The term "behooved" is an archaic English word that conveys a sense of duty, necessity, or obligation. In biblical contexts, it often refers to actions or events that are fitting, proper, or required according to divine will or moral law. The concept of behoovement is deeply rooted in the understanding of God's sovereign plan and the moral imperatives that arise from it.

Biblical Usage:

The word "behooved" is not frequently used in modern translations of the Bible, but its essence is captured in various passages that speak to the necessity of certain actions or events within God's redemptive plan. In the Berean Standard Bible, the concept is often expressed through terms like "must," "ought," or "necessary."

Key Scriptural References:

1. Luke 24:46 : "He told them, 'This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day.'" Here, the necessity of Christ's suffering and resurrection is emphasized. It was "behooved" by the Scriptures, meaning it was essential and predetermined in God's salvific plan.

2. Hebrews 2:17 : "So He had to be made like His brothers in every way, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people." The phrase "had to be made" reflects the necessity of Christ's incarnation and His role as the High Priest. It was behooved by divine purpose for Him to fully identify with humanity to accomplish atonement.

3. Acts 17:3 : "Explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead, 'This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,' he declared." The apostolic preaching often highlighted the necessity of Christ's suffering and resurrection, as it was central to the fulfillment of prophecy and the establishment of the New Covenant.

Theological Implications:

The concept of behoovement underscores the divine orchestration of history and the fulfillment of God's promises. It reflects the belief that certain events, particularly those related to the life and work of Jesus Christ, are not arbitrary but are essential components of God's redemptive plan. This understanding reinforces the reliability of Scripture and the faithfulness of God in bringing His purposes to fruition.

Moral and Ethical Dimensions:

In a broader sense, the idea of behoovement extends to the moral and ethical obligations of believers. Just as certain events were necessary in the divine plan, Christians are called to live in a manner that is fitting and proper according to God's revealed will. This includes adhering to the teachings of Christ, pursuing holiness, and fulfilling the Great Commission.

Conclusion:

While the term "behooved" may not appear frequently in contemporary translations, its underlying concept remains vital in understanding the necessity and propriety of God's actions and commands. It calls believers to recognize the divine imperatives that shape both the narrative of Scripture and the conduct of the Christian life.(imp. & p. p.) of Behoove.

Whether it was Fitting for the Son of God to Assume Human Nature ...
... to be separated from sinners as regards sin, which He came to overthrow, and not
as regards nature which He came to save, and in which "it behooved Him in all ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether it was fitting for 2.htm

Whether it was Necessary for Christ to Rise Again?
... On the contrary, It is written (Lk.24:46): "It behooved Christ to suffer and
to rise again from the dead.". I answer that, It behooved ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether it was necessary for 3.htm

Whether the Precepts of the Decalogue Should have Included a ...
... the aspect of something due, which is a necessary condition for a precept, as stated
above (Q[44], A[1]; [2834]FS, Q[99], AA[1],5). Hence it behooved the chief ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the precepts of the 5.htm

Practical Observations.
... Their Scriptures showed "that it behooved Christ to suffer and to be raised again
from the dead." All prophecy points him out as one who came into the world to ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/practical observations 36.htm

Hebrews ii. 16-17
... Abraham He taketh hold. [2800] Wherefore in all things it behooved Him
to be made like unto His brethren.". [1.] Paul wishing to ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily v hebrews ii 16-17.htm

Whether Christ Should have Associated with Men, or Led a Solitary ...
... a solitary life. For it behooved Christ to show by His manner of life not
only that He was man, but also that He was God. But it ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ should have associated.htm

Whether Christ's Birth Should have Been Made Known to Some?
... But it behooved Christ's birth to be profitable: else He were born in vain. Therefore
it seems that Christ's birth should have been made known to some. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christs birth should have 2.htm

Whether the Angel of Annunciation Should have Appeared to the ...
... Now since it behooved a sublime messenger to come to announce the Divine Conception,
so, seemingly, he should have appeared in the most excellent kind of vision ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the angel of annunciation.htm

Whether the Annunciation Should have Been Made by an Angel to the ...
... Objection 2: Further, if in this matter it behooved the common order to be observed,
by which Divine things are announced to men by angels; in like manner ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the annunciation should have.htm

Whether the Dove in which the Holy Ghost Appeared was Real?
... Wherefore, after the words quoted above, Augustine adds: "Just as it behooved the
Son of God not to deceive men, so it behooved the Holy Ghost not to deceive. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the dove in which.htm

Behooved (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Behooved (4 Occurrences). Luke 24:26 Behooved it not the
Christ to suffer these things, and to enter into his glory? (ASV). ...
/b/behooved.htm - 7k

Behoove

/b/behoove.htm - 7k

Behove (5 Occurrences)

/b/behove.htm - 7k

Propitiation (4 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 2:17 Wherefore it behooved him in all things to be made like unto his brethren,
that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things ...
/p/propitiation.htm - 15k

Priesthood (30 Occurrences)
... In Hebrews 2:17 we are told that it "behooved him in all things to be made like
unto his brethren, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in ...
/p/priesthood.htm - 40k

Synoptic
... prophets have spoken! Behooved it not the Christ to suffer these things,
and to enter into his glory?" (24:25). In the Christian ...
/s/synoptic.htm - 38k

Gospels
... prophets have spoken! Behooved it not the Christ to suffer these things,
and to enter into his glory?" (24:25). In the Christian ...
/g/gospels.htm - 73k

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