The concept of "instruct" in the Bible encompasses teaching, guiding, and imparting wisdom or knowledge, often with a moral or spiritual dimension. It is a significant theme throughout both the Old and New Testaments, reflecting the importance of divine guidance and the responsibility of believers to learn and teach God's ways.

Old Testament

In the Old Testament, instruction is closely associated with the Law and the wisdom literature. The Hebrew word often translated as "instruct" is "yara," which can mean to teach or to direct. The Law given to Moses is a primary source of instruction for the Israelites. In Deuteronomy 4:1 , Moses exhorts the people, "Now, O Israel, listen to the statutes and ordinances I am teaching you to follow, so that you may live and enter and take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, is giving you."

The wisdom literature, particularly the Book of Proverbs, emphasizes the value of instruction. Proverbs 1:8 advises, "Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake the teaching of your mother." Here, instruction is portrayed as a familial duty, essential for moral and spiritual development.

New Testament

In the New Testament, instruction takes on a Christocentric focus. Jesus Christ is the ultimate teacher, whose life and teachings provide the foundation for Christian instruction. In Matthew 28:19-20 , Jesus commands His disciples, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you."

The Apostle Paul also emphasizes the role of instruction in the life of the church. In 2 Timothy 3:16 , he writes, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness." Here, instruction is linked to the transformative power of Scripture, which equips believers for every good work.

Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in instruction, guiding believers into all truth. In John 14:26 , Jesus promises, "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you." The Holy Spirit's instruction is essential for understanding and applying the teachings of Christ.

Practical Application

Instruction in the Christian life involves both receiving and giving. Believers are called to be lifelong learners of God's Word, as well as teachers who pass on the faith to others. This is evident in the pastoral epistles, where Paul instructs Timothy to "preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and careful instruction" (2 Timothy 4:2).

In summary, the biblical concept of instruction is multifaceted, involving the impartation of divine wisdom, the teaching of Christ's commands, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is foundational to the spiritual growth and maturity of believers, as well as the mission of the church to make disciples of all nations.1. (a.) Arranged; furnished; provided.

2. (a.) Instructed; taught; enlightened.

3. (v. t.) To put in order; to form; to prepare.

4. (v. t.) To form by communication of knowledge; to inform the mind of; to impart knowledge or information to; to enlighten; to teach; to discipline.

5. (v. t.) To furnish with directions; to advise; to direct; to command; as, the judge instructs the jury.

3453. mueo -- to initiate into the mysteries, hence to instruct
... to initiate into the mysteries, hence to instruct. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
mueo Phonetic Spelling: (moo-eh'-o) Short Definition: I initiate ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3453.htm - 7k

2727. katecheo -- to teach by word of mouth
... to teach by word of mouth. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: katecheo Phonetic
Spelling: (kat-ay-kheh'-o) Short Definition: I instruct orally Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2727.htm - 8k

4822. sumbibazo -- to join together, hence to consider, by ext. to ...
... to teach. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: sumbibazo Phonetic Spelling:
(soom-bib-ad'-zo) Short Definition: I unite, prove, instruct Definition: (a) I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4822.htm - 8k

3100. matheteuo -- to be a disciple, to make a disciple
... disciple, instruct, teach. From mathetes; intransitively, to become a pupil;
transitively, to disciple, ie Enrol as scholar -- be disciple, instruct, teach. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3100.htm - 7k

3811. paideuo -- to train children, to chasten, correct
... taught (1). chastise, instruct, learn, teach. From pais; to train up a child,
ie Educate, or (by implication), discipline (by punishment ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3811.htm - 8k

4367. prostasso -- to place at, give a command
... to place at, give a command. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: prostasso Phonetic
Spelling: (pros-tas'-so) Short Definition: I instruct, command, appoint ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4367.htm - 7k

3853. paraggello -- to transmit a message, to order
... commanded (4), commanding (1), direct (1), directed (2), gave (1), give...order
(1), give instructions (1), giving...instruction (1), instruct (2), instructed ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3853.htm - 9k

5263. hupodeiknumi -- to show secretly, to show by tracing out, to ...
... show, forewarn. From hupo and deiknuo; to exhibit under the eyes, ie (figuratively)
to exemplify (instruct, admonish) -- show, (fore-)warn. see GREEK hupo. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5263.htm - 6k

5260. hupoballo -- to throw or put under
... throw or put under. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: hupoballo Phonetic Spelling:
(hoop-ob-al'-lo) Short Definition: I suborn, instruct privately Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5260.htm - 6k

4264. probibazo -- to lead forward, lead on
... prompt, draw. From pro and a reduplicated form of biazo; to force forward, ie Bring
to the front, instigate -- draw, before instruct. see GREEK pro. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4264.htm - 6k

3256. yasar -- to discipline, chasten, admonish
... bind, chasten, chastise, correct, instruct, punish, reform, reprove,. A primitive
root; to chastise, literally (with blows) or figuratively ...
/hebrew/3256.htm - 6k

3384. yarah -- to throw, shoot
... Definition to throw, shoot NASB Word Usage archers (2), archers shot (1), archers*
(2), cast (3), cast them down (1), directed (1), instruct (4), instructed (1 ...
/hebrew/3384.htm - 6k

3250. yissor -- one who reproves, faultfinder
... Word Origin from yasar Definition one who reproves, faultfinder NASB Word Usage
faultfinder (1). instruct. From yacar; a reprover -- instruct. see HEBREW yacar. ...
/hebrew/3250.htm - 6k

