Topical Bible: Instructions

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In the biblical context, "instructions" refer to the guidance, commandments, and teachings provided by God to His people. These instructions are found throughout the Scriptures and are intended to direct believers in living a life that is pleasing to God, fostering a relationship with Him, and promoting harmony within the community of faith.

Old Testament

The concept of divine instructions is deeply rooted in the Old Testament. The Hebrew word "Torah," often translated as "law," more accurately means "instruction" or "teaching." The Torah, comprising the first five books of the Bible, contains the foundational instructions given by God to the Israelites. These include moral, ceremonial, and civil laws.

One of the most significant sets of instructions is the Ten Commandments, found in Exodus 20:1-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21. These commandments serve as a moral compass for God's people, outlining duties to God and fellow humans. In Deuteronomy 6:6-7 , God emphasizes the importance of these instructions: "These words I am commanding you today are to be upon your hearts. And you shall teach them diligently to your children and speak of them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

The wisdom literature, particularly the Book of Proverbs, is replete with instructions for righteous living. Proverbs 4:13 advises, "Hold on to instruction; do not let go. Guard it, for it is your life." This highlights the life-giving nature of divine guidance.

New Testament

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is portrayed as the ultimate teacher and fulfiller of God's instructions. His teachings, often delivered in parables, provide profound insights into the kingdom of God and the nature of true righteousness. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus expounds on the law, offering deeper understanding and application (Matthew 5-7).

The Great Commission, found in Matthew 28:19-20 , underscores the importance of teaching: "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." This passage highlights the continuity of divine instruction from the Old Testament to the New Testament era.

The apostolic writings further elaborate on instructions for the church. The epistles contain numerous exhortations and guidelines for Christian conduct. For instance, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 states, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work."

Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in guiding believers into all truth. Jesus promised the coming of the Holy Spirit as a helper and teacher in John 14:26 : "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 Spirit's indwelling presence empowers believers to understand and apply God's instructions in their lives.

Practical Application

Believers are called to diligently study and apply God's instructions. James 1:22 exhorts, "Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves." This call to action emphasizes the transformative power of living according to divine guidance.

In summary, biblical instructions are a vital component of the Christian faith, providing direction, wisdom, and a framework for living a life that honors God. Through the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit, believers are equipped to navigate the complexities of life with divine wisdom and grace.

Greek

1299. diatasso -- to arrange thoroughly, ie to charge, appoint
... 1299 ("to command with detailed instructions") means to issue a command with
authority because it takes into account all that is necessary to. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1299.htm - 8k

3853. paraggello -- to transmit a message, to order
... NASB Word Usage charge (1), command (4), commanded (4), commanding (1), direct
(1), directed (2), gave (1), give...order (1), give instructions (1), giving ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3853.htm - 9k

1785. entole -- an injunction, order, command
... entellomai Definition an injunction, order, command NASB Word Usage command (2),
commanded* (1), commandment (38), commandments (23), instructions (1), orders ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1785.htm - 7k

1291. diastello -- to set apart, fig. to distinguish, to charge ...
... diastello Phonetic Spelling: (dee-as-tel'-lom-ahee) Short Definition: I give a
commission, order Definition: I give a commission (instructions), order; I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1291.htm - 7k

1781. entellomai -- to enjoin, to charge, command
... entellomai Phonetic Spelling: (en-tel'-lom-ahee) Short Definition: I give orders,
command Definition: I give orders (injunctions, instructions, commands). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1781.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

1697. dabar -- speech, word
... doings (1), duty (1), edict (1), eloquent* (1), event (3), events (5), fulfillment
(1), harm (1), harm* (1), idea (1), instructed (1), instructions (2), manner ...
/hebrew/1697.htm - 8k

8451. torah -- direction, instruction, law
... Word Origin from yarah Definition direction, instruction, law NASB Word Usage custom
(1), instruction (10), instructions (1), Law (1), law (188), laws (10 ...
/hebrew/8451.htm - 6k

Library

The Instructions of Commodianus in favour of Christian Discipline
The Instructions of Commodianus in favour of Christian Discipline. <. The
Instructions of Commodianus in favour of Christian Discipline Commodianus. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/commodianus/the instructions of commodianus/

