Pairs
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In the Bible, the concept of pairs is a recurring theme that signifies unity, partnership, and the fulfillment of divine purposes. From the creation narrative to the teachings of Jesus, pairs are used to illustrate the complementary nature of relationships and the importance of working together in harmony.

Creation and the First Pair

The concept of pairs is introduced in the creation account in Genesis. God creates the first human pair, Adam and Eve, to inhabit the Garden of Eden. Genesis 2:18 states, "The LORD God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make for him a suitable helper.'" This foundational pair represents the ideal of marital unity and partnership, as further emphasized in Genesis 2:24 : "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh."

Animals Entering the Ark

The account of Noah's Ark also highlights the significance of pairs. God commands Noah to bring animals into the ark in pairs to preserve life during the flood. Genesis 7:9 records, "two by two they came to Noah to enter the ark, male and female, as God had commanded Noah." This pairing ensured the continuation of each species after the floodwaters receded.

The Mission of the Disciples

In the New Testament, Jesus sends out His disciples in pairs to spread the Gospel. Mark 6:7 notes, "And He called the twelve to Him and began to send them out two by two, giving them authority over unclean spirits." This practice underscores the importance of mutual support and accountability in ministry, as well as the strength found in partnership.

Symbolic Pairs

The Bible also uses pairs symbolically to convey spiritual truths. For instance, the pairing of faith and works is a central theme in the Epistle of James. James 2:17 states, "So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead." This pairing emphasizes the necessity of both belief and action in the Christian life.

Contrasting Pairs

Contrasting pairs are used to illustrate moral and spiritual lessons. The parable of the wise and foolish builders in Matthew 7:24-27 contrasts those who hear and act on Jesus' words with those who do not, highlighting the importance of a firm foundation in faith. Similarly, the parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13 contrasts preparedness with negligence, urging believers to remain vigilant for the coming of the Kingdom.

Conclusion

Throughout Scripture, pairs serve as a powerful motif that reflects God's design for relationships, the importance of cooperation, and the balance between complementary elements. Whether in creation, mission, or moral teaching, pairs illustrate the divine principle that "two are better than one" (Ecclesiastes 4:9), as they provide support, strength, and fulfillment of God's purposes.
Greek
1417. duo -- two
... Word Origin a primary number Definition two NASB Word Usage both (1), forty-two*
(2), pairs (2), twenty (1), two (124), two men (3). both, twain, two. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1417.htm - 6k
Strong's Hebrew
6776. tsemed -- a couple, pair
... Word Origin from tsamad Definition a couple, pair NASB Word Usage acre (1), acres
(1), couple (1), pair (3), pairs (3), team (1), together (1), two (1), yoke (3 ...
/hebrew/6776.htm - 6k
Library

Pairs.
... Homily II. Chapter XV."Pairs. ... Footnotes: [923] Literally, "twofoldly and oppositely."
[On the doctrine of pairs compare chap. 33, iii. 23, Recognitions, iii. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter xv pairs.htm

Ten Pairs.
... Book III. Chapter LXI."Ten Pairs. "The ten pairs [707] of which we have spoken have
therefore been assigned to this world from the beginning of time. ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter lxi ten pairs.htm

Doctrine of Pairs.
... Homily II. Chapter XXXIII."Doctrine of Pairs. These things having been
thus spoken, the excellent Peter himself also proceeded ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter xxxiii doctrine of pairs.htm

Good and Evil in Pairs.
... Book III. Chapter LIX."Good and Evil in Pairs. "For, as I was beginning
to say, [706] God has appointed for this world certain ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter lix good and evil in.htm

Simon's System of a Threefold Emanation by Pairs.
... Book VI. Chapter VII."Simon's System of a Threefold Emanation by Pairs.
For, he says, he is in the habit of considering that all ...
/.../hippolytus/the refutation of all heresies/chapter vii simons system of a.htm

