Topical Bible: Formerly

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Topical Encyclopedia

The term "formerly" is used in the Bible to denote a previous state or condition, often contrasting it with a new or transformed state brought about by divine intervention or personal change. This concept is significant in understanding the transformative power of God in the lives of individuals and communities.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of "formerly" is often associated with the past actions or conditions of the Israelites before a significant event or divine intervention. For example, in Deuteronomy 9:24, Moses reminds the Israelites of their rebellious nature: "You have been rebellious against the LORD from the day I knew you." This reference to their former behavior serves as a backdrop to highlight God's patience and the need for repentance and obedience.

The transformation from a former state is also evident in the narratives of individuals. Consider the account of Jacob, who was formerly known as a deceiver but was transformed after wrestling with God and receiving a new name, Israel (Genesis 32:28). This change signifies a new identity and purpose aligned with God's covenant promises.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of "formerly" is frequently used to describe the transformation that occurs through faith in Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul often contrasts believers' former lives with their new lives in Christ. In Ephesians 2:1-3 , Paul writes, "As for you, you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you used to walk when you conformed to the ways of this world and of the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit who is now at work in the sons of disobedience. All of us also lived among them at one time, fulfilling the cravings of our flesh and indulging its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature children of wrath."

This passage emphasizes the spiritual death and separation from God that characterized the believers' former lives. However, through Christ, they have been made alive and reconciled to God, highlighting the profound change from their previous condition.

Similarly, in Colossians 1:21-22 , Paul states, "Once you were alienated from God and were hostile in your minds because of your evil deeds. But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy, unblemished, and blameless in His presence." This transformation from alienation to reconciliation underscores the redemptive work of Christ.

Theological Implications

The use of "formerly" in Scripture underscores the transformative power of God's grace. It serves as a reminder of the past from which believers have been delivered and the new identity they possess in Christ. This transformation is not merely a change in behavior but a fundamental change in nature and relationship with God.

The concept also serves as a call to live in accordance with this new identity. In Ephesians 4:22-24 , Paul exhorts believers to "put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." This passage highlights the ongoing process of sanctification, where believers are called to live out the reality of their new life in Christ.

Conclusion

The biblical use of "formerly" provides a powerful narrative of transformation and redemption. It serves as a testament to God's ability to change lives and as an encouragement for believers to embrace their new identity in Christ, leaving behind their former ways and walking in the newness of life.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

(adv.) In time past, either in time immediately preceding or at any indefinite distance; of old; heretofore.

Greek

4218. pote -- once, ever
... Particle Transliteration: pote Phonetic Spelling: (pot-eh') Short Definition: at
one time or other Definition: at one time or other, at some time, formerly. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4218.htm - 6k

4250. prin -- before
... prin. 4251 . before. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: prin Phonetic Spelling:
(prin) Short Definition: formerly, before Definition: formerly, before. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4250.htm - 6k

4386. proteron -- former, before
... before. Part of Speech: Adjective; Adverb, Comparative Transliteration: proteron
Phonetic Spelling: (prot'-er-on) Short Definition: formerly, before Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4386.htm - 6k

4387. proteros -- before
... Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: proteros Phonetic Spelling:
(prot'-er-os) Short Definition: former, before Definition: former, before, formerly. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4387.htm - 6k

3819. palai -- long ago, of old
... Probably another form for palin (through the idea of retrocession); (adverbially)
formerly, or (by relatively) sometime since; (elliptically as adjective ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3819.htm - 6k

4412. proton -- before, at the beginning
... Superlative Transliteration: proton Phonetic Spelling: (pro'-ton) Short Definition:
first, before Definition: first, in the first place, before, formerly. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4412.htm - 6k

4391. prouparcho -- to exist beforehand
... Word Origin from pro and huparcho Definition to exist beforehand NASB Word
Usage been* (1), before (1), formerly (1). exist beforehand. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4391.htm - 6k

22. agamos -- unmarried
... Spelling: (ag'-am-os) Short Definition: unmarried Definition: unmarried, of a person
not in a state of wedlock, whether he or she has formerly been married or ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/22.htm - 6k

