The term "understandeth" is an archaic form of the verb "understand," which appears in various passages throughout the Bible. It signifies the act of comprehending, perceiving, or grasping the meaning, significance, or nature of something. In the context of Scripture, understanding is often associated with wisdom, discernment, and the ability to apply knowledge in a way that aligns with God's will.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Divine Source of Understanding: Understanding is frequently depicted as a gift from God, bestowed upon those who seek Him earnestly. In Proverbs 2:6 , it is written, "For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding." This verse underscores the belief that true understanding is not merely an intellectual achievement but a divine endowment.

2. Moral and Spiritual Insight: Understanding in the Bible often transcends mere intellectual comprehension and includes moral and spiritual insight. In Psalm 111:10 , it states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts gain rich understanding." Here, understanding is linked to a reverent relationship with God and adherence to His commandments.

3. Lack of Understanding: The Scriptures also address the consequences of lacking understanding. In Romans 3:11 , Paul writes, "There is no one who understands, no one who seeks God." This highlights the natural human condition apart from divine intervention, where individuals are unable to comprehend spiritual truths on their own.

4. Understanding and the Heart: The Bible often connects understanding with the heart, suggesting that it involves more than cognitive processes. In Proverbs 3:5 , believers are encouraged to "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding." This implies that true understanding involves a trustful reliance on God rather than solely on human reasoning.

5. Role in Salvation: Understanding is crucial in the context of salvation and the acceptance of the Gospel. In Matthew 13:23 , Jesus explains the parable of the sower, saying, "But the seed sown on good soil is the one who hears the word and understands it." This indicates that understanding the Word of God is essential for it to bear fruit in a believer's life.

6. Prayer for Understanding: The Bible encourages believers to pray for understanding. In Ephesians 1:17-18 , Paul prays for the Ephesian church, "that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him. I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened." This prayer reflects the desire for believers to grow in their understanding of God's nature and purposes.

Theological Implications

Understanding, as presented in the Bible, is deeply intertwined with one's relationship with God. It is not merely an intellectual exercise but involves the whole person—mind, heart, and spirit. The pursuit of understanding is a lifelong journey that requires humility, prayer, and a willingness to be taught by the Holy Spirit. It is through understanding that believers can discern God's will, grow in wisdom, and live lives that reflect His glory.

Private Property and the Common Good
... When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh
the evil one, and snatcheth away that which hath been sown in his heart. ...
/.../the social principles of jesus/chapter viii private property and.htm

1 Cor. xiv. 1
... Ver.2. "For he that speaketh in a tongue, speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for
no man understandeth; but in the Spirit he speaketh mysteries.". ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxxv 1 cor xiv.htm

Of the Knowledge of Truth
... One Word are all things, and all things speak of Him; and this is the Beginning
which also speaketh unto us.(2) No man without Him understandeth or rightly ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter iii of the knowledge.htm

John Chapter xvi. 29-33.
... This is a word to him that understandeth, a proverb to him that understandeth not:
and yet in such way that what at present is unintelligible to babes, is in ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate ciii john chapter xvi.htm

Psalm C.
... It is the sentiment thus expressed in another Psalm: "Blessed is the people that
understandeth jubilance." Surely that which being understood maketh blessed is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm c.htm

Psalm CXII.
... work of this building together, and to the hope of a firm and holy edifice, like
a living stone from the miserable ruin of this world, understandeth the title ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxii.htm

Mem.
... For "they have indeed a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge," etc. [5268]
But the Psalmist, who understandeth the commandment of God above these his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/mem.htm

The Sower.
... When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh
the evil one, and snatcheth away that which hath been sown in his heart. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the sower.htm

Jews.
... "10. I believe, with a perfect faith, that God, whose name be blessed, understandeth
all the works and thoughts of men, as it is written in the prophets. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/jews.htm

O Lord My God, what a Depth is that Recess of Thy Mysteries...
... of Thy action. Whoso understandeth, let him confess unto Thee; and whoso
understandeth not, let him confess unto Thee. Oh how high ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter xxxi o lord my.htm

Understandeth (24 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Understandeth (24 Occurrences). ... (KJV ASV WBS). Romans
3:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. ...
/u/understandeth.htm - 13k

Received (312 Occurrences)
... Matthew 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it
not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his ...
/r/received.htm - 35k

Seed (337 Occurrences)
... Matthew 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it
not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his ...
/s/seed.htm - 41k

Seeketh (60 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). Romans 3:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none
that seeketh after God. (KJV ASV WBS). Romans 11:7 What then? ...
/s/seeketh.htm - 24k

Understandest (10 Occurrences)

/u/understandest.htm - 9k

Heareth (137 Occurrences)
... Matthew 13:19 When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it
not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his ...
/h/heareth.htm - 37k

Understand (208 Occurrences)
... when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the
unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what ...
/u/understand.htm - 36k

Vent (8 Occurrences)
... been pained, and hath turned back, and hath been insolent toward the holy covenant,
and hath wrought, and turned back, and he understandeth concerning those ...
/v/vent.htm - 9k

Unknown (15 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 14:2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men,
but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he ...
/u/unknown.htm - 13k

Occupieth (2 Occurrences)
... when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the
unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what ...
/o/occupieth.htm - 7k

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