The act of reading in the biblical context is a significant practice, deeply rooted in the traditions of the Jewish and Christian faiths. Reading, particularly of the Scriptures, is portrayed as a means of understanding God's will, gaining wisdom, and fostering spiritual growth.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the importance of reading is evident in the practice of public reading of the Law. Moses, after receiving the Law from God, read it to the people of Israel to ensure they understood the covenant they were entering into (Exodus 24:7). The practice of reading the Law was institutionalized in the life of Israel, as seen in Deuteronomy 31:11-12, where it is commanded that the Law be read aloud to all Israel every seven years during the Feast of Tabernacles: "when all Israel comes to appear before the LORD your God at the place He will choose, you shall read this law before them in their hearing."

The reading of the Scriptures was not only a communal activity but also a personal one. In Joshua 1:8, God instructs Joshua, "This Book of the Law must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in all you do." This highlights the importance of personal engagement with the Word of God through reading and meditation.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the practice of reading continues to hold significant importance. Jesus Himself read from the Scriptures in the synagogue, as recorded in Luke 4:16-17: "He went to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. As was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath. And when He stood up to read, the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him."

The early church also emphasized the public reading of Scripture. Paul, in his letters, often instructed the churches to read his epistles aloud to the congregation. In 1 Thessalonians 5:27, he writes, "I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers." Similarly, in Colossians 4:16, he instructs, "After this letter has been read among you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea."

Theological Significance

Reading the Scriptures is seen as a means of receiving divine revelation and instruction. The Bible is considered the inspired Word of God, and reading it is a way to hear God's voice and understand His will. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Paul writes, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work."

The act of reading is also associated with the concept of spiritual nourishment. Jesus, in Matthew 4:4, quotes Deuteronomy 8:3, saying, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" This underscores the belief that reading and internalizing Scripture is essential for spiritual life and growth.

Practical Application

For believers, reading the Bible is a foundational spiritual discipline. It is encouraged as a daily practice to grow in faith and knowledge of God. The Berean Standard Bible, like other translations, serves as a tool for believers to engage with the Scriptures in a language that is accessible and understandable.

In summary, the act of reading, particularly the reading of Scripture, is a vital practice in the Judeo-Christian tradition. It serves as a means of understanding God's will, receiving instruction, and growing in spiritual maturity.1. (n.) Rennet. See Reed.

2. (imp. & p. p.) of Read.

3. (v. t.) To advise; to counsel.

4. (v. t.) To interpret; to explain; as, to read a riddle.

5. (v. t.) To tell; to declare; to recite.

6. (v. t.) To go over, as characters or words, and utter aloud, or recite to one's self inaudibly; to take in the sense of, as of language, by interpreting the characters with which it is expressed; to peruse; as, to read a discourse; to read the letters of an alphabet; to read figures; to read the notes of music, or to read music; to read a book.

7. (v. t.) Hence, to know fully; to comprehend.

8. (v. t.) To discover or understand by characters, marks, features, etc.; to learn by observation.

9. (v. t.) To make a special study of, as by perusing textbooks; as, to read theology or law.

10. (v. i.) To give advice or counsel.

11. (v. i.) To tell; to declare.

12. (v. i.) To perform the act of reading; to peruse, or to go over and utter aloud, the words of a book or other like document.

13. (v. i.) To study by reading; as, he read for the bar.

14. (v. i.) To learn by reading.

15. (v. i.) To appear in writing or print; to be expressed by, or consist of, certain words or characters; as, the passage reads thus in the early manuscripts.

16. (v. i.) To produce a certain effect when read; as, that sentence reads queerly.

17. (v. t.) Saying; sentence; maxim; hence, word; advice; counsel. See Rede.

18. (v.) Reading.

19. (v.) imp. & p. p. of Read, v. t. & i.

20. (a.) Instructed or knowing by reading; versed in books; learned.

314. anaginosko -- to know certainly, know again, read
... to know certainly, know again, read. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: anaginosko
Phonetic Spelling: (an-ag-in-oce'-ko) Short Definition: I read Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/314.htm - 8k

11. Abraam -- Abraham, the Heb. patriarch
... Abraham. Of Hebrew origin ('Abraham); Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch -- Abraham.
(In Acts 7:16 the text should probably read Jacob.). see HEBREW 'Abraham. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/11.htm - 6k

1924. epigrapho -- to write upon
... Word Origin from epi and grapho Definition to write upon NASB Word Usage inscription
(1), read (1), write (2), written (1). inscription, write in. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1924.htm - 6k

5273. hupokrites -- one who answers, an actor, a hypocrite
... above-board. They should be themselves. Their lives should be like an open
book, easily read" (K. Wuest,, 50,51).]. Word Origin from ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5273.htm - 7k

1125. grapho -- to write
... Word Origin a prim. verb Definition to write NASB Word Usage read (1), sent this
letter (1), write (37), writes (1), writing (14), written (117), wrote (20). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1125.htm - 8k

7123. qera -- to call, read out or aloud
... 7122, 7123. qera. 7124 . to call, read out or aloud. Transliteration:
qera Phonetic Spelling: (ker-aw') Short Definition: read. ...
/hebrew/7123.htm - 6k

7121. qara -- to call, proclaim, read
... 7120, 7121. qara. 7122 . to call, proclaim, read. Transliteration: qara Phonetic
Spelling: (kaw-raw') Short Definition: call. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/7121.htm - 7k