The Introduction: Chapter 1
... The INTRODUCTION (chap. i) is constructed on exactly the same plan as the CONCLUSION
(xxii.6-21). Each consists of four pairs of four members each. ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the introduction chapter 1.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke xiv. 16, "A Certain Man Made a ...
... Another said, I have bought five pairs of oxen, and I go to prove them; I pray thee
have me excused. ... The five pairs of oxen are the senses of this body. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxii on the words.htm

On the Study of Zoology.
... Behind these, on the under side of the body, are two pairs of long feelers, or antennae,
followed by six pairs of jaws, folded against one another over the ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/vi on the study of.htm

The Scope of the Apocalypse Shewn by Its Structure
... in chap. xxi.1 - xxii.5, we find that the whole body of the book is divided
for us into seven pairs of connected events. Perhaps ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the scope of the apocalypse 2.htm

The Clementine Homilies
... Chapter XIV.--Righteousness and Unrighteousness. Chapter XV.--Pairs. ... Chapter
XXXII.--Simon's Prodigies. Chapter XXXIII.--Doctrine of Pairs. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the clementine homilies/

Thesaurus
Pairs (13 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Pairs (13 Occurrences). ... (See NAS). Genesis 7:2 You shall
take seven pairs of every clean animal with you, the male and his female. ...
/p/pairs.htm - 10k

Pair (18 Occurrences)
... parliamentary body, who mutually agree not to vote on a given question, or on issues
of a party nature during a specified time; as, there were two pairs on the ...
/p/pair.htm - 14k

Crane (2 Occurrences)
... of a cask. 6. (n.) A forked post or projecting bracket to support spars,
etc., -- generally used in pairs. See Crotch, 2. 7. (vt ...
/c/crane.htm - 12k

Stork (6 Occurrences)
... Two species are found in Palestine, the white, which are dispersed in pairs over
the whole country; and the black, which live in marshy places and in great ...
/s/stork.htm - 14k

Lamentations (6 Occurrences)
... double lines. In Lamentations 3 a letter controls three pairs, but is
repeated at the beginning of each line. In Lamentations 5 ...
/l/lamentations.htm - 20k

Gier-eagle (4 Occurrences)
... all. The word is derived from a Hebrew root, meaning "to love," and was
applied to the birds because mated pairs seldom separated. ...
/g/gier-eagle.htm - 8k

Giereagle
... all. The word is derived from a Hebrew root, meaning "to love," and was
applied to the birds because mated pairs seldom separated. ...
/g/giereagle.htm - 7k

Double (49 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Being in pairs; presenting two of a kind, or two in a set together; coupled. ...
(n.) A game between two pairs of players; as, a first prize for doubles. ...
/d/double.htm - 26k

Caterpillar (6 Occurrences)
... The true caterpillars have three pairs of true legs, and several pairs of abdominal
fleshy legs (prolegs) armed with hooks. Some are hairy, others naked. ...
/c/caterpillar.htm - 10k

Sister (113 Occurrences)
... (7) 'Achoth is used of objects which go in pairs, as curtains, each `coupled to
its sister' (Exodus 26:3, 6), and of wings in pairs (Ezekiel 1:9; Ezekiel 3:13 ...
/s/sister.htm - 42k

Resources
What made some animals clean and others unclean (Genesis 7)? | GotQuestions.org

What are Y-Chromosomal Adam and Mitochondrial Eve? | GotQuestions.org

Who are the Two by Twos and the Cooneyites, and what do they believe? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Pairs (13 Occurrences)

Mark 6:7
He called to himself the twelve, and began to send them out two by two; and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits.
(See NAS)

Luke 10:1
Now after these things, the Lord also appointed seventy others, and sent them two by two ahead of him into every city and place, where he was about to come.
(See NAS)

Genesis 7:2
You shall take seven pairs of every clean animal with you, the male and his female. Of the animals that are not clean, take two, the male and his female.
(WEB YLT RSV)

Genesis 7:3
also, of fowl of the heavens seven pairs, a male and a female, to keep alive seed on the face of all the earth;
(YLT RSV)

Genesis 7:9
went by pairs to Noah into the ship, male and female, as God commanded Noah.
(WEB)

