The term "conceives" in the Bible refers to the act of becoming pregnant or the inception of life within the womb. This concept is significant in Scripture, as it often marks the beginning of God's unfolding plan through specific individuals and lineages. The act of conception is seen as a divine blessing and a fulfillment of God's promises.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, conception is frequently mentioned in the context of God's covenantal promises and the continuation of His chosen people. For instance, in Genesis 4:1, the Bible records the first human conception: "Now Adam had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain." This event marks the beginning of human procreation and the unfolding of God's plan for humanity.

The account of Sarah, Abraham's wife, is another pivotal moment involving conception. Despite her old age and barrenness, God promises Abraham that Sarah will bear a son. Genesis 21:1-2 states, "Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him." This miraculous conception underscores God's power and faithfulness to His promises.

Similarly, the conception of Isaac's wife, Rebekah, is significant. After years of barrenness, Isaac prays to the LORD, and Rebekah conceives twins, Jacob and Esau (Genesis 25:21). This event is crucial for the continuation of the Abrahamic covenant through Jacob, later named Israel.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the most significant conception is that of Jesus Christ. The angel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will conceive by the Holy Spirit, fulfilling the prophecy of a virgin birth. Luke 1:31 states, "Behold, you will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus." This miraculous conception is central to Christian theology, as it signifies the incarnation of God in human form.

The New Testament also highlights the conception of John the Baptist. His mother, Elizabeth, was barren and advanced in years, yet God intervenes, and she conceives. Luke 1:24-25 records, "After these days, his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. 'The Lord has done this for me,' she said. 'In these days He has shown me favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.'" John's conception is significant as he is the forerunner of Christ, preparing the way for the Messiah.

Theological Implications

Conception in the Bible is often associated with divine intervention and the fulfillment of God's promises. It underscores the belief in God's sovereignty over life and His ability to bring about His purposes through human history. The miraculous conceptions of Isaac, John the Baptist, and Jesus highlight God's direct involvement in the redemption narrative.

Furthermore, the Bible's portrayal of conception emphasizes the sanctity of life from its earliest stages. Passages such as Psalm 139:13-16 reflect the belief that God is intimately involved in the formation of life in the womb: "For You formed my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made."

In summary, the concept of "conceives" in the Bible is rich with theological significance, illustrating God's providence, the fulfillment of His promises, and the sanctity of life.2029. harah -- to conceive, become pregnant
... root Definition to conceive, become pregnant NASB Word Usage am (1), ancestors
(1), child (1), conceive (3), conceived (35), conceives (1), conceiving (1 ...
/hebrew/2029.htm - 6k

Being Displeased with Some Part of God's Creation, He Conceives of ...
... Book VII. Chapter XIV."Being Displeased with Some Part Of God's Creation,
He Conceives of Two Original Substances. 20. There is ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter xiv being displeased with some.htm

There is Another Trinity in the Memory of Him who Thinks Over ...
... And that species, which is in the memory, we call the quasi-parent of that
which is wrought in the phantasy of one who conceives. ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 7 there is another trinity.htm

Different Modes of Conceiving.
... sensible nature of these forms of things, the mind falls into error when it imagines
them to exist without, in the same mode in which it conceives them within ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 8 different modes of conceiving.htm

Whether Word in God is a Personal Name?
... is knowledge, the term knowledge does not mean the act of a knowing intellect, or
any one of its habits, but stands for what the intellect conceives by knowing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether word in god is.htm

Preface
... public"Not as certainly devoid of error"He knows himself to be fallible"but as the
result of some attention; and as that which he conceives their most ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lee/sermons on various important subjects/preface.htm

Whether Charity is the Form of the virtues
... It is said to be the mother of the other virtues because it conceives the actions
which it commands in them out of desire for the ultimate end, as a mother ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article eight whether charity is 2.htm

Epistle Lxvii. To Quiricus, Bishop, &C.
... Father Almighty? But, as to what he conceives also of the Almighty Son, he
added, And that we may be in his true Son Jesus Christ. Lo ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle lxvii to quiricus bishop.htm

Whether Charity is the Form of the virtues?
... And since a mother is one who conceives within herself and by another, charity is
called the mother of the other virtues, because, by commanding them, it ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether charity is the form 2.htm

Whether Teaching is a Work of the Active or of the Contemplative ...
... It belongs to the active life, when a man conceives a truth inwardly, so as to be
directed thereby in his outward action; but it belongs to the contemplative ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether teaching is a work.htm

Whether There was a True Marriage Between Mary and Joseph?
... Chrysostom]) the Blessed Virgin was so espoused to Joseph that she dwelt in his
home: "for just as she who conceives in her husband's house is understood to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there was a true.htm

Conceives (3 Occurrences)
...Conceives (3 Occurrences). James 1:15 Then the passion conceives, and becomes the
parent of sin; and sin, when fully matured, gives birth to death. (WEY). ...
/c/conceives.htm - 7k

Unchangeableness (1 Occurrence)
... It conceives of God as a living Person in relation to the world and man, and at
the same time as absolutely unlimited by the world and man, and as absolutely ...
/u/unchangeableness.htm - 27k

Unchangeable (4 Occurrences)
... It conceives of God as a living Person in relation to the world and man, and at
the same time as absolutely unlimited by the world and man, and as absolutely ...
/u/unchangeable.htm - 28k

Female (95 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) An individual of the sex which conceives and brings
forth young, or (in a wider sense) which has an ovary and produces ova. ...
/f/female.htm - 38k

Conceiver (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who conceives. Multi-Version Concordance
Conceiver (1 Occurrence). Hosea 2:5 For gone a-whoring ...
/c/conceiver.htm - 6k

Conceiveth (27 Occurrences)

/c/conceiveth.htm - 13k

Becomes (138 Occurrences)
... RSV). James 1:15 Then the passion conceives, and becomes the parent of sin;
and sin, when fully matured, gives birth to death. (WEY). ...
/b/becomes.htm - 34k

Adoption (5 Occurrences)
... If Paul for a moment thought of the process in terms of ordinary Roman adoption,
the resulting condition of the son he conceives in terms of the more free and ...
/a/adoption.htm - 23k

Warfare (18 Occurrences)
... He conceives Himself come, not to send peace on earth, but a sword (Matthew 10:34);
and declares that they who take the sword shall perish by the sword ...
/w/warfare.htm - 34k

Fable
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FABLE. fa'-b'-l (muthos): (1) Primitive man conceives
of the objects around him as possessing his own characteristics. ...
/f/fable.htm - 12k

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