Topical Bible: Meaning

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In the context of the Bible, "meaning" often refers to the significance or purpose behind words, actions, events, or life itself. The quest for meaning is a central theme throughout the Scriptures, as individuals seek to understand God's will and their place in His creation.

Creation and Purpose

The Bible begins with the account of creation, where meaning is established through God's intentional design. Genesis 1:27 states, "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." This verse underscores the inherent meaning and purpose in human life, as being made in the image of God implies a unique role and responsibility within creation.

The Search for Meaning

The book of Ecclesiastes delves deeply into the search for meaning. King Solomon, traditionally considered the author, reflects on the futility of worldly pursuits. Ecclesiastes 1:2 declares, "Futility of futilities, says the Teacher, futility of futilities! Everything is futile!" Yet, the conclusion of the book points to a meaningful life found in reverence for God: "When all has been heard, the conclusion of the matter is this: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind" (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

Meaning in Suffering

The Bible addresses the question of meaning in suffering, a topic explored in the book of Job. Job's trials and his dialogues with friends and God reveal that human understanding is limited, but trust in God's wisdom and sovereignty provides a deeper sense of meaning. Job 42:2 acknowledges, "I know that You can do all things and that no plan of Yours can be thwarted."

Redemption and Fulfillment

The New Testament reveals the ultimate meaning and purpose through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In John 10:10 , Jesus states, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness." This fullness of life is found in a relationship with Christ, who provides redemption and a restored purpose.

The Role of the Church

The Church, as the body of Christ, plays a significant role in conveying meaning to believers. Ephesians 4:11-13 explains, "And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ." The Church is tasked with guiding believers in understanding their purpose and role within God's plan.

Eternal Perspective

The Bible encourages believers to view life from an eternal perspective, where ultimate meaning is found in the hope of eternal life with God. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 reminds, "For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

In summary, the Bible presents a comprehensive view of meaning that encompasses creation, human experience, suffering, redemption, and eternal hope, all centered on a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Mean.

2. (n.) That which is meant or intended; intent; purpose; aim; object; as, a mischievous meaning was apparent.

3. (n.) That which is signified, whether by act language; signification; since; import; as, the meaning of a hint.

4. (n.) Sense; power of thinking.

Greek

1411. dunamis -- (miraculous) power, might, strength
... doo'-nam-is) Short Definition: might, power, marvelous works Definition: (a) physical
power, force, might, ability, efficacy, energy, meaning (b) plur ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1411.htm - 8k

1180. dekatessares -- fourteen
... 1180 ("14") is used in Scripture both with literal meaning (2 Cor 12:2; Gal 2:1)
and double entendre (simultaneous symbolic meaning, cf. Mt 1:17). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1180.htm - 7k

2154. eusemos -- clear
... clear. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: eusemos Phonetic Spelling:
(yoo'-say-mos) Short Definition: with clear meaning, intelligible Definition: with ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2154.htm - 6k

4456. poroo -- to petrify, ie to harden
... 2, 153). 4456 () was applied to (a "," ) - hence meaning "to petrify"
(as in "covering over with a callus"). 4456 () is in the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4456.htm - 7k

1537. ek -- from, from out of
... 1537 ("out of") is one of the most under-translated (and therefore mis-translated)
Greek propositions -- often being confined to the meaning "by." 1537 () has ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1537.htm - 7k

40. hagios -- sacred, holy
... The fundamental (core) meaning of 40 () is "different" -- thus a temple in the 1st
century was ("holy") because from other buildings (Wm. Barclay). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/40.htm - 8k

766. aselgeia -- licentiousness, wantonness
... 766 (from "brutal") -- properly, which and indulges in lawless insolence (wanton
caprice). [This is likewise the meaning of 766 in classical Greek (, 110).]. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/766.htm - 7k

4352. proskuneo -- to do reverence to
... ["The basic meaning of 4352 (), in the opinion of most scholars, is to . . .On
Egyptian reliefs worshipers are represented with outstretched hand ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4352.htm - 10k

4241. prepo -- to be fitting, proper, suitable
... is right. 4241 (a primitive verb meaning "," ", so ) -- properly, stand out, ,
especially in a way that is ("fitting"). 4241 () refers ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4241.htm - 7k

1018. brabeuo -- to act as umpire
... Cognate: 1018 -- properly, "act as an" (this is also the meaning of this term in
classical Greek, as with Isocrates and Demosthenes, etc.); (figuratively) the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1018.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

