Definition and Usage in Scripture:

The term "both" is a conjunction and adjective used in the Bible to indicate two items or persons considered together. It is often employed to emphasize unity or joint action between two parties or elements. In the context of Scripture, "both" can highlight the cooperation, agreement, or shared experience of two individuals or groups.

Old Testament References:

In the Old Testament, "both" is frequently used to describe the participation or involvement of two entities in a particular event or action. For example, in Genesis 2:25, it is written, "And the man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame." Here, "both" underscores the shared state of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

Another instance is found in Exodus 12:29, which states, "Now at midnight the LORD struck down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the prisoner who was in the dungeon, and the firstborn of all the livestock as well." The use of "both" in this context emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's judgment, affecting both humans and animals.

New Testament References:

In the New Testament, "both" continues to serve as a marker of unity and shared experience. In Luke 1:6, we read about Zechariah and Elizabeth: "They were both righteous in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and decrees of the Lord." This passage highlights the mutual faithfulness and righteousness of the couple.

The Apostle Paul often uses "both" to express the unity between Jews and Gentiles in Christ. In Ephesians 2:14, Paul writes, "For He Himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has torn down the dividing wall of hostility." Although the word "both" is not explicitly used in this verse, the concept of uniting "both" groups is central to Paul's message of reconciliation through Christ.

Theological Implications:

The use of "both" in Scripture often points to the theme of unity and reconciliation. It underscores the biblical principle that in Christ, distinctions such as Jew and Gentile, male and female, slave and free, are transcended (Galatians 3:28). The term serves as a reminder of the inclusive nature of the Gospel, which calls all people to participate in the new covenant relationship with God.

Practical Application:

In practical terms, the concept of "both" encourages believers to seek unity and cooperation within the body of Christ. It challenges Christians to work together, regardless of differences, to fulfill the Great Commission and to live out the love and grace of God in their communities. The emphasis on "both" as a marker of shared experience and mutual participation can inspire believers to foster relationships that reflect the unity and peace found in Christ.1. (a. or pron.) The one and the other; the two; the pair, without exception of either.

2. (conj.) As well; not only; equally.

297. amphoteroi -- both
... both. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: amphoteroi Phonetic Spelling:
(am-fot'-er-os) Short Definition: both of two Definition: both (of two). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/297.htm - 6k

4540. Samareia -- Samaria, the name of both a city and a region in ...
... Samaria, the name of both a city and a region in Palestine. Part of Speech: Noun,
Feminine Transliteration: Samareia Phonetic Spelling: (sam-ar'-i-ah) Short ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4540.htm - 6k

5037. te -- and (denotes addition or connection)
... addition or connection). Part of Speech: Particle, Disjunctive Particle Transliteration:
te Phonetic Spelling: (teh) Short Definition: and, both Definition: and ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5037.htm - 7k

2532. kai -- and, even, also
... Word Usage accompanied (1), actually (2), after (2), again (1), again* (1), along
(4), also (535), although (1), although* (1), besides* (1), both (37), both ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2532.htm - 7k

4994. sophronizo -- to recall one to his senses, admonish
... This radical-moderation requires a perspective that is eclectic, combining the
legitimate extremities of truth from both sides of a matter. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4994.htm - 8k

1417. duo -- two
... Word Origin a primary number Definition two NASB Word Usage both (1), forty-two*
(2), pairs (2), twenty (1), two (124), two men (3). both, twain, two. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1417.htm - 6k

1538. hekastos -- each, every
... any, both, each one. As if a superlative of hekas (afar); each or every --
any, both, each (one), every (man, one, woman), particularly. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1538.htm - 7k

5524. choregeo -- to lead a chorus (ie a group of performers), to ...
... 5524 (from , "a person who both funds and directs an epic, ancient chorus," and
2233 , "lead") -- properly, to fund and lead a , bearing necessary to stage . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5524.htm - 7k

5218. hupakoe -- obedience
... response to someone speaking. This refers both to an earthly voice and the
Lord's voice (see 2 Cor 10:5; 1 Pet 1:2). Word Origin from ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5218.htm - 7k

4486. rhegnumi -- to break apart, by ext. to throw down
... Or rhesso (hrace'-so) both prolonged forms of rheko (which appears only in certain
forms, and is itself probably a strengthened form of agnumi (see in katagnumi ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4486.htm - 7k

1571. gam -- also, moreover, yea
... also, moreover, yea NASB Word Usage addition (1), alike (1), all (1), all* (1),
also (364), although (1), any (3), besides (4), bitterly* (1), both (28), both ...
/hebrew/1571.htm - 6k

8147. shenayim -- two (a cardinal number)
... 2), 392* (2), 42* (2), 42,000* (1), 52* (2), 52,700* (1), 62* (1), 62,700* (2),
642* (2), 652* (2), 72* (1), 72,000* (1), 822* (1), 832* (1), both (62), both ...
/hebrew/8147.htm - 7k

4480. min -- from
... 1), below* (10), beneath* (7), bereft* (1), beside* (6), besides (1), besides*
(45), between (1), between* (2), beyond (1), beyond* (20), both (27), both sides ...
/hebrew/4480.htm - 8k

3162. yachad -- unitedness
... Word Origin from yachad Definition unitedness NASB Word Usage alike (1), all (4),
altogether (2), altogether* (1), both (4), completely (2), each other (1 ...
/hebrew/3162.htm - 6k

