The term "likely" does not appear explicitly in the Bible; however, the concept of likelihood or probability can be inferred from various passages that discuss human reasoning, decision-making, and the unfolding of God's plans. In Scripture, the idea of likelihood often intersects with themes of faith, trust in God, and the unpredictability of life.

Human Understanding and God's Sovereignty

The Bible frequently contrasts human understanding with God's omniscience and sovereignty. Proverbs 16:9 states, "A man's heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." This verse highlights the limitations of human foresight and the ultimate authority of God in directing the outcomes of our plans. While humans may assess situations and determine what seems likely, God's will prevails, often in ways that surpass human expectation.

Faith and Trust in God

The concept of likelihood is also related to faith, as believers are called to trust in God's promises even when circumstances seem unlikely. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see." This assurance transcends human calculations of probability, emphasizing reliance on God's faithfulness rather than on visible evidence or logical likelihood.

Examples of Unlikely Outcomes

Scripture is replete with examples where God brings about unlikely outcomes to fulfill His purposes. The account of Gideon in Judges 7 illustrates this principle. God reduces Gideon's army from 32,000 to 300 men to defeat the Midianites, demonstrating that victory comes from the Lord, not from human strength or numbers. Similarly, the birth of Isaac to Abraham and Sarah in their old age (Genesis 21) underscores God's ability to accomplish what seems impossible by human standards.

Wisdom and Discernment

While believers are encouraged to trust in God, the Bible also advocates for wisdom and discernment in decision-making. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." This passage suggests a balance between acknowledging God's sovereignty and exercising prudent judgment in daily life.

The Role of Prayer

Prayer is a vital component in navigating the uncertainties of life. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages believers, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Through prayer, believers seek divine guidance and peace, trusting that God will lead them according to His perfect will, regardless of what seems likely or unlikely.

In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly use the term "likely," it addresses the concept through themes of faith, divine sovereignty, and the unpredictability of life. Believers are called to trust in God's plans, exercise wisdom, and seek His guidance through prayer, recognizing that God's purposes often transcend human expectations.1. (a.) Probable; credible; as, a likely story.

2. (a.) Having probability; having or giving reason to expect; -- followed by the infinitive; as, it is likely to rain.

3. (a.) Similar; like; alike.

4. (a.) Such as suits; good-looking; pleasing; agreeable; handsome.

5. (a.) Having such qualities as make success probable; well adapted to the place; promising; as, a likely young man; a likely servant.

6. (adv.) In all probability; probably.

2000. episphales -- prone to fall
... prone to fall. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: episphales Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-ee-sfal-ace') Short Definition: dangerous, likely to fall Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2000.htm - 6k

4145. plousios -- wealthy
... [The dictionary and R. Winter's view the root of 4145 () to be 4130 ("filled,
full") -- but prefers ("many in " which is more likely). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4145.htm - 7k

2315. theopneustos -- God-breathed, ie inspired by God
... 2315 ("God-breathed"), likely a term , "expresses the sacred nature of the Scriptures
(their divine origin) and their power to sanctify believers" (C. Spicq, 2 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2315.htm - 8k

2481. isos -- perhaps
... it may be, perhaps. Adverb from isos; likely, ie Perhaps -- it may be. see GREEK
isos. (isos) -- 1 Occurrence. 2480, 2481. isos. 2482 . Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2481.htm - 6k

2744. kauchaomai -- to boast
... [2744 () likely comes from the root, ("neck"), ie what holds the head up
high (upright); figuratively, it refers to living with . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2744.htm - 8k

3700. optanomai -- to appear
... Cognate: 3700 (or , likely a later cognate of 3708 ) -- () See 3708 (). [Some forms
of Strong's numbering systems designate as 3708.]. Word Origin from a prim. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3700.htm - 8k

4807. sukaminos -- the mulberry tree, the sycamine
... 4807 -- a sycamine tree, most likely the mulberry tree, known for its properties
-- hence, distinguished by Luke the (see at Lk 17:6). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4807.htm - 7k

What, Then, was it Likely that the Master of the Slave Would ...
... IV."Apologetic Works. Chapter XXIII. What, then, was it likely that the
master of the slave would choose to receive? What, then ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter xxiii what then was.htm

