◄ Peradventure ►
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Topical Encyclopedia
The term "peradventure" is an archaic English word that appears in several translations of the Bible, including the King James Version. It is used to express uncertainty or possibility, often translated in modern versions as "perhaps," "maybe," or "if." In the Berean Standard Bible , the term is rendered in more contemporary language, but its essence remains significant in understanding the context of biblical narratives and teachings.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Genesis 18:24-32: The account of Abraham interceding for Sodom is a classic example where "peradventure" is used to express a conditional hope. Abraham approaches God with a series of questions, each beginning with "peradventure," as he negotiates the number of righteous people needed to spare the city. In the BSB, this is translated as "suppose" or "what if," capturing Abraham's cautious yet hopeful inquiry into God's mercy.

· Genesis 18:24 : "Suppose there are fifty righteous ones within the city. Will You really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are there?"

2. 1 Samuel 14:6: Jonathan, the son of King Saul, uses the term when he speaks to his armor-bearer about attacking the Philistine garrison. His statement reflects a reliance on God's power and a hopeful uncertainty about the outcome.

· 1 Samuel 14:6 : "Jonathan said to the young man bearing his armor, 'Come, let us cross over to the outpost of these uncircumcised men. Perhaps the LORD will work on our behalf, for nothing can hinder the LORD from saving, whether by many or by few.'"

3. 2 Kings 19:4: In this passage, King Hezekiah sends messengers to the prophet Isaiah, expressing hope that God might hear the words of the Assyrian king and respond favorably to Judah's plight.

· 2 Kings 19:4 : "Perhaps the LORD your God will hear all the words of the Rabshakeh, whom his master the king of Assyria has sent to ridicule the living God, and will rebuke him for the words that the LORD your God has heard. Therefore, offer a prayer for the remnant that still survives."

Theological Implications

The use of "peradventure" in these contexts highlights a recurring theme in Scripture: the tension between human uncertainty and divine sovereignty. It reflects a posture of humility and dependence on God, acknowledging that while humans may not know the outcome, they trust in God's wisdom and power. This term underscores the biblical principle that faith often involves stepping into the unknown with confidence in God's character and promises.

Practical Application

For believers, the concept of "peradventure" encourages a life of faith marked by prayerful inquiry and hopeful expectation. It invites Christians to approach God with their uncertainties, trusting that He is both willing and able to act according to His perfect will. This attitude fosters a deeper reliance on God, encouraging believers to seek His guidance and intervention in all aspects of life, even when the path ahead is unclear.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (adv. & conj.) By chance; perhaps; it may be; if; supposing.

2. (n.) Chance; hap; hence, doubt; question; as, proved beyond peradventure.

Greek
3379. mepote -- never, lest ever
... 1), or else (1), otherwise (6), so (7), whether (1). peradventure, lest.
Or me pote (may pot'-eh) from me and pote; not ever; also ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3379.htm - 6k

5029. tacha -- quickly, perhaps
... perhaps. As if neuter plural of tachus (adverbially); shortly, ie (figuratively)
possibly -- peradventure(-haps). see GREEK tachus. (tacha) -- 2 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5029.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew
3863. lu -- if, oh that
... if haply, peradventure, I pray thee, though, I would, would God that. ... if (haply),
peradventure, I pray thee, though, I would, would God (that). 3862, 3863. ...
/hebrew/3863.htm - 6k

194. ulay -- perhaps
... if so be, may be, peradventure, unless. Or (shortened) rulay {oo-lah'ee}; from
'ow; if not; hence perhaps -- if so be, may be, peradventure, unless. ...
/hebrew/194.htm - 6k

6435. pen -- lest
... lest peradventure, that. From panah; properly, removal; used only (in the construction)
adverb as conjunction, lest -- (lest) (peradventure), that...not. ...
/hebrew/6435.htm - 6k

Library

Here Peradventure Some Man May Say, "If it was Bodily Work that ...
... Section 14. Here peradventure some man may say, "If it was bodily work
that the Apostle? 14. Here peradventure some man may say ...
/.../augustine/of the work of monks /section 14 here peradventure some.htm

Hence Arises Another Question; for Peradventure one May Say...
... Section 23. Hence arises another question; for peradventure one may say? 23. Hence
arises another question; for peradventure one may say, "What then? ...
/.../augustine/of the work of monks /section 23 hence arises another.htm

'Because of his Importunity'
... Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt Thou also destroy and
not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/because of his importunity.htm

Intercessory Prayer
... Let us learn today to imitate the example of Job, and pray for our friends, and
peradventure if we have been in trouble, our captivity shall be turned. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 7 1861/intercessory prayer.htm

