Topical Encyclopedia The term "often" is used in the Bible to describe frequency or regularity of actions, events, or behaviors. It is a word that helps convey the habitual nature of certain practices or the repeated occurrence of specific events. In the context of Scripture, "often" can highlight the importance of persistence, the regularity of divine intervention, or the habitual nature of sin and righteousness.Frequency in Prayer and Worship The Bible encourages believers to engage in prayer and worship regularly. The concept of praying often is emphasized in passages such as 1 Thessalonians 5:17, which instructs believers to "pray without ceasing." This suggests a lifestyle of continual communication with God, underscoring the importance of maintaining a constant spiritual connection. Repeated Sin and Repentance The word "often" can also describe the recurring nature of sin and the need for repentance. In the Old Testament, the Israelites are depicted as often turning away from God, despite His repeated calls for repentance and return to righteousness. Judges 2:18-19 illustrates this cycle: "Whenever the LORD raised up judges for them, the LORD was with the judge and saved them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the LORD was moved to pity by their groaning because of those who oppressed and afflicted them. But it came about, when the judge died, that they would turn back and act more corruptly than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them and bow down to them; they did not abandon their practices or their stubborn ways." Divine Intervention and Miracles God's intervention in the lives of His people is often depicted throughout the Bible. The frequent occurrence of miracles and divine acts serves as a testament to God's power and faithfulness. In the New Testament, Jesus performed many miracles, often healing the sick and casting out demons, as seen in Matthew 8:16: "When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to Him, and He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick." Teaching and Instruction Jesus often taught His disciples and the crowds, using parables and direct instruction to convey the truths of the Kingdom of God. His frequent teaching sessions are recorded throughout the Gospels, emphasizing the importance of learning and understanding God's Word. Mark 10:1 states, "Then Jesus left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to Him, and as was His custom, He taught them." Perseverance in Faith The concept of doing something often is also linked to perseverance in faith. Believers are encouraged to persist in their faith journey, often facing trials and challenges. Hebrews 10:25 highlights the importance of regular fellowship and encouragement: "Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." In summary, the use of "often" in the Bible underscores the significance of regularity and persistence in various aspects of spiritual life, from prayer and worship to teaching and perseverance in faith. It serves as a reminder of the continual need for God's presence and guidance in the lives of believers. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (adv.) Frequently; many times; not seldom.2. (a.) Frequent; common; repeated. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia OFTENof'-n (puknos, "thick," "close"): An archaic usage for "frequent": "Thine often infirmities" (1 Timothy 5:23); compare "by often rumination" (Shakespeare, As You Like It, IV, i, 18); "The often round" (Ben Jonson, The Forest, III); "Of wrench'd or broken limb-an often chance" (Tennyson, Gareth and Lynette). Greek 3740. hosakis -- as often as ... as often as. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: hosakis Phonetic Spelling: (hos-ak'-is) Short Definition: as often as Definition: as often as, as many ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3740.htm - 6k 4178. pollakis -- often 4212. posakis -- how often? 1565. ekeinos -- that one (or neut. that thing), often intensified ... 4437. puknos -- close, ie frequent 4183. polus -- much, many 1537. ek -- from, from out of 3850. parabole -- to expose oneself to danger 2033. hepta -- seven 3326. meta -- with, among, after Strong's Hebrew 6010. emeq -- a vale... dale, vale, valley often used as a part of proper names. From amaq; a vale (ie Broad depression) -- dale, vale, valley (often used as a part of proper names). ... /hebrew/6010.htm - 6k 4100. mah -- what? how? anything 1767. day -- sufficiency, enough 7945. shel -- who, which, that 5957. alam -- perpetuity, antiquity 7350. rachoq -- distant, far, a distance 7235a. rabah -- to be or become much, many or great 7969. shalosh -- a three, triad 854. eth -- with (denoting proximity) 5973. im -- with Library How it Often Happens that a Discourse which Gives Pleasure to the ... "Often I Wondered Why by the Great Foreseeing Wisdom of God the ... What is Seemly is Often Found in the Sacred Writings Long Before ... How it is Often Better to Break One's Engagements than to Fulfil ... Now, when it had Been Often Considered in the Councils of the Gods ... Again, it Often Happens that a Man who Has Attained... And Very Often a Translator, to whom the Meaning is not Well Known ... How the Devil Often Appeared to Brother Ruffino in the Form of a ... The Canons of the Council in Trullo; Often Called the Quinisext ... How Often Even those who are not Worthy Can Receive the Grace of ... Thesaurus Often (74 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (adv.) Frequently; many times; not seldom. 2. (a.) Frequent; common; repeated. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. OFTEN. ... /o/often.htm - 29k Make (12882 Occurrences) Deliver (397 Occurrences) Dedication (16 Occurrences) Call Servant (738 Occurrences) Beast (243 Occurrences) Cold (25 Occurrences) Pity (165 Occurrences) Master (346 Occurrences) Resources How often should a married couple have sex? | GotQuestions.orgHow often should the Lord's Supper / Communion be observed? | GotQuestions.org Why is loving others often so difficult? | GotQuestions.org Often: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Often (74 Occurrences)Matthew 9:14 Matthew 17:15 Matthew 18:21 Matthew 23:37 Mark 5:4 Mark 7:3 Mark 9:22 Luke 2:19 Luke 5:16 Luke 5:33 Luke 8:29 Luke 13:34 Luke 18:3 John 18:2 Acts 9:29 Acts 24:26 Acts 26:11 Romans 1:13 Romans 15:22 1 Corinthians 11:25 1 Corinthians 11:26 2 Corinthians 8:22 2 Corinthians 11:23 2 Corinthians 11:26 2 Corinthians 11:27 Philippians 3:18 1 Timothy 5:23 2 Timothy 1:16 Hebrews 6:7 Hebrews 9:25 Hebrews 9:26 Hebrews 10:11 James 3:2 James 3:4 Revelation 11:6 1 Samuel 1:7 1 Samuel 18:30 2 Samuel 8:10 2 Samuel 12:16 2 Samuel 20:18 1 Kings 14:28 2 Kings 4:8 2 Kings 4:9 1 Chronicles 18:10 2 Chronicles 12:11 2 Chronicles 36:15 Job 21:17 Job 21:18 Job 33:29 Job 39:25 Psalms 78:38 Psalms 78:40 Psalms 106:43 Psalms 129:1 Psalms 129:2 Proverbs 29:1 Ecclesiastes 5:20 Ecclesiastes 7:22 Isaiah 28:19 Jeremiah 7:13 Jeremiah 7:25 Jeremiah 11:7 Jeremiah 20:8 Jeremiah 25:3 Jeremiah 25:4 Jeremiah 26:5 Jeremiah 29:19 Jeremiah 31:20 Jeremiah 32:33 Jeremiah 35:14 Jeremiah 35:15 Jeremiah 44:4 Jeremiah 48:27 Malachi 3:16 Subtopics Related Terms |