Topical Bible: Earlier

◄ Earlier ►

Jump to: Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The term "earlier" in the context of the Bible often refers to events, practices, or revelations that occurred in the past, providing a foundation for understanding subsequent developments in biblical history and theology. The concept of earlier times is significant in Scripture as it often highlights God's unfolding plan and the continuity of His covenant with humanity.

Creation and Early Humanity

The earliest events recorded in the Bible are found in the Book of Genesis, which describes the creation of the world and the first humans, Adam and Eve. Genesis 1:1 states, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." This foundational event sets the stage for all subsequent biblical narratives, establishing God as the sovereign Creator.

The early chapters of Genesis also recount the fall of humanity (Genesis 3), the account of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4), and the genealogies leading up to Noah (Genesis 5). These earlier events are crucial for understanding the nature of sin and God's initial promises of redemption.

The Patriarchs

The lives of the patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—are pivotal earlier narratives that shape the identity of the Israelite people. God's covenant with Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3 marks a significant earlier promise: "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing." This covenant is foundational for the development of Israel and the coming of the Messiah.

The Exodus and the Law

The Exodus from Egypt is another critical earlier event, demonstrating God's power and faithfulness. The giving of the Law at Mount Sinai, as recorded in Exodus 19-20, establishes the covenantal relationship between God and Israel. These earlier laws and commandments form the basis for Israel's religious and social life.

The Prophets and Earlier Warnings

The prophetic books of the Old Testament often refer back to earlier warnings and promises given by God. Prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel call the people to remember God's earlier acts of deliverance and to return to the covenant. Isaiah 46:9 reminds the people, "Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me."

The New Testament Fulfillment

In the New Testament, the earlier promises and prophecies find their fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The Gospels frequently reference earlier Scriptures to demonstrate that Jesus is the promised Messiah. For instance, Matthew 1:22-23 states, "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel' (which means 'God with us')."

The Apostolic Teachings

The apostles, in their teachings and writings, often refer to earlier events and Scriptures to instruct and encourage the early church. The Apostle Paul, in Romans 15:4 , emphasizes the importance of earlier writings: "For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures, we might have hope."

Understanding the concept of "earlier" in the Bible is essential for grasping the continuity and progression of God's redemptive plan throughout history.

Greek

5477. Chanaan -- Canaan, earlier name of Pal.
... Chanaan. 5478 . Canaan, earlier name of Pal. ... Word Origin of Hebrew origin Kenaan
Definition Canaan, earlier name of Pal. NASB Word Usage Canaan (2). Chanaan. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5477.htm - 6k

4270. prographo -- to write before
... Word Origin from pro and grapho Definition to write before NASB Word Usage beforehand
marked (1), earlier times (1), publicly portrayed (1), written in earlier ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4270.htm - 6k

3007. leipo -- to leave, leave behind
... behind. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: leipo Phonetic Spelling: (li'-po)
Short Definition: I am wanting, am left behind Definition: (earlier: I leave ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3007.htm - 6k

5608. oneomai -- to buy
... buy. Middle voice from an apparently primary onos (a sum or price); to purchase
(synonymous with the earlier pimpremi) -- buy. see GREEK pimpremi. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5608.htm - 6k

3717. orthos -- straight, upright
... See Heb 12:13. ["In earlier Greek, meant 'straight up and down' while meant 'straight
on the horizontal plane' " (, p 703, fn 8).]. Word Origin a prim. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3717.htm - 7k

4399. prophthano -- to anticipate
... anticipate, prevent. From pro and phthano; to get an earlier start of, ie Anticipate --
prevent. see GREEK pro. see GREEK phthano. (proephthasen) -- 1 Occurrence ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4399.htm - 6k

1149. Dalmatia -- Dalmatia, southern Illyricum on the Adriatic Sea
... Definition: Dalmatia Definition: Dalmatia, a province of the Roman Empire, east
of the Adriatic, a later name for part of what was earlier called Illyricum. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1149.htm - 6k

511. anoteros -- higher
... higher, to a more honorable place, previously, above Definition: higher, to a more
honorable place (at the dinner table); previously, in an earlier passage (or ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/511.htm - 6k

3163. mache -- a fight
... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: mache Phonetic Spelling:
(makh'-ay) Short Definition: strife, contention, quarrel Definition: (earlier: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3163.htm - 6k

4253. pro -- before
... Transliteration: pro Phonetic Spelling: (pro) Short Definition: before Definition:
(a) of place: before, in front of, (b) of time: before, earlier than. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4253.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

3870. Luz -- earlier name of Bethel, also a Hittite city
... 3869, 3870. Luz. 3871 . earlier name of Bethel, also a Hittite city.
Transliteration: Luz Phonetic Spelling: (looz) Short Definition: Luz. ...
/hebrew/3870.htm - 6k

