The term "when" is a temporal conjunction frequently used in the Bible to denote the timing of events, actions, or conditions. It serves as a critical linguistic tool to connect narratives, prophecies, and teachings, providing context and sequence to the unfolding of God's divine plan. The use of "when" in Scripture often signifies moments of divine intervention, fulfillment of prophecy, or the conditions under which certain events will occur.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, "when" is often used to introduce significant events or divine actions. For example, in Genesis 6:1, "When men began to multiply on the face of the earth and daughters were born to them," it sets the stage for the narrative of Noah and the flood. This usage underscores the timing of human actions that lead to divine response.

In the context of the Law, "when" is used to specify conditions and instructions. For instance, in Deuteronomy 6:10-12, it is written, "When the LORD your God brings you into the land He swore to your fathers... be careful that you do not forget the LORD." Here, "when" introduces a future condition that requires a response of obedience and remembrance from the Israelites.

Prophetic Literature

The prophetic books frequently employ "when" to indicate the timing of future events, often related to God's judgment or salvation. In Isaiah 2:2, it is stated, "In the last days, the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains." The phrase "in the last days" is a temporal marker that aligns with the use of "when" to denote eschatological events.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, "when" continues to play a crucial role in the narrative and theological discourse. In the Gospels, it often introduces key moments in Jesus' ministry. For example, in Matthew 4:2, "When He had fasted forty days and forty nights, He was hungry," it marks the transition to the temptation of Jesus, highlighting His human experience and divine mission.

The Apostle Paul uses "when" to discuss theological truths and future hope. In 1 Corinthians 15:54, he writes, "When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come to pass: 'Death has been swallowed up in victory.'" Here, "when" introduces the transformative moment of resurrection and victory over death.

Eschatological Context

The Book of Revelation frequently uses "when" to describe the unfolding of end-time events. In Revelation 6:1, "Then I watched as the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, 'Come!'" The use of "when" in this context is pivotal in understanding the sequence and timing of apocalyptic events.

Theological Implications

The use of "when" in Scripture often carries theological significance, emphasizing God's sovereignty over time and history. It underscores the certainty of God's promises and the fulfillment of His divine will. The temporal nature of "when" reminds believers of the importance of readiness and faithfulness in anticipation of God's actions, whether in personal life or cosmic events.

In summary, "when" serves as a vital connector in the biblical narrative, linking divine actions with human history and future hope. Its usage across both Testaments highlights the unfolding of God's redemptive plan and the assurance of His promises.1. (adv.) At what time; -- used interrogatively.

2. (adv.) At what time; at, during, or after the time that; at or just after, the moment that; -- used relatively.

3. (adv.) While; whereas; although; -- used in the manner of a conjunction to introduce a dependent adverbial sentence or clause, having a causal, conditional, or adversative relation to the principal proposition; as, he chose to turn highwayman when he might have continued an honest man; he removed the tree when it was the best in the grounds.

4. (adv.) Which time; then; -- used elliptically as a noun.

3753. hote -- when
... hote. 3754 . when. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: hote Phonetic Spelling:
(hot'-eh) Short Definition: when Definition: when, at which time. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3753.htm - 6k

1875. epan -- after, when
... after, when. Part of Speech: Conjunction Transliteration: epan Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-an') Short Definition: after, when Definition: after, when, as soon as. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1875.htm - 6k

4219. pote -- when?
... 4218, 4219. pote. 4220 . when? ... Word Origin interrog. adverb from the same as
pote Definition when? NASB Word Usage long* (7), when (14). when. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4219.htm - 6k

3698. hopote -- when.
... 3697, 3698. hopote. 3699 . when. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: hopote
Phonetic Spelling: (hop-ot'-eh) Short Definition: when Definition: when. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3698.htm - 6k

1894. epeide -- when now, seeing that
... when now, seeing that. Part of Speech: Conjunction Transliteration: epeide Phonetic
Spelling: (ep-i-day') Short Definition: when, since Definition: of time: when ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1894.htm - 7k

