Topical Encyclopedia In biblical contexts, the term "privy" generally refers to something that is secret, hidden, or private. It is often used to describe knowledge or actions that are not publicly disclosed or are known only to a select few. The concept of being "privy" to certain information or plans is significant in understanding various narratives and teachings within the Bible.Old Testament Usage In the Old Testament, the idea of being privy is often associated with the inner workings of God's plans or the secret intentions of individuals. For example, in 2 Samuel 15:12, Absalom's conspiracy against his father David is described as something that was not initially known to the public: "While Absalom was offering the sacrifices, he sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counselor, to come from his city Giloh. And the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept increasing." Here, the term "conspiracy" implies a secret plan that was not privy to David or the general populace until it was revealed through its unfolding. The concept of being privy is also evident in the wisdom literature. Proverbs 3:32 states, "for the LORD detests the perverse, but He is a friend to the upright." The Hebrew word translated as "friend" can also imply being privy to or intimate with, suggesting that God shares His wisdom and plans with those who are righteous. New Testament Usage In the New Testament, the notion of being privy is often related to the revelation of divine mysteries. Jesus frequently spoke in parables, which were not immediately understood by all His listeners. In Matthew 13:11, Jesus explains to His disciples, "The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them." Here, the disciples are privy to the deeper meanings of Jesus' teachings, which are hidden from the broader audience. The Apostle Paul also speaks of being privy to divine mysteries. In Ephesians 3:3-5, he writes, "that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets." Paul emphasizes that the revelation of the Gospel was a mystery that was once hidden but has now been made known to the apostles and prophets. Theological Implications The concept of being privy in the Bible underscores the importance of divine revelation and the selective disclosure of God's plans. It highlights the distinction between those who are in a covenant relationship with God and those who are not. Being privy to God's plans is often associated with righteousness, obedience, and a close relationship with Him. Furthermore, the idea of secrecy and revelation in the Bible serves to remind believers of the sovereignty of God, who chooses when and to whom He reveals His purposes. It encourages a posture of humility and trust, recognizing that human understanding is limited and dependent on divine revelation. Practical Applications For believers, the biblical concept of being privy encourages a life of integrity and righteousness, as these are qualities that align one with God's purposes and make one a recipient of His wisdom. It also calls for discernment in sharing knowledge and understanding, recognizing that not all information is meant for all audiences. In prayer and study, believers are encouraged to seek God's guidance and revelation, trusting that He will make known what is necessary for their spiritual growth and for the fulfillment of His will in their lives. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (a.) Assigned to private uses; not public; private; as, the privy purse.2. (a.) Secret; clandestine. 3. (a.) Appropriated to retirement; private; not open to the public. 4. (a.) Admitted to knowledge of a secret transaction; secretly cognizant; privately knowing. 5. (n.) A partaker; a person having an interest in any action or thing; one who has an interest in an estate created by another; a person having an interest derived from a contract or conveyance to which he is not himself a party. The term, in its proper sense, is distinguished from party. 6. (n.) A necessary house or place; a backhouse. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia PRIVY; PRIVILYpriv'-i, priv'-i-li: These words are obsolete in modern English and are replaced by "secret," "secretly," rather than by the cognates "private," "privately." the Revised Version (British and American) usually has not altered the King James Version's use of the word, but in Psalm 11:2 has substituted "in darkness" and in Judges 9:31 uses "craftily," margin "in Tormah" (see TORMAH). In Ezekiel 21:14, the King James Version "entereth into their privy chambers," "privy" is a gloss, omitted in the Revised Version (British and American). "To be privy to a thing" (1 Kings 2:44 Acts 5:2) is simply "to know" it; in The Wisdom of Solomon 8:4, the Revised Version (British and American) has changed the phrase into "be initiated into." Greek 856. aphedron -- a place of sitting apart, ie a privy, drain ... a place of sitting apart, ie a privy, drain. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: aphedron Phonetic Spelling: (af-ed-rone') Short Definition: a drain ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/856.htm - 6k 4894. suneidon -- to see together, hence to comprehend 609. apokopto -- to cut off Strong's Hebrew 8212. shophkah -- male organ... privy member. Feminine of a derivative from shaphak; a pipe (for pouring forth, eg Wine), ie The penis -- privy member. see HEBREW shaphak. 8211, 8212. ... /hebrew/8212.htm - 6k 2314. chadar -- to surround, enclose 3045. yada -- to know Library Of God's Privy Doom: and that they that Fall Again be not Deemed ... "Two Parts of Truth: the Part that is Open: Our Saviour and Our ... The Monk Nilus. Subject Index Knox and Queen Mary (Continued): 1563-1564 That a Very Contemplative List not Meddle Him with Active Life ... The Cruelty of Herod Toward the Infants, and the Manner of his ... The Council of Tyre. The Teaching of Contemplative Life in Praying, Meditating, Fasting ... Acts iv. 36, 37 Thesaurus Privy (3 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Assigned to private uses; not public; private; as, the privy purse. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. PRIVY; PRIVILY. ... /p/privy.htm - 9k Privily (15 Occurrences) Draught (8 Occurrences) Prize (13 Occurrences) Nakedness (50 Occurrences) Necessary (75 Occurrences) Organ (6 Occurrences) Latrine (2 Occurrences) Gong (1 Occurrence) Wardrobe (4 Occurrences) Resources Who was Saint Irenaeus of Lyons? | GotQuestions.orgWhy doesn't God respond when I cry out, “God, please help me!”? | GotQuestions.org If Jesus is God, why did He not know when He would return? | GotQuestions.org Privy: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Privy (3 Occurrences)Acts 5:2 Deuteronomy 23:1 1 Kings 2:44 Subtopics Related Terms |
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