7223. rishon -- former, first, chief
... Word Origin from rosh Definition former, first, chief NASB Word Usage ancestors
(3), before (4), beginning (2), chief (1), chiefs (1), earlier (4), earlier ...
/hebrew/7223.htm - 6k

3975b. meaz -- from that time
... Word Origin from min and az Definition from that time NASB Word Usage earlier (1),
long ago (4), long since (2), old (1), once (1), past (1), since (4). ...
/hebrew/3975b.htm - 5k

Library

Book iv. The Earlier Books of this Treatise, Written Some Time Ago ...
... Book IV. The earlier books of this treatise, written some time ago? 1.
The earlier books of this treatise, written some time ago ...
/.../the life and writings of st hilary of poitiers/book iv the earlier books.htm

In the Quarrel Earlier Alluded to Between the Energetic ...
... Chapter 44 In the quarrel earlier alluded to between the energetic Progressive
and the obstinate Conservative or? In the quarrel ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 44 in the quarrel.htm

The Development of the Earlier Old Testament Laws
... VIII THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE EARLIER OLD TESTAMENT LAWS. [Sidenote: First
the principle, and then the detailed laws] If the canon ...
/.../viii the development of the.htm

The Earlier Hebrew Histories.
... WHO WROTE THE BIBLE? CHAPTER IV. THE EARLIER HEBREW HISTORIES. We found reasons,
in previous chapters, for believing that considerable ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter iv the earlier hebrew.htm

The Earlier New Testament Writings.
... WHO WROTE THE BIBLE? CHAPTER VIII. THE EARLIER NEW TESTAMENT WRITINGS.
The books of the New Testament are now before us. Our task ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter viii the earlier new.htm

Ep. cxxxix. This Letter is Written at a Somewhat Earlier Date in ...
... Division III. Miscellaneous Letters. Ep. CXXXIX. This letter is written
at a somewhat earlier date in reference to the consent he? ...
/.../cyril/select letters of saint gregory nazianzen/ep cxxxix this letter is.htm

Present Heresies (Seedlings of the Tares Noted by the Sacred ...
... Present Heresies (Seedlings of the Tares Noted by the Sacred Writers) Already Condemned
in Scripture This Descent of Later Heresy from the Earlier Traced in ...
/.../chapter xxxiii present heresies seedlings of.htm

Faustus Quotes Passages to Show that the Apostle Paul Abandoned ...
... Book XI. Faustus quotes passages to show that the Apostle Paul abandoned belief
in the incarnation, to which he earlier held. Augustin ...
/.../faustus quotes passages to show.htm

The Son, According to the Apostle, is the Power and Wisdom of the ...
... Chapter 1."The Son, According to the Apostle, is the Power and Wisdom of the Father.
Hence the Reasoning of the Catholics Against the Earlier Arians. ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 1 the son according to.htm

Arians Date the Son's Beginning Earlier than Marcellus, &C.
... Chapter II. Section 8. Arians date the Son's beginning earlier than Marcellus,
&c. 8. Eusebius and his fellows, that is, the Ario ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/section 8 arians date the.htm

Thesaurus

Earlier (48 Occurrences)
...Earlier (48 Occurrences). ... Moses gave you the rite of circumcision (not that it
began with Moses, but with your earlier forefathers) (WEY). ...
/e/earlier.htm - 21k

Johannine
... jo-han'-in,-in: I. THE ANTECEDENTS 1. Personality of Writer 2. Earlier New Testament
Writings 3. Christian Experience and Teaching of History 4. Widening ...
/j/johannine.htm - 38k

Concordance
... and American) forms. Textual criticism leads to modifications of the earlier
concordances of the Hebrew and Greek texts. It is customary ...
/c/concordance.htm - 16k

Build (242 Occurrences)
... Occasionally a piece of carefully dressed masonry is found, but it is the exception
and is often a re-use of an earlier type akin to "sawed stone" (1 Kings 7:9 ...
/b/build.htm - 45k

Building (249 Occurrences)
... Occasionally a piece of carefully dressed masonry is found, but it is the exception
and is often a re-use of an earlier type akin to "sawed stone" (1 Kings 7:9 ...
/b/building.htm - 47k

Uzziah (27 Occurrences)
... In the earlier part of his reign, under the influence of Zechariah, he was faithful
to Jehovah, and "did that which was right in the sight of the Lord" (2 ...
/u/uzziah.htm - 27k

Philemon (2 Occurrences)
... it. If the early chronology be accepted it falls entirely, as Tacitus'
earlier date would be after the epistles. were written. In ...
/p/philemon.htm - 17k

