Topical Bible: Observing

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Topical Encyclopedia

Observing, in the biblical context, refers to the act of watching, keeping, or adhering to God's commandments, laws, and decrees. It encompasses both the physical act of seeing and the spiritual act of understanding and obeying God's will. Observing is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, emphasizing the importance of vigilance, discernment, and obedience in the life of a believer.

Old Testament

In the Old Testament, observing is often associated with the Israelites' covenant relationship with God. They were commanded to observe God's laws and statutes as a sign of their faithfulness and devotion. In Deuteronomy 4:6, Moses instructs the Israelites, "Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, 'Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.'" Here, observing God's commandments is linked to wisdom and serves as a testimony to other nations.

The concept of observing also extends to the Sabbath and other holy days. In Exodus 31:16, the Israelites are commanded, "The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it as a lasting covenant for the generations to come." Observing the Sabbath was a sign of the covenant between God and His people, a day set apart for rest and worship.

New Testament

In the New Testament, observing takes on a deeper spiritual significance. Jesus Christ emphasizes the importance of not only observing the law but understanding its spirit and intent. In Matthew 23:23, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees, saying, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin, but you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former." Here, Jesus highlights that true observance involves a heart aligned with God's values, not just external compliance.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the concept of observing in his letters. In Galatians 4:10-11, he warns against the legalistic observance of days and seasons, stating, "You are observing special days and months and seasons and years! I fear for you, that my efforts for you may have been in vain." Paul emphasizes that observing rituals without understanding their purpose in Christ can lead to bondage rather than freedom.

Spiritual Vigilance

Observing in the spiritual sense involves vigilance and readiness for the Lord's return. Jesus instructs His followers to be watchful and prepared, as seen in Matthew 24:42, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come." This call to observe is a reminder to live in a state of spiritual alertness and anticipation.

Moral and Ethical Observance

Observing God's commandments is also tied to moral and ethical living. In James 1:22-25, believers are encouraged to be doers of the word, not merely hearers. "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like." Observing here implies an active engagement with God's word, leading to transformation and righteous living.

Conclusion

Observing in the biblical sense is a multifaceted concept that involves seeing, understanding, and obeying God's will. It is a call to vigilance, spiritual discernment, and faithful adherence to God's commandments, reflecting a life committed to His purposes.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Observe.

2. (a.) Giving particular attention; habitually attentive to what passes; as, an observing person; an observing mind.

Greek

2902. krateo -- to be strong, rule
... 1), clinging (1), held (1), hold (4), hold fast (4), holding back (1), holding fast
(1), holds (1), laid hold (1), observe (1), observing (1), prevented (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2902.htm - 9k

2334. theoreo -- to look at, gaze
... an envoy, spectator) Definition to look at, gaze NASB Word Usage beholds (1), look
(1), looking (5), observe (3), observed (4), observing (3), perceive (2 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2334.htm - 9k

2304. theios -- divine
... 2304 (an adjective, derived from 2316 , "God") -- , manifesting . 2304 ("
nature") ties God's essence to His , by observing His . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2304.htm - 7k

2657. katanoeo -- to take note of, perceive
... NASB Word Usage consider (4), contemplated (1), detected (1), look (1), look more
closely (1), looked (1), looks (1), notice (2), observe (1), observing (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2657.htm - 8k

Strong's Hebrew

8104. shamar -- to keep, watch, preserve
... keepers (2), keeping (10), keeps (19), kept (38), kept watch (2), maintained (1),
mark (2), observe (30), observed (6), observes (1), observing (1), officers (2 ...
/hebrew/8104.htm - 7k

995. bin -- to discern
... intelligent (1), interpret (1), investigating (1), learned (1), look carefully
(1), looked at him carefully (1), observe (1), observed (2), observing (1), paid ...
/hebrew/995.htm - 7k

7200. raah -- to see
... 1), looking (5), looks (11), make an inspection (2), make me see (1), makes an
inspection (1), noticed (1), observe (1), observed (5), observing (1), perceive ...
/hebrew/7200.htm - 7k