Instructions for Fishermen
... VOLUME I: ST. LUKE Chaps. I to XII INSTRUCTIONS FOR FISHERMEN. 'Now when
He had left speaking, He said unto Simon, Launch out into ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/instructions for fishermen.htm

Instructions to Catechumens.
... instructions to catechumens. first instruction. To those about to be
illuminated; [492] and for what reason the laver is said to ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/instructions to catechumens.htm

Introductory Note to the Instructions of Commodianus.
The Instructions of Commodianus in favour of Christian Discipline. <. ...
Introductory Note to the Instructions of Commodianus. ...
/.../the instructions of commodianus/introductory note to the instructions.htm

Instructions to Converts.
... LECTURE XIX. INSTRUCTIONS TO CONVERTS. Text."Feed my lambs."John 21:15. ... INSTRUCTIONS
TO YOUNG CONVERTS. In speaking on this subject, it is my design,. ...
/.../lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xix instructions to converts.htm

Instructions to Converts.
... LECTURE XX. INSTRUCTIONS TO CONVERTS. ... Mention some of the evils which naturally result
from defective instructions given in that stage of Christian experience. ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xx instructions to converts.htm

St. Chrysostom: Instructions to Catechumens.
... St. Chrysostom: instructions to catechumens. translated with introduction,
and notes by rev. wrw stephens, ma,. prebendary of chichester ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/st chrysostom instructions to catechumens.htm

Instructions to the Seventy on their Mission. (Luke, X. ) the Wo ...
... THROUGH SAMARIA. Section 204. Instructions to the Seventy on their Mission.
(Luke, x.) The Wo to the Unbelieving Cities. The Spirit ...
/.../section 204 instructions to the.htm

Concluding Salutations and Instructions.
... Chapter IX."Concluding salutations and instructions. Salute Cassian, my
host, and his most serious-minded partner in life, and ...
/.../chapter ix concluding salutations and instructions.htm

Instructions and Counsels to Confessors and Spiritual Directors.
... Internal and External Penance. CHAP. VI. Instructions and Counsels to
Confessors and Spiritual Directors. 28. The highest and most ...
/.../chap vi instructions and counsels.htm

Thesaurus

Instructions (47 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Instructions (47 Occurrences). Matthew 10:5 These
twelve Jesus sent on a mission, after giving them their ...
/i/instructions.htm - 20k

Premillennial
... The Lord Jesus said nothing about world-wide conversion in His instructions to His
disciples touching their mission (Matthew 28:19, 20 Mark 16:15 Luke 24:46-48 ...
/p/premillennial.htm - 23k

Millennium
... The Lord Jesus said nothing about world-wide conversion in His instructions to His
disciples touching their mission (Matthew 28:19, 20 Mark 16:15 Luke 24:46-48 ...
/m/millennium.htm - 24k

Requirements (26 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 11:1 Therefore you shall love Yahweh your God, and keep his instructions,
and his statutes, and his ordinances, and his commandments, always. ...
/r/requirements.htm - 14k

Uruah
... (The point is missed here by speaking of Uriah's "chivalrous determination," as
in HDB, IV, 837.) David, in desperation, wrote Joab instructions that were ...
/u/uruah.htm - 10k

Uriah (33 Occurrences)
... (The point is missed here by speaking of Uriah's "chivalrous determination," as
in HDB, IV, 837.) David, in desperation, wrote Joab instructions that were ...
/u/uriah.htm - 22k

Instructing (14 Occurrences)
... Matthew 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent on a mission, after giving them their instructions:
"Go not," He said, "among the Gentiles, and enter no Samaritan town ...
/i/instructing.htm - 10k

Refuses (21 Occurrences)
... 2 Thessalonians 3:14 and if any one refuses to obey these our written instructions,
mark that man and hold no communication with him--so that he may be made to ...
/r/refuses.htm - 12k

Instruction (117 Occurrences)
... who have gone out from among us have disturbed you by their teaching and have unsettled
your minds, without having received any such instructions from us ...
/i/instruction.htm - 35k

