In the context of the Bible, the concept of "increases" often relates to growth, multiplication, and the blessings of God upon His people. This theme is prevalent throughout both the Old and New Testaments, reflecting God's provision, the fruitfulness of His creation, and the spiritual growth of believers.

Old Testament

1. Creation and Multiplication: The idea of increase is first introduced in the creation narrative. In Genesis 1:28 , God blesses Adam and Eve, saying, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it." This command not only pertains to human reproduction but also to the stewardship and flourishing of creation.

2. Covenantal Promises: God's promises to the patriarchs often included the promise of increase. To Abraham, God said, "I will make you exceedingly fruitful; I will make nations of you, and kings will descend from you" (Genesis 17:6). Similarly, Isaac and Jacob received promises of numerous descendants and prosperity (Genesis 26:4, 28:14).

3. Agricultural Blessings: The increase of crops and livestock is a sign of God's blessing in the land. Leviticus 26:4 states, "I will give you rains in their season, and the land will yield its produce, and the trees of the field will bear their fruit." This agricultural increase is contingent upon Israel's obedience to God's commandments.

4. Wisdom Literature: Proverbs often speaks of increase in terms of wisdom and understanding. Proverbs 9:11 declares, "For through wisdom your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life." Here, increase is associated with the pursuit of wisdom and the fear of the Lord.

New Testament

1. Spiritual Growth: In the New Testament, the concept of increase often shifts to spiritual growth and maturity. In 2 Corinthians 9:10 , Paul writes, "Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your store of seed and will increase the harvest of your righteousness." This passage highlights God's role in increasing the believer's spiritual fruitfulness.

2. The Kingdom of God: Jesus frequently used parables to describe the increase of God's kingdom. In the Parable of the Mustard Seed, He illustrates how the kingdom starts small but grows into something great (Matthew 13:31-32). This increase is a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel.

3. Church Growth: The early church experienced numerical and spiritual increase as recorded in Acts. Acts 6:7 notes, "So the word of God continued to spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a great number of priests became obedient to the faith." This growth is attributed to the work of the Holy Spirit and the faithful witness of the apostles.

4. Personal Sanctification: Believers are encouraged to grow in their faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ. In 2 Peter 3:18 , Peter exhorts, "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." This increase in spiritual maturity is a lifelong process for the believer.

Conclusion

The theme of increase in the Bible encompasses both physical and spiritual dimensions, reflecting God's desire for His creation to flourish and His people to grow in faith and righteousness. Whether through the multiplication of descendants, the abundance of the land, or the expansion of the church, increase is a testament to God's faithfulness and provision.1418. dus- -- like un- or mis- (as in unrest, misjudge), nullifies ...
... 1417, 1418. dus-. 1419 . like un- or mis- (as in unrest, misjudge), nullifies
good sense or increases bad sense of a word. Transliteration ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1418.htm - 6k

4121. pleonazo -- to superabound, to make to abound
... to superabound, to make to abound NASB Word Usage cause* (1), grows...greater (1),
have too much (1), increase (3), increased (1), increases (1), increasing (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4121.htm - 7k

3130. Yoseph -- "he increases," a son of Jacob, also the name of ...
... "he increases," a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites. Transliteration:
Yoseph Phonetic Spelling: (yo-safe') Short Definition: Joseph. ...
/hebrew/3130.htm - 6k

7235a. rabah -- to be or become much, many or great
... 3), greatly* (1), grew (1), grow (1), grow...numerous (1), had gathered much (1),
had many (2), heap (1), increase (14), increased (7), increases (5), large (1 ...
/hebrew/7235a.htm - 6k

3254. yasaph -- to add
... 1), farther (1), further (2), give (1), give you increase (1), grow (1), increase
(4), increase you a more (1), increased (6), increases (3), increasing (2 ...
/hebrew/3254.htm - 6k

553. amets -- to be stout, strong, bold, alert
... root Definition to be stout, strong, bold, alert NASB Word Usage conquered (1),
courageous (11), determined (1), harden (1), hardened (1), increases (1), made ...
/hebrew/553.htm - 6k

Whether Charity Increases by Addition?
... OF THE SUBJECT OF CHARITY (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether charity increases by addition?
Objection 1: It would seem that charity increases by addition. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether charity increases by addition.htm