1665. Gittith -- a musical term of unc. meaning.
... 1664, 1665. Gittith. 1666 . a musical term of unc. meaning. ... Word Origin fem.
of Gitti Definition a musical term of unc. meaning. Gittith ...
/hebrew/1665.htm - 6k

3321. yetsab -- to make certain, gain certainty
... 3320, 3321. yetsab. 3322 . to make certain, gain certainty. Transliteration:
yetsab Phonetic Spelling: (yets-abe') Short Definition: meaning. ...
/hebrew/3321.htm - 6k

998. binah -- an understanding
... knowledge, meaning, perfectly, understanding, wisdom. From biyn; understanding --
knowledge, meaning, X perfectly, understanding, wisdom. see HEBREW biyn. ...
/hebrew/998.htm - 6k

2823. chashok -- obscure, low
... meaning. From chashak; dark (figuratively, ie Obscure) -- meaning. see HEBREW
chashak. 2822, 2823. chashok. 2824 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/2823.htm - 6k

8184. seorah -- barley
... Or snowrah {seh-o-raw'} (feminine meaning the plant); and (masculine meaning the
grain); also s or {seh-ore'}; or s-owr {seh-ore'}; from sa'ar in the sense of ...
/hebrew/8184.htm - 6k

5708. ed -- filthy
... filthy From an unused root meaning to set a period (compare adah, uwd); the menstrual
flux (as periodical); by implication (in plural) soiling -- filthy. ...
/hebrew/5708.htm - 6k

5631. saris -- eunuch
... Or caric {saw-reece'}; from an unused root meaning to castrate; a eunuch; by
implication, valet (especially of the female apartments), and thus, a minister of ...
/hebrew/5631.htm - 6k

5461. sagan -- a prefect, ruler
... prince, ruler. From an unused root meaning to superintend; a prefect of a province --
prince, ruler. 5460, 5461. sagan. 5462 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5461.htm - 6k

5845. atin -- probably a pail, bucket
... breast. From an unused root meaning apparently to contain; a receptacle (for milk,
ie Pail; figuratively, breast) -- breast. 5844b, 5845. atin. 5846 . ...
/hebrew/5845.htm - 6k

5572. seneh -- perhaps blackberry bush
... Word Usage bush (6). bush. From an unused root meaning to prick; a bramble --
bush. 5571, 5572. seneh. 5573 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5572.htm - 5k

Library

The Meaning
... A MEMORABLE SENTENCE, THE MEANING. Of the Outer Court with the Holy City
trodden under foot by the Gentiles, and on that account ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the meaning 2.htm

The Meaning
... A MEMORABLE SENTENCE, THE MEANING. Of ... apostles. Of which authors, I think
I can collect, that this is the meaning, from c. xix. v.15. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the meaning 3.htm

The Meaning
... A MEMORABLE SENTENCE, THE MEANING. Of the Interior Court measured by the
Reed of God. The inner court of the temple, with those who ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the meaning.htm

The Meaning of Faith
... THE NEW TESTAMENT THE MEANING OF FAITH. Now faith is the confidence that
we shall receive the things for which we hope, the proof ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the meaning of faith.htm

What is the Meaning of "In whom all have Sinned"?
... Book IV. Chapter 7."What is the Meaning of "In Whom All Have Sinned"? But
these speak thus who wish to wrest men from the apostle's ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 7 what is the meaning.htm

But what the Meaning of this Is, is Already Clear to All. ...
... Book V. 43 But what the meaning of this is, is already clear to all.?
But what the meaning of this is, is already clear to all. ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/43 but what the meaning.htm

The Disciple, -- what is the Meaning and Purpose of the Cross...
... V. THE CROSS AND THE MYSTERY OF SUFFERING SECTION I The Disciple, " What
is the meaning and purpose of the cross? The Disciple ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/singh/at the masters feet/section i the disciple 5.htm

The Meaning and Mission of Prayer
... I. The Meaning And Mission Of Prayer. 1. Prayer the Greatest Outlet of Power.
2. Prayer the Deciding Factor in a Spirit Conflict.3 ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on prayer/i the meaning and mission.htm

Q. What is the Meaning of Such a Water Baptism?
... I. The Ten Commandments: The Simple Way a Father Should Present Them to His
Household Q. What is the meaning of such a water Baptism? ...
/.../luther/luthers little instruction book/q what is the meaning.htm

God's Meaning of "Human. "
... The Human Jesus God's Meaning of "Human.". ... The first true meaning, and a second,
that has grown up through sin, and sin's taint and trail. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/gods meaning of human.htm

