In the biblical context, the concept of a "pair" often signifies unity, companionship, and the complementary nature of God's creation. The idea of pairs is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating both literal and symbolic meanings.

Creation and Marriage

The notion of pairs is first introduced in the creation narrative. In Genesis 1:27, God creates humanity in His image, "male and female He created them." This pairing underscores the complementary nature of man and woman, designed to fulfill God's command to "be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis 1:28). The institution of marriage is further established in Genesis 2:24, where it is stated, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh." This union of a man and woman into a single entity reflects the divine intention for companionship and mutual support.

Animals and Noah's Ark

The concept of pairs is also evident in the account of Noah's Ark. In Genesis 7:2-3, God instructs Noah to take animals into the ark "by sevens" of clean animals and "two of each" of unclean animals, male and female, to preserve their species. This pairing ensured the continuation of life after the flood, highlighting God's provision and care for His creation.

Symbolism and Teachings

Pairs in the Bible often symbolize balance and completeness. For instance, the pairing of the Old and New Testaments forms the complete canon of Scripture, providing a full revelation of God's plan for humanity. Similarly, the dual nature of Christ as both fully God and fully man is a profound theological pair that underscores the mystery of the Incarnation.

In the teachings of Jesus, pairs are used to illustrate spiritual truths. In Matthew 18:20, Jesus states, "For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them." This emphasizes the power and presence of Christ in communal worship and prayer, reinforcing the importance of fellowship among believers.

Duality in Proverbs and Wisdom Literature

The wisdom literature of the Bible often employs pairs to convey moral and ethical teachings. Proverbs frequently contrasts pairs of ideas, such as wisdom and folly, righteousness and wickedness, to guide the reader in making godly choices. For example, Proverbs 10:1 states, "A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother." These contrasting pairs serve as didactic tools, encouraging the pursuit of wisdom and righteousness.

Conclusion

The concept of pairs in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing themes of creation, preservation, unity, and spiritual truth. Whether through the literal pairing of individuals and animals or the symbolic representation of theological concepts, pairs serve as a testament to God's intentional design and purpose throughout Scripture.1. (n.) A number of things resembling one another, or belonging together; a set; as, a pair or flight of stairs. A pair of beads. Chaucer. Beau. & Fl. Four pair of stairs. Macaulay. [Now mostly or quite disused, except as to stairs.]

2. (n.) Two things of a kind, similar in form, suited to each other, and intended to be used together; as, a pair of gloves or stockings; a pair of shoes.

3. (n.) Two of a sort; a span; a yoke; a couple; a brace; as, a pair of horses; a pair of oxen.

4. (n.) A married couple; a man and wife.

5. (n.) A single thing, composed of two pieces fitted to each other and used together; as, a pair of scissors; a pair of tongs; a pair of bellows.

6. (n.) Two members of opposite parties or opinion, as in a parliamentary body, who mutually agree not to vote on a given question, or on issues of a party nature during a specified time; as, there were two pairs on the final vote.

7. (n.) In a mechanism, two elements, or bodies, which are so applied to each other as to mutually constrain relative motion.

8. (v. i.) To be joined in pairs; to couple; to mate, as for breeding.

9. (v. i.) To suit; to fit, as a counterpart.

10. (v. i.) Same as To pair off. See phrase below.

11. (v. t.) To unite in couples; to form a pair of; to bring together, as things which belong together, or which complement, or are adapted to one another.

12. (v. t.) To engage (one's self) with another of opposite opinions not to vote on a particular question or class of questions.

13. (v. t.) To impair.

PAIR

par: The margin of Songs 4:2 (but not of the parallel 6:6) reads, "which are all of them in pairs," while the text has, "whereof every one hath twins." The Hebrew math'imoth, is from the root, ta'am, "to be double," and is perhaps susceptible of either meaning. But the description is of sheep, and the margin gives no comprehensible figure, while the text points to the exceedingly sleek and healthy appearance. "Pairs" seems to result from confusing the figure with the thing figured-the teeth, where each upper is paired with the corresponding lower.

2201. zeugos -- a pair, a yoke
... a pair, a yoke. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: zeugos Phonetic Spelling:
(dzyoo'-gos) Short Definition: a yoke, team, pair Definition: a yoke ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2201.htm - 6k

2218. zugos -- a yoke
... a yoke. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: zugos Phonetic Spelling:
(dzoo-gos') Short Definition: a yoke, heavy burden, pair of scales Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2218.htm - 7k

6776. tsemed -- a couple, pair
... 6775, 6776. tsemed. 6777 . a couple, pair. Transliteration: tsemed Phonetic
Spelling: (tseh'-med) Short Definition: pair. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/6776.htm - 6k

3976. mozen -- balances, scales
... a pair of scales. From 'azan; (only in the dual) a pair of scales: see HEBREW
'azan. 3975b, 3976. mozen. 3977 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/3976.htm - 6k

5275. naal -- a sandal, shoe
... A sandal or slipper (sometimes as a symbol of occupancy, a refusal to marry, or
of something valueless) -- dryshod, (pair of) shoe((-latchet), -s). ...
/hebrew/5275.htm - 6k

