Alter
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Definition and Etymology:
The term "alter" is not directly found in the Bible as a standalone word but is often associated with the concept of change or transformation. In a biblical context, it is closely related to the idea of repentance, renewal, and the transformative power of God in the lives of individuals and communities.

Biblical Context and Usage:
The concept of altering or transformation is deeply embedded in the biblical narrative, reflecting God's desire for His people to turn away from sin and embrace a life of holiness. This transformation is often depicted as a spiritual renewal or a change of heart, aligning with God's will.

Old Testament References:
In the Old Testament, the idea of transformation is frequently associated with repentance and returning to God. The prophets often called the Israelites to alter their ways and return to the covenant relationship with Yahweh. For instance, in Ezekiel 18:31 , God calls His people to "Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit."

New Testament References:
The New Testament emphasizes the transformative power of the Gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit in altering the believer's life. Romans 12:2 exhorts believers, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This transformation is a key aspect of the Christian life, signifying a departure from worldly values and an embrace of God's truth.

Theological Significance:
The concept of altering one's life is central to the Christian doctrine of sanctification. It involves a continuous process of becoming more like Christ, as believers are called to put off the old self and put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:22-24).

Practical Implications:
For Christians, the call to alter one's life is a call to daily repentance and renewal. It involves a commitment to spiritual growth, obedience to God's Word, and reliance on the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance. This transformation is not merely an external change but a profound internal renewal that affects every aspect of a believer's life.

Conclusion:
While the word "alter" itself may not appear in the biblical text, the concept it represents is foundational to the Christian faith. It underscores the transformative power of God's grace and the believer's ongoing journey toward spiritual maturity and holiness.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (v. t.) To make change or modify in some respect; as, to alter a garment.

2. (v. t.) To agitate; to affect mentally.

3. (v. t.) To geld.

4. (v. i.) To become, in some respects, different; to vary; to change; as, the weather alters almost daily; rocks or minerals alter by exposure.

Greek
236. allasso -- to change
... to change. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: allasso Phonetic Spelling:
(al-las'-so) Short Definition: I change, alter Definition: I change, alter, exchange ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/236.htm - 6k

3337. metallasso -- to change, exchange
... exchange. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: metallasso Phonetic Spelling:
(met-al-las'-so) Short Definition: I change, transform, alter Definition: I change ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3337.htm - 6k

2369. thumiaterion -- altar of incense, a censer
... an altar of incense, a censer. From a derivative of thumiao; a place of fumigation,
ie The alter of incense (in the Temple) -- censer. see GREEK thumiao. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2369.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew
8133. shena -- to change
... alter, change, be diverse. (Aramaic) corresponding to shana -- alter, change, (be)
diverse. see HEBREW shana. 8132, 8133. shena. 8134 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/8133.htm - 6k

5709. ada -- to pass on or away
... alter, depart, pass away, remove, take away. (Aramaic) or adah (Aramaic) {ad-aw'};
corresponding to adah -- alter, depart, pass (away), remove, take (away). ...
/hebrew/5709.htm - 6k

8132. shana -- to change
... root Definition to change NASB Word Usage alter (1), beam (1), change (2), changed
(4), changing (1), different (1), disguise (1), disguised (1), given to ...
/hebrew/8132.htm - 6k

8138. shanah -- to repeat, do again
... do speak, strike again, alter, double, be given to change, disguise, be
diverse, pervert,. A primitive root; to fold, ie Duplicate ...
/hebrew/8138.htm - 6k

2498. chalaph -- to pass on or away, pass through
... abolish, alter, change, cut off, go on forward, grow up, be over, pass away,.
A primitive root; properly, to slide by, ie (by implication ...
/hebrew/2498.htm - 6k

5674. abar -- to pass over, through, or by, pass on
... bar') Short Definition: alienate. alienate, alter, at all, beyond, bring
over, through, carry over, overcome on, A primitive root ...
/hebrew/5674.htm - 6k

4171. mur -- to change
... exchange, remove. A primitive root; to alter; by implication, to barter, to dispose
of -- X at all, (ex-)change, remove. 4170, 4171. mur. 4172 . ...
/hebrew/4171.htm - 6k

Library

For Time Cannot Alter the Nature or Essence of Things...
... [Way-1-95] For time cannot alter the nature or essence of things? For time
cannot alter the nature or essence of things; it only ...
/.../law/the way to divine knowledge/way-1-95 for time cannot alter.htm

Ash Wednesday. Gather the People . . And Let the Priests, the ...
... and let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the alter,
and let them say, Spare Thy people, O Lord. Gather the people . . ...
/.../winkworth/lyra germanica the christian year/ash wednesday gather the people.htm

Of Novatus and his Followers. The Novatians of Phrygia Alter the ...
... Book IV. Chapter XXVIII."Of Novatus and his Followers. The Novatians of Phrygia
alter the Time of keeping Easter, following Jewish Usage. ...
/.../chapter xxviii of novatus and his.htm

