
/p/produce.htm - 37k

Man (26072 Occurrences)
... 11. (vt) To supply with men; to furnish with a sufficient force or ... 12. (vt) To furnish
with strength for action; to prepare for efficiency; to fortify. 13. ...
/m/man.htm - 56k

Help (1694 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To furnish with strength or means for the successful performance of any
action or the attainment of any object; to aid; to assist; as, to help a man in ...
/h/help.htm - 9k

Nourish (16 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To feed and cause to grow; to supply with matter which increases bulk or
supplies waste, and promotes health; to furnish with nutriment. ...
/n/nourish.htm - 13k

Garnish (1 Occurrence)
... Overlay with stones (2 Chronicles 3:6), adorn (Revelation 21:19), deck with garlands
(Matthew 23:29), furnish (12:44). ... 3. (vt) To furnish; to supply. ...
/g/garnish.htm - 9k

Fill (126 Occurrences)
... 3. (v.) To furnish an abundant supply to; to furnish with as mush as is desired
or desirable; to occupy the whole of; to swarm in or overrun. ...
/f/fill.htm - 36k

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Furnish: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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