70. oben -- a wheel, disk
... From the same as 'eben; a pair of stones (only dual); a potter's wheel or a midwife's
stool (consisting alike of two horizontal disks with a support between ...
/hebrew/70.htm - 6k

8147. shenayim -- two (a cardinal number)
... 2), 652* (2), 72* (1), 72,000* (1), 822* (1), 832* (1), both (62), both* (7), couple
(2), double (7), each other (1), few (1), forty-two* (3), pair (7), second ...
/hebrew/8147.htm - 7k

A Pair of Friends
... AMOS A PAIR OF FRIENDS. 'Can two walk together, except they be agreed?'-
AMOS III.8. They do not need to be agreed about everything. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/a pair of friends.htm

The Royal Pair in their Glorious Chariot
... The Royal Pair in Their Glorious Chariot. A Sermon (No.482). Delivered on
Sunday Morning, November 30th, 1862, by. Rev. CH SPURGEON,. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/the royal pair in their.htm

It is Probable that Children are Involved in the Guilt not Only of ...
... Chapter 46."It is Probable that Children are Involved in the Guilt Not Only
of the First Pair, But of Their Own Immediate Parents. ...
/.../augustine/the enchiridion/chapter 46 it is probable that.htm

New Shoes
... NEW SHOES. "I wonder if there can be a pair of shoes in it!" ... He sat for awhile thinking
how badly he wanted a pair of shoes to wear to the Sunday School picnic. ...
/.../shaw/touching incidents and remarkable answers to prayer/new shoes.htm

The Group in Matt. xiii.
... The first pair exhibit the RELATIONS of the kingdom to the several classes of
intelligent creatures with which, as adversaries or subjects, it comes into ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/the group in matt xiii.htm

'The Bridal of the Earth and Sky'
... Mercy and Truth are met together, Righteousness and Peace have kissed each other.'
We have here the heavenly twin-sisters, and the earthly pair that correspond ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the bridal of the earth.htm

A Child's Prayer Answered
... "My little fellow why are you looking so earnestly in that window?". "I
was asking God to give me a pair of shoes," was the reply. ...
/.../a childs prayer answered.htm

The First vision "In Heaven": Chapters 4-5
... It consists, as we have seen, of seven pairs of visions. The first of each pair
is a Vision "in heaven"; and the second of each pair is a Vision "on earth.". ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the first vision in heaven .htm

Ears and no Ears
... And just as every man comes into the world with a pair of ears on his head, so every
man comes into the world with the capacity of listening to, and accepting ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/ears and no ears.htm

A Young Man who Said, "Send Me"
... Guardian angels stood above him. Each had six wings, one pair to cover the face,
another pair to cover the feet, and another pair with which to fly. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/a young man who said.htm

Pair (18 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A number of things resembling one another, or belonging together; a set;
as, a pair or flight of stairs. A pair of beads. Chaucer. ... Four pair of stairs. ...
/p/pair.htm - 14k

Balance (12 Occurrences)
... A "pair of balances" is a symbol of justice and fair dealing (Job 31:6; Psalm
62:9; Proverbs 11:1). The expression denotes great want and scarcity in ...
/b/balance.htm - 18k

Yoke (79 Occurrences)
... (3.) In 1 Samuel 11:7, 1 Kings 19:21, Job 1:3 the word thus translated is tzemed,
which signifies a pair, two oxen yoked or coupled together, and hence in 1 ...
/y/yoke.htm - 40k

Eve (5 Occurrences)
... To bring out its spiritual values more clearly he takes the pair before they are
aware of the species meanings of sex or family, while they are "naked" yet ...
/e/eve.htm - 16k

Leg (24 Occurrences)
... resembles a leg in form or use; especially, any long and slender support on which
any object rests; as, the leg of a table; the leg of a pair of compasses or ...
/l/leg.htm - 19k

Fellow (166 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) One of a pair, or of two things used together or suited to each other; a
mate; the male. ... 9. (vt) To suit with; to pair with; to match. Int. ...
/f/fellow.htm - 42k

Turtle (5 Occurrences)
... Turtle-dove. Its peculiar peaceful and gentle habit its often referred to in Scripture.
A pair was offered in sacrifice by Mary at her purification (Luke 2:24). ...
/t/turtle.htm - 9k

Coney (2 Occurrences)
... the back teeth. But whereas hares have a pair of front teeth on each jaw,
the hyrax has one pair above and two below. These teeth ...
/c/coney.htm - 12k

Span (14 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) A pair of horses or other animals driven together; usually, such
a pair of horses when similar in color, form, and action. ...
/s/span.htm - 12k

Selling (23 Occurrences)
... For three transgressions of Israel, And for four, I do not reverse it, Because of
their selling for silver the righteous, And the needy for a pair of sandals. ...
/s/selling.htm - 13k

What is the menorah? | GotQuestions.org

Why did God punish David and Bathsheba's innocent child with death? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of Mount Ebal in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Pair: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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