The term "now" in the Bible often signifies the present moment, an immediate action, or a pivotal point in time. It is used to draw attention to the urgency or importance of a situation, decision, or divine intervention. The concept of "now" underscores the immediacy of God's presence and the necessity of responding to His call without delay.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, "now" frequently appears in narratives and dialogues to indicate a transition or a call to action. For example, in Genesis 12:1, God commands Abram, "Now go from your country, your kindred, and your father’s house to the land I will show you." Here, "now" emphasizes the immediacy of God's command and Abram's need for prompt obedience.

The Psalms often use "now" to express a present reality or a plea for immediate divine intervention. Psalm 118:25 states, "O LORD, save us, we pray. We beseech You, O LORD, cause us to prosper now." This plea reflects a deep reliance on God's timely deliverance and blessing.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, "now" is used to highlight the fulfillment of God's promises and the urgency of the gospel message. In Mark 1:15, Jesus proclaims, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel!" The use of "now" here underscores the present reality of the kingdom and the immediate need for repentance and faith.

The Apostle Paul frequently uses "now" to emphasize the present implications of Christ's work. In Romans 8:1, he declares, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." This statement highlights the current state of believers who are justified and free from condemnation through faith in Christ.

Theological Significance

Theologically, "now" conveys the concept of kairos, a Greek term for the opportune or appointed time. It signifies moments when God's eternal purposes intersect with human history, calling for decisive action or response. The urgency of "now" in Scripture often serves as a reminder of the fleeting nature of time and the importance of living in obedience to God's will.

Practical Implications

For believers, the biblical use of "now" serves as a call to live in the present with an awareness of God's active presence and purpose. It encourages immediate obedience, faith, and readiness to respond to God's leading. The urgency of "now" challenges Christians to prioritize their relationship with God and to seize opportunities for service and witness in the world.

Conclusion

The concept of "now" in the Bible is a powerful reminder of the immediacy of God's call and the importance of living in the present with faith and obedience. It underscores the reality that God's kingdom is at hand and that believers are called to respond to His grace and truth without delay.1. (adv.) At the present time; at this moment; at the time of speaking; instantly; as, I will write now.

2. (adv.) Very lately; not long ago.

3. (adv.) At a time contemporaneous with something spoken of or contemplated; at a particular time referred to.

4. (adv.) In present circumstances; things being as they are; -- hence, used as a connective particle, to introduce an inference or an explanation.

5. (a.) Existing at the present time; present.

6. (n.) The present time or moment; the present.

737. arti -- just now
... just now. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: arti Phonetic Spelling: (ar'-tee)
Short Definition: now, just now Definition: now, just now, at this moment. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/737.htm - 7k

3570. nuni -- now
... nuni. 3571 . now. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: nuni Phonetic Spelling:
(noo-nee') Short Definition: now, already, at present Definition: adv. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3570.htm - 7k

3568. nun -- now, the present
... nun. 3569 . now, the present. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: nun Phonetic
Spelling: (noon) Short Definition: now, already, at present Definition: adv ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3568.htm - 7k

3569. tanun -- but now.
tanun or ta nun. 3568, 3569. tanun or ta nun. 3570 . but now. Transliteration:
tanun or ta nun Phonetic Spelling: (tan-oon') Short Definition: now. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3569.htm - 6k

1211. de -- indeed, now (used to give emphasis or urgency to a ...
... indeed, now (used to give emphasis or urgency to a statement). Part of Speech: Particle,
Disjunctive Particle Transliteration: de Phonetic Spelling: (day) Short ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1211.htm - 7k

1161. de -- but, and, now, (a connective or adversative particle)
... but, and, now, (a connective or adversative particle). Part of Speech: Conjunction
Transliteration: de Phonetic Spelling: (deh) Short Definition: but, on the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1161.htm - 7k

1204. deuro -- until now, come here!
... 1203, 1204. deuro. 1205 . until now, come here! ... Word Origin of uncertain origin
Definition until now, come here! NASB Word Usage come (6), come here (2). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1204.htm - 6k

1894. epeide -- when now, seeing that
... when now, seeing that. Part of Speech: Conjunction Transliteration: epeide Phonetic
Spelling: (ep-i-day') Short Definition: when, since Definition: of time: when ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1894.htm - 7k

2235. ede -- already
... already. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: ede Phonetic Spelling: (ay'-day)
Short Definition: now, already Definition: already; now at length, now after ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2235.htm - 7k

5106. toinun -- accordingly, therefore
... Part of Speech: Particle, Disjunctive Particle Transliteration: toinun Phonetic
Spelling: (toy'-noon) Short Definition: indeed now, therefore Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5106.htm - 7k

3705. kean -- now
... now. Transliteration: kean Phonetic Spelling: (keh-an') Short Definition: now. Word
Origin (Aramaic) probably from anah Definition now NASB Word Usage now (13). ...
/hebrew/3705.htm - 6k

6258. attah -- now
attah or attah. 6257, 6258. attah or attah. 6259 . now. Transliteration: attah
or attah Phonetic Spelling: (at-taw') Short Definition: now. ...
/hebrew/6258.htm - 6k

4994. na -- I (we) pray, now
... na. 4995 . I (we) pray, now. Transliteration: na Phonetic Spelling: (naw) Short
Definition: please. Word Origin a prim. ... I beseech pray thee you, go to, now, oh ...
/hebrew/4994.htm - 6k

3706. keeneth -- now
... now. Transliteration: keeneth or keeth Phonetic Spelling: (keh-eh'-neth) Short
Definition: now. ... of kean Definition now NASB Word Usage now (4). at such a time. ...
/hebrew/3706.htm - 6k

