The term "peculiarly" is not directly found in the Bible; however, the concept it conveys is deeply embedded in the scriptural narrative, particularly in the context of God's relationship with His chosen people. The idea of being "peculiar" in the biblical sense often refers to being set apart, distinct, or special in the eyes of God.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word "סְגֻלָּה" (segullah) is often translated as "peculiar treasure" or "special possession." This term is used to describe Israel's unique status among the nations. In Exodus 19:5 , God declares to the Israelites, "Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine." Here, the Israelites are called to be a people distinct from others, set apart by their covenant relationship with God.

Deuteronomy 14:2 further emphasizes this special status: "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all the peoples on the face of the earth." This verse underscores the idea that Israel's peculiarity is rooted in their holiness and divine election.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of being peculiar is extended to the Church, the body of believers in Christ. The Greek word "περιποίησις" (peripoiesis) is used in a similar sense. In 1 Peter 2:9 , the apostle Peter writes, "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." Here, the Church is described as a "people for God’s own possession," indicating a special status and purpose.

Titus 2:14 also reflects this theme: "He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds." This passage highlights the redemptive work of Christ in setting apart a people who are eager to do good works, further illustrating the idea of being peculiar in the sense of being distinct and dedicated to God's purposes.

Theological Implications

The notion of being peculiarly God's people carries significant theological implications. It speaks to the identity and mission of both Israel and the Church. For Israel, being peculiar meant living according to the laws and commandments given by God, serving as a light to the nations. For the Church, it involves living out the gospel, demonstrating the transformative power of Christ's redemption, and proclaiming His virtues to the world.

This peculiarity is not based on inherent merit but on God's sovereign choice and grace. It calls for a response of obedience, holiness, and a commitment to God's mission. The concept of being peculiar thus serves as a reminder of the distinct identity and calling of God's people throughout biblical history.(adv.) In a peculiar manner; particularly; in a rare and striking degree; unusually.

What Peculiarly Tends to Illustrate and Recommend to us the ...
... Divine Election and Reprobation Article 15 What peculiarly tends to illustrate
and recommend to us the eternal and unmerited grace of? ...
/.../various/the canons of dordt/article 15 what peculiarly tends.htm

A Letter on the Sin against the Holy Ghost to John Uytenbogard ...
... FIFTH PART A LETTER ON THE SIN AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST TO JOHN UYTENBOGARD, HIS MOST
DEAR AND PECULIARLY BELOVED BROTHER IN CHRIST, JAMES ARMINIUS WISHES HEALTH ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/a letter on the sin.htm

Of the Miseries of this Life which Attach Peculiarly to the Toil ...
... Chapter 23."Of the Miseries of This Life Which Attach Peculiarly to the Toil of
Good Men, Irrespective of Those Which are Common to the Good and Bad. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 23 of the miseries of.htm

The Jerusalem Sinner Saved;
... be such, and who make a proper estimate of their own characters, as in the sight
of God, that the gracious proclamations of the gospel are peculiarly directed. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the jerusalem sinner saved.htm

Acts xiii. 16, 17
... [662] "The God of this people chose our fathers: and the people""See, he calls God
Himself their God peculiarly, Who is the common God of men; and shows how ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxix acts xiii 16.htm

Pious Parents, in Such a Circumstance, have Farther Reason to Say ...
... 'TIS a just Observation of Solomon, that the Rod and Reproof give Wisdom[z]; and
'tis peculiarly applicable to such a Chastisement of our heavenly Father. ...
/.../iii pious parents in such.htm

The Necessity of Divine Influences.
... Where the Holy Spirit has been, specially and peculiarly, there the true Church
of Christ has been, and where the Holy Spirit has not been, specially and ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/the necessity of divine influences.htm

How it Often Happens that a Discourse which Gives Pleasure to the ...
... to their several diversities. But the look of the angry man is neither
(peculiarly) Latin nor (peculiarly) Greek. Thus it is that ...
/.../on the catechising of the uninstructed/chapter 2 how it often happens.htm

The Strait Gate;
... can by any means enter in." This is a subject calculated to rouse and stimulate
all genuine professors to solemn inquiry; and it was peculiarly intended to ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the strait gate.htm

For the Sake of a Nation.
... He was peculiarly a man of prayer. ... He was peculiarly a man who dealt directly with
God about every sort of thing, national and personal, simple and complex. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/for the sake of a.htm

Peculiarly (1 Occurrence)
... (adv.) In a peculiar manner; particularly; in a rare and striking degree; unusually.
Multi-Version Concordance Peculiarly (1 Occurrence). ...
/p/peculiarly.htm - 6k

Peculiar (11 Occurrences)

/p/peculiar.htm - 13k

Kidneys (15 Occurrences)
... For the visceral fat was the part of the animal best adapted for sacrificial burning,
and hence, came to be deemed peculiarly sacred (Leviticus 7:22-25 1 ...
/k/kidneys.htm - 16k

Novice (1 Occurrence)
... For these reasons he is peculiarly liable to instability, and to the other weaknesses
and sins connected with an inflated opinion of his own powers. ...
/n/novice.htm - 8k

Jezebel (20 Occurrences)
... the "first time that a king of Israel had allied himself by marriage with a heathen
princess; and the alliance was in this case of a peculiarly disastrous kind ...
/j/jezebel.htm - 26k

Leper (34 Occurrences)
... 15:5 2 Chronicles 26:23) for his unwarrantable assumption of the priestly office
began in his forehead, a form of the disease peculiarly unclean (Leviticus 13 ...
/l/leper.htm - 28k

Graft (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary The process of inoculating fruit-trees (Romans
11:17-24). It is peculiarly appropriate to olive-trees. ...
/g/graft.htm - 9k

Function (4 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) The course of action which peculiarly pertains to any public officer in
church or state; the activity appropriate to any business or profession. ...
/f/function.htm - 8k

Fable
... See ALLEGORY; PARABLE. (2) The Semitic mind is peculiarly prone to allegorical
expression, and a modern Arabian storyteller will invent a fable or a parable as ...
/f/fable.htm - 12k

Forgiveness (124 Occurrences)
... Charizesthai is not found outside of the writings of Luke and Paul, and in the sense
"to forgive sins" is peculiarly Pauline (2 Corinthians 2:7; 2 Corinthians ...
/f/forgiveness.htm - 68k

Peculiarly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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