A concordance is a reference tool that provides an alphabetical listing of words found in the Bible, along with their immediate contexts and references. It is an invaluable resource for Bible study, allowing readers to locate specific passages, understand the usage of particular words, and explore themes throughout Scripture. Concordances are typically organized by the original language of the Bible, such as Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, and are often keyed to specific translations.

Purpose and Use

The primary purpose of a concordance is to aid in the study and interpretation of the Bible by providing a comprehensive index of words and phrases. This allows readers to trace the occurrence of a word throughout the biblical text, facilitating thematic studies and deeper understanding of scriptural concepts. For example, a concordance can help a reader explore the concept of "faith" by listing all the verses where the word appears, such as Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see" .

Types of Concordances

1. Exhaustive Concordance: This type includes every word found in the Bible, making it a comprehensive tool for in-depth study. The most well-known exhaustive concordance is Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, which assigns a unique number to each original language word, facilitating word studies without requiring knowledge of Hebrew or Greek.

2. Concise Concordance: A more compact version, this type includes only the most significant words and is often tailored to specific translations. It is useful for quick reference and general study.

3. Topical Concordance: Instead of listing words, a topical concordance organizes Bible verses by themes or topics, such as "love," "salvation," or "prayer." This allows for thematic exploration of biblical teachings.

Historical Development

The development of concordances dates back to the early centuries of Christianity, with the first known concordance being compiled for the Latin Vulgate in the 13th century. The advent of the printing press and subsequent translations of the Bible into vernacular languages spurred the creation of concordances for various versions, including the King James Version and, more recently, modern translations like the Berean Standard Bible.

Significance in Bible Study

Concordances are significant for several reasons:

· Word Studies: By examining the original language words and their occurrences, readers can gain insights into the nuances and meanings that may not be immediately apparent in translation. For instance, the Greek word "agape" is often translated as "love," but a concordance can reveal its specific usage in passages like 1 Corinthians 13.

· Cross-Referencing: Concordances enable readers to cross-reference verses, enhancing their understanding of how different parts of the Bible relate to one another. This is particularly useful for understanding the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in the New Testament.

· Thematic Exploration: By grouping verses under specific themes, concordances help readers explore biblical teachings on various topics, aiding in sermon preparation, teaching, and personal study.

Example of Usage

Consider the word "peace." A concordance would list occurrences such as Philippians 4:7, "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" . By examining other references to "peace," such as John 14:27 and Isaiah 26:3, a reader can develop a comprehensive understanding of the biblical concept of peace.

In summary, a concordance is an essential tool for anyone seeking to delve deeper into the Word of God, providing a structured way to explore the richness and depth of the biblical text.5479. chara -- joy, delight
... joy because of grace") and 5485 ("grace") -- ie that they are all cognates -- is
observed by (p 1,976), Zod (), , Wigram's Englishman's Greek Concordance (Ed. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5479.htm - 7k

5463. chairo -- to rejoice, be glad
... 5479 ("joy") and 5485 ("grace") -- ie that they are all cognates -- is brought out
by (p 1,976), Zod (), , Wigram's Englishman's Greek Concordance (Ed. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5463.htm - 10k

Appendix ii (To 1-4 of Part I)
... 7. A book of the synthesis or concordance of prophecy and fulfilment in reference
to Jesus Christ, the Apostles, and the Church, standing side by side with the ...
/.../harnack/the origin of the new testament/appendix ii to 4-jan.htm

Commentaries of Origen. Introduction.
... His knowledge of Scripture is extraordinary both for its range and its minute accuracy.
He had no concordance to help him; but he was himself a concordance. ...
/.../the passion of the scillitan martyrs/commentaries of origen introduction.htm

An Essay on the Scriptural Doctrine of Immortality.
... Paul uses in Romans 4:25 and v.16, to designate "our transgressions." {14} Cruden
in his Concordance gives under the word "fall" an elaborate statement of ...
/.../an essay on the scriptural.htm

Preface
... gratitude. The Concordance to the Septuagint, edited by Dr. Hatch and Dr.
Redpath, is a magnificent work worthy of a university press. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/conybeare/a grammar of septuagint greek/preface.htm

What is his Name?
... Creden in his Concordance says that the names of God signify that which He really
is, and are used throughout the Bible to express His attributes, and His ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 2 what is his.htm

Preface to the Book
... the pupils should have constant access, a copy of the Rand-McNally Bible Atlas,
by JL Hurlbut, DD, a copy of Young's Complete Analytical Concordance, and a ...
/.../palmer/a birds-eye view of the bible/preface to the book.htm

The Kingdom Conquering
... Questions: 1. In Joshua's commission, name the three promises of God.1:1 to 1:5.
2. In what verses of the Bible does the word "success" occur? See concordance. ...
/.../palmer/a birds-eye view of the bible/iii the kingdom conquering.htm

Sanctified by the Truth.
... to realize that the Saviour's prayer is answered and we are in His own blessed words,
sanctified "by the truth." If any reader will take a concordance and look ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter xiv sanctified by the.htm

Criticisms on "The Origin of Species. "
... himself, previously took occasion, in his splendid monograph on the Radiolaria,[
65] to express his high appreciation of, and general concordance with, Mr ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/xiii criticisms on the origin.htm

Text-Divisions: Stichi, Chapters, Lections, Catenae.
... It was adapted to the Hebrew Bible in R. Isaac Nathan's Concordance, a work of the
fifteenth century, in which use was also made of the older division into ...
/.../chapter vi text-divisions stichi chapters.htm

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