Topical Bible: Plan

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In the biblical context, the concept of a "plan" often refers to the divine intentions and purposes of God as they unfold in the lives of individuals, nations, and the world. The Bible presents God as sovereign, with a master plan that encompasses all creation, history, and eternity. This divine plan is characterized by wisdom, love, and justice, and it is ultimately aimed at the redemption and restoration of humanity through Jesus Christ.

God's Sovereign Plan

The Bible affirms that God has a sovereign plan that is unchangeable and perfect. In Isaiah 46:10, God declares, "I declare the end from the beginning, and ancient times from what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’" This verse highlights God's omniscience and omnipotence, assuring believers that His plans are certain and will be fulfilled.

Plans for Individuals

Scripture also reveals that God has specific plans for individuals. Jeremiah 29:11 is a well-known verse that speaks to this: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope." This promise was originally given to the Israelites in exile, yet it reflects a broader principle of God's care and purpose for His people.

Human Plans and Divine Guidance

While humans are encouraged to make plans, the Bible teaches that these should be submitted to God's will. Proverbs 16:9 states, "A man’s heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." This verse underscores the importance of seeking God's guidance and being open to His direction, recognizing that His wisdom surpasses human understanding.

The Plan of Salvation

Central to the biblical narrative is God's plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:9-10 reveals, "And He has made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to bring all things in heaven and on earth together in Christ." This passage emphasizes that God's ultimate plan is to unite all things under Christ, highlighting the redemptive work of Jesus as the focal point of history.

The Role of Faith

Believers are called to trust in God's plan, even when it is not fully understood. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see." Faith involves confidence in God's character and His promises, trusting that His plans are for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).

Eternal Perspective

The Bible encourages an eternal perspective, recognizing that God's plans extend beyond this life. In 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, Paul writes, "For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." This perspective helps believers endure trials, knowing that God's ultimate plan includes eternal glory.

In summary, the biblical concept of a plan encompasses God's sovereign purposes, His specific intentions for individuals, the overarching plan of salvation through Christ, and the call for believers to trust and align their lives with His divine will.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) A draught or form; properly, a representation drawn on a plane, as a map or a chart; especially, a top view, as of a machine, or the representation or delineation of a horizontal section of anything, as of a building; a graphic representation; a diagram.

2. (n.) A scheme devised; a method of action or procedure expressed or described in language; a project; as, the plan of a constitution; the plan of an expedition.

3. (n.) A method; a way of procedure; a custom.

4. (v. t.) To form a delineation of; to draught; to represent, as by a diagram.

5. (v. t.) To scheme; to devise; to contrive; to form in design; as, to plan the conquest of a country.

Greek

1917. epiboule -- a plan against
... a plan against. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: epiboule Phonetic
Spelling: (ep-ee-boo-lay') Short Definition: a plot, design against Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1917.htm - 6k

2602. katabole -- a laying down
... cast according to a blueprint (original design); the which determines the entire
direction (destination) of all that follows; the foundation-plan, upon which ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2602.htm - 7k

4823. sumbouleuo -- to take counsel together, advise
... 4823 (from 4862 , "identify " and 1011 , "to plan," which is derived from 1012 ,
"a resolute plan") -- properly, to consult (counsel) together, like when ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4823.htm - 7k

1014. boulomai -- to will
... wish. Cognate: 1014 -- to plan with (determination). See 1012 (). 1014 ("
plan") is a strong term that underlines the predetermined ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1014.htm - 9k

3191. meletao -- to care for, practice, study
... to care for, practice, study. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: meletao Phonetic
Spelling: (mel-et-ah'-o) Short Definition: I devise, plan Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3191.htm - 6k

1012. boule -- counsel
... This level of God's (1012 ) demonstrates He is of history, ie always in charge!
[1012 () is more than God's immutable plan of physical circumstances. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1012.htm - 7k

5495. cheir -- the hand
... 5495 -- properly, ; (figuratively) the instrument a person uses to accomplish
their purpose (intention, plan). Word Origin a prim. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5495.htm - 7k

