The concept of "explain" in the Bible often involves the act of making something clear or understandable, particularly in the context of divine revelation, prophecy, or parables. Throughout Scripture, God uses various means to communicate His will and purposes to humanity, and the role of explanation is crucial in ensuring that His messages are comprehended.

Divine Revelation and Prophecy

In the Old Testament, prophets frequently served as God's mouthpieces, tasked with explaining His will to the people. For instance, Daniel was given the ability to interpret dreams and visions, a gift that allowed him to explain divine messages to kings and rulers. In Daniel 2:19-23, Daniel praises God for revealing the mystery of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream, which he then explains to the king, demonstrating the importance of divine explanation in understanding God's plans.

Parables and Teachings of Jesus

In the New Testament, Jesus often used parables to convey spiritual truths. These accounts, while simple on the surface, contained deep meanings that required explanation. In Matthew 13:10-17, the disciples ask Jesus why He speaks in parables. Jesus explains that the parables are a means to reveal the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven to those who are willing to hear and understand. He further explains the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:18-23, illustrating the different responses to the Word of God.

Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in explaining and illuminating Scripture to believers. In John 14:26, Jesus promises that the Holy Spirit will teach and remind the disciples of everything He has said. This divine guidance is essential for understanding and applying biblical truths. The Apostle Paul also emphasizes the Spirit's role in 1 Corinthians 2:10-14, where he explains that spiritual truths are discerned through the Spirit, who reveals the deep things of God.

Apostolic Teaching and Explanation

The apostles were instrumental in explaining the gospel and the teachings of Jesus to the early church. In Acts 8:30-35, Philip encounters an Ethiopian eunuch reading the book of Isaiah. When the eunuch expresses confusion about the text, Philip explains the passage, revealing its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. This account highlights the importance of explanation in evangelism and discipleship.

Scriptural Clarity and Understanding

The Bible itself is seen as a source of divine explanation, providing clarity and understanding of God's character and His redemptive plan. Psalm 119:130 states, "The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple." This verse underscores the belief that Scripture, when explained and understood, brings enlightenment and wisdom to believers.

In summary, the act of explaining is a significant theme in the Bible, serving as a bridge between divine revelation and human understanding. Whether through prophets, parables, the Holy Spirit, or apostolic teaching, explanation is essential for grasping the truths of God's Word and applying them to one's life.1. (v.) To flatten; to spread out; to unfold; to expand.

2. (v.) To make plain, manifest, or intelligible; to clear of obscurity; to expound; to unfold and illustrate the meaning of; as, to explain a chapter of the Bible.

3. (v. i.) To give an explanation.

1329. diermeneuo -- to explain thoroughly, by impl. to translate
... 1328, 1329. diermeneuo. 1330 . to explain thoroughly, by impl. to translate.
Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: diermeneuo Phonetic ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1329.htm - 7k

1285. diasapheo -- to make clear, explain fully
... to make clear, explain fully. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: diasapheo Phonetic
Spelling: (dee-as-af-eh'-o) Short Definition: I make clear, explain ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1285.htm - 6k

5419. phrazo -- to show forth, tell
... to show forth, tell. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: phrazo Phonetic Spelling:
(frad'-zo) Short Definition: I declare, explain, interpret Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5419.htm - 6k

1956. epiluo -- to loose, to solve
... to loose, to solve. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: epiluo Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-ee-loo'-o) Short Definition: I explain, interpret, decide Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1956.htm - 7k

1620. ektithemi -- to set forth, fig. to declare
... of Speech: Verb Transliteration: ektithemi Phonetic Spelling: (ek-tith'-ay-mee)
Short Definition: I put out or expose a child, set forth, explain Definition: (a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1620.htm - 6k

1421. dusermeneutos -- hard of interpretation
... Word Origin from dus- and hermeneuo Definition hard of interpretation NASB
Word Usage hard to explain (1). hard to utter or explain. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1421.htm - 6k

1834. exegeomai -- to show the way
... to show the way. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: exegeomai Phonetic Spelling:
(ex-ayg-eh'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I explain, make declaration Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1834.htm - 7k

4793. sugkrino -- to combine, compare
... sugkrino Phonetic Spelling: (soong-kree'-no) Short Definition: I combine, compare
Definition: I join together, combine, compare, interpret, explain. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4793.htm - 7k

1839. existemi -- to displace, to stand aside from
... fixed) position," put out of place; ie "beside oneself," showing someone as
flabbergasted (completely stupefied); at a total loss to explain or account for ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1839.htm - 8k

2059. hermeneuo -- to interpret
... Verb Transliteration: hermeneuo Phonetic Spelling: (her-mayn-yoo'-o) Short Definition:
I translate, interpret Definition: (a) I translate, explain, (b) I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2059.htm - 6k

952. bur -- to make clear, clear up, explain
... 951, 952. bur. 953 . to make clear, clear up, explain. Transliteration: bur
Phonetic Spelling: (boor) Short Definition: explain. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/952.htm - 5k

5046. nagad -- to be conspicuous
... 1), confront* (1), declare (46), declared (13), declares (6), declaring (4), denounce
(2), describe (1), disclosed (1), display (1), explain (3), fully ...
/hebrew/5046.htm - 6k

995. bin -- to discern
... 8), consider carefully (1), considers (1), diligently consider (1), discern (9),
discerned (2), discerning (9), discernment (1), explain (1), explained (1 ...
/hebrew/995.htm - 7k

