The concept of uncertainty is a recurring theme in the Bible, reflecting the human experience of doubt, unpredictability, and the unknown. While the term "uncertain" itself may not frequently appear in the biblical text, the idea is woven throughout Scripture, often highlighting the contrast between human limitations and divine sovereignty.

Biblical Instances and Themes

1. Human Limitations and Uncertainty: The Bible acknowledges the inherent uncertainty in human life. James 4:14 states, "You do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." This passage underscores the transient nature of human existence and the unpredictability of future events.

2. Trust in God Amidst Uncertainty: Despite the uncertainties of life, Scripture consistently calls believers to place their trust in God. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." This passage encourages reliance on divine wisdom rather than human understanding.

3. Faith as a Response to Uncertainty: Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see." Faith is presented as the antidote to uncertainty, providing believers with confidence in God's promises despite not having visible evidence.

4. Divine Sovereignty Over Uncertainty: The Bible affirms God's control over all circumstances, including those that seem uncertain to humans. Romans 8:28 assures believers that "in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose." This verse highlights the belief that God orchestrates events for the ultimate good of His people, even when the path is unclear.

5. Uncertainty in Decision-Making: The early church faced uncertainty in decision-making, as seen in Acts 1:24-26 , where the apostles prayed for guidance in choosing a replacement for Judas Iscariot. They sought divine direction, demonstrating the importance of seeking God's will in times of uncertainty.

6. Eschatological Uncertainty: The Bible speaks of the uncertainty surrounding the timing of future events, particularly the return of Christ. Matthew 24:36 states, "But about that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." This passage emphasizes the unpredictability of eschatological events and the need for vigilance and preparedness.

Practical Implications for Believers

Believers are encouraged to navigate uncertainty with a steadfast trust in God's character and promises. Philippians 4:6-7 advises, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." This instruction highlights the importance of prayer and thanksgiving as means to experience divine peace amidst life's uncertainties.

In summary, while uncertainty is an inevitable part of the human experience, the Bible provides guidance and assurance for believers, encouraging them to trust in God's sovereignty, seek His wisdom, and live by faith.1. (a.) Not certain; not having certain knowledge; not assured in mind; distrustful.

2. (a.) Irresolute; inconsonant; variable; untrustworthy; as, an uncertain person; an uncertain breeze.

3. (a.) Questionable; equivocal; indefinite; problematical.

4. (a.) Not sure; liable to fall or err; fallible.

5. (v.) To make uncertain.

UNCERTAIN; UNCERTAINTY

un-sur'-tin,un-sur'-tin-ti: Adjective adelos, 2 Maccabees 7:34; 1 Corinthians 14:8; adverb adelos, 1 Corinthians 9:26; noun adelotes, 1 Timothy 6:17; adelos means "not clear," and so "uncertain." Also the King James Version The Wisdom of Solomon 9:14 for episphales, "unsteady," the Revised Version (British and American) "prone to fall."

BLESSING, VALLEY OF

See BERACAH.

DECISION, VALLEY OF

See JEHOSHAPHAT, VALLEY OF.

GIANTS, VALLEY OF THE

See REPHAIM, VALLEY OF.

VALLEY

val'-i.

See VALE; VALLEY.

VALLEY OF DECISION

('emeq he-charuts).

See JEHOSHAPHAT, VALLEY OF.

VALLEY OF GIANTS

See REPHAIM, VALE OF.

VALLEY OF KEZIZ

See EMEK-KEZIZ.

VALLEY, JORDAN

See JORDAN VALLEY.

82. adelos -- unseen, not manifest
... from 1 "not" and 1212 , "self-evident") -- properly, unclear, indistinct, not
immediately obvious (evident); (figuratively) indefinite, uncertain; not evident ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/82.htm - 7k

83. adelotes -- uncertainty
... See 82 (). Word Origin from adelos Definition uncertainty NASB Word Usage uncertainty
(1). uncertain. From adelos; uncertainty -- X uncertain. see GREEK adelos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/83.htm - 6k

5061. Tertullos -- Tertullus, probably a Roman
... Word Origin of uncertain origin Definition Tertullus, probably a Rom. NASB Word
Usage Tertullus (2). ... Of uncertain derivation; Tertullus, a Roman -- Tertullus. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5061.htm - 6k

