In biblical terms, "oracles" refer to divine communications or messages delivered by God to His people. These messages often come through prophets, priests, or other chosen individuals who serve as intermediaries between God and humanity. The concept of oracles is deeply rooted in the understanding that God desires to communicate His will, guidance, and commandments to His people.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, oracles are frequently associated with the prophetic tradition. Prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel received direct revelations from God, which they then conveyed to the Israelites. These messages often included warnings, instructions, and promises. For instance, in the book of Isaiah, the prophet delivers numerous oracles concerning the fate of nations and the coming of the Messiah (Isaiah 13-23).

The term "oracle" is also used in reference to the "Most Holy Place" or the "Holy of Holies" in the temple, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. This sacred space was considered the dwelling place of God's presence, and it was from here that God would communicate with the high priest (1 Kings 6:19).

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of oracles expands to include the teachings and revelations of Jesus Christ and the apostles. The apostle Paul refers to the "oracles of God" in Romans 3:2, emphasizing the privilege and responsibility of the Jewish people in being entrusted with God's revelations. The writer of Hebrews also mentions the "oracles of God" in Hebrews 5:12, urging believers to mature in their understanding of these divine truths.

The New Testament further highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in guiding believers into all truth, as seen in John 16:13. The Spirit acts as a divine oracle, revealing the will of God and the teachings of Christ to the church.

Role and Significance

Oracles in the Bible serve several key purposes. They provide guidance and direction, offering insight into God's will and plan for His people. They also serve as a means of correction and warning, calling individuals and nations to repentance and obedience. Furthermore, oracles often contain promises of hope and redemption, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment of God's covenant through Jesus Christ.

The delivery of oracles requires discernment and faithfulness on the part of the recipient. Prophets and other messengers are called to accurately convey God's message, regardless of personal cost or public reception. This responsibility underscores the sacred nature of oracles as divine communications that carry the authority and truth of God Himself.

Key Biblical References

· 1 Kings 6:19 : "He prepared the inner sanctuary within the temple to set the ark of the covenant of the LORD there."
· Isaiah 13-23: A series of oracles concerning various nations.
· Romans 3:2 : "Much in every way. First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God."
· Hebrews 5:12 : "Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food!"
· John 16:13 : "However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come."

In summary, oracles in the Bible are a profound expression of God's desire to communicate with His people, providing them with guidance, correction, and hope through His chosen messengers.SIBYLLINE ORACLES

sib'-i-lin, -lin or'-a-k'-lz.

See APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE, sec. B, V.

ORACLES, SIBYLLINE

sib'-i-lin, -lin.

See APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE, sec. V.

3051. logion -- a saying, an oracle
... Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: logion Phonetic Spelling: (log'-ee-on) Short
Definition: divine communication Definition: plur: oracles, divine responses ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3051.htm - 6k4065. madduach -- something which draws aside, an enticement
... 4064, 4065. madduach. 4066 . something which draws aside, an enticement.
Transliteration: madduach Phonetic Spelling: (mad-doo'akh) Short Definition: oracles ...
/hebrew/4065.htm - 6k

4853b. massa -- utterance, oracle
... Word Origin from nasa Definition utterance, oracle NASB Word Usage burden (3), oracle
(25), oracles (1). 4853a, 4853b. massa. 4854 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/4853b.htm - 5k

Oracles on the Scythians. (With Some Others: iv. 5-vi. 29. )
... 2. Oracles on the Scythians. (With some others: IV. 5-VI. 29.). The invasion
of Western Asia by the Scythians happened some time ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/2 oracles on the scythians.htm

Oracles on the Edge of Doom. (vii. 16-xviii Passim, xxii, Xlv. )
... 3. Oracles on the Edge of Doom. (VII. 16-XVIII passim, XXII, XLV.). From
the seventh to the tenth chapters of the Book of Jeremiah ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/3 oracles on the edge.htm

The Numerous Oracles
... Section 47. The numerous oracles. Section 47. The numerous oracles,"fancied apparitions
in sacred places, &c., dispelled by the sign of the Cross. ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 47 the numerous oracles.htm