Genesis 7:15
They went to Noah into the ship, by pairs of all flesh with the breath of life in them.
(WEB NIV)

Exodus 26:24
And they are pairs beneath, and together they are pairs above its head unto the one ring; so is it for them both, they are for the two corners.
(YLT)

Judges 15:4
Samson went and caught three hundred foxes, and took torches, and turned tail to tail, and put a torch in the midst between every two tails.
(See NIV)

1 Kings 19:19
So he departed there, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing, with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed over to him, and cast his mantle on him.
(See NAS)

Job 1:3
and his substance is seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred pairs of oxen, and five hundred she-asses, and a service very abundant; and that man is greater than any of the sons of the east.
(YLT)

Job 42:12
And Jehovah hath blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning, and he hath fourteen thousand of a flock, and six thousand camels, and a thousand pairs of oxen, and a thousand she-asses.
(YLT)

Isaiah 21:7
When he sees a troop, horsemen in pairs, a troop of donkeys, a troop of camels, he shall listen diligently with great attentiveness."
(WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV)

Isaiah 21:9
Behold, here comes a troop of men, horsemen in pairs." He answered, "Fallen, fallen is Babylon; and all the engraved images of her gods are broken to the ground.
(WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV)

Subtopics

Pairs

Related Terms

Palace-court (2 Occurrences)

Palace-garden (1 Occurrence)

Praetorium (8 Occurrences)

Castle (26 Occurrences)

Citadel (20 Occurrences)

Judgment (430 Occurrences)

Palatial (4 Occurrences)

Caesar's (10 Occurrences)

Shebna (9 Occurrences)

Shushan (19 Occurrences)

Capital (29 Occurrences)

Achmetha (1 Occurrence)

Calah (2 Occurrences)

Susa (20 Occurrences)

Hophra (1 Occurrence)

Tiberias (3 Occurrences)

Athaliah (17 Occurrences)

Architecture

Vashti (10 Occurrences)

Naboth (18 Occurrences)

Prisoner (87 Occurrences)

Priest's (75 Occurrences)

Praetorian (2 Occurrences)

Jehoiada (51 Occurrences)

Pontius (4 Occurrences)

Pilate (60 Occurrences)

Dial (2 Occurrences)

Prison (131 Occurrences)

Jehu (63 Occurrences)

Libraries

Ahab (85 Occurrences)

Uzza (10 Occurrences)

Upharsin (1 Occurrence)

Uzal (3 Occurrences)

Ophel (6 Occurrences)

Gazara

Tahpanhes (7 Occurrences)

Ruler (329 Occurrences)

Esarhaddon (3 Occurrences)

Eliakim (14 Occurrences)

Enclosed (16 Occurrences)

Media (14 Occurrences)

Marble (5 Occurrences)

Mound (17 Occurrences)

Meanwhile (38 Occurrences)

Mene (2 Occurrences)

Persepolis

Pekahiah (4 Occurrences)

Begettest (5 Occurrences)

Beget (20 Occurrences)

Afar (98 Occurrences)

Amaziah (41 Occurrences)

Sargon (1 Occurrence)

Structure (19 Occurrences)

Jehoash (28 Occurrences)

Hiram (21 Occurrences)

Ashurbanipal (1 Occurrence)

Nineveh (23 Occurrences)

Eunuchs (33 Occurrences)

Omri (16 Occurrences)

Salt (45 Occurrences)

Pharaoh (245 Occurrences)

Memphis (8 Occurrences)

Jezebel (20 Occurrences)

Expired (29 Occurrences)

Babel (3 Occurrences)

Arrest (22 Occurrences)

Trial (45 Occurrences)

Cedar (61 Occurrences)

Lachish (22 Occurrences)

Daniel (74 Occurrences)

Zimri (16 Occurrences)

Garden (68 Occurrences)

Joash (49 Occurrences)

Huzzab (1 Occurrence)

Ahaz (42 Occurrences)

Solomon (277 Occurrences)

Sat (222 Occurrences)

Paired
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