577. annah -- ah, now! I (we) beseech you!
annah or anna. 576, 577. annah or anna. 578 . ah, now! I (we) beseech you! ... Word
Origin of uncertain derivation Definition ah, now! I (we) beseech you! ...
/hebrew/577.htm - 6k

2088. zeh -- this, here
... 1), daylight* (1), each side (1), either side (1), ever (3), first woman (1), follows
(1), here (29), how* (3), itself (1), just (1), morning (1), now (1), now ...
/hebrew/2088.htm - 7k

645. epho -- then
... then. Word Origin a prim. particle Definition then NASB Word Usage now
(4), so (1), then (8), well then (1). here, now, where. Or ...
/hebrew/645.htm - 6k

227. az -- at that time
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition at that time NASB Word Usage if
(1), now (1), once (1), rather* (1), since* (1), so (1), then (113), time (5 ...
/hebrew/227.htm - 6k

3117. yom -- day
... 3), later* (2), length (1), life (12), life* (1), lifetime (2), lifetime* (1), live
(1), long (2), long as i live (1), long* (11), midday* (1), now (5), older ...
/hebrew/3117.htm - 7k

6471. paam -- a beat, foot, anvil, occurrence
... a beat, foot, anvil, occurrence NASB Word Usage all (1), annual* (1), anvil (1),
each story (1), feet (9), footsteps (3), hoofbeats (1), now (5), oftentimes* (1 ...
/hebrew/6471.htm - 6k

God is Now Here
... GOD IS NOW HERE. In ... here.'". And she was right. She was wiser than her
gray-haired grandfather. For God is now here. He is everywhere. ...
/.../chidley/fifty-two story talks to boys and girls/god is now here.htm

Even Now
... Even Now. A Sermon (No.2249). ... CH SPURGEON,. At the [12]Metropolitan Tabernacle,
Newington. On Lord's-day Evening, February 8th, 1891. "Even now.""John 11:22. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/even now.htm

Now, and Then
... Now, and Then. A Sermon ... At the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. "For now we see
through a glass, darkly; but then face to face.""1 Corinthians 13:12. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/now and then.htm

Now
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First CLXXXIII NOW. The Past can be no more" ...
An absolute uncertainty: The Now, which will not with me stay,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/clxxxiii now.htm

And Now
... THE FIRST CENTURY 76 And now. And now, O Lord, Heaven and Earth are infinitely more
valuable than they were before, being all bought with Thy precious blood. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/traherne/centuries of meditations/76 and now.htm

For the Burial of the Dead. I. Now Hush Your Cries, and Shed no ...
... For the Burial of the Dead. I. Now hush your cries, and shed no tear,. 8,8,8,8 ... trans.
by Catherine Winkworth, 1855. Now hush your cries, and shed no tear,. ...
/.../winkworth/lyra germanica the christian year/for the burial of the 2.htm

I Will Rise Now and Go About the City in the Streets, and in the ...
... 2. I will rise now and go about the city in the streets, and in the broad ways I
will seek him whom my soul loveth: sought him, but I found him not. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/2 i will rise now.htm

The Same Jesus Here Now.
... VII Another Tryst (John xxi.) The Same Jesus Here Now. ... In effect He was hidden,
not seeable. Now the change that comes is this: He is seen. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/the same jesus here now.htm

Now at this Evening Hour,
... ST. GREGORY Now at this evening hour,. tr., John Brownlie 6,6,8,6. AN EVENING HYMN.
Se kai nun eulogoumen. I. Now at this evening hour,. O Thou, my Christ, to Thee ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the greek church/now at this evening hour.htm

Now what is it in the Human Soul that Most of all Hinders the ...
... Address 120: Now what is it in the human soul that most of all hinders
the death? Now what is it in the human soul that most of ...
/.../address 120 0 0 now what is.htm

Now (15352 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (adv.) At the present time; at this moment; at the
time of speaking; instantly; as, I will write now. ...Now (15352 Occurrences). ...
/n/now.htm - 7k

Now-a-days (1 Occurrence)
Now-a-days. Nowadays, Now-a-days. Nowhere . Multi-Version
Concordance Now-a-days (1 Occurrence). 1 Samuel 25:10 And ...
/n/now-a-days.htm - 6k

Speakest (30 Occurrences)
... am? (YLT). John 16:29 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou
plainly, and speakest no proverb. (KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/s/speakest.htm - 15k

Servitude (21 Occurrences)
... Galatians 4:9 and now, having known God -- and rather being known by God -- how
turn ye again unto the weak and poor elements to which anew ye desire to be in ...
/s/servitude.htm - 13k

Spent (76 Occurrences)
... Mark 6:35 And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said,
This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed: (KJV ASV WBS). ...
/s/spent.htm - 28k

Kiriath (34 Occurrences)
... Joshua 9:17 The children of Israel traveled and came to their cities on the third
day. Now their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim. ...
/k/kiriath.htm - 17k

Shepherds (55 Occurrences)
... Luke 2:15 It happened, when the angels went away from them into the sky, that the
shepherds said one to another, "Let's go to Bethlehem, now, and see this ...
/s/shepherds.htm - 24k

Scriptures (25 Occurrences)
... Acts 17:11 Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received
the word with all readiness of the mind, examining the Scriptures daily ...
/s/scriptures.htm - 15k

Violent (151 Occurrences)
... Nor can it be determined whether the words "from the days of John the Baptist until
now" are meant to include or exclude the work of the Baptist himself. ...
/v/violent.htm - 36k

Homes (43 Occurrences)
... Mark 10:30 but he will receive one hundred times more now in this time, houses,
brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land, with persecutions; and in the ...
/h/homes.htm - 18k

Can Christians live their best life now? | GotQuestions.org

What is Kingdom Now teaching? | GotQuestions.org

Where is Jesus now? Is Jesus in heaven? | GotQuestions.org

Now: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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