3929. paresis -- a letting go
... This was based on the absolutely , sacrifice of Christ -- "retroactively applied"
to them in God's , plan. [3929 () means "" in the papyri (BGU II. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3929.htm - 7k

4108. planos -- wandering, leading astray (adjective), a deceiver ...
... wandering, leading astray (adjective), a deceiver (subst.). Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: planos Phonetic Spelling: (plan'-os) Short Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4108.htm - 7k

1982. episkiazo -- to overshadow
... result. 1982 ("overshadow") is used in the NT of -- which always brings
His -plan to pass (see 1012 , "God's immutable will for "). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1982.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

2154. zimmah -- a plan, device, wickedness
... 2153, 2154. zimmah. 2155 . a plan, device, wickedness. Transliteration: zimmah
Phonetic Spelling: (zim-maw') Short Definition: lewdness. ...
/hebrew/2154.htm - 6k

6246. ashith -- to think, plan
... 6245b, 6246. ashith or ashith. 6247 . to think, plan. Transliteration: ashith
or ashith Phonetic Spelling: (ash-eeth') Short Definition: planned. ...
/hebrew/6246.htm - 6k

2162. zamam -- a plan, device
... 2161, 2162. zamam. 2163 . a plan, device. Transliteration: zamam Phonetic
Spelling: (zaw-mawm') Short Definition: device. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/2162.htm - 6k

5779. uts -- to counsel, plan
... 5778, 5779. uts. 5780 . to counsel, plan. Transliteration: uts Phonetic
Spelling: (oots) Short Definition: devise. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/5779.htm - 5k

4156. moetsah -- counsel, plan, principle, device
... 4155, 4156. moetsah. 4157 . counsel, plan, principle, device. Transliteration:
moetsah Phonetic Spelling: (mo-ay-tsaw') Short Definition: devices. ...
/hebrew/4156.htm - 6k

6098. etsah -- counsel, advice
... counsel, advice NASB Word Usage advice (11), consultation (2), counsel (52), counselor*
(1), counselors* (1), counsels (1), designs (1), plan (8), plans (2 ...
/hebrew/6098.htm - 6k

4284. machashabah -- thought, device
... from chashab Definition thought, device NASB Word Usage design (1), designs (3),
devised (1), intentions* (1), invented (1), inventive (1), plan (2), plans (14 ...
/hebrew/4284.htm - 6k

2803. chashab -- to think, account
... 1), devising (1), esteem (2), esteemed (2), execute (1), have (1), impute (1), intend
(2), make (2), makers (1), meant (2), mindful (1), plan (2), planned (3 ...
/hebrew/2803.htm - 6k

2161. zamam -- to consider, purpose, devise
... A primitive root; to plan, usually in a bad sense -- consider, devise, imagine,
plot, purpose, think (evil). 2160, 2161. zamam. 2162 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/2161.htm - 6k

8458. tachbulah -- direction, counsel
... denominative from chebel; (only in plural) properly, steerage (as a management of
ropes), ie (figuratively) guidance or (by implication) a plan -- good advice ...
/hebrew/8458.htm - 6k

Library

An Irresistible Plan.
... The Transfiguration: An Emergency Measure An Irresistible Plan. ... Here is the strategic
point, now. The key to the future plan is in this small group. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/an irresistible plan.htm

The Plan for the Coming of Jesus.
... I. The Purpose of Jesus. 2. The Plan for the Coming of Jesus. God's Darling,
Psalm 8:5-8."the plan for the new man"the Hebrew ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/2 the plan for the.htm

The Tragic Break in the Plan.
... I. The Purpose of Jesus. 3. The Tragic Break in the Plan. The Jerusalem
Climate: the contrasting receptions, Luke 2.. the music ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/3 the tragic break in.htm

The Plan of the Work.
... The Church History of Eusebius. Book I. Chapter I."The Plan of the Work.
1. It is my purpose to write an account of the successions ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/pamphilius/church history/chapter i the plan of the.htm

The Preface. --The Plan and Purport of the Whole Epitome, and of ...
... The Epitome of the Divine Institutes. Addressed to His Brother Pentadius. The
Preface."The Plan and Purport of the Whole Epitome, And of the. Institutions. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/the preface the plan and purport.htm

