The concept of "replace" in the Bible often involves themes of restoration, renewal, and substitution. Throughout Scripture, God demonstrates His sovereignty and grace by replacing what is broken or lost with something new or better, aligning with His divine purposes.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of replacement is frequently associated with God's covenantal promises and acts of restoration. For instance, in the book of Job, after Job's intense suffering and loss, God restores and replaces his fortunes: "The LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning" (Job 42:12). This replacement signifies not only material restoration but also spiritual renewal and divine favor.

The theme of replacement is also evident in the prophetic literature, where God promises to replace the hearts of His people. In Ezekiel 36:26, God declares, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh" . This replacement of the heart symbolizes a transformative renewal, enabling the people to live in obedience to God.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of replacement is central to the message of the Gospel. Jesus Christ is presented as the ultimate substitute, replacing the old covenant with the new covenant through His sacrificial death and resurrection. Hebrews 8:13 states, "By speaking of a new covenant, He has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear" . This replacement signifies the fulfillment of the law and the establishment of a new relationship between God and humanity through Christ.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on the theme of replacement in the context of personal transformation. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, he writes, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come" . Here, the replacement of the old self with the new creation in Christ underscores the transformative power of the Gospel.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of replacement in the Bible underscores God's redemptive plan and His ability to bring about renewal and restoration. It highlights the transition from the old to the new, whether it be covenants, hearts, or lives. This theme is a testament to God's faithfulness and His desire to restore His creation to its intended purpose.

Practical Application

For believers, the biblical theme of replacement offers hope and encouragement. It assures them of God's ability to restore what is broken and to bring about new beginnings. This understanding calls Christians to embrace the new life offered in Christ, to live in the reality of the new covenant, and to trust in God's ongoing work of transformation in their lives.1. (v. t.) To place again; to restore to a former place, position, condition, or the like.

2. (v. t.) To refund; to repay; to restore; as, to replace a sum of money borrowed.

3. (v. t.) To supply or substitute an equivalent for; as, to replace a lost document.

4. (v. t.) To take the place of; to supply the want of; to fulfill the end or office of.

5. (v. t.) To put in a new or different place.

478. antikathistemi -- to set down against, ie to replace, oppose
... to set down against, ie to replace, oppose. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
antikathistemi Phonetic Spelling: (an-tee-kath-is'-tay-mee) Short Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/478.htm - 6k

654. apostrepho -- to turn away, turn back
... Phonetic Spelling: (ap-os-tref'-o) Short Definition: I turn away, restore, reject
Definition: I turn away, pervert, remove; I restore, replace; mid: I desert ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/654.htm - 8k

7725. shub -- to turn back, return
... 8), repaid (1), repay (5), repeatedly (2), repeats (1), repel (1), repent (6), repent
and turn away (2), repentant (1), repented (1), replace (1), reply (6 ...
/hebrew/7725.htm - 9k

2498. chalaph -- to pass on or away, pass through
... Usage change (2), changed (5), gain new (2), go (1), move past (1), over (1), passed
(1), passes (1), pierce (1), pierced (1), renewed (1), replace (2), slip (1 ...
/hebrew/2498.htm - 6k

935. bo -- to come in, come, go in, go
... presented (1), presenting (1), press (1), proceed* (1), put (8), putting (1), reach
(1), reached (4), reached the age (1), reenter* (2), replace* (1), reported ...
/hebrew/935.htm - 8k

8478. tachath -- underneath, below, instead of
... beneath (13), beneath* (7), exchange (3), flat (2), foot (8), inasmuch* (1), instead
(34), like (1), place (136), place* (1), places (1), replace* (1), replaces ...
/hebrew/8478.htm - 6k

Christ's Relation to the Twelve. --Significance of the Number
... that among the most important means employed by Christ in founding the kingdom of
God was the training of certain organs; not only to replace his personal ...
/.../section 76 christs relation to.htm

