Topical Encyclopedia The concept of "present" in the Bible encompasses various dimensions, including the present time, the act of presenting offerings or gifts, and the presence of God. Each of these aspects holds significant theological and practical implications within the biblical narrative.1. Present Time The Bible often emphasizes the importance of the present moment, urging believers to live faithfully and righteously in the time they have. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul writes, "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil" (Ephesians 5:15-16). This exhortation highlights the urgency of living in accordance with God's will in the present age, recognizing the fleeting nature of time and the moral challenges of the world. 2. Presenting Offerings and Gifts The act of presenting offerings to God is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were instructed to bring various offerings to the Lord as acts of worship and atonement. Leviticus 1:2-3 states, "Speak to the Israelites and tell them, ‘When any of you brings an offering to the LORD, you may bring as your offering an animal from the herd or the flock.'" These offerings were a means of expressing devotion, gratitude, and repentance. In the New Testament, the concept of presenting offerings evolves to include the giving of oneself to God. Romans 12:1 urges believers, "Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship." This passage underscores the idea that the ultimate offering is the dedication of one's life to God's service. 3. The Presence of God The presence of God is a central theme in the Bible, signifying His nearness and involvement in the lives of His people. In the Old Testament, God's presence was often associated with specific locations, such as the Tabernacle or the Temple. Exodus 33:14 records God's promise to Moses, "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." In the New Testament, the presence of God is made manifest through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:23 declares, "Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel" (which means, "God with us"). This fulfillment of prophecy emphasizes the incarnation of Christ as the ultimate expression of God's presence among humanity. Furthermore, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers signifies God's continual presence and guidance. Jesus assures His disciples in John 14:16-17 , "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth." This promise highlights the ongoing relationship between God and His people through the Holy Spirit. 4. Presenting the Gospel The New Testament also speaks to the responsibility of believers to present the Gospel to others. In 2 Timothy 4:2 , Paul instructs Timothy, "Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction." This charge emphasizes the importance of being ready to share the message of salvation at all times, reflecting the urgency and significance of the present moment in God's redemptive plan. In summary, the concept of "present" in the Bible encompasses the immediacy of time, the act of offering oneself and gifts to God, the profound reality of God's presence, and the call to present the Gospel to the world. Each aspect invites believers to live with intentionality, devotion, and awareness of God's active role in their lives. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (a.) Being at hand, within reach or call, within certain contemplated limits; -- opposed to absent.2. (a.) Now existing, or in process; begun but not ended; now in view, or under consideration; being at this time; not past or future; as, the present session of Congress; the present state of affairs; the present instance. 3. (a.) Not delayed; immediate; instant; coincident. 4. (a.) Ready; quick in emergency; as a present wit. 5. (a.) Favorably attentive; propitious. 6. (a.) Present time; the time being; time in progress now, or at the moment contemplated; as, at this present. 7. (a.) Present letters or instrument, as a deed of conveyance, a lease, letter of attorney, or other writing; as in the phrase, Know all men by these presents, that is, by the writing itself, per has literas praesentes; -- in this sense, rarely used in the singular. 8. (n.) A present tense, or the form of the verb denoting the present tense. 9. (v.) To bring or introduce into the presence of some one, especially of a superior; to introduce formally; to offer for acquaintance; as, to present an envoy to the king; (with the reciprocal pronoun) to come into the presence of a superior. 10. (v.) To exhibit or offer to view or notice; to lay before one's perception or cognizance; to set forth; to present a fine appearance. 11. (v.) To pass over, esp. in a ceremonious manner; to give in charge or possession; to deliver; to make over. 12. (v.) To make a gift of; to bestow; to give, generally in a formal or ceremonious manner; to grant; to confer. 13. (a.) Hence: To endow; to bestow a gift upon; to favor, as with a donation; also, to court by gifts. 