The term "ponder" in the biblical context refers to the act of careful and deep reflection or consideration. It involves weighing thoughts, actions, or events with a sense of seriousness and purpose. This concept is significant in Scripture as it relates to wisdom, understanding, and the pursuit of godly living.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "ponder" is "פָּלַס" (palas), which means to weigh or to make level. This term is used in Proverbs 4:26 : "Make a level path for your feet, and all your ways will be sure." Here, the act of pondering is associated with making deliberate and wise choices, ensuring that one's path is aligned with righteousness.

Another relevant passage is Proverbs 21:2 : "All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart." This verse highlights the divine aspect of pondering, where God Himself evaluates the intentions and motivations of the heart, beyond mere outward actions.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the Greek word "συμβάλλω" (symballo) is used in the context of pondering. A notable instance is found in Luke 2:19 : "But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart." This passage describes Mary, the mother of Jesus, reflecting deeply on the events surrounding the birth of Christ. Her pondering signifies a meditative and contemplative approach to understanding God's work and revelation.

Theological Significance

Pondering is an essential practice for believers seeking to grow in wisdom and understanding. It involves a deliberate and thoughtful engagement with God's Word and His works. The act of pondering is not merely intellectual but is deeply spiritual, requiring the guidance of the Holy Spirit to discern truth and apply it to one's life.

The Bible encourages believers to ponder the path of their lives, as seen in Proverbs 5:6 : "She does not ponder the path of life; her ways are unstable, and she does not know it." This warning against neglecting reflection underscores the importance of intentional and prayerful consideration of one's actions and their alignment with God's will.

Practical Application

For Christians, pondering involves meditating on Scripture, reflecting on God's character, and considering the implications of His commands. It is a discipline that fosters spiritual growth and maturity, enabling believers to live lives that are pleasing to God. By pondering, believers can gain insight into their own hearts, align their desires with God's purposes, and make decisions that reflect His wisdom and love.1. (v. t.) To weigh in the mind; to view with deliberation; to examine carefully; to consider attentively.

2. (v. i.) To think; to deliberate; to muse; -- usually followed by on or over.

PONDER

pon'-der: Occurs in the King James Version 5 times in the Book of Proverbs and nowhere else in the Old Testament. In each case it means "to consider carefully," "to weigh mentally." In Proverbs 4:26 and 5:21, the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "make level." In Proverbs 5:6, it drops out entirely in the Revised Version (British and American). In Proverbs 21:2 and 24:12, "weigh" is substituted for "ponder." The one New Testament passage is Luke 2:19; here the Revised Version (British and American) has "pondering" where the King James Version has "and pondered."

1760. enthumeomai -- to reflect on, to ponder
... to reflect on, to ponder. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: enthumeomai Phonetic
Spelling: (en-thoo-meh'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I meditate upon, reflect ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1760.htm - 7k

4820. sumballo -- to throw together, hence to discuss, consider ...
... to discuss, consider, meet with. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: sumballo
Phonetic Spelling: (soom-bal'-lo) Short Definition: I ponder, encounter, confer ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4820.htm - 7k

3191. meletao -- to care for, practice, study
... meletao Phonetic Spelling: (mel-et-ah'-o) Short Definition: I devise, plan Definition:
I devise, plan; practice, exercise myself in, study, ponder. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3191.htm - 6k

1256. dialegomai -- to discuss, to address, to preach
... 3004 , "speaking to a conclusion") -- properly, "getting a " by exchanging thoughts
(logic) -- "mingling thought with thought, to ponder ()" (J. Thayer). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1256.htm - 8k

4305. promerimnao -- to be anxious beforehand
... promerimnao Phonetic Spelling: (prom-er-im-nah'-o) Short Definition: I am anxious
beforehand Definition: I am anxious beforehand, ponder beforehand. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4305.htm - 6k

6424. palas -- to weigh, make level
... Word Origin denominative verb from peles Definition to weigh, make level NASB Word
Usage level (1), leveled (1), make (1), ponder (1), watch (1), watches (1 ...
/hebrew/6424.htm - 6k

239. azan -- to weigh, test, prove
... ponder. A primitive root (rather identical with 'azan through the idea of scales
as if two ears); to weigh, ie (figuratively) ponder -- give good head. ...
/hebrew/239.htm - 6k

8505. takan -- to regulate, measure, estimate
... bear up, direct, be unequal, mete, ponder, tell, weigh. ... Estimate, test) -- bear up,
direct, be ((un-))equal, mete, ponder, tell, weigh. 8504, 8505. ...
/hebrew/8505.htm - 6k

7878. siach -- to muse, complain, talk (of)
... A primitive root; to ponder, ie (by implication) converse (with oneself, and hence,
aloud) or (transitively) utter -- commune, complain, declare, meditate, muse ...
/hebrew/7878.htm - 6k