2088. zeh -- this, here
... pronoun Definition this, here NASB Word Usage another (5), both sides* (1), both*
(1), completely* (1), daylight* (1), each side (1), either side (1), ever (3 ...
/hebrew/2088.htm - 7k

1992a. hem -- they
... pronoun Definition they NASB Word Usage both (1), both* (1), ones (1), others (1),
part (1), places (1), same (1), such (1), theirs (8), theirs* (3 ...
/hebrew/1992a.htm - 5k

7553. riqmah -- variegated stuff
... colors (1). broidered work, divers colors, raiment of needlework on both sides.
From raqam; variegation of color; specifically, embroidery ...
/hebrew/7553.htm - 6k

3027. yad -- hand
... power, means, direction, etc.), in distinction from kaph, the closed one); used
(as noun, adverb, etc.) In a great variety of applications, both literally and ...
/hebrew/3027.htm - 8k

413. el -- to, into, towards
... about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because, before
both. (but only used in the shortened constructive form sel ...
/hebrew/413.htm - 6k

1024. Beth Hammarkaboth -- "place of chariots," a place in Simeon
... "place of chariots," a place in Simeon. Transliteration: Beth Hammarkaboth or Beth
Markaboth Phonetic Spelling: (bayth ham-mar-kaw-both') Short Definition: Beth ...
/hebrew/1024.htm - 6k

For that Both History of the Old Testament...
... Section 8. For that both history of the Old Testament? 8. For that both
history of the Old Testament, and ??tiology, and analogy ...
/.../augustine/on the profit of believing /section 8 for that both.htm

How God is a Substance Both Simple and Manifold.
... Book VI. Chapter 6."How God is a Substance Both Simple and Manifold. 8.
But if it is asked how that substance is both simple and ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 6 how god is a.htm

Youth and Age, and the Command for Both
... YOUTH AND AGE, AND THE COMMAND FOR BOTH. Annual Sermon to the Young '... ... I see in
them two pictures of youth and of old age, and a commandment based upon both. ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture st john chaps xv to xxi/youth and age and the.htm

And Others, a Multitude Both of Men and Women...
... Part I."The Acts of Pilate. First Greek Form. Chapter 8. And others, a
multitude both of men and women? And others, a multitude ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 8 and others a.htm

Of Both Kinds in the Sacrament.
... Article XXII: Of Both Kinds in the Sacrament. To the laity are given Both
Kinds in the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper, because this ...
/.../various/the augsburg confession of faith/article xxii of both kinds.htm

Whether Both Clemency and Meekness are virtues?
... OF CLEMENCY AND MEEKNESS (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether both clemency and meekness are
virtues? ... i, 13). Now this is verified both in clemency and in meekness. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether both clemency and meekness.htm

Both Things are Specially Worthy of Notice. ...
... Of Prayer. John Calvin Chapter 5 Both things are specially worthy of notice.?
Both things are specially worthy of notice. First ...
/.../calvin/of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 5 both things are.htm

Fragment xix. For we who Both Know the Measure of those Words...
... III."The Extant Fragments of the Five Books of the Chronography of Julius Africanus.
Fragment XIX. For we who both know the measure of those words? ...
/.../africanus/the writings of julius africanus/fragment xix for we who.htm

How the Soldiers, Both in Judea and Egypt, Proclaimed Vespasian ...
... CHAPTER 10. How The Soldiers, Both In Judea And Egypt, Proclaimed Vespasian
Emperor; And How Vespasian Released Josephus From His Bonds. ...
/.../chapter 10 how the soldiers.htm

Be Joyful All, Both Far and Near.
... Resurrection of Christ."Easter. BE JOYFUL ALL, BOTH FAR AND NEAR. Be joyful
all, both far and near, Who lost were and dejected ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/be joyful all both far.htm

Both (3039 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Both (3039 Occurrences). Both appears 3039 times in 12
translations. You can narrow your search using the Advanced Bible Search. ...
/b/both.htm - 6k

Reho'both (3 Occurrences)
Reho'both. Rehoboth, Reho'both. Rehobothir . Multi-Version
Concordance Reho'both (3 Occurrences). Genesis 26:22 And ...
/r/reho'both.htm - 7k

Arub'both (1 Occurrence)
Arub'both. Arubboth, Arub'both. Aruboth . Multi-Version Concordance
Arub'both (1 Occurrence). 1 Kings 4:10 the son of ...
/a/arub'both.htm - 6k

Reho'both-ir (1 Occurrence)
Reho'both-ir. Rehoboth-ir, Reho'both-ir. Rehokim . Multi-Version
Concordance Reho'both-ir (1 Occurrence). Genesis 10 ...
/r/reho'both-ir.htm - 6k

Charger (17 Occurrences)
... one silver charger, the weight thereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver
bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them ...
/c/charger.htm - 14k

Shekel (37 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Weight, the common standard both of weight and
value among the Hebrews. It is estimated at 220 English ...
/s/shekel.htm - 23k

Shekels (92 Occurrences)
... one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver
bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them ...
/s/shekels.htm - 37k

Alike (67 Occurrences)
... Exodus 35:22 They came, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted, and
brought brooches, earrings, signet rings, and armlets, all jewels of gold ...
/a/alike.htm - 25k

Sojourns (18 Occurrences)
... unto the LORD: according to the statute of the passover, and according to the ordinance
thereof, so shall he do; ye shall have one statute, both for the ...
/s/sojourns.htm - 12k

Sprinkling (48 Occurrences)
... one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels, one silver
bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them ...
/s/sprinkling.htm - 29k

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