The concept of "preceding" in the Bible often relates to events, actions, or persons that come before others in time, order, or importance. This idea is woven throughout the biblical narrative, illustrating God's divine plan and the unfolding of His purposes.

Biblical Examples:

1. Creation Order: The account of creation in Genesis demonstrates the principle of preceding, as God establishes the order of creation. Each day builds upon the previous one, culminating in the creation of humanity. Genesis 1:1-2 states, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters." This sets the stage for the subsequent acts of creation.

2. The Forerunner, John the Baptist: John the Baptist is a significant figure who precedes Jesus Christ, preparing the way for His ministry. In Matthew 3:1-3 , it is written, "In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea and saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.' This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: 'A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for Him.’'" John's role as a forerunner highlights the importance of preceding events in God's redemptive plan.

3. Prophecies and Fulfillment: The Old Testament is replete with prophecies that precede their fulfillment in the New Testament. For instance, the prophecy of the coming Messiah in Isaiah 7:14 states, "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel." This prophecy precedes its fulfillment in the birth of Jesus Christ, as recorded in Matthew 1:22-23 .

4. The Law and Grace: The Mosaic Law, given to the Israelites, precedes the grace brought through Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul discusses this in Galatians 3:24-25 , "So the law became our guardian to lead us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian." The law serves as a precursor to the grace and truth realized in Christ.

5. The First Adam and the Last Adam: In 1 Corinthians 15:45-47 , Paul contrasts Adam and Christ, stating, "So it is written: 'The first man Adam became a living being;' the last Adam a life-giving spirit. The spiritual, however, was not first, but the natural, and then the spiritual. The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven." Adam's role as the first man precedes Christ's redemptive work as the last Adam.

Theological Implications:

The concept of preceding in the Bible underscores the sovereignty and foreknowledge of God. It reveals a divine order and purpose in the unfolding of history, where events and individuals are positioned according to God's plan. This principle also emphasizes the continuity and progression of God's revelation, from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant, and from prophecy to fulfillment.

In summary, the theme of preceding in Scripture highlights the preparatory nature of certain events and figures, setting the stage for the fulfillment of God's promises and the advancement of His kingdom.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Precede.

2. (a.) Going before; -- opposed to following.

3. (a.) In the direction toward which stars appear to move. See Following.

1565. ekeinos -- that one (or neut. that thing), often intensified ...
... preceding. Part of Speech: Demonstrative Pronoun Transliteration: ekeinos Phonetic
Spelling: (ek-i'-nos) Short Definition: that, that one there, yonder ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1565.htm - 8k

4007a. per -- indeed (adds force to the preceding word)
... 4007, 4007a. per. 4007b . indeed (adds force to the preceding word).
Transliteration: per Short Definition: if. Word Origin enclitic ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4007a.htm - 5k

4007. per -- indeed (adds force to the preceding word)
... 4006, 4007. per. 4007a . indeed (adds force to the preceding word).
Transliteration: per Phonetic Spelling: (per) Short Definition: whosoever. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4007.htm - 6k

4281. proerchomai -- to go forward, go on
... erchomai Definition to go forward, go on NASB Word Usage go (1), go on ahead (1),
going ahead (1), gone on ahead (1), got there ahead (1), preceding (1), went ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4281.htm - 7k

2235. ede -- already
... now"). [2235 () is "a point of time preceding another point of time and
implying completion -- 'already'" (, 1, 67.20). It often ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2235.htm - 7k

3761. oude -- and not, neither
... [Regardless of how 3761 () is translated, it means: If "A" (the preceding statement)
true (valid) -- then "B" (which extends from it) is also valid. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3761.htm - 8k

1894. epeide -- when now, seeing that
... of 1909 , ", fitting"; 1487 , "", that assumes the premise is ; and 1211 , "indeed") --
properly, aptly if indeed, which assumes the preceding is something ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1894.htm - 7k

My Sentiments on the Preceding Scheme of Predestination.
... 2. MY SENTIMENTS ON THE PRECEDING SCHEME OF PREDESTINATION. But, for my
own part, to speak my sentiments with freedom, and yet with ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/2 my sentiments on the.htm

Continuation of the Preceding.
... A Treatise on the predestination of the saints, Chapter 4."Continuation
of the Preceding. But why do we not in opposition to this ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 4 continuation of the preceding.htm

