In biblical terms, "utterance" refers to the act of speaking or expressing something aloud, often with a connotation of divine inspiration or prophetic declaration. The concept of utterance is significant in both the Old and New Testaments, where it is associated with the communication of God's will, wisdom, and revelation to humanity.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, utterance is frequently linked to the words of the prophets, who served as God's mouthpieces. The Hebrew word often translated as "utterance" is "נְאֻם" (ne'um), which denotes a declaration or oracle, typically of divine origin. For example, in Numbers 24:3-4, Balaam speaks of his prophetic vision as an "utterance": "The oracle of Balaam son of Beor, the oracle of a man whose eyes are open, the oracle of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who bows down with eyes wide open."

The Psalms also reflect the importance of utterance in conveying God's truth and wisdom. Psalm 19:2 states, "Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge." Here, the heavens are described as continually declaring God's glory, emphasizing the perpetual nature of divine utterance.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, utterance takes on a broader scope, encompassing not only prophetic speech but also the proclamation of the Gospel and the teaching of the apostles. The Greek word "λόγος" (logos) is often used to describe utterance, highlighting the importance of the spoken word in the early Christian community.

The Apostle Paul frequently speaks of utterance in the context of spiritual gifts. In 1 Corinthians 1:5 , he writes, "For in Him you have been enriched in every way, in all speech and all knowledge." Here, utterance is seen as a gift from God, enabling believers to articulate the mysteries of the faith.

Furthermore, in Ephesians 6:19 , Paul requests prayer for boldness in his utterance: "Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given to me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel." This highlights the reliance on divine assistance for effective communication of the Gospel message.

Prophetic and Inspired Utterance

Throughout Scripture, utterance is often associated with prophecy and divine inspiration. The prophets of the Old Testament, such as Isaiah and Jeremiah, delivered messages that were considered direct utterances from God. In the New Testament, the gift of prophecy is mentioned as a spiritual gift that involves inspired utterance (1 Corinthians 14:1-5).

The Day of Pentecost, as described in Acts 2, is a pivotal moment for understanding utterance in the New Testament. The Holy Spirit enabled the apostles to speak in various tongues, allowing them to proclaim God's works to people of different languages. Acts 2:4 states, "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."

The Role of Utterance in Worship and Teaching

Utterance plays a crucial role in Christian worship and teaching. The reading and exposition of Scripture, preaching, and the singing of hymns and spiritual songs are all forms of utterance that edify the church and glorify God. Colossians 3:16 encourages believers to "Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God."

In summary, utterance in the Bible is a multifaceted concept that encompasses divine revelation, prophetic speech, and the proclamation of the Gospel. It is a means by which God communicates His will and truth to humanity, empowering believers to speak with wisdom and authority.1. (n.) The act of uttering.

2. (n.) Sale by offering to the public.

3. (n.) Putting in circulation; as, the utterance of false coin, or of forged notes.

4. (n.) Vocal expression; articulation; speech.

5. (n.) Power or style of speaking; as, a good utterance.

6. (n.) The last extremity; the end; death; outrance.

3056. logos -- a word (as embodying an idea), a statement, a ...
... Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: logos Phonetic Spelling:
(log'-os) Short Definition: a word, speech, divine utterance, analogy Definition: ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3056.htm - 8k

669. apophtheggomai -- to speak forth
... Word Origin from apo and phtheggomai Definition to speak forth NASB Word Usage
declared (1), utter (1), utterance (1). say, speak forth, utter. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/669.htm - 6k

4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... God" (). 7" But just as you abound in everything, in (4102). and utterance
and knowledge and in all earnestness and in the love. we ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4102.htm - 18k

5353. phthoggos -- a sound
... sound. From phtheggomai; utterance, ie A musical note (vocal or instrumental) --
sound. see GREEK phtheggomai. (phthongois) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5353.htm - 6k

3955. parresiazomai -- to speak freely or boldly
... speak boldly. Middle voice from parrhesia; to be frank in utterance, or confident
in spirit and demeanor -- be (wax) bold, (preach, speak) boldly. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3955.htm - 7k