Thesaurus

Meaning (41 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Mean. 2. (n.) That which is meant or intended; intent; purpose; aim;
object; as, a mischievous meaning was apparent. ...Meaning (41 Occurrences). ...
/m/meaning.htm - 18k

Passion (82 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Only once found, in Acts 1:3, meaning suffering, referring
to the sufferings of our Lord. Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
/p/passion.htm - 37k

Bush (14 Occurrences)
... The meaning appears to be rather a place for watering flocks, the corresponding
Arabic root nahal, having the meaning "to quench one's thirst," and the ...
/b/bush.htm - 19k

Paraclete
... 2. General Meaning: In general the word signifies: (1) a legal advocate, or counsel
for defense, (2) an intercessor, (3) a helper, generally. ...
/p/paraclete.htm - 17k

Determine (13 Occurrences)
... DETERMINE. de-tur'-min: (1) "To resolve," "decide." This is the primary meaning
of the word and it is also the one that is the most common. ...
/d/determine.htm - 13k

Proverb (24 Occurrences)
... It comes from a root meaning "to be like," "parable." Rendered "proverb" in Isaiah
14:4; Habakkuk 2:6; "dark saying" in Psalm 49:4, Numbers 12:8. Ahab's ...
/p/proverb.htm - 29k

Passions (26 Occurrences)
... (1) Close to what seems to be the primary force of the root is the meaning "suffer,"
and in this sense "passion" is used in Acts 1:3, "to whom he also showed ...
/p/passions.htm - 17k

Burning (415 Occurrences)
... burn, burn'-ing: Figurative: In addition to the ordinary meaning, burn is used
metaphorically in the following passages of the New Testament: (1) kaio (Luke 24 ...
/b/burning.htm - 42k

Affect (3 Occurrences)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. AFFECT; AFFECTION. a-fekt', a-fek'-shun: The literal
meaning of "affect" is to act upon (Latin ad, "to," "upon," facio, "to do"). ...
/a/affect.htm - 11k

Affection (30 Occurrences)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. AFFECT; AFFECTION. a-fekt', a-fek'-shun: The literal
meaning of "affect" is to act upon (Latin ad, "to," "upon," facio, "to do"). ...
/a/affection.htm - 20k

Resources

What is the meaning of the Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl of Great Price? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Prodigal Son? | GotQuestions.org

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Growing Seed (Mark 4:26-29)? | GotQuestions.org

Meaning: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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

Concordance

Meaning (41 Occurrences)

Mark 4:13
"Do you all miss the meaning of this parable?" He added; "how then will you understand the rest of my parables?"
(WEY)

Mark 14:60
At last the High Priest stood up, and advancing into the midst of them all, asked Jesus, "Have you no answer to make? What is the meaning of all this that these witnesses allege against you?"
(WEY)

Luke 8:11
The meaning of the parable is as follows. The seed is God's Message.
(WEY NIV)

Luke 9:45
But they did not understand His meaning: it was veiled from them that they might not perceive it, and they were afraid to ask Him about it.
(WEY)

Luke 18:34
They understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they didn't understand the things that were said.
(See NAS NIV)

Luke 20:17
But he looked at them, and said, "Then what is this that is written,'The stone which the builders rejected, the same was made the chief cornerstone?'
(See NIV)

Luke 22:16
for I tell you that I certainly shall not eat one again till its full meaning has been brought out in the Kingdom of God."
(WEY)

John 4:37
For it is in this that you see the real meaning of the saying, 'The sower is one person, and the reaper is another.'
(WEY)

John 12:16
The meaning of this His disciples did not understand at the time; but after Jesus was glorified they recollected that this was written about Him, and that they had done this to Him.
(WEY)

Acts 10:17
While Peter was greatly perplexed as to the meaning of the vision which he had seen, just then the men sent by Cornelius, having by inquiry found out Simon's house,
(WEY NIV)

Acts 13:8
But Elymas (or 'the Magician,' for such is the meaning of the name)
(WEY RSV)

Acts 27:2
And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.
(KJV WBS)

Romans 8:27
and the Searcher of hearts knows what the Spirit's meaning is, because His intercessions for God's people are in harmony with God's will.
(WEY)

Romans 15:8
My meaning is that Christ has become a servant to the people of Israel in vindication of God's truthfulness-- in showing how sure are the promises made to our forefathers--
(WEY)