Had Christ a Conscious Plan?
... CONNEXION. PART I. THE PLAN OF CHRIST. CHAPTER 1. A. THE PLAN OF CHRIST'S MINISTRY
IN GENERAL. Section 48. Had Christ a conscious Plan? IT ...
/.../section 48 had christ a.htm

The victor's Great Plan.
... The Earth, the Battle-Field in Prayer The Victor's Great Plan. Now, hold
your breath and note, on the side of the Victor-prince, this ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/the victors great plan.htm

To Follow Out My Plan in Regard to Places...
... Chapter VIII. To follow out my plan in regard to places? To follow out my
plan in regard to places: the circus is chiefly consecrated ...
/.../tertullian/the shows or de spectaculis/chapter viii to follow out.htm

In Fulfilment of Our Plan, Let us Now Go on to Consider the ...
... Chapter XI. In fulfilment of our plan, let us now go on to consider the combats.?
In fulfilment of our plan, let us now go on to consider the combats. ...
/.../tertullian/the shows or de spectaculis/chapter xi in fulfilment of.htm

Chap. xxxvii. While Occupied in this Plan, He Received Letters ...
... Chap. XXXVII. While occupied in this plan, he received letters from Constantine
which deterred him from proceeding? While occupied ...
/.../of the manner in which the persecutors died/chap xxxvii while occupied in.htm

Thesaurus

Plan (58 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A scheme devised; a method of action or procedure expressed or described
in language; a project; as, the plan of a constitution; the plan of an ...
/p/plan.htm - 23k

Design (84 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) To create or produce, as a work of art; to form a plan or scheme of; to
form in idea; to invent; to project; to lay out in the mind; as, a man designs ...
/d/design.htm - 33k

Chance (78 Occurrences)
... "It was not by chance that the priest came down by that road at that time, but by
a specific arrangement and in exact fulfilment of a plan; not the plan of the ...
/c/chance.htm - 37k

Plot (53 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A plantation laid out. 3. (n.) A plan or draught of a field, farm,
estate, etc., drawn to a scale. 4. (vt) To make a plot ...
/p/plot.htm - 22k

Presbyter
... 2. Based on the Synagogue Plan: The local synagogue of the Jewish church was under
the care and control of a body of representative men called "the elders ...
/p/presbyter.htm - 14k

Presbytery (1 Occurrence)
... 2. Based on the Synagogue Plan: The local synagogue of the Jewish church was under
the care and control of a body of representative men called "the elders ...
/p/presbytery.htm - 14k

Ezranehemiah
... EZRA-NEHEMIAH. Contents 1. Name. 2. Object 3. Plan 4. Unity 5. Sources 6. Literary
Character 7. Languages 8. Historicity 9. Text LITERATURE ...
/e/ezranehemiah.htm - 22k

Ezra-nehemiah
... EZRA-NEHEMIAH. Contents 1. Name. 2. Object 3. Plan 4. Unity 5. Sources 6. Literary
Character 7. Languages 8. Historicity 9. Text LITERATURE ...
/e/ezra-nehemiah.htm - 22k

Devise (41 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To formulate by thought; to contrive; to invent;
to scheme; as, to devise a plan of defense, or an argument. ...
/d/devise.htm - 19k

Plane (5 Occurrences)
...plan'-tre ('armon; platanos (Genesis 30:37), elate ("pine" or "fir") (Ezekiel
31:8); the King James Version chestnut): `Armon is supposed to be derived from ...
/p/plane.htm - 10k

Resources

Does God have a plan for me? | GotQuestions.org

What is the plan of salvation? | GotQuestions.org

Can faith change God's plan? | GotQuestions.org

Plan: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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

Concordance

Plan (58 Occurrences)

Matthew 28:12
When they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave a large amount of silver to the soldiers,
(See NIV)

Luke 23:51
(he had not consented to their counsel and deed), from Arimathaea, a city of the Jews, who was also waiting for the Kingdom of God:
(See NAS)

