In the context of biblical literature, the term "probe" is not directly mentioned in the Scriptures. However, the concept of probing, understood as a thorough examination or investigation, is present throughout the Bible in various forms. This entry explores the biblical themes and instances where probing, as a form of divine or human inquiry, is evident.

Divine Probing

God's probing of the human heart is a recurring theme in the Bible. The Lord's ability to search and know the innermost thoughts and intentions of individuals is a testament to His omniscience. In Jeremiah 17:10 , it is written, "I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve." This verse highlights God's role as the ultimate examiner of human motives and actions, ensuring that His judgments are just and righteous.

Similarly, in Psalm 139:23-24 , the psalmist invites God's probing, saying, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way everlasting." Here, the psalmist acknowledges the necessity of divine examination to lead a life aligned with God's will.

Human Probing

The Bible also records instances where humans engage in probing, often in the form of questioning or seeking understanding. In the Book of Job, Job's friends attempt to probe the reasons behind his suffering, though their conclusions are ultimately flawed. Job himself questions God, seeking to understand his plight. In Job 13:3 , he declares, "But I desire to speak to the Almighty and argue my case before God." This reflects the human desire to probe the mysteries of divine providence and justice.

In the New Testament, the Bereans are commended for their probing nature. Acts 17:11 states, "Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true." Their diligent examination of the Scriptures serves as a model for believers to seek truth through careful study and reflection.

Probing in Wisdom Literature

The wisdom literature of the Bible, particularly the Book of Proverbs, often encourages a probing attitude towards life and knowledge. Proverbs 2:3-5 advises, "If you indeed call out for insight and lift your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure, then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God." This passage underscores the value of a probing spirit in the pursuit of wisdom and understanding.

Conclusion

While the term "probe" itself may not appear in the biblical text, the concept is integral to the relationship between God and humanity, as well as the pursuit of wisdom and truth. Through divine probing, God reveals the depths of human hearts, while human probing reflects the quest for understanding and alignment with divine principles.1. (v. t.) To examine, to search through; to explore; as a wound or ulcer, with a probe.

2. (v. t.) Fig.: to search to the bottom; to scrutinize or examine thoroughly.

3. (n.) An instrument for examining the depth or other circumstances of a wound, ulcer, or cavity, or the direction of a sinus, of for exploring for bullets, for stones in the bladder, etc.

2713. chaqar -- to search
... Definition to search NASB Word Usage ascertained (1), examines (2), find (1), found
(2), investigated (2), make a search (1), pondered (1), probe (1), search (8 ...
/hebrew/2713.htm - 6k

A Wise Minister Will be Successful.
... There is only here and there a minister in the country who knows how to probe the
church when they are in a cold, backslidden state, so as effectually to wake ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xi a wise minister.htm

Instructions to Converts.
... So deeply did the Spirit of God PROBE her heart, that, for a time, it took
away all her bodily strength. And then she came out subdued. ...
/.../lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xix instructions to converts.htm

The Scaffolding Left in the Body
... time denied. It was thought that, when this happened, the orifice must have
been accidentally made by the probe of the surgeon. But ...
/.../the lowell lectures on the ascent of man/chapter ii the scaffolding left.htm

Preface
... once guided by them; I believe that the right understanding of the New Testament
has been very greatly advanced by their laudable determination to probe and to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/ramsay/was christ born in bethlehem/preface.htm

The Strife for Precedence.
... fire. When, with an honest purpose, we probe it and pluck at it, still
we may detect it in the lowest socket of the heart. Often ...
/.../chapin/humanity in the city/discourse iii the strife for.htm

Rest.
... up"we cannot drink it dry. If you probe the human heart, you will find
a want, and that want is rest. The cry of the world to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/the overcoming life/rest.htm

He Restoreth My Soul.
... you to battle with the weak and the strong; she will give you the secret of knowledge
and train you to soar above your fellow-creatures and probe the mysteries ...
/.../callan/the shepherd of my soul/v he restoreth my soul.htm

Introduction.
... great white throne and the descending Judge, is to dislodge professors from their
imaginary trust in a Saviour who does not save them, and probe deeply their ...
//christianbookshelf.org/booth/godliness/introduction.htm

Political Parties in Connecticut at the Beginning of the ...
... electoral power. The Anti-Federalists early began to probe for weak spots in
the constitutional government of Connecticut. The Fundamental ...
/.../chapter xiv political parties in.htm

From the End of the Third Continental Journey, in 1834, to the ...
... subjected to trial by the effect of religious dissension, he was ready, with his
beloved partner, to share the burden of the afflicted, to probe the wounds of ...
/.../chapter xiv from the end.htm

Probe (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To examine, to search through; to explore; as
a wound or ulcer, with a probe. ... Multi-Version Concordance Probe (6 Occurrences). ...
/p/probe.htm - 8k

Tent (333 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To probe or to search with a tent; to keep open with a tent; as, to tent
a wound. Used also figuratively. ... 7. (n.) A probe for searching a wound. ...
/t/tent.htm - 48k

Probation
... 3. (n.) The novitiate which a person must pass in a convent, to probe his or
her virtue and ability to bear the severities of the rule. ...
/p/probation.htm - 7k

Sound (1245 Occurrences)
... 14. (vt) Fig.: To ascertain, or try to ascertain, the thoughts, motives, and purposes
of (a person); to examine; to try; to test; to probe. 15. ...
/s/sound.htm - 12k

Guide (89 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) A blade or channel for directing the flow of water to the wheel
buckets. 8. (n.) A grooved director for a probe or knife. ...
/g/guide.htm - 37k

Introduce (3 Occurrences)
... into a drawing-room. 2. (vt) To put (something into a place); to insert;
as, to introduce the finger, or a probe. 3. (vt) To lead ...
/i/introduce.htm - 8k

Fathom (5 Occurrences)
... nothing. (See NIV). Job 11:7 "Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can
you probe the limits of the Almighty? (WEB NIV). Psalms 145 ...
/f/fathom.htm - 9k

Epicureans (1 Occurrence)
... Criticism of these would necessarily drive men back upon themselves to probe deeper
into the meaning of experience, as Kant did in later times. ...
/e/epicureans.htm - 20k

Depths (56 Occurrences)
... (WEB JPS ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV NIV). Job 11:7 "Can you fathom the mystery of
God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty? (See NAS). ...
/d/depths.htm - 22k

Mysteries (11 Occurrences)
... and of want. (WEY). Job 11:7 "Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can
you probe the limits of the Almighty? (See NIV). Job 12:22 ...
/m/mysteries.htm - 9k

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