Topical Encyclopedia The term "preferred" in the context of the Bible often relates to the idea of favor, choice, or selection by God or individuals. It is not a frequently used term in the biblical text, but the concept is evident throughout Scripture in various narratives and teachings.Divine Preference God's preference is a recurring theme in the Bible, where He chooses certain individuals or groups for specific purposes. This divine selection is often based on His sovereign will rather than human merit. For example, God preferred Abel's offering over Cain's, as seen in Genesis 4:4-5: "And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor." Similarly, God's preference is evident in His choice of Israel as His chosen people. Deuteronomy 7:6-8 states, "For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession. The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the LORD loved you and kept the oath he swore to your ancestors." Human Preference Human preference is also depicted in the Bible, often reflecting personal biases or desires. In the account of Jacob and Esau, Rebekah preferred Jacob, while Isaac preferred Esau, as noted in Genesis 25:28: "Isaac loved Esau because he had a taste for wild game, but Rebekah loved Jacob." This preference led to significant family conflict and the eventual fulfillment of God's plan for Jacob to receive the blessing. In the New Testament, the concept of preference is addressed in the context of favoritism. James 2:1-4 warns against showing partiality: "My brothers, as you hold out your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, do not show favoritism. Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. If you lavish attention on the man in fine clothes and say, 'Here is a seat of honor,' but say to the poor man, 'You must stand,' or, 'Sit at my feet,' have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?" Spiritual Preference The Bible encourages believers to prefer spiritual over worldly matters. In Philippians 3:7-8 , Paul expresses his preference for knowing Christ over worldly gains: "But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ." Conclusion The concept of preference in the Bible highlights the importance of aligning one's choices with God's will and valuing spiritual over temporal matters. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereign choices and the call for believers to avoid favoritism and seek what is eternally significant. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (imp. & p. p.) of Prefer.Greek 1905. eperotao -- to inquire of ... 1905 (from , ", fitting" intensifying 2065 , "inquire, ask") -- properly, ask appropriately (aptly), done by someone on "preferred footing" who makes a request ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1905.htm - 8k 4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness 2261. epios -- gentle, mild 3131. manna -- manna 4696. spilos -- a spot, stain 1954. epiloipos -- still left 3852. paraggelia -- an instruction, a command 740. artos -- bread, a loaf 5545. chrisma -- an anointing, unction 3786. ophelos -- advantage, help Strong's Hebrew 5330. netsach -- to distinguish oneself... be preferred. (Aramaic) corresponding to natsach; to become chief -- be preferred. see HEBREW natsach. 5329, 5330. netsach. 5331 . Strong's Numbers. /hebrew/5330.htm - 6k 977. bachar -- to choose Library Whether Religion Should be Preferred to the Other Moral virtues? Loose Company Preferred by Heretics Ungodliness the Effect of ... That Nothing is to be Preferred to the Love of God and Christ. Letter xviii. --Will of God to be Preferred. Whether Even vices Themselves as Objects of Intellectual ... Of the Authority of the Septuagint Translation, Which, Saving the ... Now among Translations Themselves the Italian Itala is to be ... How Much the Contemplation of God is to be Preferred to all Other ... Calumnies against the Sons of Mariamne. Antipateris Preferred ... Other Incidents of the Passion Minutely Compared with Prophecy ... Thesaurus Preferred (9 Occurrences)...Preferred (9 Occurrences). ... John 1:27 He is the one who comes after me, who is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I'm not worthy to loosen." (WEB KJV WBS). ... /p/preferred.htm - 9k Prefer (10 Occurrences) Choice (113 Occurrences) Preference (3 Occurrences) Bason (3 Occurrences) Basin (37 Occurrences) Spirits (129 Occurrences) Linen (111 Occurrences) Abel (22 Occurrences) Korahites (7 Occurrences) Resources Should Christians use the preferred pronouns of transgender individuals when referring to them? | GotQuestions.orgWhat should a believer do if his or her spouse chooses to live a transgender lifestyle? | GotQuestions.org Why is the science community so opposed to creationism? | GotQuestions.org Preferred: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Preferred (9 Occurrences)John 1:15 John 1:27 John 1:30 Philemon 1:14 Esther 2:9 Job 36:21 Proverbs 16:16 Jeremiah 8:3 Daniel 6:3 Subtopics Related Terms |
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