1897. hagah -- to moan, growl, utter, speak, muse
... A primitive root (compare hagiyg); to murmur (in pleasure or anger); by implication,
to ponder -- imagine, meditate, mourn, mutter, roar, X sore, speak, study ...
/hebrew/1897.htm - 6k

995. bin -- to discern
... looked at him carefully (1), observe (1), observed (2), observing (1), paid close
attention (1), pay heed (2), perceive (5), perceived (2), ponder (2), prudent ...
/hebrew/995.htm - 7k

We Might Long Ago have Urged You to Ponder This...
... Book V. 15 We might long ago have urged you to ponder this? We might long
ago have urged you to ponder this, were it not foolish ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/15 we might long ago.htm

The Circumcision of Christ: a Hymn for New Year's Day. So Teach us ...
... Or ship to port, or shaft from bow. Ponder, O Man, Eternity! Eternity! Eternity! ...
Entrance nor exit can there be. Ponder, O Man, Eternity! Eternity! Eternity! ...
/.../winkworth/lyra germanica the christian year/the circumcision of christ a.htm

Psalm XLIX.
... world, throughout all Churches; and that fulfilled which is here spoken of, "Hear
ye these words, all ye nations."...Of whom ye are: "With ears ponder, all ye ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xlix.htm

The Sermon that the Reverend Father in Christ
... original beginning. For undoubtedly, ye may much marvel at this saying, if
ye well ponder both what is said, and who saith it. Define ...
/.../sermons on the card and other discourses/the sermon that the reverend.htm

Some Time Ago, Macarius, a Man of Distinction from his Faith, his ...
... When he arose, he began anxiously to ponder the vision, and he found, as he said,
that that was the very moment of my arrival; so that he forthwith made known ...
/.../11 some time ago macarius.htm

Instruction for the Ignorant:
... May his impressive injunction be indelibly fixed upon our souls, 'To read, ponder
over, and receive the wholesome medicine as we shall answer in the day of the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/instruction for the ignorant .htm

Edwin and Paulinus
... Rood! Cast out thy heathen idols, And worship Christ our Lord." "But Edwin
look'd and ponder'd, And answer'd not a word. Again ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/edwin and paulinus.htm

'A Time to Plant'
... III. Still further, let me say, these things being so, you especially need to ponder
them. That is so, because you especially are in danger of forgetting them. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/a time to plant.htm

The Birth of Jesus Proclaimed by Angels to the Shepherds.
... Kings vii.9.] 18 And all that heard it wondered [the gospel story excites wonder;
the more we ponder it the more wonderful it becomes] at the things which were ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xi the birth of jesus.htm

Mighty to Save
... And the contrast between the errand of the historical Jesus and that of the Conqueror
bids us ponder on the possibilities that may sleep in perfect love. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/mighty to save.htm

Ponder (10 Occurrences)
...PONDER. pon'-der: Occurs in the King James Version 5 times in the Book of Proverbs
and nowhere else in the Old Testament. ...Ponder (10 Occurrences). ...
/p/ponder.htm - 10k

Pond (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To make into a pond; to collect, as water, in a pond by damming. 3. (vt)
To ponder. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. POOL; POND; RESERVOIR. ...
/p/pond.htm - 12k

Pondered (13 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Ponder. Multi-Version Concordance
Pondered (13 Occurrences). Matthew 1:20 but while he pondered ...
/p/pondered.htm - 9k

Governors (43 Occurrences)
... Luke 12:11 And when they are bringing you before synagogues and magistrates and
governors, do not anxiously ponder the manner or matter of your defence, nor ...
/g/governors.htm - 21k

Well-ordered (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Well-ordered (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 4:26 Ponder the
path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be well-ordered. (DBY). ...
/w/well-ordered.htm - 6k

Weigh (24 Occurrences)
... 6. (vt) To examine or test as if by the balance; to ponder in the mind; to consider
or examine for the purpose of forming an opinion or coming to a conclusion ...
/w/weigh.htm - 14k

Think (601 Occurrences)
... not think of it. 4. (vt) To reflect upon any subject; to muse; to meditate;
to ponder; to consider; to deliberate. 5. (vt) To form ...
/t/think.htm - 9k

Record (71 Occurrences)
... a court; to record historical events. 4. (vi) To reflect; to ponder. 5.
(vi) To sing or repeat a tune. 6. (n.) A writing by which ...
/r/record.htm - 29k

Defence (48 Occurrences)
... Luke 12:11 And when they are bringing you before synagogues and magistrates and
governors, do not anxiously ponder the manner or matter of your defence, nor ...
/d/defence.htm - 20k

Deliberate (2 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To weigh in the mind; to consider the reasons for and against; to consider
maturely; to reflect upon; to ponder; as, to deliberate a question. ...
/d/deliberate.htm - 7k

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