◄ Pondering ►
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Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Meaning:
Pondering refers to the act of deep reflection or careful consideration. In a biblical context, it involves meditating on God's Word, His works, and His will. Pondering is an essential practice for believers seeking to understand and apply biblical truths in their lives.

Biblical References:

1. Mary's Reflection:
One of the most notable instances of pondering in the Bible is found in the account of Mary, the mother of Jesus. After the shepherds visited and shared the angelic message about Jesus, Mary is described as treasuring these things and pondering them in her heart.
"But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." (Luke 2:19)

2. Wisdom and Understanding:
The Book of Proverbs frequently encourages believers to seek wisdom and understanding, which involves pondering the teachings and commandments of God.
"The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge." (Proverbs 18:15)

3. Meditation on God's Law:
Pondering is closely related to meditation, particularly on God's law. The psalmist expresses a deep love for God's commandments and a commitment to meditate on them throughout the day.
"Oh, how I love Your law! All day long it is my meditation." (Psalm 119:97)

4. The Path of the Righteous:
Pondering one's path is a theme in Proverbs, where the righteous are encouraged to consider their ways carefully.
"Ponder the path of your feet, and all your ways will be established." (Proverbs 4:26)

Theological Significance:

Pondering is a spiritual discipline that allows believers to internalize and apply the truths of Scripture. It involves more than mere reading; it requires thoughtful reflection and a heart open to the Holy Spirit's guidance. Through pondering, believers can gain deeper insights into God's character and His purposes for their lives.

Practical Application:

1. Daily Devotion:
Incorporating pondering into daily devotions can enhance one's spiritual growth. By setting aside time to reflect on Scripture, believers can better understand and live out God's Word.

2. Prayerful Reflection:
Pondering should be accompanied by prayer, asking God for wisdom and understanding. This practice helps align one's thoughts with God's will.

3. Journaling:
Writing down reflections and insights gained from pondering can be a helpful tool for spiritual development. Journaling allows believers to track their growth and see how God is working in their lives.

4. Community Discussion:
Engaging in discussions with fellow believers about Scripture can provide new perspectives and insights. Pondering in community can strengthen faith and encourage mutual edification.

Conclusion:
Pondering is a vital practice for believers who desire to grow in their faith and understanding of God's Word. By engaging in deep reflection, believers can draw closer to God and live lives that honor Him.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Ponder.

2. (a.) Deliberating.

Greek
1761. enthumesis -- deliberation, pondering, pl. thoughts
... 1760, 1761. enthumesis. 1762 . deliberation, pondering, pl. ... See 1760 (). Word
Origin from enthumeomai Definition deliberation, pondering, pl. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1761.htm - 7k

4820. sumballo -- to throw together, hence to discuss, consider ...
... Definition to throw together, hence to discuss, consider, meet with NASB Word Usage
confer (1), conversing (1), helped (1), meet (1), met (1), pondering (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4820.htm - 7k

1260. dialogizomai -- to consider
... Word Origin from dia and logizomai Definition to consider NASB Word Usage discuss
(4), discussing (1), pondering (1), reason (1), reasoned (1), reasoning (7 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1260.htm - 8k

Library

Scruples --Heavenly Favors --Journey to Barcelona
... for advice. During the rest of the day he gave his thoughts to God, pondering
on what he had read or meditated that day. When he ...
/.../chapter iii scruplesheavenly favorsjourney to.htm

Book I to Pleasant Songs My Work was Erstwhile Given, and Bright ...
... While I was pondering thus in silence, and using my pen to set down so tearful a
complaint, there appeared standing over my head a woman's form, whose ...
/.../boethius/the consolation of philosophy/book i to pleasant songs.htm

To My Fellow Presbyter Timothy. Dionysius the Presbyter.
... the Word of God declares to be near, and always about God, and with [226] God, naming
them in the Hebrew tongue Cherubim and Seraphim"by pondering the sacred ...
/.../dionysius/ecclesiastical hierarchy/caput i to my fellow.htm

The Lively Stones. Rev. W. Morley Punshon.
... Hence any reflective mind, pondering upon the dealings of God with men, will discover
a progressive development of revelation, adjusted with careful adaptation ...
/.../king/the wesleyan methodist pulpit in malvern/the lively stones rev w.htm