1 Corinthians 4:6
In writing this much, brethren, with special reference to Apollos and myself, I have done so for your sakes, in order to teach you by our example what those words mean, which say, "Nothing beyond what is written!" --so that you may cease to take sides in boastful rivalry, for one teacher against another.
(See NIV)

1 Corinthians 5:10
yet not at all meaning with the sexual sinners of this world, or with the covetous and extortioners, or with idolaters; for then you would have to leave the world.
(WEB ASV RSV NIV)

1 Corinthians 10:11
All this kept happening to them with a figurative meaning; but it was put on record by way of admonition to us upon whom the ends of the Ages have come.
(WEY)

1 Corinthians 14:10
There are, it may be, so many kinds of sounds in the world, and none of them is without meaning.
(WEB YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Corinthians 14:11
If then I don't know the meaning of the sound, I would be to him who speaks a foreigner, and he who speaks would be a foreigner to me.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV WBS NAS RSV NIV)

2 Corinthians 4:3
If, however, the meaning of our Good News has been veiled, the veil has been on the hearts of those who are on the way to perdition,
(WEY)

Galatians 3:16
Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He doesn't say, "To seeds," as of many, but as of one, "To your seed," which is Christ.
(See RSV)

Revelation 1:20
the secret meaning of the seven stars which you have seen in My right hand, and of the seven lampstands of gold. The seven stars are the ministers of the seven Churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven Churches.
(WEY)

Revelation 17:7
Then the angel said to me, "Why are you so astonished? I will explain to you the secret meaning of the woman and of the seven-headed, ten-horned Wild Beast which carries her.
(WEY)

Revelation 22:10
"Make no secret," he added, "of the meaning of the predictions contained in this book; for the time for their fulfillment is now close at hand.
(WEY)

Genesis 21:29
And Abimelech said unto Abraham: 'What mean these seven ewe-lambs which thou hast set by themselves?'
(See RSV NIV)

Genesis 40:5
They both dreamed a dream, each man his dream, in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the cupbearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were bound in the prison.
(See RSV NIV)

Genesis 41:11
We dreamed a dream in one night, I and he. We dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream.
(See RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 6:20
When thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying: 'What mean the testimonies, and the statutes, and the ordinances, which the LORD our God hath commanded you?
(See RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 4:14
And when Eli heard the noise of the crying, he said: 'What meaneth the noise of this tumult?' And the man made haste, and came and told Eli.
(See NIV)

1 Kings 1:41
And it came to the ears of Adonijah and all the guests who were with him, when their meal was ended. And Joab, hearing the sound of the horn, said, What is the reason of this noise as if the town was worked up?
(See NIV)

Nehemiah 8:8
and they read in the book, in the law of God, explaining -- so as to give the meaning, and they give understanding to the convocation.
(YLT NIV)

Job 7:16
I loathe my life. I don't want to live forever. Leave me alone, for my days are but a breath.
(See NIV)

Ecclesiastes 6:11
There are words without number for increasing what is to no purpose, but what is man profited by them?
(See NIV)

Ecclesiastes 8:17
Then I saw all the work of God, and that man may not get knowledge of the work which is done under the sun; because, if a man gives hard work to the search he will not get knowledge, and even if the wise man seems to be coming to the end of his search, still he will be without knowledge.
(See NIV)

Daniel 4:19
Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was stricken mute for a while, and his thoughts troubled him. The king answered, Belteshazzar, don't let the dream, or the interpretation, trouble you. Belteshazzar answered, My lord, the dream be to those who hate you, and its interpretation to your adversaries.
(See NIV)

Daniel 7:16
I came near to one of those who stood by, and asked him the truth concerning all this. So he told me, and made me know the interpretation of the things.
(See NAS NIV)

Daniel 7:19
Then I desired to know the truth concerning the fourth animal, which was diverse from all of them, exceedingly terrible, whose teeth were of iron, and its nails of brass; which devoured, broke in pieces, and stamped the residue with its feet;
(See NAS NIV)

Daniel 7:20
and concerning the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn which came up, and before which three fell, even that horn that had eyes, and a mouth that spoke great things, whose look was more stout than its fellows.
(See NAS)

Daniel 8:15
And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man.
(KJV WBS)

Daniel 8:16
I heard a man's voice between the banks of the Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.
(See NIV)

Subtopics

Meaning

Meaning of Jubilee

Related Terms

Passion (82 Occurrences)

Bush (14 Occurrences)

Paraclete

Determine (13 Occurrences)

Proverb (24 Occurrences)

Passions (26 Occurrences)

Burning (415 Occurrences)