That Men Should have Great Wariness So that they Understand not ...
... For peradventure an I had bidden thee shew thy desire unto God, thou shouldest have
conceived it more bodily than thou dost now, when I bid thee hide it. ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the one and 4.htm

How that the Matter of this Book is Never More Read or Spoken, nor ...
... Insomuch, peradventure, that some sentence that was full hard to thee at the first
or the second reading, soon after thou shalt think it easy. Yea! ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the four and 6.htm

Another Sermon of M. Latimer, Concerning the Same Matter.
... Peradventure he is a hundred miles from me, beyond the seas; or else I cannot tell
where: if he were here nigh, I would with all my heart go unto him." This is ...
/.../sermons on the card and other discourses/another sermon of m latimer.htm

2 Timothy ii. 20, 21
... the possibility of cure. "If God peradventure will give them repentance
to the acknowledging of the truth.". Ver.26. "And that they ...
/.../homily vi 2 timothy ii.htm

The Witness of Balaam to Israel
... face of the earth, and they abide over against me: come now therefore, I pray thee,
curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/ii the witness of balaam.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, John ix. 4 and 31, "We must Work the ...
... 6. There is a something in the words of that man who was blind, which may cause
perplexity, and peradventure make many who understand them not aright despair. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxxxv on the words.htm

Thesaurus
Peradventure (35 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Chance; hap; hence, doubt; question; as, proved beyond peradventure.
Multi-Version Concordance Peradventure (35 Occurrences). ...
/p/peradventure.htm - 18k

Displeasing (31 Occurrences)
... Genesis 18:30 And he saith, 'Let it not be, I Pray thee, displeasing to the Lord,
and I speak: peradventure there are found there thirty?' and He saith, 'I do ...
/d/displeasing.htm - 16k

Maybe (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (adv.) Perhaps; possibly; peradventure. 2. (a.) Possible;
probable, but not sure. 3. (n.) Possibility; uncertainty. ...
/m/maybe.htm - 8k

Peraea

/p/peraea.htm - 10k

Wilt (324 Occurrences)
... Genesis 18:24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also
destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? ...
/w/wilt.htm - 36k

Obadi'ah (16 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 18:5 And Ahab said unto Obadiah: 'Go through the land, unto all the springs
of water, and unto all the brooks; peradventure we may find grass and save ...
/o/obadi'ah.htm - 10k

Lacking (53 Occurrences)
... Genesis 18:28 peradventure there are lacking five of the fifty righteous -- dost
Thou destroy for five the whole of the city?' and He saith, 'I destroy 'it' not ...
/l/lacking.htm - 22k

League (20 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Joshua 9:7 And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, Peradventure
ye dwell among us; and how shall we make a league with you? (KJV WBS). ...
/l/league.htm - 14k

Willed (13 Occurrences)
... Genesis 18:31 And he saith, 'Lo, I pray thee, I have willed to speak unto the Lord:
peradventure there are found there twenty?' and He saith, 'I do not destroy ...
/w/willed.htm - 10k

Warring (13 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 21:2 Inquire, I pray thee, of the LORD for us; for Nebuchadrezzar king
of Babylon maketh war against us; peradventure the LORD will deal with us ...
/w/warring.htm - 11k

Resources
Peradventure: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus
Concordance
Peradventure (35 Occurrences)

Matthew 25:9
But the wise answered, saying, Peradventure there will not be enough for us and you: go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
(ASV)

Romans 5:7
For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
(KJV ASV)

2 Timothy 2:25
In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
(KJV ASV)

Genesis 18:24
Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?
(KJV JPS ASV WBS YLT)

Genesis 18:28
Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.
(KJV JPS ASV WBS YLT)

Genesis 18:29
And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake.
(KJV JPS ASV WBS YLT)

Genesis 18:30
And he said unto him, Oh let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there.
(KJV JPS ASV WBS YLT)

Genesis 18:31
And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the LORD: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake.
(KJV JPS ASV WBS YLT)

Genesis 18:32
And he said, Oh let not the LORD be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake.
(KJV JPS ASV WBS YLT)

Genesis 24:5
And the servant said unto him, Peradventure the woman will not be willing to follow me unto this land: must I needs bring thy son again unto the land from whence thou camest?
(KJV JPS ASV)

Genesis 24:39
And I said unto my master, Peradventure the woman will not follow me.
(KJV JPS ASV)

Genesis 27:12
My father peradventure will feel me, and I shall seem to him as a deceiver; and I shall bring a curse upon me, and not a blessing.
(KJV JPS ASV)