Natural Law in the Spiritual World
... "The reader is left with the depths of his spiritual nature stirred, pondering upon
the great foundation truths of the Gospel and illuminated with the fresh ...
/.../drummond/natural law in the spiritual world/natural law in the spiritual.htm

The History and Life of the Reverend Doctor John Tauler
... day,. Without the walls of Strasburg, by the Rhine,. Pondering the solemn
Miracle of Life; As one who, wandering in a starless night,. ...
/.../the history and life of the reverend doctor john tauler/title page.htm

The Divine Dilemma and Its Solution in the Incarnation ...
... They could look up into the immensity of heaven, and by pondering the harmony of
creation come to know its Ruler, the Word of the Father, Whose all-ruling ...
/.../athanasius/on the incarnation of the word/chapter 3 the divine dilemma.htm

Answers to Prayer
... A trustful Christian, whose heart had been deeply touched with thoughts of religion,
was one day thinking and pondering and wishing that he might be more truly ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the wonders of prayer/answers to prayer.htm

The Blessedness of Giving
... While pondering what course to pursue, a knock was heard, and, on opening the door,
a lady, with a bundle in her hand, inquired if she could do a little work ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/the blessedness of giving.htm

The House of Zacharias.
... days"never tired of observing them, they never tire of recounting their prodigies;
and, in an especial manner, Mary had kept all things, pondering in her ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/ii the house of zacharias.htm

Thesaurus
Pondering (6 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Deliberating. Multi-Version Concordance Pondering (6 Occurrences). ... (See NAS).
Luke 2:19 But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. ...
/p/pondering.htm - 8k

Fool (95 Occurrences)
... Their significance is best seen in contrast with "Wisdom." This was the outcome
of careful observation and long pondering on actual life in the light of ...
/f/fool.htm - 47k

Folly (68 Occurrences)
... Their significance is best seen in contrast with "Wisdom." This was the outcome
of careful observation and long pondering on actual life in the light of ...
/f/folly.htm - 39k

Reflecting (2 Occurrences)
... Reflecting (2 Occurrences). Acts 10:19 While Peter was pondering the vision,
the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men seek you. (See NAS). ...
/r/reflecting.htm - 7k

Ponders (3 Occurrences)

/p/ponders.htm - 7k

Pondereth (4 Occurrences)

/p/pondereth.htm - 7k

Preserving (10 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Preserve. Multi-Version Concordance Preserving (10 Occurrences). Luke
2:19 and Mary was preserving all these things, pondering in her heart; (YLT). ...
/p/preserving.htm - 9k

Ponder (10 Occurrences)
... 12, "weigh" is substituted for "ponder." The one New Testament passage is Luke
2:19; here the Revised Version (British and American) has "pondering" where the ...
/p/ponder.htm - 10k

Continued (148 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Acts 10:19 But as Peter continued pondering over the vision,
the Spirit said to him, Behold, three men seek thee; (DBY). ...
/c/continued.htm - 34k

Vision (106 Occurrences)
... Acts 10:19 While Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold,
three men seek you. (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/v/vision.htm - 45k

Resources
Is it necessary to fully understand the Gospel to go to heaven? Is it enough to believe it, even if we do not fully understand it? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about meditation? | GotQuestions.org

How can I meditate on God's Word? | GotQuestions.org

Pondering: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus
Concordance
Pondering (6 Occurrences)

Luke 1:29
But when she saw him, she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered what kind of salutation this might be.
(See NAS)

Luke 2:19
But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart.
(WEB ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV)

Acts 10:19
While Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Behold, three men seek you.
(WEB DBY RSV)

Proverbs 5:21
For over-against the eyes of Jehovah are the ways of each, And all his paths He is pondering.
(YLT)

Proverbs 16:2
All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, And Jehovah is pondering the spirits.
(YLT)

Proverbs 21:2
Every way of a man 'is' right in his own eyes, And Jehovah is pondering hearts.
(YLT)

Subtopics

Pondering

Related Terms

Ponds (6 Occurrences)

Ponderer (1 Occurrence)

Pondering (6 Occurrences)

Pondereth
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