6213a. asah -- do, make
... bring forth (1), brought (1), brought about (4), brought forth (1), build* (1),
built (3), busy (1), cared (1), carefully (3), carefully observing (1), carried ...
/hebrew/6213a.htm - 8k

Library

Celsus, not Observing the Difference Between "After the Image of ...
... Chapter LXIII. Celsus, not observing the difference between "after the
image of God" and "God's image? Celsus, not observing the ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxiii celsus not observing.htm

Celsus, Then, as if not Observing that He was Saying Anything ...
... Chapter LXIX. Celsus, then, as if not observing that he was saying anything
inconsistent with the words? Celsus, then, as if not ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxix celsus then as.htm

Our Noble Opponent, However, not Observing How Many Philosophers ...
... Chapter LXXXI. Our noble opponent, however, not observing how many philosophers
there are who admit the existence? Our noble opponent ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxxxi our noble opponent.htm

The Folly of Observing the Stars in Order to Predict the Events of ...
... Book II. Chapter 22 ."The Folly of Observing the Stars in Order to Predict
the Events of a Life. 33. But to desire to predict ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 22 the folly of.htm

Observing the Offerings and Widow's Mites.
... Part Seventh. Last Week of Our Lord's Ministry, the Fourth Passover, the Crucifixion.
CXI. Observing the Offerings and Widow's Mites. (in the Temple. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxi observing the offerings and.htm

No one Shall Find Fault with us for Observing the Fourth Day of ...
... Canon XV. No one shall find fault with us for observing the fourth day
of the week? No one shall find fault with us for observing ...
/.../peter/the writings of peter of alexandria/canon xv no one shall.htm

Monsters of Wickedness, we are Accused of Observing a Holy Rite in ...
... Chapter VII. Monsters of wickedness, we are accused of observing a holy
rite in which we kill? Monsters of wickedness, we are ...
/.../tertullian/apology/chapter vii monsters of wickedness.htm

In Order that no one through Observing the Outward Part Should ...
... The Book Concerning the Mysteries. Chapter IX. In order that no one through
observing the outward part should waver in faith? ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter ix in order that.htm

On Reflection and Passion, and on Observing Propriety of Speech...
... by St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan. Book I. Chapter XXII. On reflection and
passion, and on observing propriety of speech? On reflection ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xxii on reflection and.htm

Whether the Defects Occurring During the Celebration of this ...
... RITE OF THIS SACRAMENT (SIX ARTICLES) Whether the defects occurring during the
celebration of this sacrament can be sufficiently met by observing the Church's ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the defects occurring during.htm

Thesaurus

Observing (28 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Giving particular attention; habitually attentive to what passes; as, an
observing person; an observing mind. ...Observing (28 Occurrences). ...
/o/observing.htm - 14k

Observation (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act or the faculty of observing or taking
notice; the act of seeing, or of fixing the mind upon, anything. ...
/o/observation.htm - 8k

Strict (7 Occurrences)
... 4. (a.) Governed or governing by exact rules; observing exact rules; severe;
rigorous; as, very strict in observing the Sabbath. ...
/s/strict.htm - 9k

Church (110 Occurrences)
... (3.) A few Christians associated together in observing the ordinances of
the gospel are an ecclesia (Romans 16:5; Colossians 4:15). ...
/c/church.htm - 89k

Faith (769 Occurrences)
... The riddle is solved by observing that the writer uses "faith" in the sense of creed,
orthodox "belief." This is clear from James 2:19, where the "faith." in ...
/f/faith.htm - 49k

Notice (44 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of noting, remarking, or observing;
observation by the senses or intellect; cognizance; note. ...
/n/notice.htm - 19k

Notorious (16 Occurrences)
... Matthew 21:32 For John came to you observing all sorts of ritual, and you put no
faith in him: the tax-gatherers and the notorious sinners did put faith in him ...
/n/notorious.htm - 11k

Obsessed (1 Occurrence)

/o/obsessed.htm - 6k

Observeth (4 Occurrences)

/o/observeth.htm - 7k

Resources

Summary of the Book of Galatians - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

Who were the Judaizers? | GotQuestions.org

What are the Holy Days of Obligation? | GotQuestions.org

Observing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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

Concordance

Observing (28 Occurrences)

