The concept of intimacy in the Bible encompasses a deep, personal, and often spiritual connection between individuals and between humanity and God. This connection is characterized by closeness, trust, and mutual understanding. The Bible presents intimacy in various contexts, including marital relationships, friendships, and the believer's relationship with God.

Marital Intimacy

The Bible frequently addresses the intimate relationship between husband and wife, emphasizing its sacredness and exclusivity. In Genesis 2:24, the foundation for marital intimacy is established: "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." This "one flesh" union signifies not only physical intimacy but also emotional and spiritual unity. The Song of Solomon celebrates the beauty and depth of marital love, portraying the intimate bond between a bride and groom with poetic imagery and passionate language.

Friendship and Brotherhood

Intimacy is also evident in the deep friendships depicted in Scripture. The relationship between David and Jonathan is a prime example. In 1 Samuel 18:1, it is said, "Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself." Their friendship was marked by loyalty, sacrifice, and a profound emotional connection. Proverbs 18:24 highlights the value of such relationships: "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother."

Intimacy with God

The Bible places significant emphasis on the believer's intimate relationship with God. This relationship is characterized by personal knowledge, love, and communion with the Creator. In Psalm 139:1-4, David expresses the intimate knowledge God has of each individual: "O LORD, You have searched me and known me. You know when I sit and when I rise; You understand my thoughts from afar." This passage underscores the closeness and personal nature of God's relationship with His people.

Jesus Christ invites believers into an intimate relationship with Himself. In John 15:15, He tells His disciples, "No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because everything I have learned from My Father I have made known to you." This invitation to friendship with Christ signifies a deep, personal connection that transcends mere servitude.

Intimacy in Worship and Prayer

Intimacy with God is further cultivated through worship and prayer. The Psalms often reflect a personal and heartfelt dialogue with God, as seen in Psalm 63:1: "O God, You are my God; earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You." Prayer is a means by which believers draw near to God, expressing their deepest desires, fears, and gratitude. Jesus taught His followers to pray intimately, addressing God as "Our Father" (Matthew 6:9), which denotes a close, familial relationship.

Conclusion

The Bible presents intimacy as a multifaceted concept that enriches human relationships and deepens one's connection with God. Whether in marriage, friendship, or spiritual communion, intimacy is portrayed as a vital and enriching aspect of life, reflecting the love and unity that God desires for His creation.1. (a.) Innermost; inward; internal; deep-seated; hearty.

2. (a.) Near; close; direct; thorough; complete.

3. (a.) Close in friendship or acquaintance; familiar; confidential; as, an intimate friend.

4. (n.) An intimate friend or associate; a confidant.

5. (v.) To announce; to declare; to publish; to communicate; to make known.

6. (v.) To suggest obscurely or indirectly; to refer to remotely; to give slight notice of; to hint; as, he intimated his intention of resigning his office.

4939. suntrophos -- one brought up with, ie a foster brother or an ...
... one brought up with, ie a foster brother or an intimate friend. Part of Speech:
Adjective Transliteration: suntrophos Phonetic Spelling: (soon'-trof-os) Short ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4939.htm - 6k

5263. hupodeiknumi -- to show secretly, to show by tracing out, to ...
... hupodeiknumi Phonetic Spelling: (hoop-od-ike'-noo-mee) Short Definition: I show
plainly, teach, warn Definition: I indicate, intimate, suggest, show, prove. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5263.htm - 6k

3962. pater -- a father
... [3962 ("father") refers to a begetter, originator, progenitor -- one in
"intimate connection and relationship" (Gesenius). Just ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3962.htm - 8k

3880. paralambano -- to receive from
... From para and lambano; to receive near, ie Associate with oneself (in any familiar
or intimate act or relation); by analogy, to assume an office; figuratively ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3880.htm - 8k

3326. meta -- with, among, after
... association, or accusative succession) with which it is joined; occupying an
intermediate position between apo or ek and eis or pros; less intimate than en and ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3326.htm - 8k

3874. paraklesis -- a calling to one's aid, ie encouragement ...
... 3874 () is an "intimate call" that someone personally gives to deliver , ie "the
close-call" that reveals how the Lord weighs in the relevant facts (evidence). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3874.htm - 8k

3377. menuo -- to make known, report
... massaomai and mnaomai (ie Mao, to strive); to disclose (through the idea of mental
effort and thus calling to mind), ie Report, declare, intimate -- shew, tell ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3377.htm - 6k

316. anagkaios -- necessary
... Transliteration: anagkaios Phonetic Spelling: (an-ang-kah'-yos) Short Definition:
necessary, essential Definition: necessary, essential, intimate, right, proper ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/316.htm - 7k

5368. phileo -- to love
... 5368 (from 5384 , "affectionate friendship") -- properly, to show in intimate ,
characterized by tender, heartfelt consideration and kinship. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5368.htm - 8k

5384. philos -- beloved, dear, friendly
... 5384 -- a friend; someone loved (prized) in a personal, intimate way; a
trusted , held dear in a close bond of personal affection. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5384.htm - 7k

