The term "off-hand" is not directly found in the Bible; however, the concept can be explored through the lens of actions or words that are spontaneous, unpremeditated, or casual. In biblical narratives, the idea of speaking or acting off-hand can be seen in various contexts, often highlighting the importance of thoughtful speech and deliberate action.

Speech and Words

The Bible frequently addresses the power and significance of words, cautioning against careless or thoughtless speech. Proverbs 18:21 states, "Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." This verse underscores the potential impact of words, whether spoken off-hand or with intention. The New Testament also emphasizes this theme. In Matthew 12:36-37 , Jesus warns, "But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." Here, the term "careless" can be associated with off-hand remarks, highlighting the spiritual and moral weight of our speech.

Actions and Decisions

The Bible also addresses the importance of deliberate and thoughtful actions. In the book of James, believers are encouraged to be "quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger" (James 1:19). This advice suggests a measured approach to both speech and action, contrasting with impulsive or off-hand behavior. The account of Esau selling his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew (Genesis 25:29-34) serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of hasty decisions made off-hand, without considering long-term implications.

Wisdom and Discernment

The biblical call for wisdom and discernment further contrasts with off-hand behavior. Proverbs 2:6 declares, "For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding." Believers are encouraged to seek divine wisdom to guide their actions and words, ensuring they align with God's will rather than being off-hand or impulsive. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often prays for believers to grow in knowledge and discernment, as seen in Philippians 1:9-10 : "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ."

Conclusion

While the Bible does not explicitly use the term "off-hand," its teachings consistently advocate for thoughtful, intentional speech and actions. Through wisdom, discernment, and reliance on God's guidance, believers are called to avoid the pitfalls of careless or impulsive behavior, ensuring their lives reflect the character and purposes of God.653. apostomatizo -- to catechize, ie to question
... From apo and a (presumed) derivative of stoma; to speak off-hand (properly, dictate),
ie To catechize (in an invidious manner) -- provoke to speak. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/653.htm - 6k

Who is the Rich Man that Shall be Saved?
... For some, merely hearing, and that in an off-hand way, the utterance of the Saviour,
"that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for ...
/.../clement/who is the rich man that shall be saved/who is the rich man.htm

What we Can Say on the Historicity of the Miracles of Jesus
... Jesus. This, however, cannot mean that each recorded miracle is guaranteed
offhand in its historicity by such considerations. It ...
//christianbookshelf.org/beth/the miracles of jesus/iii what we can say.htm

A Section on the Writings of Pierius.
... flow, as it were, of a spoken address, displaying no signs of laboured art, [1277]
but bearing us quietly along, smoothly and gently, like off-hand speaking. ...
/.../pierus/the writings of pierus of alexandria/ii a section on the writings.htm

The Shepherd among his Flock
... because her boy had just undergone an emergency operation, Mr. Nelson tore a button
from his coat before entering the room, and said in an off-hand manner, "Oh ...
/.../herrick/frank h nelson of cincinnati/the shepherd among his flock.htm

Advertisement by the Reporter
... of the sentiment. The style of an off-hand sketch has been preserved,
partly of choice, and partly from necessity. There was no ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/advertisement by the reporter.htm

Preface
... I do not linger over an offhand stricture upon my adhesion to the extravagant claim
of a second-century origin for the Peshitto,' because I am content with the ...
/.../burgon/the causes of the corruption of the traditional text/preface.htm

Causes of Corruption Chiefly Intentional.
... which he evidently considers the better of the two, since he rests upon the latter
and casts a slur upon the former as being an off-hand expedient; besides ...
/.../chapter x causes of corruption.htm

Profit and Loss
... Now, a merchant would be very unwise who should pay all attention to some small
off-hand shop of his, and take no account whatever of a large establishment. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/profit and loss.htm

Extracts for Study, with Lesson Talk
... great virtues: it is another to avoid the besetting vice of modern oratory"the
overdoing everything"the exhaustive method"which an off-hand speaker has ...
/.../successful methods of public speaking/extracts for study with lesson.htm

Ep. Xlv. To Basil.
... such a guiding hand? Yet I did not run to you off hand, nor shall I run
to you, not even if you ask me yourself. First, in order ...
/.../cyril/select letters of saint gregory nazianzen/ep xlv to basil.htm

Off-hand (1 Occurrence)
Off-hand. Offers, Off-hand. Office . Multi-Version Concordance
Off-hand (1 Occurrence). Luke 11:53 After He had left ...
/o/off-hand.htm - 6k

Improvise (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (vt) To invent, or provide, offhand, or on the spur of the moment; as,
he improvised a hammer out of a stone. 4. (vi) To produce ...
/i/improvise.htm - 7k

Offers (35 Occurrences)

/o/offers.htm - 17k

Numerous (88 Occurrences)
... Luke 11:53 After He had left the house, the Scribes and Pharisees commenced a vehement
attempt to entangle Him and make Him give off-hand answers on numerous ...
/n/numerous.htm - 33k

Rough (24 Occurrences)
... 12. (n.) Hastily or carelessly done; wanting finish; incomplete; as, a rough estimate;
a rough draught. 13. (n.) Produced offhand. 14. (n.) Boisterous weather. ...
/r/rough.htm - 15k

Entangle (7 Occurrences)
... Luke 11:53 After He had left the house, the Scribes and Pharisees commenced a vehement
attempt to entangle Him and make Him give off-hand answers on numerous ...
/e/entangle.htm - 11k

Points (18 Occurrences)
... Luke 11:53 After He had left the house, the Scribes and Pharisees commenced a vehement
attempt to entangle Him and make Him give off-hand answers on numerous ...
/p/points.htm - 13k

Commenced (3 Occurrences)
... Luke 11:53 After He had left the house, the Scribes and Pharisees commenced a vehement
attempt to entangle Him and make Him give off-hand answers on numerous ...
/c/commenced.htm - 7k

Answers (42 Occurrences)
... Luke 11:53 After He had left the house, the Scribes and Pharisees commenced a vehement
attempt to entangle Him and make Him give off-hand answers on numerous ...
/a/answers.htm - 17k

Attempt (23 Occurrences)
... Luke 11:53 After He had left the house, the Scribes and Pharisees commenced a vehement
attempt to entangle Him and make Him give off-hand answers on numerous ...
/a/attempt.htm - 14k

What is the hand of Hamsa? | GotQuestions.org

Did Jesus mean we should literally pluck out our eyes and cut off our hands in Matthew 5:29-30 and 18:8-9? | GotQuestions.org

What is the “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” sermon? | GotQuestions.org

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