3045. yada -- to know
... 1), have (4), have relations (3), have...knowledge (2), ignorant* (1), illiterate*
(1), indeed learn (1), inform (1), informed (4), instruct (3), instructed (1 ...
/hebrew/3045.htm - 8k

3245. yasad -- to establish, found, fix
... appoint, take counsel, establish, lay the, lay for a foundation, instruct, lay,
ordain,. A primitive root; to set (literally or figuratively ...
/hebrew/3245.htm - 6k

3925. lamad -- to exercise in, learn
... root Definition to exercise in, learn NASB Word Usage accept (1), expert (1), instruct
(1), instructors (1), learn (15), learned (5), really learn (1 ...
/hebrew/3925.htm - 6k

7919. sakal -- to be prudent
... consider, expert, instruct, prosper, deal prudently, give skillful, have
good success, teach, A primitive root; to be (causatively ...
/hebrew/7919.htm - 5k

995. bin -- to discern
... or distinguish), ie(generally) understand -- attend, consider, be cunning, diligently,
direct, discern, eloquent, feel, inform, instruct, have intelligence ...
/hebrew/995.htm - 7k

7919a. sakal -- to be prudent
... 1), give heed (1), gives attention (1), giving attention (1), had...regard (1),
have insight (4), have success (2), insight (1), instruct (2), instructed (1 ...
/hebrew/7919a.htm - 6k

Whether He who Raises Anyone from the Sacred Font is Bound to ...
... OF THE MINISTERS BY WHOM THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM IS CONFERRED (EIGHT ARTICLES)
Whether he who raises anyone from the sacred font is bound to instruct him? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether he who raises anyone.htm

That Christ came into the World, not Only to Instruct Us, but Also ...
... CHAPTER IX That Christ came into the world, not only to instruct us, but
also to free us from sin. That Christ came into the world ...
/.../chapter ix that christ came.htm

Whether Free Grace is Appropriately Divided by the Apostle
... him. Free grace accordingly contains all that a man requires in order to
instruct another in divine things which transcend reason. ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article four whether free grace.htm

The Established Christian Urged to Exert Himself for Purposes of ...
... O what shall render to him for them all? Instruct me, O ye oracles of eternal truth!
Instruct me, ye elder brethren in the family of my heavenly Father! ...
/.../chapter xxviii the established christian.htm

Whether Confession of Faith is Necessary for Salvation
... But this is necessary only for those whose duty it is to instruct others. ... But it
is not the duty of all to instruct others in the faith at other times. ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article two whether confession of.htm

1 Timothy i. 18, 19
... Ver.20. "Of whom are Hymen??us and Alexander.". And from them he would instruct
us. ... But how does Satan instruct them not to blaspheme? ...
/.../homily v 1 timothy i.htm

Ordination and Duties of the Clergy.
... preserve in us the Spirit of Thy grace, that this person, being filled with the
gifts of healing and the word of teaching, may in meekness instruct Thy people ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii ordination and duties of.htm

Sex Education for Boys and the Sunday School
... Knowing this as we do, is it not a matter of some wonder that we have never really
made any systematic effort to instruct the boy concerning his wonderful power ...
/.../alexander/the boy and the sunday school/xv sex education for boys.htm

Modern Revivals, Continued.
... We appeal first to the intellect, to instruct, to enlighten, to give clear and correct
views and ideas, then through the intellect to the heart. ...
/.../chapter xxv modern revivals continued.htm

Aphrahat.
... Yet though many things are set in my thought to ask thee, they all are notwithstanding
reserved with me, that when I come to thee, thou mayest instruct me on ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/aphrahat.htm

Instruct (34 Occurrences)
...Instruct (34 Occurrences). ... (WEY RSV NIV). 1 Corinthians 2:16 "For who has known the
mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him?" But we have Christ's mind. ...
/i/instruct.htm - 16k

Teacher (103 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) One who teaches or instructs; one whose business
or occupation is to instruct others; an instructor; a tutor. ...
/t/teacher.htm - 61k

Teach (172 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To direct, as an instructor; to manage, as a preceptor; to guide the studies
of; to instruct; to inform; to conduct through a course of studies; as, to ...
/t/teach.htm - 65k

Edify (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To build up; to strengthen; to instruct,
especially in morals or religion. 2. (vi) To instruct...
/e/edify.htm - 9k

Competent (9 Occurrences)
... from my teaching, you are already full of goodness of heart, and enriched with complete
Christian knowledge, and are also competent to instruct one another. ...
/c/competent.htm - 9k

Instructed (80 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Instruct. Multi-Version Concordance ... Isaiah
28:26 For He doth instruct him aright; his God doth teach him. (See RSV). ...
/i/instructed.htm - 29k

Teaching (372 Occurrences)
... The noun indicates a wise person or sage whose mission is to instruct others in
the ways of the Lord (Proverbs 16:23; Proverbs 21:11; and often in the Wisdom ...
/t/teaching.htm - 62k

Jehoshaphat (79 Occurrences)
... In the third year of his reign he sent out priests and Levites over the land to
instruct the people in the law (2 Chronicles 17:7-9). He enjoyed a great ...
/j/jehoshaphat.htm - 51k

Direct (58 Occurrences)
... of an army. 9. (vt) To point out to with authority; to instruct as a superior;
to order; as, he directed them to go. 10. (vt) To ...
/d/direct.htm - 24k

Guide (89 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To regulate and manage; to direct; to order; to superintend the training
or education of; to instruct and influence intellectually or morally; to train ...
/g/guide.htm - 37k

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