Matthew 21:32
For John came to you observing all sorts of ritual, and you put no faith in him: the tax-gatherers and the notorious sinners did put faith in him, and you, though you saw this example set you, were not even afterwards sorry so as to believe him.
(WEY)

Mark 7:3
(For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they carefully wash their hands, thus observing the traditions of the elders;
(YLT NAS)

Mark 12:41
Jesus sat down opposite the treasury, and saw how the multitude cast money into the treasury. Many who were rich cast in much.
(See NAS)

Luke 1:6
They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.
(See NIV)

John 2:23
Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in his name, observing his signs which he did.
(WEB NAS)

Acts 11:6
When I had looked intently at it, I considered, and saw the four-footed animals of the earth, wild animals, creeping things, and birds of the sky.
(See NAS)

Acts 17:16
Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw the city full of idols.
(See NAS)

Romans 3:20
Because by the works of the law, no flesh will be justified in his sight. For through the law comes the knowledge of sin.
(See NIV)

Romans 3:27
Where then is the boasting? It is excluded. By what manner of law? Of works? No, but by a law of faith.
(See NIV)

Romans 3:28
We maintain therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.
(See NIV)

Galatians 2:16
yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the works of the law, because no flesh will be justified by the works of the law.
(See NIV)

Galatians 3:2
I just want to learn this from you. Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?
(See NIV)

Galatians 3:10
For as many as are of the works of the law are under a curse. For it is written, "Cursed is everyone who doesn't continue in all things that are written in the book of the law, to do them."
(See NIV)

Exodus 31:16
Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.
(See RSV)

Deuteronomy 17:19
and it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life; that he may learn to fear Yahweh his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them;
(See NAS)

1 Samuel 20:29
He said,'Please let me go, for our family has a sacrifice in the city. My brother has commanded me to be there. Now, if I have found favor in your eyes, let me get away, please, and see my brothers.' Therefore he has not come to the king's table."
(See NIV)

1 Kings 11:33
because that they have forsaken me, and have worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of Moab, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon. They have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in my eyes, and to keep my statutes and my ordinances, as David his father did.
(See NAS)

1 Kings 11:38
It shall be, if you will listen to all that I command you, and will walk in my ways, and do that which is right in my eyes, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with you, and will build you a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel to you.
(See NAS)

2 Chronicles 5:11
And it came to pass when the priests were come out of the holy place (for all the priests that were present were hallowed without observing the courses;
(DBY)

2 Chronicles 13:11
and they burn to Yahweh every morning and every evening burnt offerings and sweet incense: the show bread also set they in order on the pure table; and the lampstand of gold with its lamps, to burn every evening: for we keep the instruction of Yahweh our God; but you have forsaken him.
(See NIV)

Psalms 5:8
O Jehovah, lead me in Thy righteousness, Because of those observing me, Make straight before me Thy way,
(YLT)

Proverbs 13:18
Whoso is refusing instruction -- poverty and shame, And whoso is observing reproof is honoured.
(YLT)

Ecclesiastes 5:8
If oppression of the poor, and violent taking away of judgment and righteousness thou seest in a province, do not marvel at the matter, for a higher than the high is observing, and high ones 'are' over them.
(YLT)

Ecclesiastes 11:4
Whoso is observing the wind soweth not, And whoso is looking on the thick clouds reapeth not.
(YLT)

Ezekiel 18:14
Now, behold, if he fathers a son, who sees all his father's sins, which he has done, and fears, and does not such like;
(See NAS)

Daniel 8:5
As I was considering, behold, a male goat came from the west over the surface of the whole earth, and didn't touch the ground: and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes.
(See NAS)

Jonah 2:8
Those observing lying vanities their own mercy forsake.
(YLT)

Zechariah 11:11
and it is broken in that day, and know well do the afflicted of the flock who are observing me, that it 'is' a word of Jehovah.
(YLT)

Subtopics

Observing

Related Terms

Observing (28 Occurrences)

Understands (16 Occurrences)

Obsession (1 Occurrence)

Reviling (47 Occurrences)

Disputes (18 Occurrences)

Malicious (13 Occurrences)

Morbid (1 Occurrence)