Aramaic (12 Occurrences)
... words and phrases occur, modified by having passed through Greek 2. Extra-Biblical
Evidences of Aramaic: Formerly our knowledge of Aramaic earlier than the ...
/a/aramaic.htm - 31k

Zadok (50 Occurrences)
... though deposed from a position of coordinate authority with Zodak (1 Kings 2:26,
27, 35; 1 Kings 4:4). 2. In Chronicles: (1) As in the earlier sources so in ...
/z/zadok.htm - 40k

Hebron (71 Occurrences)
... Its earlier name was Kirjath-arba (Genesis 23:2; Joshua 14:15; 15:3). But "Hebron
would appear to have been the original name of the city, and it was not till ...
/h/hebron.htm - 41k

Resources

When were the Gospels written? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Qur'an? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that God sent Jesus in the “fullness of time”? Why did God send Jesus when He did? | GotQuestions.org

Earlier: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Earlier (48 Occurrences)

John 7:22
Consider therefore. Moses gave you the rite of circumcision (not that it began with Moses, but with your earlier forefathers)
(WEY)

John 7:50
Nicodemus (he who came to him by night, being one of them) said to them,
(See NIV)

John 19:39
and Nicodemus also came -- who came unto Jesus by night at the first -- bearing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, as it were, a hundred pounds.
(See NIV)

Acts 1:1
I have given an earlier account, O Theophilus, of all the things which Jesus did, and of his teaching from the first,
(BBE)

Romans 3:25
Whom God has put forward as the sign of his mercy, through faith, by his blood, to make clear his righteousness when, in his pity, God let the sins of earlier times go without punishment;
(BBE)

Romans 9:29
Even as Isaiah says in an earlier place, "Were it not that the Lord, the God of Hosts, had left us some few descendants, we should have become like Sodom, and have come to resemble Gomorrah."
(WEY)

Romans 15:4
Now those things which were put down in writing before our time were for our learning, so that through quiet waiting and through the comfort of the holy Writings we might have hope.
(See NAS)

2 Corinthians 8:6
So we urged Titus, that as he made a beginning before, so he would also complete in you this grace.
(See NIV)

2 Corinthians 12:21
and that upon re-visiting you I may be humbled by my God in your presence, and may have to mourn over many whose hearts still cling to their old sins, and who have not repented of the impurity, fornication, and gross sensuality, of which they have been guilty.
(See NIV)

2 Corinthians 13:2
I have said beforehand, and I do say beforehand, as when I was present the second time, so now, being absent, I write to those who have sinned before now, and to all the rest, that, if I come again, I will not spare;
(See NIV)

Ephesians 3:5
which in earlier ages was not made known to the human race, as it has now been revealed to His holy Apostles and Prophets through the Spirit--
(WEY)

Ephesians 4:22
That you are to put away, in relation to your earlier way of life, the old man, which has become evil by love of deceit;
(BBE)

Hebrews 7:18
On the one hand we have here the abrogation of an earlier code because it was weak and ineffective--
(WEY)

Hebrews 10:32
But call to mind the earlier days in which, having been enlightened, ye endured much conflict of sufferings;
(DBY NIV)

Genesis 13:3
He went on his journeys from the South even to Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai,
(See NIV)

Genesis 26:1
There was a famine in the land, besides the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. Isaac went to Abimelech king of the Philistines, to Gerar.
(See NIV)

Numbers 6:12
And he will give to the Lord his days of being separate, offering a he-lamb of the first year as an offering for error: but the earlier days will be a loss, because he became unclean.
(BBE)

Numbers 21:26
For Heshbon was the town of Sihon, king of the Amorites, who had made war against an earlier king of Moab and taken from him all his land as far as the Arnon.
(BBE)

Deuteronomy 2:12
And the Horites in earlier times were living in Seir, but the children of Esau took their place; they sent destruction on them and took their land for themselves, as Israel did to the land of his heritage which the Lord gave them.)
(BBE)

Deuteronomy 2:20
(That land is said to have been a land of the Rephaim, for Rephaim had been living there in earlier times, but they were named Zamzummim by the Ammonites;
(BBE)

Joshua 11:10
At that time, Joshua went on to take Hazor and put its king to the sword: for in earlier times Hazor was the chief of all those kingdoms.
(BBE)

Joshua 14:15
In earlier times the name of Hebron had been Kiriath-arba, named after Arba, the greatest of the Anakim. And the land had rest from war.
(BBE)

Judges 1:10
And Caleb went against the Canaanites of Hebron: (now in earlier times Hebron was named Kiriath-arba:) and he put Sheshai and Ahiman and Talmai to the sword.
(BBE)