4129. moda -- kinsman
... Definition: friend. Word Origin from yada Definition kinsman NASB Word Usage
intimate friend (1), kinsman (1). kinswoman. Or rather ...
/hebrew/4129.htm - 6k

3045. yada -- to know
... 3), have...knowledge (2), ignorant* (1), illiterate* (1), indeed learn (1), inform
(1), informed (4), instruct (3), instructed (1), intimate friends (1 ...
/hebrew/3045.htm - 8k

5475. sod -- council, counsel
... council, counsel NASB Word Usage circle (1), company (1), consultation (1), council
(5), fellowship (1), friendship (1), gathering (1), intimate (1), plans (1 ...
/hebrew/5475.htm - 6k

441a. alluph -- tame
... Word Origin from alaph Definition tame NASB Word Usage cattle (1), companion (2),
companions (1), friend (1), gentle (1), intimate friends (2). 441, 441a. ...
/hebrew/441a.htm - 5k

Of the Intimate Love of Jesus
... THE SECOND BOOK. ADMONITIONS CONCERNING THE INNER LIFE CHAPTER VIII Of the
intimate love of Jesus. When Jesus is present all is well ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter viii of the intimate.htm

The Eighth Chapter: the Intimate Friendship of Jesus
... BOOK TWO. THE INTERIOR LIFE The Eighth Chapter: The Intimate Friendship of Jesus.
WHEN Jesus is near, all is well and nothing seems difficult. ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the eighth chapter the intimate.htm

How Herod Slew Sohemus and Mariamne and Afterward Alexandra and ...
... CHAPTER 7. How Herod Slew Sohemus And Mariamne And Afterward Alexandra And Costobarus,
And His Most Intimate Friends, And At Last The Sons Of Babbas Also. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 how herod slew.htm

Tennessee and Missouri.
... also a delegate appointed by the Missouri Synod, but prevented from attending, in
which he expressed "the hope and desire that a more intimate acquaintance may ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bente/american lutheranism/tennessee and missouri.htm

The Authorship.
... example. Not only does the author exhibit the most intimate knowledge of places,
but of Jewish rites, customs, prejudices and feelings. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the authorship.htm

The Old Man and the New.
... We may have been intimate with a person whom we afterward discovered to
be a bad character. ... Formerly we were most intimate with him. ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xii the old man and.htm

Chapter xviii
... For I acknowledge him to be my intimate friend to the end that he may enjoin upon
his children and his household after him to keep the way of Yahweh to do what ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xviii.htm

Introduction to First Edition.
... demonstrate to a wonderful degree, the immediate practical ways of the Lord with
his children in this world, that He is far nearer and more intimate with their ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/introduction to first edition.htm

Of the Use of Speech.
... sensitive creatures enough: the design was to entertain his nobler principle, his
reason, with a more equal converse, assign him an intimate, whose intellect ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section i of the use.htm

The Anointing of Jesus.
... In the first of these incidents evidence is given that there was an intimate circle
of friends in whose love Jesus was embalmed, and His work and memory ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol ii/i the anointing of jesus.htm

Intimate (12 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Close in friendship or acquaintance; familiar; confidential; as, an intimate
friend. 4. (n.) An intimate friend or associate; a confidant. ...
/i/intimate.htm - 9k

Familiar (35 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Closely acquainted or intimate, as a friend or companion; well versed
in, as any subject of study; as, familiar with the Scriptures. ...
/f/familiar.htm - 22k

Inward (43 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Seated in the mind, heart, spirit, or soul. 3. (a.) Intimate; domestic;
private. ... 6. (n.) An intimate or familiar friend or acquaintance. 7. (a.) Alt. ...
/i/inward.htm - 21k

Converse (5 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To keep company; to hold intimate intercourse; to commune; -- followed by
with. ... 4. (n.) Frequent intercourse; familiar communion; intimate association. ...
/c/converse.htm - 8k

Children
... of God." Tekna contains the idea of origin or descent, but also that of personal
relation, and is often used metaphorically of "that intimate and reciprocal ...
/c/children.htm - 62k

Hebrews (24 Occurrences)
... It is written in pure idiomatic Greek. The writer had an intimate knowledge
of the Septuagint, and was familiar with Jewish life. ...
/h/hebrews.htm - 70k

Ezekiel (4 Occurrences)
... 4,5, show his intimate acquaintance with the Levitical legislation. (See Exodus
22:30; Deuteronomy 14:21; Leviticus 5:2; 7:18, 24; 17:15; 19:7; 22:8, etc.). ...
/e/ezekiel.htm - 45k

Prayers (99 Occurrences)
... This is apparently indicated in John 11:41, 42, although, as above, it is the
expression of the intimate relation between Christ and the Father, which is the ...
/p/prayers.htm - 51k

Greece (15 Occurrences)
... made in their honor. Only the humanness of the gods in worship is something
more subtle, more intimate than in myth. No stress is ...
/g/greece.htm - 59k

Homely (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Belonging to, or having the characteristics
of, home; domestic; familiar; intimate. 2. (n.) Plain ...
/h/homely.htm - 7k

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Intimate: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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