In the context of the Bible, the term "reads" primarily refers to the act of reading Scripture or sacred texts. The practice of reading is deeply embedded in the Judeo-Christian tradition, emphasizing the importance of engaging with God's Word for instruction, edification, and spiritual growth.

Old Testament Context

The act of reading is first highlighted in the Old Testament, where the public reading of the Law was a significant aspect of Israelite worship and community life. In Deuteronomy 31:11-12 , Moses commands 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. Assemble the people—men, women, children, and the foreigners residing in your towns—so they can listen and learn to fear the LORD your God and follow carefully all the words of this law."

The reading of the Law served as a means of covenant renewal and communal instruction, ensuring that each generation understood their identity and responsibilities as God's chosen people. This practice underscored the importance of literacy and the oral transmission of God's commandments.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the practice of reading Scripture continues to hold significant importance. Jesus Himself reads from the scroll of Isaiah 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. Unrolling it, He found the place where it was written."

The early Christian communities also placed a strong emphasis on 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."

Theological Significance

The act of reading Scripture is not merely a ritualistic practice but is seen as a means of encountering God and His divine will. The Bible is considered the inspired Word of God, and reading it is a way to receive guidance, wisdom, and revelation. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 , Paul emphasizes the value of Scripture: "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."

Practical Application

For believers, reading the Bible is a vital spiritual discipline. It is encouraged to be done both privately and corporately, allowing individuals to grow in their faith and understanding of God's purposes. The practice of daily Bible reading, often accompanied by prayer and meditation, is seen as essential for spiritual nourishment and transformation.

In summary, the act of reading in the biblical context is a profound engagement with the sacred texts that form the foundation of the Christian faith. It is a practice that has been cherished and preserved throughout the history of God's people, serving as a conduit for divine truth and spiritual growth.314. anaginosko -- to know certainly, know again, read
... Word Origin from ana and ginosko Definition to know certainly, know again, read
NASB Word Usage read (25), reader (2), reading (4), reads (1). read. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/314.htm - 8k

2820. kleroo -- to assign by lot
... 2820 ("assign by divine lot-cast"), is only used in Eph 1:11 where it is often
translated "." The Greek text literally reads, "In whom (Christ), indeed (2820 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2820.htm - 7k

1632. garol -- harsh
... harsh From the same as gowral; harsh -- man of great (as in the margin which reads
gadowl). see HEBREW gowral. see HEBREW gadowl. 1631, 1632. garol. 1633 . ...
/hebrew/1632.htm - 6k

7121. qara -- to call, proclaim, read
... 4), named (12), named* (62), offer it terms (1), proclaim (28), proclaimed (17),
proclaiming (3), proclaims (2), read (35), reading (2), reads (1), screamed (2 ...
/hebrew/7121.htm - 7k

And when He Reads of the Sins of Great Men...
... Book 3 Chapter 33. And when he reads of the sins of great men? 33. And
when he reads of the sins of great men, although he may ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 33 and when he.htm

How we May Live as the Bible Reads.
... HOW WE MAY LIVE AS THE BIBLE READS. It ... Keep the heart filled with the Word
of God. It is the way to live as the Bible reads. To ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/how to live a holy life/how we may live as.htm

Whosoever Confesses that one God is the Author of Both Testaments ...
... Against Heresies: Book IV Chapter XXXIII."Whosoever confesses that one God is the
author of both Testaments, and diligently reads the Scriptures in company ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xxxiii whosoever confesses that one.htm

Having Prayed to God, He Pours Forth a Shower of Tears, And ...
... Book VIII. Chapter XII."Having Prayed to God, He Pours Forth a Shower of Tears,
And, Admonished by a Voice, He Opens the Book and Reads the Words in Rom. ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter xii having prayed to god.htm

At the Recommendation of Ambrose, He Reads the Prophecies of ...
... Book IX. Chapter V."At the Recommendation of Ambrose, He Reads the Prophecies
of Isaiah, But Does Not Understand Them. 13. The ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter v at the recommendation of.htm

After the Scripture.
... Isaiah 48:10 reads: "Behold I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen
thee in the furnace of affliction." Here the preposition "B "stands before ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/viii after the scripture.htm

But not to Expend Our Argument Entirely in Going Over the Words of ...
... [1893] The text reads hegiasan. Manuscript B reads engisan. ... [1896] For ten pros
allelous anastrophen, Codex B reads diastrophen kai phthoran. ...
/.../hippolytus/the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/piece vi but not to.htm

Devotional Reading.
... DEVOTIONAL READING. A person may almost be known by the books he reads. If
he habitually reads bad books, we can pretty safely conclude ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/how to live a holy life/devotional reading.htm

Argument. --Moreover, against the Sabellians He Proves that the ...
... For who does not acknowledge that the person of the Son is second after the Father,
when he reads that it was said by the Father, consequently to the Son, "Let ...
/.../chapter xxvi argument moreover against the.htm

Book ii
... Istud namque duice canticum spirituale quidem et speciale valde quia specialissimis
datum'; and C. reads: pai truly ar so stabyld put with no cry or noys ar ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/book ii.htm

Reads (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Reads (5 Occurrences). Matthew 24:15 When therefore
ye shall see the abomination of desolation, which is ...
/r/reads.htm - 8k

Reader (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) One who reads. ... 3. (n.) One who reads
lectures on scientific subjects. 4. (n.) A proof reader. ...
/r/reader.htm - 8k

Discover (28 Occurrences)
... and Habakkuk 3:13 (`arar, "to make naked").) (1) "To exhibit," "uncover" (or "betray"),
in which examples the English Revised Version also reads with the King ...
/d/discover.htm - 17k

Jabneh (1 Occurrence)
... jab'-ne-el, jab'-ne (yabhne'el, "God is builder"; Septuagint Lebna, Swete reads
Lemna; the Apocrypha has Iamnia, Iamneia): (1) A town on the northern border of ...
/j/jabneh.htm - 10k

Jabneel (2 Occurrences)
... jab'-ne-el, jab'-ne (yabhne'el, "God is builder"; Septuagint Lebna, Swete reads
Lemna; the Apocrypha has Iamnia, Iamneia): (1) A town on the northern border of ...
/j/jabneel.htm - 11k

Weeks (17 Occurrences)
... Thus, whereas the English Revised Version reads in 9:25, "Unto the anointed one;
the prince, shall be seven weeks: and threescore and two weeks, it shall be ...
/w/weeks.htm - 16k

Foundation (82 Occurrences)
... In Jeremiah 50:15, the Revised Version (British and American) reads "bulwarks" for
"foundations"; conversely in Psalm 89:14; Psalm 97:2, for the King James ...
/f/foundation.htm - 36k

Ezel (3 Occurrences)
... The margin of the Authorized Version reads, "The stone that sheweth the way," in
this rendering following the Targum. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. EZEL. ...
/e/ezel.htm - 8k

Bethabara (1 Occurrence)
... The Revised Version reads "Bethany beyond Jordan." It was the great ford, and still
bears the name of "the ford," Makhadhet `Abarah, "the ford of crossing over ...
/b/bethabara.htm - 10k

Shalem (1 Occurrence)
... The Revised Version translates this word, and reads, "Jacob came in peace to the
city of Shechem," thus not regarding it as a proper name at all. Int. ...
/s/shalem.htm - 8k

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