Day (17670 Occurrences)
... Position. Leviticus 16:1-28 contains instructions given by Yahweh to Moses
for his brother Aaron (16:1, 2). (a) Leviticus 16:1-10. ...
/d/day.htm - 70k

Resources

What is antithetical parallelism in Hebrew poetry? | GotQuestions.org

What are the different Jewish festivals in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Pentateuch? | GotQuestions.org

Instructions: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Concordance

Instructions (47 Occurrences)

Matthew 10:5
These twelve Jesus sent on a mission, after giving them their instructions: "Go not," He said, "among the Gentiles, and enter no Samaritan town;
(WEY NIV)

Matthew 11:1
When Jesus had concluded His instructions to His twelve disciples, He left in order to teach and to proclaim His Message in the neighbouring towns.
(WEY NAS)

Mark 11:1
When they were getting near Jerusalem and had arrived at Bethphage and Bethany, on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples on in front, with these instructions.
(WEY)

Mark 14:13
So He sent two of His disciples with instructions, saying, "Go into the city, and you will meet a man carrying a pitcher of water: follow him,
(WEY)

Mark 16:20
They went out, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen.
(See NAS)

Luke 22:8
Jesus sent Peter and John with instructions. "Go," He said, "and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat it."
(WEY)

Acts 1:2
until the day in which he was received up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.
(See NIV)

Acts 15:20
Yet let us send them written instructions to abstain from things polluted by connexion with idolatry, from fornication, from meat killed by strangling, and from blood.
(WEY)

Acts 15:24
As we have been informed that certain persons who have gone out from among us have disturbed you by their teaching and have unsettled your minds, without having received any such instructions from us;
(WEY RSV)

Acts 17:15
But those who escorted Paul brought him as far as Athens. Receiving a commandment to Silas and Timothy that they should come to him very quickly, they departed.
(See NIV)

Acts 19:33
They brought Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. Alexander beckoned with his hand, and would have made a defense to the people.
(See NIV)

Acts 23:31
So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul and brought him by night to Antipatris.
(See RSV)

1 Corinthians 7:10
But to those already married my instructions are--yet not mine, but the Lord's--that a wife is not to leave her husband;
(WEY NAS)

1 Corinthians 11:17
But while giving you these instructions, there is one thing I cannot praise--your meeting together, with bad rather than good results.
(WEY RSV)

Colossians 4:10
Aristarchus my fellow prisoner sends greeting to you, and so does Barnabas's cousin Mark. You have received instructions as to him; if he comes to you, give him a welcome.
(WEY NAS RSV NIV)

1 Thessalonians 4:2
For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.
(WEB RSV NIV)

2 Thessalonians 2:15
So then, brethren, stand firm, and hold fast the instructions which ye have been taught, whether by word or by our letter.
(DBY)

2 Thessalonians 3:14
and if any one refuses to obey these our written instructions, mark that man and hold no communication with him--so that he may be made to feel ashamed.
(WEY)

1 Timothy 1:18
This is the charge which I entrust to you, my son Timothy, in accordance with the inspired instructions concerning you which were given me long ago, that being equipped with them as your armour you may be continually fighting the good fight,
(WEY)

1 Timothy 3:14
These things I write to you, hoping to come to you shortly;
(See RSV NIV)

1 Timothy 4:6
If you instruct the brothers of these things, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which you have followed.
(See RSV)

1 Timothy 5:21
I solemnly call upon you, in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels, to carry out these instructions of mine without prejudice, and to do nothing from partiality.
(WEY NIV)

1 Timothy 6:3
So teach and exhort. If any one is a teacher of any other kind of doctrine, and refuses assent to wholesome instructions--those of our Lord Jesus Christ--and the teaching that harmonizes with true godliness,
(WEY)

Hebrews 11:22
By faith, Joseph, when his end was near, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave instructions concerning his bones.
(WEB NIV)

Genesis 44:1
He commanded the steward of his house, saying, "Fill the men's sacks with food, as much as they can carry, and put every man's money in his sack's mouth.
(See NIV)