Genesis 31:31
And Jacob answered and said to Laban, Because I was afraid: for I said, Peradventure thou wouldest take by force thy daughters from me.
(KJV)

Genesis 32:20
And say ye moreover, Behold, thy servant Jacob is behind us. For he said, I will appease him with the present that goeth before me, and afterward I will see his face; peradventure he will accept of me.
(KJV JPS ASV WBS)

Genesis 38:11
Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house.
(KJV)

Genesis 42:4
But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him.
(KJV JPS ASV)

Genesis 43:12
And take double money in your hand; and the money that was brought again in the mouth of your sacks, carry it again in your hand; peradventure it was an oversight:
(KJV JPS ASV)

Genesis 44:34
For how shall I go up to my father, and the lad be not with me? lest peradventure I see the evil that shall come on my father.
(KJV)

Genesis 50:15
And when Joseph's brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him.
(KJV YLT)

Exodus 13:17
And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:
(KJV JPS ASV WBS)

Exodus 32:30
And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses said unto the people, Ye have sinned a great sin: and now I will go up unto the LORD; peradventure I shall make an atonement for your sin.
(KJV JPS ASV)

Numbers 22:6
Come now therefore, I pray thee, curse me this people; for they are too mighty for me: peradventure I shall prevail, that we may smite them, and that I may drive them out of the land: for I wot that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed.
(KJV JPS ASV)

Numbers 22:11
Behold, there is a people come out of Egypt, which covereth the face of the earth: come now, curse me them; peradventure I shall be able to overcome them, and drive them out.
(KJV JPS ASV)

Numbers 23:3
And Balaam said unto Balak, Stand by thy burnt offering, and I will go: peradventure the LORD will come to meet me: and whatsoever he showeth me I will tell thee. And he went to an high place.
(KJV JPS ASV)

Numbers 23:27
And Balak said unto Balaam, Come, I pray thee, I will bring thee unto another place; peradventure it will please God that thou mayest curse me them from thence.
(KJV JPS ASV)

Joshua 9:7
And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, Peradventure ye dwell among us; and how shall we make a league with you?
(KJV JPS ASV)

1 Samuel 6:5
Wherefore ye shall make images of your emerods, and images of your mice that mar the land; and ye shall give glory unto the God of Israel: peradventure he will lighten his hand from off you, and from off your gods, and from off your land.
(KJV JPS ASV)

1 Samuel 9:6
And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honorable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can show us our way that we should go.
(KJV JPS ASV)

1 Samuel 21:8
And David said unto Ahimelech, And is there not here under thy hand spear or sword? for I have neither brought my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste.
(See JPS)

1 Kings 18:5
And Ahab said unto Obadiah, Go into the land, unto all fountains of water, and unto all brooks: peradventure we may find grass to save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts.
(KJV JPS ASV)

1 Kings 18:27
And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.
(KJV JPS ASV)

1 Kings 20:31
And his servants said unto him, Behold now, we have heard that the kings of the house of Israel are merciful kings: let us, I pray thee, put sackcloth on our loins, and ropes upon our heads, and go out to the king of Israel: peradventure he will save thy life.
(KJV JPS ASV)

2 Kings 2:16
And they said unto him, Behold now, there be with thy servants fifty strong men; let them go, we pray thee, and seek thy master: lest peradventure the Spirit of the LORD hath taken him up, and cast him upon some mountain, or into some valley. And he said, Ye shall not send.
(KJV JPS)

Jeremiah 21:2
Inquire, I pray thee, of Jehovah for us; for Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon maketh war against us: peradventure Jehovah will deal with us according to all his wondrous works, that he may go up from us.
(See JPS ASV)

Jeremiah 26:3
Peradventure they will hearken, and turn every man from his evil way, that I may repent me of the evil which I purpose to do unto them because of the wickedness of their doings.
(DBY)

Subtopics

Peradventure

Related Terms

Gadara

Palestine (1 Occurrence)

Herod (45 Occurrences)

John (154 Occurrences)

Peradventure (35 Occurrences)

Gerasa

Gerasenes (3 Occurrences)

Rhodes (2 Occurrences)

Decapolis (3 Occurrences)

Disciples (277 Occurrences)

Perath (4 Occurrences)

Antipas (1 Occurrence)

Abarim (8 Occurrences)

Seventy (97 Occurrences)

Herodias (7 Occurrences)

Rabbah (14 Occurrences)

Samaritans (9 Occurrences)

Heshbon (37 Occurrences)

Pharisees (86 Occurrences)

Synoptic

Jesus (10891 Occurrences)

Christ (573 Occurrences)

Baptist (16 Occurrences)

Gospels

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