The term "odd" is not explicitly found in the Bible; however, the concept of things being unusual, peculiar, or set apart is present throughout the Scriptures. In a biblical context, what might be considered "odd" often relates to God's ways, which are higher than human ways, and His actions, which can defy human expectations.

God's Ways and Wisdom

The Bible frequently highlights the distinction between human understanding and divine wisdom. In Isaiah 55:8-9 , God declares, "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways... As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts." This passage underscores the idea that what may seem odd or incomprehensible to humans is part of God's perfect plan.

Peculiar People

Believers are often described as a "peculiar people" in the sense of being set apart for God's purposes. In 1 Peter 2:9 , it is written, "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." This distinctiveness may appear odd to the world, but it is a mark of their divine calling.

Unusual Commands and Actions

Throughout the Bible, God gives commands and performs actions that might seem odd by human standards. For example, in the account of Gideon, God reduces Gideon's army from 32,000 to 300 men to defeat the Midianites (Judges 7:2-7). This unconventional strategy highlights God's power and the principle that victory comes from Him, not human strength.

Similarly, the prophet Hosea is instructed to marry a promiscuous woman as a symbolic act to demonstrate Israel's unfaithfulness to God (Hosea 1:2). Such commands serve as vivid illustrations of spiritual truths, even if they appear odd or perplexing.

Miracles and Signs

Miracles in the Bible often defy natural laws and can be perceived as odd or extraordinary. Jesus walking on water (Matthew 14:25) and turning water into wine (John 2:9) are examples of miraculous events that reveal His divine authority and power. These acts, while unusual, serve to authenticate Jesus' identity as the Son of God and to inspire faith in His followers.

Parables and Teachings

Jesus frequently used parables—stories with deeper spiritual meanings—that might have seemed odd or confusing to His listeners. In Matthew 13:10-11 , the disciples ask Jesus why He speaks in parables, and He explains, "The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them." The parables were designed to reveal truths to those with open hearts while concealing them from those who were spiritually blind.

Conclusion

In summary, while the Bible does not use the term "odd," it presents numerous instances where God's actions, commands, and teachings may appear unusual or unexpected. These instances serve to demonstrate His sovereignty, wisdom, and the distinctiveness of His people.1. (superl.) Not paired with another, or remaining over after a pairing; without a mate; unmatched; single; as, an odd shoe; an odd glove.

2. (superl.) Not divisible by 2 without a remainder; not capable of being evenly paired, one unit with another; as, 1, 3, 7, 9, 11, etc., are odd numbers.

3. (superl.) Left over after a definite round number has been taken or mentioned; indefinitely, but not greatly, exceeding a specified number; extra.

4. (superl.) Remaining over; unconnected; detached; fragmentary; hence, occasional; inconsiderable; as, odd jobs; odd minutes; odd trifles.

5. (superl.) Different from what is usual or common; unusual; singular; peculiar; unique; strange.

3649. ololuzo -- to cry aloud
... to cry aloud. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: ololuzo Phonetic Spelling:
(ol-ol-odd'-zo) Short Definition: I howl, lament loudly Definition: I howl ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3649.htm - 6k5736. adaph -- to remain over, be in excess
... root Definition to remain over, be in excess NASB Word Usage balance (1), excess
(4), left over (4). be more, odd number, be have over and above, remain. ...
/hebrew/5736.htm - 6k

Choked Channels.
... CHOKED CHANNELS. An Odd Distinction. A few years ago I was making a brief
tour among the colleges of Missouri. I remember one morning ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on power/choked channels.htm

System of the Arithmeticians; Predictions through Calculations ...
... If, however, there were two numbers, for example, both of them even, or both of
them odd, the smaller prevails. ... And the tetrad is even, whereas the monad odd. ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xiv system of the arithmeticians.htm

When one at the Back of the North Wind Wanted to Know How Things ...
... It's so odd, you know.". "It must look very odd to you, Diamond: I see that.
But it is no more odd to me than to break an old pine in two.". ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 11 when one at.htm

Worry Versus Peace
... trust and follow Him. One able man has called what I am referring to
'the doctrine of the odd sparrow'. Matthew records how, on ...
/.../howard/standards of life and service/xix worry versus peace.htm

The Paradoxes of Christianity
... It is my only purpose in this chapter to point this out; to show that whenever we
feel there is something odd in Christian theology, we shall generally find ...
/.../chesterton/orthodoxy/vi the paradoxes of christianity.htm

On the Road
... But it was odd to see so brilliant a figure on foot in the dusty highway; still
more odd that be carried a rough bundle slung on a staff over his and that ...
/.../greater things the story of saint stanislaus kostka /chapter i on the road.htm

Jesus Recognised by all the Race.
... And you still find Japanese churches founded by the Portuguese. Fifty odd years
ago it was the English tongue that again brought that message of life to them. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/jesus recognised by all the.htm

Objections Continued. Whether is the Unoriginate one or Two? ...
... is not yet become, but is capable of becoming, a vessel; and again what neither
has nor ever can come to be, as a triangle quadrangular, and an even number odd ...
/.../chapter ix objections continued whether is.htm

The Maniac
... Oddities do not strike odd people. This is why ordinary people have a much more
exciting time; while odd people are always complaining of the dulness of life. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/orthodoxy/ii the maniac.htm

Lenten Thoughts
... Then there will be no more forgetting that you have souls, and thrusting them into
the background, to be fed at odd minutes, or left to starve," no more talk ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon xxiii lenten thoughts.htm

Odd (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (superl.) Not paired with another, or remaining over after a pairing; without
a mate; unmatched; single; as, an odd shoe; an odd glove. ...
/o/odd.htm - 7k

Weaving (4 Occurrences)
... By placing the ends upon stones, or by suspending it on loops, the even threads
are raised above the odd threads, thus forming a shed through which the weft ...
/w/weaving.htm - 17k

Zoology
... Hyena (c) Canidae, Dog (including Greyhound), Fox, Jackal, Wolf (d) Mustelidae,
Ferret, Badger, Marten (sv CAT) (e) Ursidae, Bear UNGULATA: (a) Odd-toed: Horse ...
/z/zoology.htm - 18k

Uneven (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (a.) Not equal; not of equal length. 3. (a.) Not divisible by two without a
remainder; odd; -- said of numbers; as, 3, 7, and 11 are uneven numbers. ...
/u/uneven.htm - 7k

Octave (3 Occurrences)

/o/octave.htm - 7k

Odds (1 Occurrence)

/o/odds.htm - 6k

Lip (20 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) One of the two opposite divisions of a labiate corolla. 5. (n.) The
odd and peculiar petal in the Orchis family. See Orchidaceous. ...
/l/lip.htm - 18k

Expression (17 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) A form of words in which an idea or sentiment is conveyed; a mode of
speech; a phrase; as, a common expression; an odd expression. ...
/e/expression.htm - 12k

Even (10971 Occurrences)
... condition. 8. (a.) Not odd; capable of division by two without a remainder; --
said of numbers; as, 4 and 10 are even numbers. 9 ...
/e/even.htm - 9k

Month (197 Occurrences)
... The latter had twelve months of thirty days and five epagomenac or odd days.",
Palestine Quarterly, January 1889. Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
/m/month.htm - 44k

What does 1 Peter 2:9 mean when it refers to believers as peculiar people? | GotQuestions.org

Why doesn't the Lord's Prayer include thanksgiving? shouldn't all our prayers include expressions of thankfulness? | GotQuestions.org

What impact did John Locke have on the Christian faith? | GotQuestions.org

Odd: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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