14. (v.) To present; to personate. 15. (v.) To nominate to an ecclesiastical benefice; to offer to the bishop or ordinary as a candidate for institution. 16. (v.) To nominate for support at a public school or other institution . 17. (v.) To lay before a public body, or an official, for consideration, as before a legislature, a court of judicature, a corporation, etc.; as, to present a memorial, petition, remonstrance, or indictment. 18. (v.) To lay before a court as an object of inquiry; to give notice officially of, as a crime of offence; to find or represent judicially; as, a grand jury present certain offenses or nuisances, or whatever they think to be public injuries. 19. (v.) To bring an indictment against . 20. (v.) To aim, point, or direct, as a weapon; as, to present a pistol or the point of a sword to the breast of another. 21. (v. i.) To appear at the mouth of the uterus so as to be perceptible to the finger in vaginal examination; -- said of a part of an infant during labor. 22. (n.) Anything presented or given; a gift; a donative; as, a Christmas present. 23. (n.) The position of a soldier in presenting arms; as, to stand at present. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia PRESENTprez'-ent. Greek 1764. enistemi -- to place in, to be at hand, perf. part. to be ... ... to be present. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: enistemi Phonetic Spelling: (en-is'-tay-mee) Short Definition: I place in or upon, am at hand, am present ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1764.htm - 7k 4840. sumpareimi -- to be present together 3568. nun -- now, the present 3936. paristemi -- to place beside, to present, stand by, appear 3873. parakeimai -- to lie beside, be present 3918b. pareimi -- to be present, to have come 1435. doron -- a gift, present, spec. a sacrifice 2240. heko -- to have come, be present 2186. ephistemi -- to set upon, set up, to stand upon, be present 4836. sumparaginomai -- to be present together Strong's Hebrew 8670. teshurah -- perhaps gift, present... 8669, 8670. teshurah. 8671 . perhaps gift, present. Transliteration: teshurah Phonetic Spelling: (tesh-oo-raw') Short Definition: present. ... /hebrew/8670.htm - 6k 7810. shochad -- a present, bribe 7809. shachad -- to give a present, bribe 3320. yatsab -- to set or station oneself, take one's stand 7126. qarab -- to come near, approach 1293. berakah -- a blessing 4503. minchah -- a gift, tribute, offering 4672. matsa -- to attain to, find 5066. nagash -- to draw near, approach 3322. yatsag -- to set, place Library That the Logos Present in us is not Responsible for Our Sins. A Present Religion The Present Translation. The Present Distress of Nations. The Absent Present Christ Subject of the Present Work. The Gifts of the Present Christ Preface to the Present Edition. Preface to the Present Edition. Introduction to the Present Edition. Thesaurus Present (577 Occurrences)... a.) Now existing, or in process; begun but not ended; now in view, or under consideration; being at this time; not past or future; as, the present session of ... /p/present.htm - 38k Ever-present (1 Occurrence) Absent (15 Occurrences) Presenting (16 Occurrences) Yearling (48 Occurrences) Peace-offering (46 Occurrences) Ararat (4 Occurrences) Balm (7 Occurrences) Plead (64 Occurrences) Presents (38 Occurrences) Resources What does it mean God is our refuge and strength and an ever-present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1)? | GotQuestions.orgWill the Holy Spirit be present during the tribulation? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean that God is omnipresent? | GotQuestions.org Present: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Present (577 Occurrences)Matthew 5:24 Matthew 7:9 Matthew 7:10 Matthew 8:4 Matthew 11:16 Matthew 12:41 Matthew 12:42 Matthew 12:45 Matthew 13:22 Matthew 23:36 Matthew 24:34 Matthew 26:50 Matthew 27:61 Matthew 28:15 Mark 1:44 Mark 4:30 Mark 8:9 Mark 10:30 Mark 13:30 Luke 2:22 Luke 5:17 Luke 7:31 Luke 9:18 Luke 11:11 Luke 11:12 Luke 11:29 Luke 11:30 Luke 11:32 Luke 11:50 Luke 11:51 Luke 12:56 Luke 13:1 Luke 13:11 Luke 17:25 Luke 18:26 Luke 18:30 Luke 21:32 Luke 22:6 John 4:18 John 7:6 John 8:23 John 9:40 John 11:28 John 12:17 John 13:7 John 13:33 John 14:25 John 15:16 John 16:12 Acts 1:3 Acts 1:13 Acts 1:15 Acts 3:24 Acts 5:5 Acts 5:38 Acts 10:21 Acts 10:24 Acts 10:33 Acts 11:12 Acts 17:6 Acts 17:17 Acts 17:19 Acts 21:18 Acts 22:25 Acts 23:30 Acts 23:33 Acts 24:17 Acts 24:19 Acts 24:20 Acts 24:25 Acts 25:24 Acts 28:2 Romans 1:13 Romans 3:26 Romans 6:13 Romans 6:16 Romans 6:19 Romans 7:18 Romans 7:21 Romans 8:18 Romans 8:22 Romans 8:24 Romans 8:38 Romans 11:5 Romans 12:1 Romans 12:2 Romans 13:1 Romans 13:11 Romans 15:25 1 Corinthians 1:20 1 Corinthians 2:6 1 Corinthians 2:8 1 Corinthians 3:18 1 Corinthians 3:22 1 Corinthians 4:11 1 Corinthians 5:3 1 Corinthians 5:4 1 Corinthians 7:26 1 Corinthians 7:31 1 Corinthians 9:18 Subtopics Related Terms |