Topical Encyclopedia The term "unfamiliar" in the context of the Bible often relates to the unknown or foreign, particularly in relation to people, practices, or spiritual entities that are outside the covenant community of Israel or the teachings of the early Church. The concept of unfamiliarity can be seen in various aspects of biblical narrative and law, where the people of God are cautioned against engaging with unfamiliar customs or deities that could lead them astray from their faith.Unfamiliar Gods and Idolatry One of the primary concerns in the Old Testament is the worship of unfamiliar gods, which is strictly prohibited. The Israelites are repeatedly warned against adopting the religious practices of the surrounding nations. In Deuteronomy 32:16-17 , it is written, "They provoked His jealousy with foreign gods; they enraged Him with abominations. They sacrificed to demons, not to God, to gods they had not known, to newly arrived gods, which your fathers did not fear." This passage highlights the danger of turning to unfamiliar deities, which are equated with demons and abominations. Unfamiliar Practices The Law of Moses includes numerous instructions to avoid unfamiliar practices that could lead to moral and spiritual corruption. Leviticus 18:3 states, "You must not follow the practices of the land of Egypt, where you used to live, or follow the practices of the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. You must not walk in their customs." This command underscores the importance of maintaining a distinct identity and holiness by avoiding the unfamiliar customs of other nations. Unfamiliar Spirits The Bible also addresses the issue of unfamiliar spirits, often associated with divination and witchcraft. In Leviticus 19:31 , the Israelites are instructed, "Do not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out to be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God." Engaging with unfamiliar spirits is seen as a defilement and a direct violation of the covenant relationship with God. Unfamiliar People Interactions with unfamiliar people, particularly those from other nations, are approached with caution in the Scriptures. While the Israelites are called to be a light to the nations, they are also warned about the potential influence of foreign peoples who do not share their faith. In Ezra 9:1-2 , the leaders report, "The people of Israel, including the priests and Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the peoples of the lands with their abominations... Indeed, the hand of the leaders and officials has been foremost in this unfaithfulness." This passage reflects the concern that intermingling with unfamiliar peoples could lead to unfaithfulness to God. New Testament Perspective In the New Testament, the concept of unfamiliarity shifts somewhat as the Gospel is spread to Gentile nations. The early Church grapples with the challenge of integrating Gentile believers who bring unfamiliar cultural backgrounds. Acts 17:22-23 records Paul's address to the Athenians: "Men of Athens, I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and examined your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: To an unknown god. Therefore what you worship as something unknown, I now proclaim to you." Here, Paul uses the Athenians' unfamiliarity with the true God as an opportunity to introduce them to the Gospel. Conclusion The biblical treatment of the unfamiliar serves as a reminder of the importance of discernment and faithfulness in the face of the unknown. Whether dealing with foreign gods, practices, spirits, or peoples, the Scriptures consistently call the faithful to remain true to the covenant with God, while also recognizing the potential for the unfamiliar to be transformed by the power of the Gospel. Greek 5543. chrestos -- serviceable, good ... [" ("useful, kindly") was a common slave-name in the Graeco-Roman world. It "appears as a spelling variant for the unfamiliar (). ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5543.htm - 7k Library We Hear Much of the Human Error which Accepts what is Sham and ... Absurdities of the Heretics as to their Own Origin: their Opinions ... Reading the Law with Tears and Joy The Teacher with Authority Many and One [Transcriber's Notes] Original "Misspellings" Such as "Fulness" ... Orthodoxy i. Introduction in Defence of Everything Else Proving God's Faithfulness (1902-1908) Vain Hopes. Prayer and the House of God Thesaurus Unfamiliar (1 Occurrence)... Multi-Version Concordance Unfamiliar (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 42:16 And I will take the blind by a way of which they had no knowledge ... /u/unfamiliar.htm - 6k Nonimmersionist Non-immersionist Unfanned (1 Occurrence) Ur (5 Occurrences) Unfalteringly (1 Occurrence) Unaccustomed (1 Occurrence) Outlandish (1 Occurrence) Chaldees (13 Occurrences) View (86 Occurrences) Resources What does the Bible say about intimidation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Atbash code, and why is it used in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Does John 3:5 teach that baptism is necessary for salvation? | GotQuestions.org Unfamiliar: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Unfamiliar (1 Occurrence)Isaiah 42:16 Subtopics Related Terms |
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