Acts 2:23
him, being delivered up by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by the hand of lawless men, crucified and killed;
(See NAS RSV)

Acts 4:28
to do whatever your hand and your council foreordained to happen.
(See RSV)

Acts 5:38
Now I tell you, withdraw from these men, and leave them alone. For if this counsel or this work is of men, it will be overthrown.
(See NAS RSV)

Acts 9:24
but their plot became known to Saul. They watched the gates both day and night that they might kill him,
(See NIV)

Acts 20:16
For Paul's plan was to sail past Ephesus, so as not to spend much time in the province of Asia; since he was very desirous of being in Jerusalem, if possible, on the day of the Harvest Festival.
(WEY)

Acts 27:42
The soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, so that none of them would swim out and escape.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 27:43
But the centurion, desiring to save Paul, stopped them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should throw themselves overboard first to go toward the land;
(See NIV)

1 Corinthians 16:5
I shall come to you after passing through Macedonia; for my plan will be to pass through Macedonia;
(WEY)

2 Corinthians 1:16
and to pass by way of Corinth into Macedonia. Then my plan was to return from Macedonia to you, and be helped forward by you to Judaea.
(WEY NIV)

Ephesians 1:10
to an administration of the fullness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things on the earth, in him;
(See RSV)

Ephesians 1:11
in whom also we were assigned an inheritance, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his will;
(See NIV)

Ephesians 3:9
and to make all men see what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus Christ;
(See RSV)

Genesis 11:6
Yahweh said, "Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is what they begin to do. Now nothing will be withheld from them, which they intend to do.
(See NIV)

Exodus 2:14
He said, "Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you plan to kill me, as you killed the Egyptian?" Moses was afraid, and said, "Surely this thing is known."
(WEB)

Exodus 26:30
You shall set up the tabernacle according to the way that it was shown to you on the mountain.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Numbers 33:56
It shall happen that as I thought to do to them, so will I do to you."
(See NAS NIV)

1 Samuel 18:25
Saul said, "You shall tell David,'The king desires no dowry except one hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king's enemies.'" Now Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines.
(See NAS NIV)

2 Samuel 17:4
The saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel.
(See NAS NIV)

2 Samuel 17:6
When Hushai was come to Absalom, Absalom spoke to him, saying, "Ahithophel has spoken like this. Shall we do what he says? If not, speak up."
(See NAS)

1 Chronicles 28:9
You, Solomon my son, know the God of your father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for Yahweh searches all hearts, and understands all the imaginations of the thoughts: if you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.
(See RSV)

1 Chronicles 28:11
Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch of the temple, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper rooms thereof, and of the inner chambers thereof, and of the place of the ark-cover;
(See NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 28:12
and the pattern of all that he had by the Spirit, for the courts of the house of Yahweh, and for all the surrounding rooms, for the treasuries of the house of God, and for the treasuries of the dedicated things;
(See NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 28:18
and for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot, even the cherubim, that spread out their wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of Yahweh.
(See RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 28:19
All this, said David, have I been made to understand in writing from the hand of Yahweh, even all the works of this pattern.
(See RSV NIV)

2 Chronicles 30:4
The thing was right in the eyes of the king and of all the assembly.
(See RSV NIV)

Nehemiah 4:15
It happened, when our enemies heard that it was known to us, and God had brought their counsel to nothing, that we returned all of us to the wall, everyone to his work.
(See NAS RSV)

Esther 8:3
Esther spoke yet again before the king, and fell down at his feet, and begged him with tears to put away the mischief of Haman the Agagite, and his device that he had devised against the Jews.
(See NIV)

Psalms 14:6
You frustrate the plan of the poor, because Yahweh is his refuge.
(WEB RSV NIV)

Psalms 21:11
For they intended evil against you. They plotted evil against you which cannot succeed.
(See RSV)

Psalms 62:4
Their only thought is to put him down from his place of honour; their delight is in deceit: blessing is in their mouths but cursing in their hearts. (Selah.)
(See RSV)

Psalms 64:6
They plot injustice, saying, "We have made a perfect plan!" Surely man's mind and heart are cunning.
(WEB DBY NIV)