Judges 1:11
And from there he went up against the people of Debir. (Now the name of Debir in earlier times was Kiriath-sepher.)
(BBE)

Judges 1:23
So they sent men to make a search round Beth-el. (Now the name of the town in earlier times was Luz.)
(BBE)

Ruth 3:10
He said, "Blessed are you by Yahweh, my daughter. You have shown more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as you didn't follow young men, whether poor or rich.
(See NIV)

Ruth 4:7
Now, in earlier times this was the way in Israel when property was taken over by a near relation, or when there was a change of owner. To make the exchange certain one man took off his shoe and gave it to the other; and this was a witness in Israel.
(BBE NIV)

1 Samuel 9:9
(In earlier times in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he said, "Come, and let us go to the seer;" for he who is now called a prophet was before called a Seer.)
(WEB)

2 Samuel 13:15
Then Amnon was full of hate for her, hating her with a hate greater than his earlier love for her. And he said to her, Get up and be gone.
(BBE)

2 Kings 17:34
Unto this day they do after the former manners: they fear not the LORD, neither do they after their statutes, or after their ordinances, or after the law or after the commandment which the LORD commanded the children of Jacob, whom He named Israel;
(See NAS)

2 Kings 17:40
Howbeit they did not hearken, but they did after their former manner.
(See NAS)

2 Chronicles 17:3
And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he went in the early ways of his father, not turning to the Baals,
(See NAS RSV)

Nehemiah 5:15
But earlier rulers who were before me made the people responsible for their upkeep, and took from them bread and wine at the rate of forty shekels of silver; and even their servants were lords over the people: but I did not do so, because of the fear of God.
(BBE NIV)

Job 42:11
And all his brothers and sisters, and his friends of earlier days, came and took food with him in his house; and made clear their grief for him, and gave him comfort for all the evil which the Lord had sent on him; and they all gave him a bit of money and a gold ring.
(BBE)

Psalms 89:49
Lord, where are your earlier mercies? where is the oath which you made to David in unchanging faith?
(BBE)

Ecclesiastes 1:11
There is no memory of those who have gone before, and of those who come after there will be no memory for those who are still to come after them.
(See NAS)

Isaiah 9:1
In earlier times he made the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali of small value, but after that he gave it glory, by the way of the sea, on the other side of Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
(BBE NAS)

Isaiah 16:13
This is the word which the Lord said about Moab in the past.
(See NAS)

Isaiah 43:9
Let all the nations come together, and let the peoples be present: who among them is able to make this clear, and give us word of earlier things? let their witnesses come forward, so that they may be seen to be true, and that they may give ear, and say, It is true.
(BBE)

Isaiah 54:4
Have no fear; for you will not be shamed or without hope: you will not be put to shame, for the shame of your earlier days will go out of your memory, and you will no longer keep in mind the sorrows of your widowed years.
(BBE)

Jeremiah 34:5
You will come to your end in peace; and such burnings as they made for your fathers, the earlier kings before you, will be made for you; and they will be weeping for you and saying, Ah lord! for I have said the word, says the Lord.
(BBE)

Ezekiel 38:17
This is what the Lord has said: You are he of whom I gave them word in earlier times by my servants, the prophets of Israel, who in those days went on saying, year after year, that I would make you come up against them.
(BBE)

Daniel 7:24
As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom shall ten kings arise: and another shall arise after them; and he shall be diverse from the former, and he shall put down three kings.
(See NIV)

Daniel 9:21
Even while I was still in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at first when my weariness was great, put his hand on me about the time of the evening offering.
(See NIV)

Micah 4:8
And you, O tower of the flock, Ophel of the daughter of Zion, to you it will come, even the earlier authority, the kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.
(BBE)

Zechariah 1:4
Be not like your fathers, to whom the voice of the earlier prophets came, saying, Be turned now from your evil ways and from your evil doings: but they did not give ear to me or take note, says the Lord.
(BBE NIV)

Zechariah 7:7
Are not these the words which the Lord said to you by the earlier prophets, when Jerusalem was full of people and wealth, and the towns round about her and the South and the Lowland were peopled?
(BBE NIV)

Zechariah 7:12
And they made their hearts like the hardest stone, so that they might not give ear to the law and the words which the Lord of armies had said by the earlier prophets: and there came great wrath from the Lord of armies.
(BBE NIV)

Subtopics

Earlier

Related Terms

Dictionaries

Creeds

Syriac (2 Occurrences)

Gaza (22 Occurrences)

Seal (47 Occurrences)

Olive (61 Occurrences)

Alphabet (2 Occurrences)

Tree (245 Occurrences)

Sacraments