3045. yada -- to know
... notice (2), observe (2), perceive (1), perceived (1), possibly know (1), predict
(1), professional mourners (1), provided (1), raped (1), read* (1), realize (1 ...
/hebrew/3045.htm - 8k

5612. sepher -- a missive, document, writing, book
... books (2), certificate (3), deed (6), deeds (3), illiterate* (1), indictment (1),
letter (14), letters (15), literate* (1), literature (2), read* (1), scroll (6 ...
/hebrew/5612.htm - 6k

Books to be Read.
... LETTERS OF DIONYSIUS THE AREOPAGITE. BOOKS TO BE READ. 1st. "The doctrine of the
Lord, through the Twelve Apostles, to the Gentiles." Spence, Nisbet. 2nd. ...
/.../dionysius/letters of dionysius the areopagite/books to be read.htm

Brief Directions How to Read the Holy Scriptures once Every Year ...
... THE PRACTICE OF PIETY. BRIEF DIRECTIONS HOW TO READ THE HOLY SCRIPTURES
ONCE EVERY YEAR OVER, WITH EASE, PROFIT, AND REVERENCE. ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/brief directions how to read.htm

As, when we Read in the Gospel, "Thou Hast Received a Blow in The. ...
... Section 27. As, when we read in the Gospel, "Thou hast received a blow
in the? 27. As, when we read in the Gospel, "Thou hast ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on lying/section 27 as when we.htm

The Gospels are to be Read on the Sabbath I. ...
... Canon XVI. The Gospels are to be read on the Sabbath i.? The Gospels are to be read
on the Sabbath [ie Saturday], with the other Scriptures. Notes. ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xvi the gospels are.htm

And as we Read that He Used Food Also...
... Book VII. 45 And as we read that he used food also? [4990] And as we read
that he used food also, by which bodily existence is ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/45 and as we read.htm

Our Scriptures were Publicly Read and Expounded in the Religious ...
... PART I. SECTION V. Our Scriptures were publicly read and expounded in the
religious assemblies of the early Christians.? Our Scriptures ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/section v our scriptures were.htm

Whether Every one Will be Able to Read all that is in Another's ...
... TREATISE ON THE LAST THINGS (QQ -99)OF THE KNOWLEDGE WHICH, AFTER RISING AGAIN,
MEN WILL HAVE AT THE JUDGMENT Whether every one will be able to read all that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether every one will be.htm

I Think when I Read that Sweet Story of Old
... III. SACRAMENTS AND RITES Catechism 350. I think when I read that sweet story of
old. 11.8.12.9 ... Jemima Luke, 1841. I think when I read that sweet story of old,. ...
/.../catechism 350 i think when.htm

Being Able to Read, Petilianus, I have Read Your Letter...
... Book III. Chapter 1. " 1. Being able to read, Petilianus, I have read
your letter? "1. Being able to read, Petilianus, I have ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /chapter 1 1 being.htm

How Constantine Received Instruction, and Read the Sacred ...
... Book I. Chapter XXXII."How Constantine received Instruction, and read the Sacred
Scriptures. These things were done shortly afterwards. ...
/.../the life of constantine/chapter xxxii how constantine received instruction.htm

Read (681 Occurrences)
... 2. (imp. & pp) of Read. 3. (vt) To advise; to counsel. 4. (vt) To interpret; to
explain; as, to read a riddle. 5. (vt) To tell; to declare; to recite. ...
/r/read.htm - 8k

Inscription (18 Occurrences)
... John 19:20 Therefore many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus
was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and ...
/i/inscription.htm - 12k

Shaphan (26 Occurrences)
... It was from Shaphan's lips that Josiah heard the Law read. ... Shaphan read therein
before the king. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/s/shaphan.htm - 18k

Secretary (34 Occurrences)
... the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, "I have found the book of the law in
the house of Yahweh." Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan, and he read it. ...
/s/secretary.htm - 18k

Companions (58 Occurrences)
... Matthew 12:3 But he said to them, "Haven't you read what David did, when
he was hungry, and those who were with him; (See NAS NIV). ...
/c/companions.htm - 23k

Chariot (102 Occurrences)
... he was able to oppress the children of Israel twenty years (Judges 4:3). The
Philistines of the low country and the maritime plain, of whom we read in Judges ...
/c/chariot.htm - 55k

Zebul (5 Occurrences)
... of Abimelech. This verse is a little difficult, but if we read "served"
for "serve ye," it becomes fairly clear in meaning. With ...
/z/zebul.htm - 12k

Eunice (1 Occurrence)
... u-ni'-se, u'-nis (Eunike, is the correct reading, and not Euneike, which is read
by the Textus Receptus of the New Testament of Stephen, three syllables: Eu-ni ...
/e/eunice.htm - 10k

Educated (6 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 29:11 All vision has become to you like the words of a book that is sealed,
which men deliver to one who is educated, saying, "Read this, please;" and ...
/e/educated.htm - 8k

Distinctly (8 Occurrences)
... dis-tinkt'-li: Only Nehemiah 8:8, "They read in the book, in the law of God,
distinctly." Probably the better rendering is the Revised Version, margin "with ...
/d/distinctly.htm - 9k

What is the Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)? | GotQuestions.org

Should we stand when the Bible is read? | GotQuestions.org

Why should we read the Bible / study the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Read: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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