5456. phone -- a voice, sound
... sound NASB Word Usage blasts (1), cry (1), language (1), languages (1), outcry
(1), sound (15), sounds (4), statement (1), tone (1), utterance (3), utterances ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5456.htm - 7k

4394. propheteia -- prophecy
... Word Origin from propheteuo Definition prophecy NASB Word Usage prophecies (1),
prophecy (15), prophesying (1), prophetic utterance (1), prophetic utterances (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4394.htm - 7k

4750. stoma -- the mouth
... word Definition the mouth NASB Word Usage edge (2), face (4), lips (1), mouth (60),
mouths (5), say* (1), testimony (1), utterance (1), voice (1), words (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4750.htm - 6k

4244. presbuterion -- a body of elders
... 1 Tim 4:14: Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on
you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4244.htm - 7k

4487. rhema -- a word, by impl. a matter
... From rheo; an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication,
a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4487.htm - 8k

4008. mibta -- rash utterance
... 4007, 4008. mibta. 4009 . rash utterance. Transliteration: mibta Phonetic Spelling:
(mib-taw') Short Definition: statement. ... a rash utterance. ...
/hebrew/4008.htm - 6k

4669. miphtach -- an opening, utterance
... 4668, 4669. miphtach. 4670 . an opening, utterance. Transliteration: miphtach
Phonetic Spelling: (mif-tawkh') Short Definition: opening. ...
/hebrew/4669.htm - 6k

4864. maseth -- an uprising, utterance, burden, portion
... 4863, 4864. maseth. 4865 . an uprising, utterance, burden, portion.
Transliteration: maseth Phonetic Spelling: (mas-ayth') Short Definition: cloud. ...
/hebrew/4864.htm - 6k

565a. imrah -- utterance, speech, word
... 565, 565a. imrah. 565b . utterance, speech, word. Transliteration: imrah
Short Definition: word. Word Origin from amar Definition ...
/hebrew/565a.htm - 5k

4405. millah -- a word, speech, utterance
... 4404, 4405. millah or milleh. 4406 . a word, speech, utterance. Transliteration:
millah or milleh Phonetic Spelling: (mil-law') Short Definition: words. ...
/hebrew/4405.htm - 6k

4853b. massa -- utterance, oracle
... 4853a, 4853b. massa. 4854 . utterance, oracle. Transliteration: massa
Short Definition: oracle. Word Origin from nasa Definition ...
/hebrew/4853b.htm - 5k

5002. neum -- utterance
... 5001, 5002. neum. 5003 . utterance. Transliteration: neum Phonetic Spelling:
(neh-oom') Short Definition: declares. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/5002.htm - 6k

565b. emrah -- utterance, speech, word
... utterance, speech, word. Transliteration: emrah Short Definition: word. Word Origin
from amar Definition utterance, speech, word NASB Word Usage word (1). ...
/hebrew/565b.htm - 5k

565. imrah -- utterance, speech, word
... 564, 565. imrah. 565a . utterance, speech, word. Transliteration: imrah Phonetic
Spelling: (im-raw') Short Definition: commandment. commandment, speech, word ...
/hebrew/565.htm - 5k

4161. motsa -- a place or act of going forth, issue, export ...
... 1), imported (1), issuing (1), mine (1), outlet (1), proceeds (2), rising (1), seeds
(1), spring (2), springs (2), starting places (2), utterance (2), what ...
/hebrew/4161.htm - 6k

A Contemplation of the Divine Utterance which Said --"Let us Make ...
... A contemplation of the Divine utterance which said""Let us make man after our image
and likeness"; wherein is examined what is the definition of the image ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/xvi a contemplation of the.htm

Of the Bold Utterance of Trajanus the General.
... Book IV. Chapter XXX."Of the bold utterance of Trajanus the general. After
Valens had crossed the Bosphorus and come into Thrace ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter xxx of the bold utterance.htm