Whether Fear Decreases when Charity Increases?
... OF THE GIFT OF FEAR (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether fear decreases when charity increases?
Objection 1: It seems that fear decreases when charity increases. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether fear decreases when charity.htm

Whether Habits Increases by Addition?
... OF THE INCREASE OF HABITS (THREE ARTICLES) Whether habits increases by addition?
Objection 1: It would seem that the increase of habits is by way of addition. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether habits increases by addition.htm

Whether Fear Diminishes as Charity Increases
... Article Ten Whether Fear Diminishes as Charity Increases. Whether Fear Diminishes
as Charity Increases ... 1. It seems that fear diminishes as charity increases. ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article ten whether fear diminishes.htm

Sacrifice Hallows and Increases the Gift.
... Money: The Golden Channel of Service. (Luke xvi:1-18.) Sacrifice Hallows and
Increases the Gift. But there is more yet to be said here. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on service/sacrifice hallows and increases the.htm

Whether Charity Increases Indefinitely?
... OF THE SUBJECT OF CHARITY (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether charity increases indefinitely?
Objection 1: It would seem that charity does not increase indefinitely. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether charity increases indefinitely.htm

Whether Every Act Increases Its Habit?
... OF THE INCREASE OF HABITS (THREE ARTICLES) Whether every act increases its habit?
Objection 1: It would seem that every act increases its habit. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether every act increases its.htm

Whether Passion Increases or Decreases the Goodness or Malice of ...
... OF GOOD AND EVIL IN THE PASSIONS OF THE SOUL (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether passion
increases or decreases the goodness or malice of an act? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether passion increases or decreases.htm

Whether Charity Increases through Every Act of Charity?
... OF THE SUBJECT OF CHARITY (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether charity increases through every
act of charity? ... Therefore charity increases through every act of charity. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether charity increases through every.htm

Of the Second Degree of Our Inward Exercise, which Increases ...
... THE SECOND BOOK CHAPTER XVII. OF THE SECOND DEGREE OF OUR INWARD EXERCISE,
WHICH INCREASES INWARDNESS BY HUMILITY. But, having likened ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter xvii of the second.htm

Increases (24 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Increases (24 Occurrences). ... Ephesians 2:21 in whom all
the building fitted together increases to a holy temple in the Lord; (DBY). ...
/i/increases.htm - 12k

Increase (184 Occurrences)
... fruitful, or prolific. 3. (vi) To become more nearly full; to show more
of the surface; to wax; as, the moon increases. 4. (vt) To ...
/i/increase.htm - 40k

Yields (21 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Mark 4:8 But some of the seed falls into good ground, and gives a return:
it comes up and increases, and yields thirty, sixty, or a hundred-fold." (WEY). ...
/y/yields.htm - 12k

Knowledgeable (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Knowledgeable (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 24:5 A wise man
has great power; and a knowledgeable man increases strength; (WEB). ...
/k/knowledgeable.htm - 6k

Nourish (16 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To feed and cause to grow; to supply with matter which increases bulk or
supplies waste, and promotes health; to furnish with nutriment. ...
/n/nourish.htm - 13k

United (44 Occurrences)
... Colossians 2:19 and not holding fast the head, from whom all the body, ministered
to and united together by the joints and bands, increases with the increase ...
/u/united.htm - 20k

Loads (12 Occurrences)
... Habakkuk 2:6 Won't all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb
against him, and say,'Woe to him who increases that which is not his, and ...
/l/loads.htm - 10k

Loans (1 Occurrence)
... Habakkuk 2:6 Won't all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb
against him, and say,'Woe to him who increases that which is not his, and ...
/l/loans.htm - 6k

Lifts (26 Occurrences)
... waves. (WEB). Psalms 107:41 Yet he lifts the needy out of their affliction,
and increases their families like a flock. (WEB). Psalms ...
/l/lifts.htm - 13k

Gains (19 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Proverbs 11:24 There is one who scatters, and increases yet more. There
is one who withholds more than is appropriate, but gains poverty. (WEB NIV). ...
/g/gains.htm - 11k

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