890. achrestos -- useless
... Phm 11: "Formerly he was (890 ) to you, but now he is indeed (2173 ) to you and
to me.". [Both terms come from the same root (5532 , "profitable").]. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/890.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

8543. temol -- yesterday, recently, formerly
... 8542, 8543. temol or temol. 8544 . yesterday, recently, formerly. Transliteration:
temol or temol Phonetic Spelling: (tem-ole') Short Definition: previously ...
/hebrew/8543.htm - 6k

865a. ethmol -- yesterday, recently, formerly
... 865, 865a. ethmol or ittemol or ethmul. 865b . yesterday, recently, formerly.
Transliteration: ethmol or ittemol or ethmul Short Definition: previously. ...
/hebrew/865a.htm - 5k

6924a. qedem -- front, east, formerly
... 6924, 6924a. qedem. 6924b . front, east, formerly. Transliteration: qedem
Short Definition: east. Word Origin from an unused word ...
/hebrew/6924a.htm - 5k

6924. qedem -- front, east, formerly
... 6923, 6924. qedem. 6924a . front, east, formerly. Transliteration: qedem
Phonetic Spelling: (keh'-dem) Short Definition: aforetime. ...
/hebrew/6924.htm - 6k

865. ethmowl -- yesterday, recently, formerly
... 864b, 865. ethmowl. 865a . yesterday, recently, formerly. Transliteration:
ethmowl Phonetic Spelling: (eth-mole') Short Definition: time. ...
/hebrew/865.htm - 6k

7223. rishon -- former, first, chief
... things (1), first (113), first one (2), first time (1), forefathers (1), foremost
(1), former (25), former ones (4), former things (6), formerly (6), front (1 ...
/hebrew/7223.htm - 6k

8032a. shilshom -- three days ago, day before, yesterday
... Word Origin from the same as shalosh Definition three days ago, day before, yesterday
NASB Word Usage before* (3), beforehand* (1), formerly* (2), past* (2 ...
/hebrew/8032a.htm - 5k

3528. kebar -- already
... From kabar; properly, extent of time, ie A great while; hence, long ago, formerly,
hitherto -- already, (seeing that which), now. see HEBREW kabar. ...
/hebrew/3528.htm - 6k

6440. panim -- face, faces
... faces (49), faces in the presence (1), faces toward (1), faces* (1), facing (7),
facing* (4), favor (9), favor* (3), former times (2), formerly (14), forward (3 ...
/hebrew/6440.htm - 8k

6927. qadmah -- antiquity, former state
... Word Origin from the same as qedem Definition antiquity, former state NASB Word
Usage before (1), former state (2), formerly (1), origin is from antiquity (1). ...
/hebrew/6927.htm - 6k

Library

Letter Liv to Ermengarde, Formerly Countess of Brittany
... LETTER LIV To Ermengarde, Formerly Countess of Brittany. To Ermengarde,
Formerly Countess of Brittany [86] He gently, and tenderly ...
/.../letter liv to ermengarde formerly.htm

The Church, Formerly Barren, is Now Fruitful.
... The Homily. Chap. ii."the church, formerly barren, is now fruitful. "Rejoice,
thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry ...
/.../unknown/the second epistle of clement/chap ii the church formerly barren.htm

The Church, Formerly Barren, is Now Fruitful.
... The Second Epistle of Clement. Chapter II."The Church, Formerly Barren,
is Now Fruitful. "Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not ...
/.../keith/the epistles of clement/chapter ii the church formerly barren.htm

The Presbyter Sabbatius, Formerly a Jew, Separates from the ...
... Book VII. Chapter V."The Presbyter Sabbatius, formerly a Jew, separates
from the Novatians. Many, however, making no account of ...
/.../chapter v the presbyter sabbatius formerly.htm

Jovinian Used Formerly to Call Catholics Manicheans; the Arians ...
... Book II. Chapter 38 [XXIII.]"Jovinian Used Formerly to Call Catholics Manicheans;
The Arians Also Used to Call Catholics Sabellians. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 38 xxiii jovinian used formerly.htm

Epistle Lxiii. To Epictetus and to the Congregation of Assur?? ...
... Epistle LXIII. To Epictetus and to the Congregation of Assur??, Concerning
Fortunatianus, Formerly Their Bishop. Argument."He ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxiii to epictetus and.htm