The Debate Therefore, Set up by the Deists, About Reason and Faith ...
... power of life, than it is the power of the senses; but must stand below them both,
and follow them both, in the same degree of inability to alter, increase, or ...
/.../law/the way to divine knowledge/way-2-122 the debate therefore set.htm

The Problem Solved. June L4.
... Letter. But remember that though death may alter our place, it cannot alter our
character"though it may alter our circumstances, it cannot alter ourselves. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/daily thoughts /the problem solved june l4.htm

Reference to Cyprian's Treatise "On the Mortality. "
... after this life is done; where also he adduces that testimony from the book of Wisdom:
"He was taken away, lest wickedness should alter his understanding ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 26 xivreference to cyprians.htm

God's Dealing Does not Depend Upon any Contingent Merits of Men.
... unless we indulge in reckless disputation, the entire question is concluded concerning
him who is taken away lest wickedness should alter his understanding. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 29 gods dealing does not.htm

Pottage Versus Birthright
... false choice. Youth is gone: cannot alter that. Opportunities gone: cannot
alter that. Strength gone: cannot alter that. Habits ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/pottage versus birthright.htm

The Peace of God
... If so, there is no use in tormenting your soul about it; for it is not in your own
power, and you will never alter it to your liking; and more, you need not ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxv the peace of.htm

The Form and Spirit of Religion
... God. His two great ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper are sent
for us from on high. I dare not alter either of them. I ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the form and spirit of.htm

Thesaurus
Alter (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To make change or modify in some respect; as,
to alter a garment. ... Multi-Version Concordance Alter (8 Occurrences). ...
/a/alter.htm - 9k

Change (109 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To alter; to make different; to cause to pass from one state to another;
as, to change the position, character, or appearance of a thing; to change the ...
/c/change.htm - 42k

Injunction (8 Occurrences)
... Daniel 6:8 Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it not
be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which doesn't alter...
/i/injunction.htm - 9k

Repealed (3 Occurrences)
... Daniel 6:8 Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it not
be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which doesn't alter...
/r/repealed.htm - 7k

Color (18 Occurrences)
... 9. (vt) To change or alter the hue or tint of, by dyeing, staining, painting,
etc.; to dye; to tinge; to paint; to stain. 10. (vt ...
/c/color.htm - 39k

Issued (40 Occurrences)
... Ezra 6:11 Also I have made a decree, that whoever shall alter this word, let a beam
be pulled out from his house, and let him be lifted up and fastened thereon ...
/i/issued.htm - 18k

Decree (82 Occurrences)
... Ezra 6:11 Also I have made a decree, that whoever shall alter this word, let a beam
be pulled out from his house, and let him be lifted up and fastened thereon ...
/d/decree.htm - 34k

Medes (15 Occurrences)
... Daniel 6:8 Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it not
be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which doesn't alter...
/m/medes.htm - 18k

Persia (30 Occurrences)
... Daniel 6:8 Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it not
be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which doesn't alter...
/p/persia.htm - 20k

Persians (6 Occurrences)
... Daniel 6:8 Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it not
be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which doesn't alter...
/p/persians.htm - 20k

Resources
Should Bible translations use gender-inclusive language? | GotQuestions.org

What is neurotheology? | GotQuestions.org

Is the New World Translation a valid version of the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Alter: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Alter (8 Occurrences)

Acts 6:14
For we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place, and will change the customs which Moses delivered to us."
(See NAS)

Leviticus 27:10
He shall not alter it, nor change it, a good for a bad, or a bad for a good: and if he shall at all change animal for animal, then both it and that for which it is changed shall be holy.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

1 Samuel 14:35
And Saul buildeth an alter to Jehovah; with it he hath begun to build altars to Jehovah.
(YLT)

Ezra 6:11
Also I have made a decree, that whoever shall alter this word, let a beam be pulled out from his house, and let him be lifted up and fastened thereon; and let his house be made a dunghill for this:
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS RSV)

Ezra 6:12
and the God who has caused his name to dwell there overthrow all kings and peoples who shall put forth their hand to alter the same, to destroy this house of God which is at Jerusalem. I Darius have made a decree; let it be done with all diligence.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS RSV)

Psalms 89:34
I will not break my covenant, nor alter what my lips have uttered.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Daniel 6:8
Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which doesn't alter.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS NIV)

Daniel 6:12
Then they came near, and spoke before the king concerning the king's decree: Haven't you signed an decree, that every man who shall make petition to any god or man within thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which doesn't alter.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS)

Subtopics

Alter

Related Terms

Alter (8 Occurrences)

Eucharist

Corrupt (59 Occurrences)

Altered (4 Occurrences)

Supper (17 Occurrences)

Stay (221 Occurrences)

Job (60 Occurrences)

Shinar (8 Occurrences)

Luke (4 Occurrences)

Samaritan (8 Occurrences)

Lord's (548 Occurrences)

Backslide

Pentateuch

Gospel (108 Occurrences)

Criticism (1 Occurrence)

Bible

Al-tash-heth
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