His Earliest Oracles. (ii. 2-iv. 4. )
... 1. His Earliest Oracles. (II. ... All the rest of the Oracles may be taken to be from
himself. Duhm after much hesitation has come to doubt the genuineness of Ch. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/1 his earliest oracles ii.htm

Heathen Oracles.
... Book IV. Chapter XXI."Heathen Oracles. "Whence it is evident that they
since they are demoniac spirits, know some things both ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xxi heathen oracles.htm

The Oracles of the Prophets must be Looked Into; and of their ...
... Book IV. Of True Wisdom and Religion. Chap. V."The Oracles of the Prophets Must
Be Looked Into; And of Their Times, and the Times of the Judges and Kings. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap v the oracles of the.htm

Heathen Oracles Testify of Moses.
... Chapter XI."Heathen oracles testify of Moses. But as you do not see the
necessity of giving up the ancient error of your forefathers ...
/.../chapter xi heathen oracles testify of.htm

The Sibylline Oracles.
... IV. MIXED. THE SIBYLLINE ORACLES. The work thus named is a collection of
Judaeo-Christian poems, of various dates, designed to propagate ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the sibylline oracles.htm

The Oracles.
... CHAPTER VI. THE ORACLES. BC547 Plans of Croesus."The River Halys."Nature
of the oracles."Situation of Delphi."The gaseous ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter vi the oracles.htm

Fragment i. From the Exposition of the Oracles of the Lord.
... Fragment I. From the exposition of the oracles of the Lord. [1734] [The
writings of Papias in common circulation are five in number ...
/.../papias/fragments of papias/fragment i from the exposition.htm

Oracles (8 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia SIBYLLINE ORACLES. sib'-i-lin, -lin or'-ak'-lz.
See APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE, sec. B, V. ORACLES, SIBYLLINE. sib'-i-lin, -lin. ...
/o/oracles.htm - 9k

Burden (111 Occurrences)
... reading; Ezekiel 12:10 Nahum 1:1 Habakkuk 1:1 Zechariah 9:1; Zechariah 12:1 Malachi
1:1. As was natural under the circumstances, such oracles usually denounced ...
/b/burden.htm - 46k

Oracle (57 Occurrences)
... The Scriptures are called "living oracles" (Comp. Hebrews 4:12) because of their
quickening power (Acts 7:38). ... 8. (vi) To utter oracles. Int. ...
/o/oracle.htm - 26k

Sibylline
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. SIBYLLINE ORACLES. sib'-i-lin, -lin or'-ak'-lz.
See APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE, sec. B, V. ORACLES, SIBYLLINE. sib'-i-lin, -lin. ...
/s/sibylline.htm - 6k

Rudiments (5 Occurrences)
... In Hebrews 5:12, the King James Version "Ye have need that one teach you again which
be the first principles of the oracles of God." This means that the Hebrew ...
/r/rudiments.htm - 13k

Proselyte (2 Occurrences)
... After the persecution of Antiochus Epiphanes (170 BC) they scattered themselves
in every direction, and, in the words of the Sibylline Oracles (circa 160 BC ...
/p/proselyte.htm - 26k

Divination (25 Occurrences)
... agent is professedly under the immediate influence of some spirit or god who enables
the diviner to see the future, etc., and to utter oracles embodying what ...
/d/divination.htm - 45k

Ezekiel (4 Occurrences)
... 1:1, with the consecration of the prophet immediately following it; 3:16; 8:1;
20:1; 24:1)-there follow as a second subdivision the seven oracles against the ...
/e/ezekiel.htm - 45k

Greece (15 Occurrences)
... REVELATION: INSPIRATION 1. Omens 2. Divination by Sacrifice 3. Dreams 4. Oracles
III. ... 4. Oracles: The most important oracle was that of Apollo at Delphi. ...
/g/greece.htm - 59k

Zechariah (55 Occurrences)
... 23). (2) Zechariah 9-14, consisting of two oracles, without dates; (a)
Zechariah 9-11, an oracle of promise to the new theocracy. ...
/z/zechariah.htm - 70k

What are the oracles of God? | GotQuestions.org

What was a prophet in the Old Testament? | GotQuestions.org

What are Ouija boards? Should a Christian play with Ouija boards? | GotQuestions.org

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