The Great Fruits Produced by the Above-Mentioned Prayer. The ...
... PRAYER. THE WONDERFUL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THESE EFFECTS AND THOSE FORMERLY
DESCRIBED SHOULD BE CAREFULLY STUDIED AND REMEMBERED. ...
/.../teresa/the interior castle or the mansions/chapter iii the great fruits.htm

That Whereas the City of Jerusalem had Been Five Times Taken ...
... CHAPTER 10. That Whereas The City Of Jerusalem Had Been Five Times Taken Formerly,
This Was The Second Time Of Its Desolation. A Brief Account Of Its History. ...
/.../chapter 10 that whereas the.htm

Miracle Performed by Silvanus Bishop of Troas Formerly of ...
... Book VII. Chapter XXXVII."Miracle performed by Silvanus Bishop of Troas formerly
of Philippopolis. Silvanus was formerly a rhetorician ...
/.../chapter xxxvii miracle performed by silvanus.htm

Thus Far I have Made Answer About My Crimes, and Indeed in Defence ...
... 1. Thus far I have made answer about my crimes, and indeed in defence of my crimes,
which my crafty encomiast formerly urged against me, and which his ...
/.../1 thus far i have.htm

Thesaurus

Formerly (55 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Formerly (55 Occurrences). John 7:50 Nicodemus
interposed--he who had formerly gone to Jesus, being himself one of them. (WEY). ...
/f/formerly.htm - 22k

Aramaic (12 Occurrences)
... In its eastern form it is known as Syriac. In its occurrence in the Old Testament,
it formerly, though incorrectly, generally bore the name Chaldee. ...
/a/aramaic.htm - 31k

Godhead (5 Occurrences)
... They are representatives of a large class of abstract substantives, formed with
the suffix "-head" or "-hood", most of which formerly occurred in both forms ...
/g/godhead.htm - 22k

Good (8348 Occurrences)
... 3. (superl.) Kind; benevolent; humane; merciful; gracious; polite; propitious; friendly;
well-disposed; -- often followed by to or toward, also formerly by unto ...
/g/good.htm - 26k

Tenth (89 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) A temporary aid issuing out of personal property, and granted to the king
by Parliament; formerly, the real tenth part of all the movables belonging to ...
/t/tenth.htm - 38k

Ravaged (11 Occurrences)
... (WEB DBY). Galatians 1:23 only they were hearing that he who persecuted us formerly
now announces the glad tidings of the faith which formerly he ravaged: (DBY) ...
/r/ravaged.htm - 9k

En (19 Occurrences)
... See Em. 2. (n.) A suffix from AS. -an, formerly used to form the plural of
many nouns, as in ashen, eyen, oxen, all obs. except oxen. ...
/e/en.htm - 14k

Disturbed (30 Occurrences)
... them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and be disturbed no more; neither
shall the sons of wickedness afflict them any more, as formerly, (DBY NAS ...
/d/disturbed.htm - 15k

Chamber (73 Occurrences)
... when of different diameter from the rest of the bore; -- formerly, in guns, made
smaller than the bore, but now larger, esp. in breech-loading guns. ...
/c/chamber.htm - 36k

Announces (5 Occurrences)
... Galatians 1:23 only they were hearing that he who persecuted us formerly now announces
the glad tidings of the faith which formerly he ravaged: (DBY). ...
/a/announces.htm - 7k

Resources

Do we become angels after we die? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the Samaritans? | GotQuestions.org

Who is Felix in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Formerly: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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

Concordance

Formerly (55 Occurrences)

John 7:50
Nicodemus interposed--he who had formerly gone to Jesus, being himself one of them.
(WEY)

John 9:8
the neighbours, therefore, and those seeing him before, that he was blind, said, 'Is not this he who is sitting and begging?'
(See NIV)

John 9:13
They took him before the Pharisees--this man who had been blind.
(See NAS RSV)

Acts 8:9
And a certain man, by name Simon, was before in the city using magic, and amazing the nation of Samaria, saying himself to be a certain great one,
(See NAS)