1859. heorte -- a feast, a festival
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a feast, a festival NASB
Word Usage feast (23), festival (3). feast, holy day. Of ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1859.htm - 6k

129. haima -- blood
... Word Origin of uncertain origin Definition blood NASB Word Usage blood
(94), hemorrhage* (3). blood. Of uncertain derivation; blood ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/129.htm - 6k

2203. Zeus -- Zeus, the greatest of the pagan Gk. gods
... Word Origin of uncertain origin Definition Zeus, the greatest of the pagan
Gk. gods NASB Word Usage Zeus (2). Jupiter. Of uncertain ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2203.htm - 6k

5165. trublion -- a bowl, dish
... Word Origin of uncertain origin Definition a bowl, dish NASB Word Usage bowl (2).
dish. Neuter of a presumed derivative of uncertain affinity; a bowl -- dish. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5165.htm - 6k

1204. deuro -- until now, come here!
... Word Origin of uncertain origin Definition until now, come here! NASB Word
Usage come (6), come here (2). come hither. Of uncertain ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1204.htm - 6k

5508. Chios -- Chios, an island in the Aegean Sea
... Word Origin of uncertain origin Definition Chios, an island in the Aegean Sea
NASB Word Usage Chios (1). Chios. Of uncertain derivation ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5508.htm - 6k

2316. theos -- God, a god
... Word Origin of uncertain origin Definition God, a god NASB Word Usage divinely
(1), God (1267), god (6), God's (27), God-fearing (1), godly (2), godly* (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2316.htm - 7k

1990. Ham -- a place in Palestine
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a place in Pal. NASB Word Usage Ham
(1). Ham. Of uncertain derivation; Ham, a region of Palestine -- Ham. ...
/hebrew/1990.htm - 5k

1944. Hoham -- an Amorite king of Hebron
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition an Amorite king of Hebron
NASB Word Usage Hoham (1). Hoham. Of uncertain derivation ...
/hebrew/1944.htm - 5k

2602. chanamel -- perhaps frost
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition perhaps frost NASB Word Usage frost
(1). ... Of uncertain derivation; perhaps the aphis or plantlouse -- frost. ...
/hebrew/2602.htm - 5k

5516. Sisera -- a general of the king of Hazor, also the father of ...
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a general of the king of Hazor, also
the father of some returning exiles NASB Word Usage Sisera (21). Sisera. ...
/hebrew/5516.htm - 6k

2261. chabatstseleth -- meadow saffron or crocus
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition meadow saffron or crocus
NASB Word Usage crocus (1), rose (1). rose. Of uncertain ...
/hebrew/2261.htm - 6k

1885. Dathan -- a Reubenite
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a Reubenite NASB Word Usage Dathan
(10). Dathan. Of uncertain derivation; Dathan, an Israelite -- Dathan. ...
/hebrew/1885.htm - 5k

6394. Pildash -- a relative of Abraham
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a relative of Abraham NASB
Word Usage Pildash (1). Pildash. Of uncertain derivation ...
/hebrew/6394.htm - 5k

8511. tala -- to hang
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition to hang NASB Word Usage bent
(1), hang (1). be bent, hang in doubt. A primitive root ...
/hebrew/8511.htm - 6k

5141. nezem -- a ring (worn as an ornament)
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a ring (worn as an ornament) NASB
Word Usage earring (3), earrings (4), ring (6), rings (4). earring, jewel. ...
/hebrew/5141.htm - 6k

6535. Parnak -- a man of Zebulun
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition a man of Zebulun NASB Word Usage
Parnach (1). Parnach. Of uncertain derivation; Parnak, an Israelite -- Parnach. ...
/hebrew/6535.htm - 5k

Certain and Uncertain. June 10.
... Certain and Uncertain. June 10. "Life is uncertain," folks say. Life is
certain, say I, because God is educating us thereby. But ...
/.../kingsley/daily thoughts /certain and uncertain june 10.htm

Uncertain Conjectures of the Philosophers.
... Theophilus to Autolycus: Book III. Chapter XVI."Uncertain Conjectures of
the Philosophers. But I wish now to give you a more accurate ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter xvi uncertain conjectures of the.htm