Remarks on the Preceding Questions, and on those Opposed to Them
... REMARKS ON THE PRECEDING QUESTIONS, AND ON THOSE OPPOSED TO THEM. In reply
to some queries which Uytenbogard had addressed to Arminius ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 1/remarks on the preceding questions.htm

The Preceding Quotation from Solomon's Proverbs Receives Further ...
... The preceding quotation from Solomon's Proverbs receives further explanation.? The
preceding quotation from Solomon's Proverbs receives further explanation. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter ix the preceding quotation.htm

Letters Describing the Experience Preceding Death
... LETTERS LETTERS DESCRIBING THE EXPERIENCE PRECEDING DEATH. "Fightings and fears
within, without," had long been Catherine's portion. Now the end was at hand. ...
/.../letters of catherine benincasa/letters describing the experience preceding.htm

The Preceding Argument is in no Wise Inconsistent with the Saying ...
... Chapter 15."The Preceding Argument is in No Wise Inconsistent with the Saying
of Our Lord: "A Good Tree Cannot Bring Forth Evil Fruit.". ...
/.../augustine/the enchiridion/chapter 15 the preceding argument is.htm

Having, in the Three Preceding Books, Fully Stated what Occurred ...
... Chapter I. Having, in the three preceding books, fully stated what occurred
to us by way of? Having, in the three preceding books ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/chapter i having in the.htm

Reflections Upon the Preceding Account.
... PART II. OF THE AUXILIARY EVIDENCES OF CHRISTIANITY SECTION II. REFLECTIONS
UPON THE PRECEDING ACCOUNT. In viewing the progress ...
/.../paley/evidences of christianity/section ii reflections upon the.htm

Marcion Rejected the Preceding Portion of St. Luke's Gospel ...
... Book IV. In Which Tertullian Pursues His Argument. Jesus is the Christ of the Creator.
Chapter VII."Marcion Rejected the Preceding Portion of St. ...
/.../the five books against marcion/chapter vii marcion rejected the preceding.htm

He Surpassed all Preceding Emperors in Devotion to God.
... Book IV. Chapter LXXV."He surpassed all Preceding Emperors in Devotion
to God. Standing, as he did, alone and pre-eminent among ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter lxxv he surpassed all preceding.htm

Preceding (7 Occurrences)
...Preceding (7 Occurrences). Matthew 21:9 and the multitudes--some of the people
preceding Him and some following--sang aloud, "God save the Son of David! ...
/p/preceding.htm - 8k

Former (107 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A cutting die. 5. (a.) Preceding in order of time; antecedent;
previous; prior; earlier; hence, ancient; long past. 6. (a ...
/f/former.htm - 41k

Before (18954 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (prep.) In front of; preceding in space;
ahead of; as, to stand before the fire; before the house. ...
/b/before.htm - 9k

Last (1087 Occurrences)
... 8. (a.) In conclusion; finally. 9. (a.) At a time next preceding the present time.
10. (vi) To continue in time; to endure; to remain in existence. 11. ...
/l/last.htm - 18k

Vigil (2 Occurrences)
... 4. (vi) Later, the day and the night preceding a feast. 5. (n.) A religious service
performed in the evening preceding a feast. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/v/vigil.htm - 7k

Zadok (50 Occurrences)
... (5) Zodak the son of Immer, and, like the preceding, a repairer of the wall (Nehemiah
3:29). (6) Zodak a scribe in the time of Nehemiah (13:13). ...
/z/zadok.htm - 40k

Jazer (13 Occurrences)
... (Note: "Sea of" Jazer in this verse has arisen through accidental repetition of
yam, "sea," from the preceding clause.) The city was taken from the Ammonites ...
/j/jazer.htm - 13k

Lake (45 Occurrences)
... part of the text, formed originally the close of 20:15, whence they became displaced
on account of the identity of the words once immediately preceding them in ...
/l/lake.htm - 24k

Adonijah (28 Occurrences)
... rebellion of Absalom broke out "at an end of forty years" (2 Samuel 15:7). The natural
meaning is not forty years after the last-mentioned preceding date, but ...
/a/adonijah.htm - 22k

Susanna (1 Occurrence)
... In the Septuagint, Syro-Hexapla and Vulgate, Susanna is Daniel 14, but in Theodotion
(ABQ) it opens Daniel, preceding chapter 1, a position implied in the King ...
/s/susanna.htm - 17k

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