In the context of the Bible, "groupings" refer to the various ways in which people, tribes, nations, and other entities are organized or categorized throughout the Scriptures. These groupings often serve to highlight relationships, roles, and divine purposes within the biblical narrative.

Tribal Groupings

One of the most prominent forms of groupings in the Bible is the division of the Israelites into twelve tribes. These tribes are descendants of the twelve sons of Jacob, also known as Israel. Each tribe had its own distinct territory and role within the nation of Israel. The tribes are frequently listed in various parts of the Old Testament, such as in Genesis 49, where Jacob blesses his sons, and in Numbers 1, where a census is taken. The tribes include Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph (often represented by his sons Ephraim and Manasseh), and Benjamin.

Religious Groupings

The Bible also describes various religious groupings, particularly in the New Testament. During the time of Jesus, several Jewish sects are mentioned, including the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Essenes. The Pharisees were known for their strict adherence to the Law and traditions, while the Sadducees, who were more aristocratic, denied certain doctrines such as the resurrection of the dead (Matthew 22:23). The Essenes, though not mentioned directly in the Bible, are known from historical sources as a separatist group with a focus on purity and communal living.

Social and Economic Groupings

Social and economic groupings are also evident in the Scriptures. The Bible often refers to the poor, widows, orphans, and foreigners as groups deserving special care and justice. For example, Deuteronomy 10:18 states, "He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing." The early church in Acts is noted for its communal sharing and support for those in need (Acts 2:44-45).

Ethnic and National Groupings

Ethnic and national groupings are significant in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of God's covenant with Israel and the surrounding nations. The Old Testament frequently mentions nations such as Egypt, Babylon, Assyria, and Philistia, each playing a role in Israel's history. In the New Testament, the spread of the Gospel to Gentile nations is a major theme, as seen in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19) and the missionary journeys of Paul.

Spiritual Groupings

The Bible also speaks of spiritual groupings, distinguishing between those who belong to God and those who do not. In the New Testament, believers are often referred to as the "body of Christ" (1 Corinthians 12:27) and the "church" (Ephesians 1:22-23). This spiritual grouping transcends ethnic and social boundaries, uniting all believers in Christ.

Heavenly Groupings

Heavenly groupings are depicted in the Bible, particularly in the context of angelic beings. Angels are often organized into ranks or orders, such as archangels and cherubim. For example, Michael is referred to as an archangel in Jude 1:9. These groupings highlight the order and structure within the heavenly realm.

Conclusion

The concept of groupings in the Bible serves to illustrate the diverse ways in which God interacts with humanity and creation. Whether through tribes, religious sects, social classes, nations, or spiritual communities, these groupings reveal the complexity and richness of the biblical narrative.

The Rural Sunday School
... There is no problem in either place, if there is no group of boys. The
Departmental groupings may not be feasible. Usually they are not. ...
/.../alexander/the boy and the sunday school/xxi the rural sunday school.htm

First Tractate.
... Either the previous star-groupings were the determinants of the child's future career
or, if they were not, then neither is the immediate grouping. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/plotinus/the six enneads/first tractate 3.htm

Some Preliminary Definitions
... None of the groupings mentioned can be considered "the community." Yet each is
"a community." A "community" is a psychical and not a physical thing. ...
/.../church cooperation in community life/chapter i some preliminary definitions.htm

Letter iv. Personal Habits.
... walls which made the sides of the dormer window were ornamented, the one with a
long branch of dogwood blossoms, the other with graceful groupings of poppies ...
/.../letter iv personal habits.htm

Introduction.
... Similar groupings of kindred events which occurred at various times during
the reign of an emperor are quite common in the Chron. (cf. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pamphilius/church history/introduction 2.htm

Genealogy of Jesus According to Matthew.
... fourteen generations. [The Jews, to whom Matthew wrote his Gospel, were
extremely fond of such groupings and divisions as this.]. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/iii genealogy of jesus according.htm

Literature.
... Clinton, HF Fasti Romani, 1((Oxf.1845), 348-397; 2((1850), 86-94. This is a most
convenient massing of sources, including groupings of laws and inscriptions. ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/section 3 literature.htm

Sex Education for Boys and the Sunday School
... Religious activity, in spite of the group tendency toward the small group, is still
in the mass"Christian Endeavor, Sunday school groupings, etc. ...
/.../alexander/the boy and the sunday school/xv sex education for boys.htm

Psalms and Proverbs.
... to criticism. For this reason many groupings have been suggested. The
following, taken from different sources, may be of help. (1 ...
/.../chapter xiii psalms and proverbs.htm

The Social Challenge to the Church
... the various types of farmers' clubs for men and women that perform much the same
function as the Grange, and the more or less permanent groupings for purely ...
/.../vogt/church cooperation in community life/chapter iv the social challenge.htm

Groupings (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Groupings (2 Occurrences). 2 Chronicles 35:5
And take your positions in the holy place, grouped in the ...
/g/groupings.htm - 7k

Grouped (7 Occurrences)

/g/grouped.htm - 8k

Groups (13 Occurrences)

/g/groups.htm - 10k

Mark (182 Occurrences)
... That and the one common today may be considered the two main groupings-the
one in the order of dignity, the other in that of time. ...
/m/mark.htm - 93k

According (7613 Occurrences)
... That and the one common today may be considered the two main groupings-the
one in the order of dignity, the other in that of time. ...
/a/according.htm - 62k

Book (211 Occurrences)
... The law of this is in effect that "like variations point to a common ancestor,"
the biological law of "homology," and if the groupings reveal as many as three ...
/b/book.htm - 101k

Gospel (108 Occurrences)
... That and the one common today may be considered the two main groupings-the
one in the order of dignity, the other in that of time. ...
/g/gospel.htm - 101k

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