Romans 11:30
but just as you were formerly disobedient to Him, but now have received mercy at a time when they are disobedient,
(WEY)

Romans 15:4
For whatever things were written formerly, were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
(WBS)

2 Corinthians 9:5
Necessary, therefore, I thought 'it' to exhort the brethren, that they may go before to you, and may make up before your formerly announced blessing, that this be ready, as a blessing, and not as covetousness.
(YLT)

Galatians 1:13
For ye have heard what was my conversation formerly in Judaism, that I excessively persecuted the assembly of God, and ravaged it;
(DBY)

Galatians 1:23
They only heard it said, "He who was once our persecutor is now telling the Good News of the faith of which he formerly made havoc."
(WEY DBY NIV)

Galatians 4:8
However at that time, not knowing God, you were in bondage to those who by nature are not gods.
(See RSV NIV)

Ephesians 2:2
in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the children of disobedience;
(See NAS)

Ephesians 2:3
Among them all of us also formerly passed our lives, governed by the inclinations of our lower natures, indulging the cravings of those natures and of our own thoughts, and were in our original state deserving of anger like all others.
(WEY NAS)

Ephesians 2:11
Therefore, do not forget that formerly you were Gentiles as to your bodily condition. You were called the Uncircumcision by those who style themselves the Circumcised--their circumcision being one which the knife has effected.
(WEY NAS NIV)

Ephesians 2:13
But now, in Christ Jesus, ye, who formerly were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
(WBS NAS)

Ephesians 5:8
for ye were once darkness, and now light in the Lord; as children of light walk ye,
(See NAS)

Colossians 1:21
And you, that were formerly alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled,
(WBS NAS)

Colossians 3:7
In which ye also walked formerly, when ye lived with them.
(WBS)

1 Timothy 1:13
who before was speaking evil, and persecuting, and insulting, but I found kindness, because, being ignorant, I did 'it' in unbelief,
(See NAS RSV)

Philemon 1:11
Formerly he was useless to you, but now--true to his name--he is of great use to you and to me.
(WEY NAS RSV NIV)

Hebrews 1:1
God having spoken in many parts and in many ways formerly to the fathers in the prophets,
(DBY)

Hebrews 4:6
Since, then, it is still true that some will be admitted to that rest, and that because of disobedience those who formerly had Good News proclaimed to them were not admitted,
(WEY NAS RSV NIV)

Hebrews 7:21
(For those were made priests without an oath, but this one was made a priest with an oath by him who says of him, The Lord gave his oath, which he will not take back, that you are a priest for ever);
(See RSV)

1 Peter 3:20
Who formerly were disobedient, when once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was preparing, in which few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water.
(WBS RSV)

Genesis 13:4
to the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first. There Abram called on the name of Yahweh.
(See NAS)

Genesis 31:2
And Jacob beheld the countenance of Laban, and, behold, it was not toward him as beforetime.
(See NAS)

Genesis 31:5
and said unto them: 'I see your father's countenance, that it is not toward me as beforetime; but the God of my father hath been with me.
(See NAS)

Genesis 40:13
within yet three days shall Pharaoh lift up thy head, and restore thee unto thine office; and thou shalt give Pharaoh's cup into his hand, after the former manner when thou wast his butler.
(See RSV)

Deuteronomy 2:10
The Emim formerly have dwelt in it, a people great, and numerous, and tall, as the Anakim;
(YLT NAS RSV)

Deuteronomy 2:12
The Horims also dwelt formerly in Seir, but the children of Esau succeeded them, when they had destroyed them from before them, and dwelt in their stead; as Israel did to the land of his possession, which the LORD gave to them.)
(WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Deuteronomy 2:20
A land of Rephaim it is reckoned, even it; Rephaim dwelt in it formerly, and the Ammonites call them Zamzummim;
(YLT NAS RSV)

Joshua 8:33
And all Israel, and their elders and officers, and their judges, stood on this side the ark and on that side before the priests the Levites, that bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, as well the stranger as the home-born; half of them in front of mount Gerizim and half of them in front of mount Ebal; as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded at the first, that they should bless the people of Israel.
(See NIV)