Genesis 49:33
When Jacob made an end of charging his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the spirit, and was gathered to his people.
(See NIV)

Genesis 50:16
They sent a message to Joseph, saying, "Your father commanded before he died, saying,
(See NIV)

Exodus 12:24
You shall observe this thing for an ordinance to you and to your sons forever.
(See NIV)

Exodus 16:4
Then said Yahweh to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread from the sky for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day's portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law, or not.
(See NIV)

Exodus 16:28
And the Lord said to Moses, How long will you go against my orders and my laws?
(See NAS NIV)

Deuteronomy 11:1
Therefore you shall love Yahweh your God, and keep his instructions, and his statutes, and his ordinances, and his commandments, always.
(WEB)

Deuteronomy 17:11
according to the tenor of the law which they shall teach you, and according to the judgment which they shall tell you, you shall do; you shall not turn aside from the sentence which they shall show you, to the right hand, nor to the left.
(See RSV)

Joshua 8:33
And all Israel, and its elders, and authorities, and its judges, are standing on this side and on that of the ark, over-against the priests, the Levites, bearing the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, as well the sojourner as the native, half of them over-against mount Gerizim, and the half of them over-against mount Ebal, as Moses servant of Jehovah commanded to bless the people of Israel at the first.
(See NIV)

Judges 21:10
The congregation sent there twelve thousand men of the most valiant, and commanded them, saying, "Go and strike the inhabitants of Jabesh Gilead with the edge of the sword, with the women and the little ones.
(See NIV)

1 Samuel 15:11
"It grieves me that I have set up Saul to be king; for he is turned back from following me, and has not performed my commandments." Samuel was angry; and he cried to Yahweh all night.
(See NIV)

1 Samuel 15:13
Samuel came to Saul; and Saul said to him, "You are blessed by Yahweh! I have performed the commandment of Yahweh."
(See NIV)

1 Samuel 15:24
And Saul said to Samuel, Great is my sin: for I have gone against the orders of the Lord and against your words: because, fearing the people, I did what they said.
(See NIV)

1 Samuel 21:2
David said to Ahimelech the priest, "The king has commanded me a business, and has said to me,'Let no man know anything of the business about which I send you, and what I have commanded you; and I have appointed the young men to such and such a place.'
(See NIV)

Esther 2:20
Esther had not yet made known her relatives nor her people, as Mordecai had commanded her; for Esther obeyed Mordecai, like she did when she was brought up by him.
(See NIV)

Esther 4:17
So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him.
(See NIV)

Esther 9:26
Therefore they called these days " Purim, " from the word "Pur." Therefore because of all the words of this letter, and of that which they had seen concerning this matter, and that which had come to them,
(See NAS)

Esther 9:31
to confirm these days of Purim in their appointed times, as Mordecai the Jew and Esther the queen had decreed, and as they had imposed upon themselves and their descendants, in the matter of the fastings and their cry.
(See NAS)

Proverbs 19:16
He who keeps the law keeps his soul; but death will be the fate of him who takes no note of the word.
(See NIV)

Jeremiah 32:13
I commanded Baruch before them, saying,
(See NIV)

Jeremiah 35:18
Jeremiah said to the house of the Rechabites, Thus says Yahweh of Armies, the God of Israel: Because you have obeyed the commandment of Jonadab your father, and kept all his precepts, and done according to all that he commanded you;
(See NIV)

Zechariah 3:7
"Thus says Yahweh of Armies:'If you will walk in my ways, and if you will follow my instructions, then you also shall judge my house, and shall also keep my courts, and I will give you a place of access among these who stand by.
(WEB)

Malachi 3:14
You have said,'It is vain to serve God;' and'What profit is it that we have followed his instructions, and that we have walked mournfully before Yahweh of Armies?
(WEB)

Subtopics

Instructions

Related Terms

Tutor (2 Occurrences)

Instructors (4 Occurrences)

Forge (2 Occurrences)

Forger (1 Occurrence)

Instructions (47 Occurrences)

Insults (34 Occurrences)

Tubalcain (1 Occurrence)

Teach (172 Occurrences)

Tubal-cain (1 Occurrence)