An Explanation of Three Things which Most of all Might be Likely ...
... AN EXPLANATION OF THREE THINGS WHICH MOST OF ALL MIGHT BE LIKELY TO BE REPUGNANT
TO A LOVING HEART IN GOD."ONE IS, HOW HE CAN APPEAR SO WRATHFUL AND YET BE ...
/.../suso/a little book of eternal wisdom/chapter viii an explanation of.htm

Infants are not Judged According to that which they are Foreknown ...
... A Treatise on the gift of perseverance, Chapter 31."Infants are Not Judged According
to that Which They are Foreknown as Likely to Do If They Should Live. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 31 infants are not judged.htm

The First Per??an Discourses - to the Pharisees Concerning the Two ...
... It seems at least likely, that the allusion of the disciples to the Baptist may
have been prompted by the circumstance, that the locality was that which had ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xi the first peraean.htm

The Crown Book
... It was more likely because of the deep, intelligent sympathy between the two, a
sympathy not only of personality, but deeper and stronger because of a mental ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on the crowned christ of revelation/ii the crown book.htm

Preface
... If their zeal and activity languish, the interests of religion are likely to languish
in proportion; while, on the other hand, whatever is calculated to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/preface.htm

The Book of God
... While a lofty idea is not likely to make its full impression until wrought into
lofty beauty by a master of style, the worth must nevertheless inhere in the ...
/.../mcconnell/understanding the scriptures/chapter iv the book of.htm

Now Suppose that While You were Writing This, as You Tell us You ...
... to that prophet? Would you not have thought it more likely that he was
mad than that you would ever come to such a pass? The fact ...
/.../21 now suppose that while.htm

The Secret of Its Greatness
... Most likely some of the Children of Israel could read and write, for we know there
were plenty of books and good schools in Moses' time, but they certainly did ...
/.../duff/the bible in its making/chapter ii the secret of.htm

Matt. xxvii. 62-64.
... Seeing Him yet alive and merely seized, they had fled; and after His death were
they likely to speak boldly in His behalf, unless He had risen again? ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxxix matt xxvii 62-64.htm

Likely (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Probable; credible; as, a likely story.
2. (a.) Having probability; having or giving reason to ...
/l/likely.htm - 8k

Like (10728 Occurrences)
... 3. (superl.) Having probability; affording probability; probable; likely. ... 8.
(a.) In a like or similar manner. 9. (a.) Likely; probably. 10. ...
/l/like.htm - 14k

Ark (212 Occurrences)
... three months old, and put the vessel in the water among the sedge along the banks
of the Nile at the place where the ladies from the palace were likely to come ...
/a/ark.htm - 84k

Judaeus
... Born probably in the first decade of Augustus Caesar, who became emperor in 27 BC
He died possibly in the last years of Claudius (41-54 AD), more likely in the ...
/j/judaeus.htm - 29k

Whale (2 Occurrences)
... Whales are found in the Mediterranean and are sometimes cast up on the shore of
Palestine, but it is not likely that the ancient Greeks or Hebrews were very ...
/w/whale.htm - 13k

Philo
... Born probably in the first decade of Augustus Caesar, who became emperor in 27 BC
He died possibly in the last years of Claudius (41-54 AD), more likely in the ...
/p/philo.htm - 29k

Bulrushes (3 Occurrences)
... three months old, and put the vessel in the water among the sedge along the banks
of the Nile at the place where the ladies from the palace were likely to come ...
/b/bulrushes.htm - 10k

Breeches (6 Occurrences)
... (The King James Version translates "coats.") The rendering of the King James Version
is the more likely, though the meaning of the Aramaic sarbal is obscure ...
/b/breeches.htm - 12k

Adra
... It is not likely that he thought that they practiced any cult in its purity.
They contaminated the religion of Yahweh by introducing ...
/a/adra.htm - 9k

Alphaeus (5 Occurrences)
... seems improbable. If they were brothers they would quite likely be associated
as are James and John, Andrew and Peter. Chrysostom ...
/a/alphaeus.htm - 12k

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