In the context of the Bible, the concept of proportions often relates to the idea of balance, fairness, and divine order. Proportions can be seen in various aspects of biblical teaching, from the creation narrative to the laws given to Israel, and in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles.

Creation and Divine Order

The Bible begins with the account of creation, where God establishes order and balance in the universe. Genesis 1 describes how God created the world in six days, with each day having its specific purpose and proportion. The orderly sequence of creation reflects God's wisdom and the inherent balance in His design. The proportions in creation are evident in the separation of light from darkness, the division of waters, and the establishment of seasons, days, and years (Genesis 1:14-18).

Proportions in the Law

The Mosaic Law contains numerous examples of proportions, particularly in the context of justice and fairness. The principle of "an eye for an eye" (Exodus 21:24) is an example of proportional justice, ensuring that the punishment fits the crime. This principle was intended to prevent excessive retribution and maintain social order.

In the laws concerning offerings and sacrifices, specific proportions were prescribed. For instance, the grain offering was to be mixed with oil in specific measures (Leviticus 2:1-2), and the tithe, a tenth of one's produce, was to be given to the Levites (Leviticus 27:30-32). These proportions ensured that the people of Israel maintained a balanced relationship with God and supported the priestly system.

Proportions in Wisdom Literature

The wisdom literature of the Bible, particularly the Book of Proverbs, often speaks to the importance of balance and moderation. Proverbs 11:1 states, "Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight." This verse highlights the importance of fairness and proportionality in business and personal dealings.

Proverbs 30:8-9 expresses a desire for a balanced life: "Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the bread that is my portion, lest I become full and deny You, saying, 'Who is the LORD?' Or lest I become poor and steal, profaning the name of my God." This passage underscores the value of contentment and the dangers of excess.

Proportions in the Teachings of Jesus

Jesus' teachings often emphasized the importance of balance and proper priorities. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught about the proportionality of judgment: "For with the same measure you use, it will be measured to you" (Matthew 7:2). This principle encourages believers to exercise fairness and mercy in their judgments of others.

In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30), Jesus illustrated the importance of using one's resources and abilities in proportion to what has been given. The servants were rewarded or punished based on how they proportionally managed their master's resources, highlighting the expectation of faithful stewardship.

Proportions in the Early Church

The early church also practiced proportional giving and sharing. In Acts 2:44-45, the believers shared their possessions and goods according to each one's need, demonstrating a communal balance and care for one another. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, encouraged proportional giving, stating, "Each one should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not out of regret or compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7).

In summary, the concept of proportions in the Bible is woven throughout its teachings, emphasizing balance, fairness, and the proper use of resources. Whether in creation, the law, wisdom literature, the teachings of Jesus, or the practices of the early church, proportions reflect God's desire for order and justice in the world.4971. mathkoneth -- measurement, tally, proportion
... measurement, tally, proportion. Transliteration: mathkoneth or mathkuneth Phonetic
Spelling: (math-ko'-neth) Short Definition: proportions. ...
/hebrew/4971.htm - 6k

The Mystical Meanings in the Proportions of Numbers, Geometrical ...
... The Stromata, or Miscellanies. Book VI. Chapter XI."The Mystical Meanings in
the Proportions of Numbers, Geometrical Ratios, and Music. ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xi the mystical meanings in.htm

Though These Eternal Moral Obligations are Indeed of Themselves ...
... and just, and good, manifestly prove, that it must also be his will, that all his
creatures should be so likewise, according to the proportions and capacities ...
/.../ii proposition ii though these.htm

Letter xvii. Harmony of Christian Character.
... He was exhorting to growth in grace; and he would have the new man grow up with
symmetrical proportions, so as to form the "stature of a perfect man in Christ ...
/.../letter xvii harmony of christian.htm

Preface
... from John's pen. The proportions of this homely little messenger of paper
and type may seem a little odd at first. The longest chapter ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/preface.htm

How God May be Known to be the Chief Good. The Mind Does not ...
... hills, and the level surface of its plains; and good is an estate that is pleasant
and fertile; and good is a house that is arranged in due proportions, and is ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 3 how god may be.htm

The Mustard-Seed.
... The diminutive proportions of our mustard-plant prove nothing regarding the magnitude
of the herb which bears the corresponding name in Syria. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/iii the mustard-seed.htm

Letter ix. Meditation.
... is, always to be able to fix the mind on some portion of truth, in such a manner
as to secure variety, and to contemplate truth in its proper proportions. ...
/.../a practical directory for young christian females/letter ix meditation.htm

God's Restraining Power.
... spoil they have left; and everywhere it is God who determines, and gradually develops
more and more clearly and exactly, the right proportions; and everywhere ...
/.../selected sermons of schleiermacher/xii gods restraining power.htm

The Adventures of Saint George of England.
... The trees and shrubs were of the most gigantic proportions, the former towering
high into the sky, and a single leaf affording ample shade to the Knight and ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter three the adventures of.htm

Influences that Gave Rise to the Priestly Laws and Histories
... He evidently reproduces many of the proportions and regulations of the first temple,
but, with the same freedom that characterizes the authors of the ...
/.../ix influences that gave rise.htm

Proportions (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Proportions (3 Occurrences). Exodus 30:32 on flesh
of man it is not poured, and with its proper proportion ...
/p/proportions.htm - 7k

Bronze (146 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) An alloy of copper and tin, to which small
proportions of other metals, especially zinc, are sometimes added. ...
/b/bronze.htm - 37k

Botany
... Sammarin and Caesarea over a million have been planted, and here, and also on the
marshy shores of Lake Huleh, this tree has attained magnificent proportions. ...
/b/botany.htm - 38k

Proposal (6 Occurrences)

/p/proposal.htm - 8k

Ark (212 Occurrences)
... wide, 56 1/4 ft. deep, which are natural proportions of a ship of that size. The
dimensions of the "Great Eastern," built in 1858, were 692 ft. long, 83 ft. ...
/a/ark.htm - 84k

Aqueduct (4 Occurrences)
... 10 inches wide. These proportions may seem unnecessarily large, but may be accounted
for by the necessity for providing light at the water level. ...
/a/aqueduct.htm - 23k

Cistern (21 Occurrences)
... 10 inches wide. These proportions may seem unnecessarily large, but may be accounted
for by the necessity for providing light at the water level. ...
/c/cistern.htm - 29k

Oak (22 Occurrences)
... of South America and Africa. Many of the oaks form forest trees of grand
proportions and live many centuries. The wood is usually ...
/o/oak.htm - 33k

Noah (55 Occurrences)
... wide, 56 1/4 ft. deep, which are natural proportions of a ship of that size. The
dimensions of the "Great Eastern," built in 1858, were 692 ft. long, 83 ft. ...
/n/noah.htm - 66k

Well (2882 Occurrences)
... 10 inches wide. These proportions may seem unnecessarily large, but may be accounted
for by the necessity for providing light at the water level. ...
/w/well.htm - 39k

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