The term "instructeth" is an archaic form of the verb "instruct," which means to teach, guide, or impart knowledge. In the context of the Bible, it often refers to the divine guidance and teaching provided by God to His people. The concept of instruction is central to the biblical narrative, emphasizing the importance of learning and adhering to God's commandments and wisdom.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Divine Instruction: The Bible frequently highlights God as the ultimate instructor, who imparts wisdom and understanding to His followers. In Psalm 32:8 , God promises, "I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel and watch over you." This verse underscores the personal and attentive nature of God's guidance.

2. Parental Instruction: The Scriptures also emphasize the role of parents in instructing their children in the ways of the Lord. Proverbs 22:6 advises, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." This reflects the biblical mandate for parents to be the primary educators of their children in spiritual and moral matters.

3. Wisdom Literature: The Book of Proverbs is replete with references to instruction, often contrasting the wise, who heed instruction, with fools, who despise it. Proverbs 1:7 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Here, instruction is linked with the fear of the Lord, suggesting that true understanding begins with reverence for God.

4. The Role of the Holy Spirit: In the New Testament, the Holy Spirit is described as a teacher and guide for believers. John 14:26 records Jesus' promise: "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 role in instructing believers is crucial for understanding and applying the teachings of Christ.

5. Apostolic Instruction: The apostles, particularly Paul, often instructed early Christian communities in doctrine and practice. In 1 Corinthians 4:17 , Paul writes, "For this reason I have sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which is exactly what I teach everywhere in every church." Apostolic instruction was foundational for the establishment and growth of the early Church.

Theological Implications

The concept of instruction in the Bible is deeply intertwined with the idea of discipleship and obedience. To be instructed by God or His appointed leaders is to be shaped and molded according to His will. This instruction is not merely academic but transformative, aiming to produce a life that reflects God's character and purposes.

Practical Application

For believers, the call to be instructed by God involves a commitment to studying Scripture, prayer, and openness to the leading of the Holy Spirit. It also includes a willingness to be taught by those whom God has placed in positions of spiritual authority, such as pastors and teachers. The pursuit of divine instruction is a lifelong journey that requires humility, diligence, and a heart inclined toward God.

Christian Morals. Part ii.
... study delight: it is at the command of every sober mind, and in every sense born
with us: but nature, who teacheth us the rule of pleasure, instructeth also in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/christian morals/christian morals part ii.htm

A Drama in Five Acts
... HOLY SCRIPTURE SELDOM gives a special rule for each particular case, but it rather
instructeth us by general principles applicable to all cases. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/a drama in five acts.htm

Chapter i
... Wheat is the Divine Gloom. Trinty, which exceedeth all Being, Deity, and Goodness!
[514] Thou that instructeth Christians in Thy heavenly wisdom! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolt/dionysius the areopagite/chapter i.htm

Seventh Chapter
... How the Doctor learns this task very quickly (though with trouble), and how this
layman further instructeth him in the shortest way to the highest contemplation ...
/.../the history and life of the reverend doctor john tauler/seventh chapter.htm

John x. 22-24
... When He addresseth them, and instructeth them by His words, they say, "What sign
showest thou us?" ( c. vi.30.) But when He giveth them proofs by His works ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lxi john x 22-24.htm

Ethics Teach us the Mysteries of Morality
... practice. The former furnisheth us with riches, this with honours and delights,
the former feasteth us, and this instructeth us. ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/45 ethics teach us the.htm

Whether Divination by Dreams is Unlawful?
... night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, and they are sleeping in their beds, then
He," God to wit, "openeth the ears of men, and teaching instructeth them in ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether divination by dreams is.htm

Whether Nocturnal Pollution is a Mortal Sin?
... from memory, as the passage is given correctly above[3538], Q[95], A[6], OBJ[1]] . . .
Then He openeth the ears of men, and teaching instructeth them in what ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether nocturnal pollution is a.htm

Whether for the Justification of the Ungodly is Required a ...
... to Job 33:15,16: "When deep sleep falleth upon men and they are sleeping in their
beds, then He openeth the ears of men, and teaching, instructeth them in what ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether for the justification of.htm

Whether the Precept of Fraternal Correction Demands that a Private ...
... then He openeth the ears of men, and teaching instructeth them in what they are
to learn, that He may withdraw a man from the things he is doing.". ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the precept of fraternal.htm

Instructeth (6 Occurrences)
...Instructeth (6 Occurrences). ... (YLT). Psalms 16:7 I will bless Jehovah, who hath given
me counsel; Yea, my heart instructeth me in the night seasons. (ASV). ...
/i/instructeth.htm - 8k

Instructing (14 Occurrences)

/i/instructing.htm - 10k

Intelligent (47 Occurrences)
... (See NAS NIV). 1 Chronicles 15:22 And Chenaniah, head of the Levites, 'is' over
the burden; he instructeth about the burden, for he 'is' intelligent. (YLT). ...
/i/intelligent.htm - 20k

Instructest (1 Occurrence)

/i/instructest.htm - 6k

Burden (111 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 15:22 And Chenaniah, head of the Levites, 'is' over the burden; he
instructeth about the burden, for he 'is' intelligent. (YLT). ...
/b/burden.htm - 46k

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