The concept of interpretation in the Bible is significant, as it pertains to understanding and explaining the meaning of dreams, visions, prophecies, and Scriptures. Interpretation is often seen as a gift from God, enabling individuals to discern divine messages and communicate them to others.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, interpretation is prominently featured in the narratives of Joseph and Daniel. Joseph, the son of Jacob, is known for his ability to interpret dreams, a gift that ultimately leads to his rise in power in Egypt. In Genesis 40:8 , Joseph acknowledges that interpretations belong to God: "And Joseph replied, 'Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.'"

Similarly, Daniel is renowned for his interpretative skills, particularly in the court of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Daniel 2:27-28 records Daniel's response to the king's demand for the interpretation of his dream: "Daniel answered the king, 'No wise man, enchanter, magician, or diviner can explain to the king the mystery he has asked about, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.'"

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, interpretation is crucial for understanding the teachings of Jesus and the writings of the apostles. The gift of interpretation is particularly associated with the spiritual gifts mentioned by Paul in 1 Corinthians. In 1 Corinthians 12:10 , Paul lists the gift of interpretation of tongues as one of the spiritual gifts given by the Holy Spirit: "to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in various tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues."

The role of interpretation is also evident in the early church's efforts to understand and apply the teachings of Jesus. In Luke 24:27 , after His resurrection, Jesus interprets the Scriptures concerning Himself to the disciples: "And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was written in all the Scriptures about Himself."

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in interpretation, guiding believers into all truth. In John 16:13 , Jesus promises the coming of the Spirit of truth: "However, when the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come."

Interpretation of Prophecy

The interpretation of prophecy is another significant aspect, as seen in the writings of the prophets and the Book of Revelation. Prophetic interpretation requires discernment and wisdom, often necessitating divine insight. In 2 Peter 1:20-21 , Peter emphasizes the divine origin of prophecy: "Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture comes from one's own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever brought about through human initiative, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."

Conclusion

Interpretation in the Bible is a divinely enabled process, essential for understanding God's messages and applying them to life. It requires humility, reliance on the Holy Spirit, and a commitment to seeking God's truth.1329. diermeneuo -- to explain thoroughly, by impl. to translate
... by impl. to translate NASB Word Usage explained (1), interpret (3), interprets
(1), translated (1). expound, interpret. From dia ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1329.htm - 7k5172. nachash -- to practice divination, observe signs
... divination, observe signs NASB Word Usage divination (1), divined (1), enchantments
(1), indeed practice divination (1), indeed uses (1), interprets omens (1 ...
/hebrew/5172.htm - 6k

Romans Interprets Corinthians.
... A Treatise on the spirit and the letter, Chapter 8."Romans Interprets
Corinthians. Attend, then, carefully, to the apostle while ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 8 romans interprets corinthians.htm

Simon Interprets his System by the Mythological Representation of ...
... Chapter XIV."Simon Interprets His System by the Mythological Representation of Helen
of Troy; Gives an Account of Himself in Connection with the Trojan ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xiv simon interprets his system.htm

He Interprets the Scriptures which the Pelagians Make Ill Use Of.
... Book II. Chapter 19 [IX.]"He Interprets the Scriptures Which the Pelagians
Make Ill Use of. But assuredly, as to what is written ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 19 ix he interprets the.htm

Philosophy the Handmaid of Theology.
... And Philo interprets Hagar to mean "sojourning." [1864] For it is said in connection
with this, "Be not much with a strange woman." [1865] Sarah he interprets ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter v philosophy the handmaid of.htm

The Holy Spirit Bearing Witness to Jesus Christ.
... heart concerning Jesus Christ. He takes His own Scriptures and interprets
them to us and makes them clear to us. All truth is from ...
/.../torrey/the person and work of the holy spirit/chapter viii the holy spirit.htm

Daniel
... iv., where he interprets a curious dream of Nebuchadrezzar as a token that
he would be humbled for a time and bereft of his reason. Ch. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/daniel.htm

Allegorical Explanation of the Sea and the Fruit-Bearing Earth ...
... Footnotes: [1288] Genesis 1:9. In his comment on Psalm 64:6 (sec. 9), he interprets
"the sea," allegorically, of the wicked world. ... As he interprets (see sec. ...
/.../chapter xvii allegorical explanation of the.htm

Whether Doubts Should be Interpreted for the Best?
... 27) that "he leads a godly and just life who is sound in his estimate of things,
and turns neither to this side nor to that." Now he who interprets a doubtful ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether doubts should be interpreted.htm

What a Sacrifice Is, and what are the Species of Sacrifice.
... And Isaiah interprets the Law, in order that we may know that the death of Christ
is truly a satisfaction for our sins, or expiation, and that the ceremonies ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 30 what a sacrifice.htm

Abbott -- the Divinity in Humanity
... canvas. The artist in literature sees an ideal humanity, and interprets
it. Realism in literature does not portray the real man. ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 8/abbott the divinity in.htm

Interprets (2 Occurrences)
...Interprets (2 Occurrences). ... For he is greater who prophesies than he who speaks with
other languages, unless he interprets, that the assembly may be built up. ...
/i/interprets.htm - 7k

Interpret (27 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To apprehend and represent by means of art; to show by illustrative
representation; as, an actor interprets the character of Hamlet; a musician ...
/i/interpret.htm - 15k

Angel (209 Occurrences)
... The glorious angel who interprets to Daniel the vision which he saw in the third
year of Cyrus (Daniel 10:5), like the angel who interprets the vision in the ...
/a/angel.htm - 78k

Zaphnathpaaneah (1 Occurrence)
... Some think it means "creator," or "preserver of life." Brugsch interprets it as
"governor of the district of the place of life", ie, of Goshen, the chief city ...
/z/zaphnathpaaneah.htm - 8k

Zaphnath-paaneah (1 Occurrence)
... Some think it means "creator," or "preserver of life." Brugsch interprets it as
"governor of the district of the place of life", ie, of Goshen, the chief city ...
/z/zaphnath-paaneah.htm - 8k

Kol
... XIII, x, 3) relates that John Hyrcanus (135-104 BC) heard a voice while offering
a burnt sacrifice in the temple, which Josephus expressly interprets as the ...
/k/kol.htm - 10k

Innocents (2 Occurrences)
... Irenaeus (died 202 AD) calls these children "martyrs," and in a very beautiful passage
interprets the tragedy which ended their brief lives as a gracious and ...
/i/innocents.htm - 20k

Interpreting (3 Occurrences)

/i/interpreting.htm - 7k

Interrogation (1 Occurrence)

/i/interrogation.htm - 8k

Massacre (1 Occurrence)
... Irenaeus (died 202 AD) calls these children "martyrs," and in a very beautiful passage
interprets the tragedy which ended their brief lives as a gracious and ...
/m/massacre.htm - 20k

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