Heracleon's view of this Utterance of John the Baptist, and ...
... Sixth Book. 23. Heracleon's View of This Utterance of John the Baptist, and
Interpretation of the Shoe of Jesus. But Heracleon declares ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/23 heracleons view of this.htm

Book ii. Believers have Always Found their Satisfaction in that ...
... Book II. Believers have always found their satisfaction in that Divine
utterance? 1. Believers have always found their satisfaction ...
/.../book ii believers have always.htm

Apostrophe to Origen, and Therewith the Leave-Taking, and the ...
... Argument XIX."Apostrophe to Origen, and Therewith the Leave-Taking, and
the Urgent Utterance of Prayer. But, O dear soul, arise ...
/.../argument xix apostrophe to origen and.htm

The Confession of the Blessed Peter Receives a Testimony to Its ...
... us see how He whom he confessed approved of his confession; for of far more value
than the Apostle's words is the fact that God Himself commended his utterance ...
/.../cassian/the seven books of john cassian /chapter xiii the confession of.htm

The Various Hypotheses of Marcus and Others. Theories Respecting ...
... of His name took place as follows:"He spoke the first word of it, which was the
beginning [2829] [of all the rest], and that utterance consisted of four ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xiv the various hypotheses of.htm

What is the Divine Gloom?
... He seems to me to have comprehended this supernaturally, that the good Cause of
all is both of much utterance, and at the same time of briefest utterance and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/dionysius/mystic theology/caput i what is the.htm

Christ's Finished and Unfinished Work
... It is finished.' That is to say, there is something in that dying voice a great
deal deeper and more wonderful than the ordinary human utterance with which a ...
/.../christs finished and unfinished work.htm

The Seventh vision "In Heaven"
... b d -1. Hallelujah. (1st Utterance) e 2, 3. Reason. B -3. The smoke and destruction
of the Harlot. C f 4. Prostration of the Elders (2nd Utterance). ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the seventh vision in heaven.htm

Utterance (21 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Putting in circulation; as, the utterance of false coin, or of forged
notes. ... 5. (n.) Power or style of speaking; as, a good utterance. ...
/u/utterance.htm - 12k

Praise (487 Occurrences)
... But utterance is natural to strong emotion, and the mouth instinctively strives
to express the praises of the heart (Psalm 51:15 and passim). ...
/p/praise.htm - 47k

Voice (651 Occurrences)
... of the kind or quality heard in speech or song in the consonants b, v, d, etc.,
and in the vowels; sonant, or intonated, utterance; tone; -- distinguished from ...
/v/voice.htm - 38k

Obligates (4 Occurrences)
... Numbers 30:6 "If she is married to a husband, while her vows are on her, or the
rash utterance of her lips, with which she has bound her soul, (See NIV). ...
/o/obligates.htm - 7k

Lip (20 Occurrences)
... As the lips are the chief instrument of speech, we find numerous idiomatic phrases
for "speaking," such as: "the utterance of the lips" (Numbers 30:6, 8), "to ...
/l/lip.htm - 18k

Whisper (9 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) A low, soft, sibilant voice or utterance, which can be heard only by those
near at hand; voice or utterance that employs only breath sound without tone ...
/w/whisper.htm - 10k

Rash (18 Occurrences)
... Numbers 30:6 "If she is married to a husband, while her vows are on her, or the
rash utterance of her lips, with which she has bound her soul, (WEB ASV NAS NIV ...
/r/rash.htm - 12k

Exclamation (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A loud calling or crying out; outcry; loud or emphatic utterance; vehement
vociferation; clamor; that which is cried out, as an expression of feeling ...
/e/exclamation.htm - 7k

Creeds
... The confession of Nathanael (John 1:49), "Rabbi, thou art the Son of God," and still
more the utterance of Peter (Matthew 16:16), "Thou art the Christ, the Son ...
/c/creeds.htm - 28k

Slander (34 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A false tale or report maliciously uttered, tending to injure the reputation
of another; the malicious utterance of defamatory reports; the ...
/s/slander.htm - 21k

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