The term "intendeth" is an archaic form of the verb "intend," which means to have a purpose or plan in mind. In the context of the Bible, it often refers to the intentions or plans of individuals, as well as the divine intentions of God. Understanding the concept of intention is crucial for interpreting actions and events within the biblical narrative.

Human Intentions

In the Scriptures, human intentions are frequently examined to reveal the moral and spiritual state of individuals. The Bible often contrasts righteous intentions with wicked ones, highlighting the importance of aligning one's plans with God's will. For example, in the account of Joseph and his brothers, Joseph acknowledges the evil intentions of his brothers but also recognizes God's sovereign plan: "As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" (Genesis 50:20). This passage illustrates how human intentions, even when malevolent, can be used by God to fulfill His divine purposes.

Divine Intentions

The Bible frequently emphasizes that God's intentions are always good, just, and ultimately aimed at the redemption and restoration of His creation. God's plans are often beyond human understanding, yet they are always directed towards the fulfillment of His promises. In Jeremiah 29:11, God reassures the Israelites of His benevolent intentions: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope" . This verse underscores the trustworthiness of God's intentions and His desire for the well-being of His people.

Moral and Ethical Implications

The concept of intention is also significant in the moral and ethical teachings of the Bible. Jesus, in His Sermon on the Mount, addresses the intentions of the heart, teaching that true righteousness goes beyond outward actions to the motivations behind them. In Matthew 5:28, He states, "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart" . Here, Jesus emphasizes that sinful intentions are as significant as sinful actions, calling His followers to purity of heart and mind.

Intention in Prayer and Worship

The Bible also speaks to the importance of intention in prayer and worship. God desires that His people approach Him with sincere hearts and genuine intentions. In Isaiah 29:13, the Lord criticizes the insincere worship of the Israelites: "These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me" . This passage highlights the necessity of aligning one's intentions with one's actions in worship, ensuring that devotion to God is heartfelt and authentic.

Conclusion

The concept of "intendeth" in the Bible serves as a reminder of the importance of aligning human intentions with God's will. Whether in personal conduct, prayer, or worship, the intentions of the heart are of paramount importance in the biblical worldview. Through the examination of both human and divine intentions, believers are called to pursue righteousness and trust in the sovereign plans of God.

True Love as it Intendeth the Greatest Gifts Intendeth Also the ...
... THE FIRST CENTURY 6 True Love as it intendeth the greatest gifts intendeth
also the greatest benefits. True Love as it intendeth ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/traherne/centuries of meditations/6 true love as it.htm

Centuries of Meditations
... His Love in the redemption. 6 True Love as it intendeth the greatest gifts
intendeth also the greatest benefits. 7 To contemn the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/traherne/centuries of meditations/

I am first to give you some directions for bringing your people to ...
... to his advice; and when they are persuaded of his uprightness, they will the less
suspect his motions; and when they perceive that he intendeth no private ends ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/article 1.htm

The Holy Spirit.
... The Spirit loveth to do what it does in private: that man to whom God intendeth
to reveal great things, he taketh him aside from the lumber and cumber of this ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/viii the holy spirit.htm

Shall I not My God be Praising?
... me. God's own angel whom He sendeth, Wardeth off each deadly blow Aim'd by
the untiring foe, Who our ruin thus intendeth. All things ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/shall i not my god.htm

How a Soul Shall Dispose it on Its Own Part, for to Destroy all ...
... But him listeth right well to be; and he intendeth full heartily thanking to God,
for the worthiness and the gift of his being, for all that he desire ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the four and 3.htm

John vii. 45, 46
... For the meaning of, "know what he doeth," is, "what he intendeth," "on what account,"
"for what purpose," "whether for the subversion of the order of things ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lii john vii 45.htm

John xii. 42, 43
... What He intendeth then by the words is this; [1940] "The action hath not natural
possibility, [1941] that He should speak one set of words, and I should utter ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lxix john xii 42.htm

Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ;
... By all Israel here, he intendeth not all of Israel, in the largest sense; "for they
are not all Israel which are of Israel;" "neither because they are of the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/come and welcome to jesus.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... I will assure thee thou wast least in my thoughts when I writ it; I tell thee, I
intended this book as little for thee as the goldsmith intendeth his jewels ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm

Intendeth (1 Occurrence)
...Intendeth (1 Occurrence). 1 Corinthians 12:11 and all these doth work the one and
the same Spirit, dividing to each severally as he intendeth. (YLT). ...
/i/intendeth.htm - 6k

Intending (24 Occurrences)

/i/intending.htm - 13k

Intendest (1 Occurrence)

/i/intendest.htm - 6k

Determines (5 Occurrences)
... Determines (5 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians 12:11 and all these doth work the one
and the same Spirit, dividing to each severally as he intendeth. (See NIV). ...
/d/determines.htm - 7k

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