Foreseen
Jump to: Webster'sConcordanceThesaurusGreekLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "foreseen" in the Bible often relates to God's omniscience and His ability to know future events before they occur. This attribute of God is foundational to understanding His sovereignty and the unfolding of His divine plan throughout history. The Bible presents numerous instances where God's foreknowledge is evident, demonstrating His control over the course of human events and His intimate involvement in the lives of individuals.

Divine Foreknowledge

God's foreknowledge is a central theme in Scripture, emphasizing His eternal nature and His ability to see the end from the beginning. Isaiah 46:10 declares, "I declare the end from the beginning, and ancient times from what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.’" This passage highlights God's sovereign will and His capacity to foresee and orchestrate events according to His divine purpose.

Prophecy and Fulfillment

The Bible is replete with prophecies that were foreseen by God and later fulfilled, serving as evidence of His omniscience. One of the most significant examples is the prophecy concerning the coming of the Messiah. In Micah 5:2, the birthplace of Jesus is foretold: "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." This prophecy, fulfilled in the birth of Jesus Christ, underscores God's foreknowledge and His plan for redemption.

Foreknowledge and Predestination

The New Testament further explores the relationship between God's foreknowledge and predestination. Romans 8:29-30 states, "For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified." This passage reveals that God's foreknowledge is not merely passive observation but is intricately linked to His active role in the salvation of believers.

Human Responsibility and Divine Foreknowledge

While God's foreknowledge is comprehensive, the Bible also affirms human responsibility. The tension between divine foreknowledge and human free will is a profound mystery within Christian theology. Acts 2:23 illustrates this interplay: "He was handed over by God’s set plan and foreknowledge, and you, by the hands of the lawless, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross." Here, the crucifixion of Jesus is shown to be both a part of God's foreseen plan and an act carried out by human agents.

Practical Implications

The doctrine of God's foreknowledge provides comfort and assurance to believers, knowing that their lives are under the care of an all-knowing and loving God. Psalm 139:16 reflects this personal aspect of God's foreknowledge: "Your eyes saw my unformed body; all my days were written in Your book and ordained for me before one of them came to be." This intimate knowledge assures believers of God's presence and purpose in their lives, encouraging trust and reliance on His perfect will.

In summary, the concept of "foreseen" in the Bible underscores God's omniscience and His sovereign control over history. Through prophecy, predestination, and personal care, God's foreknowledge is a testament to His eternal wisdom and love for His creation.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(p. p.) Provided; in case that; on condition that.
Greek
4265. problepo -- to foresee
... all these [OT believers], having gained divine approval through the (principle of)
faith, did not obtain the promise because God had foreseen something better ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4265.htm - 7k
Library

Whether Providence Imposes any Necessity on Things Foreseen?
... THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether providence imposes any necessity
on things foreseen? Objection 1: It seems that divine ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether providence imposes any necessity.htm

Faith is not an Effect of Election, but is a Necessary Requisite ...
... ARTICLE IV Faith is not an effect of election, but is a necessary requisite
foreseen by God in those who are to be elected. And ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/article iv faith is not.htm

Which is First, Election, or Faith Truly Foreseen, So that God ...
... I. Which is first, Election, or Faith Truly Foreseen, so that God elected
his people according to faith foreseen? I. Is the decree ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/i which is first election.htm

This Election was not Founded Upon Foreseen Faith and the ...
... First Head of Doctrine. Divine Election and Reprobation Article 9 This election
was not founded upon foreseen faith and the obedience of faith? ...
/.../various/the canons of dordt/article 9 this election was.htm

If God had Anyhow Checked Man's Liberty, Marcion Would have Been ...
... Chapter VII."If God Had Anyhow Checked Man's Liberty, Marcion Would Have Been Ready
with Another and Opposite Cavil. Man's Fall Foreseen by God. ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter vii if god had anyhow.htm

Whether Sin is Aggravated by Reason of Its Causing More Harm?
... Because sometimes the harm resulting from a sin is foreseen and intended, as when
a man does something with a mind to harm another, eg a murderer or a thief. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether sin is aggravated by.htm

Whether the Consequences of the External Action Increase Its ...
... I answer that, The consequences of an action are either foreseen or not. If they
are foreseen, it is evident that they increase the goodness or malice. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the consequences of the.htm

Sermon for Epiphany
... Matthew, showeth how God, of His great faithfulness hath foreseen and ordained all
sufferings for the eternal good of each man, in whatever wise they befall us ...
/.../v sermon for epiphany.htm

Whether Everything is Subject to the Providence of God?
... providence. For nothing foreseen can happen by chance. If then everything
was foreseen by God, nothing would happen by chance. And ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether everything is subject to.htm

Who Teach: that the Incomplete and Non-Decisive Election of ...
... Who teach: That the incomplete and non-decisive election of particular persons to
salvation occurred because of a foreseen faith, conversion, holiness ...
/.../various/the canons of dordt/paragraph 5 who teach that.htm

Thesaurus
Foreseen (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Foreseen (3 Occurrences). ... Hebrews 11:40 God having foreseen
some better thing for us, that they should not be made perfect without us. ...
/f/foreseen.htm - 7k

Venture (10 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) An undertaking of chance or danger; the risking of something upon an event
which can not be foreseen with certainty; a hazard; a risk; a speculation. ...
/v/venture.htm - 10k

Foresaw (3 Occurrences)
... Acts 2:31 having foreseen, he did speak concerning the rising again of the Christ,
that his soul was not left to hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. ...
/f/foresaw.htm - 7k

Providence (3 Occurrences)
... As, therefore, it is characteristic of rational beings to make preparation for every
event that is foreseen or anticipated, the word "providence" has come to ...
/p/providence.htm - 44k

Quotations
... On the basis of this conception, of the foreseen plan of God and its gradual revelation
to men through messages of hope and warning set in the key of the great ...
/q/quotations.htm - 40k

Sodomite (1 Occurrence)
... On the basis of this conception, of the foreseen plan of God and its gradual revelation
to men through messages of hope and warning set in the key of the great ...
/s/sodomite.htm - 101k

Fortunate (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Coming by good luck or favorable chance; bringing some good thing not foreseen
as certain; presaging happiness; auspicious; as, a fortunate event; a ...
/f/fortunate.htm - 7k

Foreseeing (2 Occurrences)

/f/foreseeing.htm - 7k

Foreseeth (2 Occurrences)

/f/foreseeth.htm - 6k

Empire (8 Occurrences)
... (1) Julius Caesar. For a couple of generations political leaders had foreseen
the coming of supreme power and had tried to grasp it. ...
/e/empire.htm - 80k

Resources
Unconditional election - is it biblical? | GotQuestions.org

What is the principle of double effect? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Baha'i faith? | GotQuestions.org

Foreseen: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Foreseen (3 Occurrences)

Acts 2:31
having foreseen, he did speak concerning the rising again of the Christ, that his soul was not left to hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.
(YLT)

Galatians 3:8
and the Writing having foreseen that by faith God doth declare righteous the nations did proclaim before the good news to Abraham --
(YLT)

Hebrews 11:40
God having foreseen some better thing for us, that they should not be made perfect without us.
(DBY RSV)

Subtopics

Foreseen

Related Terms

Punished (47 Occurrences)

Hideth (28 Occurrences)

Foreshadowing (1 Occurrence)

Foreseen (3 Occurrences)

Foreseeing
Top of Page
Top of Page