The term "intendest" is an archaic form of the verb "intend," which means to have a purpose or plan in mind. In the context of the Bible, it often refers to the intentions or purposes of individuals, particularly in relation to God's will or commandments. The concept of intention is significant in understanding the motivations behind actions and the moral and spiritual implications of those actions.

Biblical Usage and Context

The word "intendest" itself does not appear in the Berean Standard Bible , but the concept of intention is prevalent throughout Scripture. The Bible frequently addresses the intentions of the heart, emphasizing that God is concerned not only with outward actions but also with the inner motivations that drive those actions.

Old Testament Insights

In the Old Testament, the intentions of the heart are often highlighted in the context of obedience to God's law. For example, in 1 Samuel 16:7 , the Lord says to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart." This passage underscores the importance of inner intentions over external appearances.

The account of Joseph and his brothers also illustrates the theme of intention. In Genesis 50:20 , Joseph tells his brothers, "As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Here, the differing intentions of Joseph's brothers and God are contrasted, highlighting God's sovereign ability to bring about good from human intentions that are evil.

New Testament Insights

In the New Testament, Jesus frequently addresses the intentions of the heart in His teachings. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus emphasizes that righteousness exceeds mere external compliance with the law and extends to the intentions behind actions. For instance, in Matthew 5:28 , Jesus says, "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." This teaching reveals that sinful intentions are equivalent to sinful actions in the eyes of God.

The Apostle Paul also discusses the importance of intentions in his letters. In 1 Corinthians 4:5 , he writes, "Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God." Paul emphasizes that God will ultimately reveal and judge the intentions of the heart.

Theological Implications

The concept of intention in the Bible has significant theological implications. It underscores the belief that God is omniscient and discerns the true motivations behind human actions. This understanding calls believers to cultivate pure intentions aligned with God's will, recognizing that God values the heart's disposition as much as, if not more than, outward actions.

Furthermore, the biblical emphasis on intention highlights the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life. As believers grow in their relationship with Christ, their intentions are increasingly conformed to His will, resulting in actions that reflect His love and righteousness.

In summary, while the specific term "intendest" may not appear in modern translations like the Berean Standard Bible, the concept of intention is deeply woven into the fabric of biblical teaching, calling believers to align their hearts and actions with the purposes of God.

1 Cor. Ix. 13, 14
... What then if thou hast not used them now, saith one, but intendest to use them
at a future time, and on this account sayest these things. ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxii 1 cor ix.htm

Psalm CXLV.
... see that the praise of God is here begun, and this praise is carried on even to
the end of the Psalm....Now then begin to praise, if thou intendest to praise ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxlv.htm

Moses
... fellow? And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest
thou to kill me as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses ...
/.../kingsley/the gospel of the pentateuch/sermon ix moses.htm

Preached Before the Governor, and Council, and the House of ...
... accessible, but) become a plain;" thy very opposition shall, in the end, promote
the work, and help to expedite that very building, which thou intendest to put ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/preached before the governor and.htm

Answer to the Jewish Rabby's Letter.
... what a smart reply did he meet with ? Who made thee a prince and a judge over us?
intendest thou to kill me as thou killedst the Egyptian [32] ? ...
/.../answer to the jewish rabbys.htm

How During Antipater's Abode at Rome, Herod Brought Alexander and ...
... father, to punish the guilty; but by thus bringing us to Rome, and making Caesar
himself a witness to what is done, thou intimatest that thou intendest to save ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how during antipaters.htm

Rom. xiv. 14
... [1612] For thou, he says, art so far from building up as thou intendest, that thou
dost even destroy, and that a building too not of man but of God, and not ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxvi rom xiv 14.htm

1 Cor. xi. 2
... the Economy admitting the expression. However, tell me how thou intendest
to prove this from the passage? "Why, as the man governs ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxvi 1 cor xi.htm

Bunyan -- the Heavenly Footman
... Alas! alas! thou art widely mistaken: if thou intendest to win, thou must strip,
thou must lay aside every weight, thou must be temperate in all things. ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/bunyan the heavenly footman.htm

The Christian Rejoicing in the views of Death and Judgment.
... and death, the last of their enemies and of thine, swallowed up in victory.'
(1:Cor.15:26,54) I shall long for that superior honor that thou intendest me, and ...
/.../chapter xxix the christian rejoicing.htm

Intendest (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Intendest (1 Occurrence). Exodus 2:14 ... over us?
intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And ...
/i/intendest.htm - 6k

Intended (38 Occurrences)

/i/intended.htm - 17k

Killedst (4 Occurrences)
... (ASV DBY). Exodus 2:14 And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over
us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? ...
/k/killedst.htm - 7k

Intendeth (1 Occurrence)

/i/intendeth.htm - 6k

Intending (24 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Exodus 2:14 And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us?
intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? ...
/i/intending.htm - 13k

Intend (30 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Exodus 2:14 And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over
us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? ...
/i/intend.htm - 18k

Feared (134 Occurrences)
... Exodus 2:14 And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest
thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And ...
/f/feared.htm - 37k

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