Joshua 11:10
And Joshua turneth back at that time, and captureth Hazor, and its king he hath smitten by the sword; for Hazor formerly 'is' head of all these kingdoms;
(YLT NAS RSV)

Joshua 14:15
and the name of Hebron formerly 'is' Kirjath-Arba (he 'is' the great man among the Anakim); and the land hath rest from war.
(YLT NAS RSV)

Joshua 15:15
and he goeth up thence unto the inhabitants of Debir; and the name of Debir formerly is Kirjath-Sepher.
(YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 1:10
And Judah went against the Canaanites who dwelt in Hebron (now the name of Hebron was formerly Kir'iath-ar'ba); and they defeated She'shai and Ahi'man and Talmai.
(DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 1:11
From there they went against the inhabitants of Debir. The name of Debir was formerly Kir'iath-se'pher.
(DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 1:23
And the house of Joseph sent to spy out Bethel. (Now the name of the city was formerly Luz.)
(DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 3:2
(only for the sake of the generations of the sons of Israel's knowing, to teach them war, only those who formerly have not known them) --
(YLT NAS)

Judges 18:29
They called the name of the city Dan, after the name of Dan their father, who was born to Israel: however the name of the city was Laish at the first.
(See NAS)

Ruth 4:7
And this 'is' formerly in Israel for redemption and for changing, to establish anything: a man hath drawn off his sandal, and given 'it' to his neighbour, and this 'is' the testimony in Israel.
(YLT)

1 Samuel 9:9
(Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, thus he spoke, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was formerly called a Seer.)
(WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 10:11
And it came to pass when all that formerly knew him saw, that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to another, What is this that hath come to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?
(WBS NIV)

1 Samuel 19:7
And Jonathan called David, and Jonathan told him all those things. And Jonathan brought David to Saul, and he was in his presence, as beforetime.
(See NAS)

2 Samuel 7:10
And I will appoint a place for my people, for Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and be disturbed no more; neither shall the sons of wickedness afflict them any more, as formerly,
(DBY WBS NAS RSV)

2 Samuel 20:18
and she speaketh, saying, 'They spake often in former times, saying, Let them diligently ask at Abel, and so they finished.
(See NAS)

2 Kings 13:5
(And the LORD gave Israel a savior, so that they went out from under the hand of the Syrians: and the children of Israel dwelt in their tents, as formerly.
(WBS NAS RSV)

1 Chronicles 4:40
And they found fat and good pasture, and a land widely extended and quiet and fertile, for they who had dwelt there formerly were of Ham.
(DBY NAS NIV)

1 Chronicles 9:20
And Phinehas the son of Eleazar was the ruler over them formerly; Jehovah was with him.
(DBY YLT)

1 Chronicles 17:9
And I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and be disturbed no more; neither shall the sons of wickedness waste them any more, as formerly,
(DBY NAS RSV)

Nehemiah 13:5
had prepared for him a great chamber, where formerly they laid the oblations, the frankincense, and the vessels, and the tithes of the corn, the new wine and the oil, which was commanded for the Levites and the singers and the doorkeepers, and the heave-offerings of the priests.
(DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Job 30:3
With want and with famine gloomy, Those fleeing to a dry place, Formerly a desolation and waste,
(YLT)

Isaiah 41:27
I was the first to give word of it to Zion, and I gave the good news to Jerusalem.
(See NAS)

Isaiah 52:4
For thus saith the Lord GOD, My people went down formerly into Egypt to sojourn there; and the Assyrian oppressed them without cause.
(WBS)

Jeremiah 30:20
And his sons have been as aforetime, And his company before Me is established, And I have seen after all his oppressors.
(See NAS)

Ezekiel 36:11
And I have multiplied on you man and beast, And they have multiplied and been fruitful, And I have caused you to dwell according to your former states, And I have done better than at your beginnings, And ye have known that I 'am' Jehovah.
(See NAS)

Subtopics

Formerly

Related Terms

Forming (27 Occurrences)

Formerly (55 Occurrences)

Neglectest (1 Occurrence)

Neglected (10 Occurrences)

Forgettest (6 Occurrences)

Planteth (10 Occurrences)

Breatheth (8 Occurrences)

Becometh (82 Occurrences)

Chalk (8 Occurrences)