2331b. chavah -- to declare
... Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding to chavah Definition to declare NASB Word Usage
declare (13), explain (1). 2331a, 2331b. chavah. 2332 . Strong's Numbers
/hebrew/2331b.htm - 5k

6286. paar -- to beautify, glorify
... A primitive root; to gleam, ie (causatively) embellish; figuratively, to boast;
also to explain (ie Make clear) oneself; denominative from p'orah, to shake a ...
/hebrew/6286.htm - 6k

874. baar -- to make distinct or plain
... declare, make plainly. A primitive root; to dig; by analogy, to engrave; figuratively,
to explain -- declare, (make) plain(-ly). 873, 874. baar. 875 . ...
/hebrew/874.htm - 6k

I Shall Explain to You Also How it is that the Soul is Transfused ...
... 9 I shall explain to you also how it is that the soul is transfused into? I shall
explain to you also how it is that the soul is transfused into five bodies. ...
/.../the acts of the disputation with the heresiarch manes/9 i shall explain to.htm

And Now Let us Explain the Cause for which the Incorporeal Word of ...
... Pronounced on the thirtieth anniversary of his reign. Chapter XIV. And now let us
explain the cause for which the incorporeal Word of God assumed? ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xiv and now let.htm

He Returns to Explain the Prophecy of Isaiah.
... Chapter LXXVII."He returns to explain the prophecy of Isaiah. Then Trypho
said, "I admit that such and so great arguments are ...
/.../chapter lxxvii he returns to explain.htm

But to Explain More Fully this Whole Topic for it is one that ...
... Book 2 Chapter 29. But to explain more fully this whole topic for it is
one that cannot? 29. But to explain more fully this whole ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 29 but to explain.htm

Victor Utterly Unable to Explain How the Sinless Soul Deserved to ...
... A Treatise on the soul and its origin, Chapter 9."Victor Utterly Unable
to Explain How the Sinless Soul Deserved to Be Made Sinful. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 9 victor utterly unable to.htm

If I must Now Explain How the Just Man "Slays his Enemies...
... Chapter XXII. If I must now explain how the just man "slays his enemies?
If I must now explain how the just man "slays his enemies ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxii if i must.htm

His System Applied to Explain Our Lord's Life and Death.
... Book VI. Chapter XLII."His System Applied to Explain Our Lord's Life and
Death. And he says, as the result of this computation ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xlii his system applied to.htm

How we are to Explain the Passages of Scripture which Ascribe to ...
... The Stromata, or Miscellanies. Book II. Chapter XVI."How We are to Explain the
Passages of Scripture Which Ascribe to God Human Affections. ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xvi how we are to.htm

it is Safer to Explain a Doubtful Passage by Other Passages of ...
... Book III. Chapter 28." It is Safer to Explain a Doubtful Passage by Other
Passages of Scripture Than by Reason. 39. When, however ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 28 it is safer.htm

Dejection of the Apostles Immediately after Christ's Death. ...
... of the Apostles immediately after Christ's Death."Their Joy and Activity at a later
Period."The Reappearance of Christ necessary to explain the Change. ...
/.../section 295 dejection of the.htm

Explain (30 Occurrences)
... 2. (v.) To make plain, manifest, or intelligible; to clear of obscurity; to expound;
to unfold and illustrate the meaning of; as, to explain a chapter of the ...
/e/explain.htm - 15k

Explained (25 Occurrences)
... (imp. & pp) of Explain. ... 1 Kings 10:3 And Solomon explained to her all she spoke of:
there was not a thing hidden from the king that he did not explain to her. ...
/e/explained.htm - 13k

Gabriel (5 Occurrences)
... Champion of God, used as a proper name to designate the angel who was sent to Daniel
(8:16) to explain the vision of the ram and the he-goat, and to ...
/g/gabriel.htm - 9k

Figurative (20 Occurrences)
... Matthew 15:15 "Explain to us this figurative language," said Peter. (WEY). Matthew
22:1 Again Jesus spoke to them in figurative language. (WEY). ...
/f/figurative.htm - 12k

Expound (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To explain in detail; to examine closely;
as to expound on the meaning of a word. 2. (vt) To lay ...
/e/expound.htm - 8k

Barsabbas (2 Occurrences)
... apostles and the elders, with the whole church" regarding the attitude to be taken
by GentileChristians toward the Mosaic law, and also to explain "the same ...
/b/barsabbas.htm - 11k

Simile (61 Occurrences)
... Matthew 13:36 Then having let away the multitudes, Jesus came to the house, and
his disciples came near to him, saying, 'Explain to us the simile of the darnel ...
/s/simile.htm - 22k

Table (125 Occurrences)
... It has become the fashion of the newer criticism to deny the existence of the altar
of incense in preexilic times, and to explain the allusion to it in 1 Kings ...
/t/table.htm - 62k

Partridge (2 Occurrences)
... It would require the proverbial "Philadelphia lawyer" to explain this reference
to a "partridge sitting on eggs she had not laid." No ornithologist ever could ...
/p/partridge.htm - 13k

Nightmonster
... In passages of this tenor, mythology may explain the word itself and justify its
appropriateness, it does not explain the use of the term or disclose the ...
/n/nightmonster.htm - 17k

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