Chapter xxix
... well and would water the sheep. Then they would replace the stone on the
mouth of the well. The unusual thing, marked as unusual ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxix.htm

The Christian Conception of Life Has Already Arisen in Our Society ...
... But the rising Christian ideal, which must at a certain stage of development replace
the heathen ideal of life, already makes its influence felt. ...
/.../the kingdom of god is within you/chapter xi the christian conception.htm

Gambling, Card-Playing
... He had lost all; could not even replace the Sunday-school fund that he had simply
used, no doubt expecting to replace it with usury; but the loss and disgrace ...
/.../questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/iii gambling card-playing.htm

Foreword
... Their life together was one of happy companionship, and when she died in 1907 without
bearing any children, James Denney found nothing to replace his keen ...
//christianbookshelf.org/denney/the death of christ/foreword.htm

The True Vine: Meditations for a Month on John 15:1-16
... So simple, so deep, so strong. That union with Him shall be: His life shall forever
replace thine own,. And His love shall flow through thee. ...
/.../murray/the true vine meditations for a month on john 151-16/title page.htm

False Witnesses
... The first act of Eusebius and Theognis was to drive out the Catholic Bishops who
had been elected to replace them in their sees; the second was to look about ...
//christianbookshelf.org/forbes/saint athanasius/chapter 5 false witnesses.htm

Final Settlement of the Church by St. John
... [Sidenote: but now everywhere to replace the Apostles.] A new era was, however,
now coming upon the Church; her Founders were gradually being withdrawn from her ...
/.../a key to the knowledge of church history/chapter iv final settlement of.htm

Special Efforts
... It was a considerable scheme to clear the whole front, erect a flight of solid concrete
steps and replace the brick wall by an iron railing, but she saw it ...
/.../carpenter/the angel adjutant of twice born men/vi special efforts.htm

Pauline Enters the Carmel
... The shopkeeper came out in a rage to replace them, but the would-be blind pair picked
themselves up and ran off as fast as they could, with eyes wide open. ...
/.../martin/the story of a soul/chapter iii pauline enters the.htm

Replace (11 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To refund; to repay; to restore; as, to replace a sum of money borrowed. ...
Multi-Version Concordance Replace (11 Occurrences). ...
/r/replace.htm - 10k

Likeness (52 Occurrences)
... Modern English would in most cases replace "like" by "the same," as has been done
in 1 Thessalonians 2:14 the Revised Version (British and American) (compare ...
/l/likeness.htm - 29k

Liking (2 Occurrences)
... Modern English would in most cases replace "like" by "the same," as has been done
in 1 Thessalonians 2:14 the Revised Version (British and American) (compare ...
/l/liking.htm - 14k

Liken (12 Occurrences)
... Modern English would in most cases replace "like" by "the same," as has been done
in 1 Thessalonians 2:14 the Revised Version (British and American) (compare ...
/l/liken.htm - 16k

Like (10728 Occurrences)
... Modern English would in most cases replace "like" by "the same," as has been done
in 1 Thessalonians 2:14 the Revised Version (British and American) (compare ...
/l/like.htm - 14k

Great (10383 Occurrences)
... While Philip was engaged in the siege of Byzantium he sent his son to replace Antipater
in the regency; during his occupancy of this post, Alexander, then only ...
/g/great.htm - 35k

Writhed (4 Occurrences)
... She sent clothing to Mordecai, to replace his sackcloth; but he didn't receive
it. (See NAS). Psalms 77:16 The waters saw you, God. ...
/w/writhed.htm - 7k

Reimburse (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (vt) To pay back; to replace in a treasury or purse, as an equivalent for what
has been taken, lost, or expended; to refund; to pay back; to restore; as, to ...
/r/reimburse.htm - 7k

Restore (122 Occurrences)
... recover. 2. (vt) To give or bring back, as that which has been lost., or
taken away; to bring back to the owner; to replace. 3. (vt ...
/r/restore.htm - 39k

Replaced (4 Occurrences)

/r/replaced.htm - 7k

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