Psalms 140:2
For their hearts are full of evil designs; and they are ever making ready causes of war.
(See RSV NIV)

Psalms 140:4
O Lord, take me out of the hands of sinners; keep me safe from the violent man: for they are designing my downfall.
(See RSV NIV)

Proverbs 3:29
Do not make evil designs against your neighbour, when he is living with you without fear.
(See RSV)

Proverbs 12:20
Deceit is in the heart of those whose designs are evil, but for those purposing peace there is joy.
(See RSV)

Proverbs 14:22
Don't they go astray who plot evil? But love and faithfulness belong to those who plan good.
(WEB NIV)

Proverbs 20:5
The purpose in the heart of a man is like deep water, but a man of good sense will get it out.
(See NAS)

Proverbs 21:30
Wisdom and knowledge and wise suggestions are of no use against the Lord.
(See NIV)

Isaiah 5:19
Who say, Let him do his work quickly, let him make it sudden, so that we may see it: let the design of the Holy One of Israel come near, so that it may be clear to us.
(See NIV)

Isaiah 8:10
Settle a plan, and it shall come to nought; speak a word, and it shall not stand: for ?God is with us.
(DBY NAS NIV)

Isaiah 10:7
But this is not what is in his mind, and this is not his design; but his purpose is destruction, and the cutting off of more and more nations.
(See NAS)

Isaiah 14:26
This is the plan that is determined for the whole earth. This is the hand that is stretched out over all the nations.
(WEB NAS NIV)

Isaiah 30:1
Ho! uncontrolled children, says the Lord, who give effect to a purpose which is not mine, and who make an agreement, but not by my spirit, increasing their sin:
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 18:11
Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus says Yahweh: Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return you now everyone from his evil way, and amend your ways and your doings.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 36:3
It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do to them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.
(See NAS NIV)

Jeremiah 49:20
Therefore hear the counsel of Yahweh, that he has taken against Edom; and his purposes, that he has purposed against the inhabitants of Teman: Surely they shall drag them away, even the little ones of the flock; surely he shall make their habitation desolate over them.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 49:30
Go in flight, go wandering far off, take cover in deep places, O people of Hazor, says the Lord; for Nebuchadrezzar, king of Babylon, has made a design against you, he has a purpose against you in mind.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 50:45
Therefore hear the counsel of Yahweh, that he has taken against Babylon; and his purposes, that he has purposed against the land of the Chaldeans: Surely they shall drag them away, even the little ones of the flock; surely he shall make their habitation desolate over them.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 38:10
Thus says the Lord Yahweh: It shall happen in that day, that things shall come into your mind, and you shall devise an evil device:
(See NAS)

Ezekiel 43:10
You, son of man, show the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed of their iniquities; and let them measure the pattern.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Daniel 3:14
Nebuchadnezzar hath answered and said to them, 'Is 'it' a laid plan, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego -- my gods ye are not serving, and to the golden image that I have raised up ye are not doing obeisance?
(YLT)

Daniel 11:24
In time of peace shall he enter even into the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers' fathers: he shall scatter among them prey, and spoil, and substance, and he shall plan his devices against the fortified places, even for a time.
(DBY RSV)

Daniel 11:25
And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall engage in battle with an exceeding great and mighty army; but he shall not stand, for they shall plan devices against him.
(DBY)

Amos 3:7
Surely the Lord Yahweh will do nothing, unless he reveals his secret to his servants the prophets.
(See NIV)

Micah 2:1
Woe to those who devise iniquity and work evil on their beds! When the morning is light, they practice it, because it is in the power of their hand.
(See NIV)

Micah 4:12
But they don't know the thoughts of Yahweh, neither do they understand his counsel; for he has gathered them like the sheaves to the threshing floor.
(See RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Plan

Related Terms

Plane-trees (1 Occurrence)

Plane-tree (3 Occurrences)

Level (31 Occurrences)

Projection (3 Occurrences)

Trace (7 Occurrences)

Elevation (7 Occurrences)

Stock (16 Occurrences)

Horizon (4 Occurrences)

Chestnut (2 Occurrences)