5613. hos -- as, like as, even as, when, since, as long as
... as, like as, even as, when, since, as long as. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration:
hos Phonetic Spelling: (hoce) Short Definition: as, like as, how, while ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5613.htm - 6k

1893. epei -- when, because
... when, because. Part of Speech: Conjunction Transliteration: epei Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-i') Short Definition: after, for, since, otherwise Definition: of time ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1893.htm - 7k

1473. ego -- I (only expressed when emphatic)
... I (only expressed when emphatic). Part of Speech: Personal Pronoun Transliteration:
ego Phonetic Spelling: (eg-o') Short Definition: I Definition: I, the first ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1473.htm - 6k

3752. hotan -- whenever
... whenever. Part of Speech: Conjunction Transliteration: hotan Phonetic Spelling:
(hot'-an) Short Definition: when, whensoever Definition: when, whenever. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3752.htm - 7k

2259. henika -- at which time
... at which time. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: henika Phonetic Spelling:
(hay-nee'-kah) Short Definition: when, whenever Definition: when, whenever, at ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2259.htm - 6k

4970. mathay -- when?
... 4969, 4970. mathay. 4971 . when? ... Word Origin a prim. interrogative adverb
Definition when? NASB Word Usage how (30), long* (27), when (13). long, when. ...
/hebrew/4970.htm - 6k

3588. ki -- that, for, when
... 3587, 3588. ki. 3589 . that, for, when. Transliteration: ki Phonetic Spelling:
(kee) Short Definition: because. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/3588.htm - 7k

3512c. kaasher -- according as, as, when
... 3512b, 3512c. kaasher. 3513 . according as, as, when. Transliteration:
kaasher Short Definition: just. Word Origin from a preposition ...
/hebrew/3512c.htm - 5k

3644. kemo -- like, as, when
kemo or kamo. 3643, 3644. kemo or kamo. 3645 . like, as, when. Transliteration:
kemo or kamo Phonetic Spelling: (kem-o') Short Definition: like. ...
/hebrew/3644.htm - 6k

834. asher -- who, which, that
... 2), than* (1), therefore (1), these (2), this (1), though* (1), unless* (1), until*
(35), what (166), what* (8), whatever (16), whatever* (40), when (44), when ...
/hebrew/834.htm - 7k

5704. ad -- as far as, even to, up to, until, while
... 1), since* (1), so long (1), still* (1), there (1), threatened* (1), till (3), time
(1), toward (1), unfathomable* (1), until (365), until the when (1), until ...
/hebrew/5704.htm - 7k

518. im -- if
... 6), surely there shall be neither (1), surely* (35), than* (2), though (35), though*
(2), truly (1), truly* (2), unless* (16), until* (7), when (17), whether ...
/hebrew/518.htm - 6k

3117. yom -- day
... lived* (1), so long* (1), some time (1), survived* (2), time (45), time* (1), times*
(2), today (172), today* (1), usual (1), very old* (1), when (10), when ...
/hebrew/3117.htm - 7k

6256. eth -- time
... 1), continually* (1), interval* (1), mealtime* (1), now (3), period (1), season
(10), some (1), time (226), timely (1), times (27), when (8), whenever (1 ...
/hebrew/6256.htm - 6k

7945. shel -- who, which, that
... particle Definition who, which, that NASB Word Usage account (2), inasmuch (1),
though* (1), very (1), whatever* (1), when (2), when* (1), where (1), which (28 ...
/hebrew/7945.htm - 6k

But when I was in the Twenty-Sixth Year of My Age...
... Section 3. But when I was in the twenty-sixth year of my age? 3. But when
I was in the twenty-sixth year of my age, it happened ...
/.../josephus/the life of flavius josephus/section 3 but when i.htm

As when I was Writing About Things, I Introduced the Subject with ...
... Book 2 Chapter 1. As when I was writing about things, I introduced the
subject with a warning? 1. As when I was writing about ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 1 as when i.htm