Sundry Quotations from Hermogenes Now Uncertain and Vague are his ...
... Chapter XLI."Sundry Quotations from Hermogenes Now Uncertain and Vague are His
Speculations Respecting Motion in Matter, and the Material Qualities of Good ...
/.../tertullian/against hermogenes/chapter xli sundry quotations from hermogenes.htm

Marcion's Gnostic Pretensions Vain, for the True God is Neither ...
... Chapter IX."Marcion's Gnostic Pretensions Vain, for the True God is Neither Unknown
Nor Uncertain The Creator, Whom He Owns to Be God, Alone Supplies an ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter ix marcions gnostic pretensions vain.htm

Argument: C??cilius Begins his Argument First of all by Reminding ...
... Chapter V."Argument: C??cilius Begins His Argument First of All by Reminding Them
that in Human Affairs All Things are Doubtful and Uncertain, and that ...
/.../the octavius of minucius felix/chapter v argument caecilius begins his.htm

The Doctrine of Manich??us not Only Uncertain, but False. His ...
... Against the Epistle of Manich??us Called Fundamental. Chapter 15. "The
Doctrine of Manich??us Not Only Uncertain, But False. His ...
/.../chapter 15 name doctrine of.htm

What He Means by Our Birth to an "Uncertain" Life.
... Book II. On Original Sin. Chapter 23 [XXI.]"What He Means by Our Birth to
an "Uncertain" Life. Certain brethren, however, afterwards ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 23 xxi what he means.htm

The Properties of Sanctifying Grace
... being lost. The Catholic Church, on the contrary, teaches that justification
is (1) uncertain, (2) unequal, and (3) amissible. We ...
/.../pohle/grace actual and habitual/section 3 the properties of.htm

Reply to the Arguments of the Adversaries.
... sins and reconciliation. If the remission of sins depends upon the condition
of our works, it is altogether uncertain. [For we can ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 7 reply to the.htm

Chapter xix.
... we do, we should do it with a heart that is single and directed toward God alone;
and inasmuch as, with respect to many things, it is uncertain with what ...
/.../augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xix 2.htm

Uncertain (13 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Irresolute; inconsonant; variable; untrustworthy; as, an uncertain
person; an uncertain breeze. ... 5. (v.) To make uncertain. Int. ...
/u/uncertain.htm - 12k

Uncertainty (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The quality or state of being uncertain. 2. (n.)
That which is uncertain; something unknown. Int. ...UNCERTAIN; UNCERTAINTY. ...
/u/uncertainty.htm - 8k

Uncertainly (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) In an uncertain manner. Multi-Version
Concordance Uncertainly (1 Occurrence). 1 Corinthians 9:26 ...
/u/uncertainly.htm - 6k

Lizard (3 Occurrences)
... of animals only in this passage, and as the philological evidence available is in
most cases not very convincing, their determination is difficult and uncertain...
/l/lizard.htm - 16k

Ferret (1 Occurrence)
... the creeping things that creep upon the earth." the Revised Version (British and
American) has "gecko" with the marginal note, "Words of uncertain meaning, but ...
/f/ferret.htm - 11k

Fir (22 Occurrences)
... The precise kind of tree meant by the "green fir tree" (Hosea 14:8) is uncertain. ...
2. The Identity of "Berosh": The identity of berosh is uncertain. ...
/f/fir.htm - 19k

Rendering (10 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 28:7 And further, these are uncertain through wine, and have gone out of
the right way through strong drink: the priest and the prophet are uncertain...
/r/rendering.htm - 10k

Befuddled (1 Occurrence)
... Isaiah 28:7 And further, these are uncertain through wine, and have gone out of
the right way through strong drink: the priest and the prophet are uncertain...
/b/befuddled.htm - 6k

Shalman (1 Occurrence)
... shal'-man (shalman): A name of uncertain meaning, found only once in the Old Testament
(Hosea 10:14), in connection with a place-name, equally obscure, "as ...
/s/shalman.htm - 9k

Slippery (4 Occurrences)
... 4. (a.) Liable to slip; not standing firm. 5. (a.) Unstable; changeable; mutable;
uncertain; inconstant; fickle. 6. (a.) Uncertain in effect. ...
/s/slippery.htm - 8k

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