Why, when all Will to be Blessed, that is Rather Chosen by which ...
... Book XIII. Chapter 6."Why, When All Will to Be Blessed, that is Rather Chosen
by Which One Withdraws from Being So. 9. Since, then ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 6 why when all will.htm

When the Oil Flows
... THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS WHEN THE OIL FLOWS. 'And it came to pass, when the vessels
were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/when the oil flows.htm

Whether the Will is Good when it Abides by Erring Reason?
... OF THE GOODNESS AND MALICE OF THE INTERIOR ACT OF THE WILL (TEN ARTICLES)
Whether the will is good when it abides by erring reason? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the will is good.htm

Whether the Will is Evil when it is at Variance with Erring Reason ...
... OF THE GOODNESS AND MALICE OF THE INTERIOR ACT OF THE WILL (TEN ARTICLES) Whether
the will is evil when it is at variance with erring reason? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the will is evil.htm

When on the Cruel Cross
... When on the cruel Cross. tr., John Brownlie 6,6,8,6. Kurie, anabainontos sou en
to stauro. ... d^1). I. When on the cruel Cross. The Lord was lifted high,. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the greek church/when on the cruel cross.htm

From the Work on the Passover. When Servilius Paulus was Proconsul ...
... When Servilius Paulus was proconsul of Asia, at the time that Sagaris suffered
martyrdom, there arose a great controversy at Laodicea concerning the time of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/i from the work on.htm

On the Trinity. Book i. When I was Seeking an Employment Adequate ...
... On the Trinity. Book I. When I was seeking an employment adequate to the
powers of human life and righteous? 1. When I was seeking ...
/.../hilary/the life and writings of st hilary of poitiers/on the trinity book i.htm

When Therefore the Faithful Mother of a Faithful Son Departed ...
... 7. When therefore the faithful mother of a faithful son departed desired
to have his? 7. When therefore the faithful mother of ...
/.../augustine/on care to be had for the dead /7 when therefore the faithful.htm

When (27848 Occurrences)
... adverbial sentence or clause, having a causal, conditional, or adversative relation
to the principal proposition; as, he chose to turn highwayman when he might ...
/w/when.htm - 7k

Sittest (15 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). Exodus 18:14 And when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to
the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? ...
/s/sittest.htm - 10k

Quietly (30 Occurrences)
... Mark 5:15 and when they came to Jesus, they beheld the demoniac quietly seated,
clothed and of sane mind--the man who had had the legion; and they were awe ...
/q/quietly.htm - 16k

Sailed (28 Occurrences)
... Acts 21:1 And when, having got away from them, we at last sailed away, we came by
a direct course to Cos, and on the morrow to Rhodes, and thence to Patara. ...
/s/sailed.htm - 14k

Shook (33 Occurrences)
... Acts 4:31 When they had prayed, the place in which they were assembled shook, and
they were, one and all, filled with the Holy Spirit, and proceeded to tell ...
/s/shook.htm - 16k

Kneeled (12 Occurrences)
... Mark 10:17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and
kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit ...
/k/kneeled.htm - 10k

Homeless (6 Occurrences)
... Matthew 25:35 For when I was hungry, you gave me food; when I was thirsty, you gave
me drink; when I was homeless, you gave me a welcome; (WEY). ...
/h/homeless.htm - 8k

Killing (41 Occurrences)
... Acts 22:20 and when they were shedding the blood of Stephen, Thy witness, I was
standing by, fully approving of it, and I held the clothes of those who were ...
/k/killing.htm - 19k

Knelt (20 Occurrences)
... RSV NIV). Matthew 17:14 And when they came unto the multitude, there came
to him a man, kneeling down to him, (See NIV). Matthew 20 ...
/k/knelt.htm - 12k

Zobah (15 Occurrences)
...When David sought to extend his boundary to the Euphrates, he came into contact
with its king Hadadezer, and a great battle was fought in which David took many ...
/z/zobah.htm - 15k

What should I do when God says no? | GotQuestions.org

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When: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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