The term "propitious" refers to being favorably disposed or inclined, often indicating a sense of divine favor or goodwill. In the context of the Bible, it is associated with God's graciousness and mercy towards His people. The concept of propitiousness is deeply rooted in the understanding of God's character as one who is compassionate and willing to forgive.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of God being propitious is often linked to His covenant relationship with Israel. God's favor is seen in His willingness to forgive sins and restore His people when they repent. For instance, in the sacrificial system, the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) was a time when the high priest would make atonement for the sins of the people, seeking God's propitiousness. Leviticus 16:30 states, "because on this day atonement will be made for you to cleanse you, and you will be clean from all your sins before the LORD."

The Hebrew word often associated with this concept is "kaphar," which means to cover or atone. This covering of sins is a demonstration of God's propitious nature, as He provides a means for reconciliation and restoration.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of propitiousness is most clearly seen in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Greek word "hilastērion" is used to describe Christ's atoning sacrifice. Romans 3:25 states, "God presented Him as the atoning sacrifice through faith in His blood, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance He had passed over the sins committed beforehand."

Jesus' sacrificial death is the ultimate expression of God's propitiousness, as it provides the means for humanity's reconciliation with God. Through faith in Christ, believers receive God's favor and are justified before Him.

Theological Implications

The propitious nature of God underscores His desire for a relationship with humanity. It highlights His willingness to forgive and restore those who turn to Him in repentance and faith. This divine favor is not earned by human effort but is a gift of grace, made possible through the atoning work of Christ.

The assurance of God's propitiousness provides comfort and hope to believers, knowing that they are recipients of His mercy and love. It encourages a life of gratitude and obedience, as believers respond to the grace they have received.

Practical Application

Understanding God's propitious nature calls believers to live in a manner that reflects His grace and mercy. It encourages them to extend forgiveness to others, as they have been forgiven. Additionally, it inspires confidence in approaching God in prayer, knowing that He is favorably disposed towards His children.

In summary, the concept of propitiousness in the Bible reveals the heart of God as one who is gracious and merciful, providing a way for humanity to be reconciled to Him through the atoning work of Jesus Christ.1. (a.) Convenient; auspicious; favorable; as, a propitious breeze.

2. (a.) Hence, kind; gracious; merciful; helpful; -- said of a person or a divinity.

2436. hileos -- propitious
... propitious. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: hileos Phonetic Spelling:
(hil'-eh-oce) Short Definition: propitious, forgiving Definition: propitious ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2436.htm - 7k

2433. hilaskomai -- to be propitious, make propitiation for
... to be propitious, make propitiation for. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
hilaskomai Phonetic Spelling: (hil-as'-kom-ahee) Short Definition: I have mercy ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2433.htm - 7k

2431. hilaros -- cheerful
... cheerful. From the same as hileos; propitious or merry ("hilarious"), ie Prompt
or willing -- cheerful. see GREEK hileos. (ilaron) -- 1 Occurrence. 2430, 2431 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2431.htm - 6k

1184. dektos -- acceptable
... acceptable. From dechomai; approved; (figuratively) propitious -- accepted(-table).
see GREEK dechomai. (dekten) -- 1 Occurrence. (dekton) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1184.htm - 6k

448. anileos -- without mercy.
... 448 (from 1 , "without" and 2436 , "propitious, appeased") -- properly, without
propitiation (divine appeasement), ie without the mercy of God's -loyalty ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/448.htm - 6k

Article xv (viii): of Human Traditions in the Church.
... God has set forth Christ with the promise that on account of this Mediator, and
not on account of our righteousness, He wishes to be propitious to us. ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 20 article xv viii .htm

All we Therefore, who Believe in the Living and True God...
... Wherefore the just man addresseth his soul and saith, "Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all His returns: Who becometh propitious to all thy iniquities ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on continence/section 18 all we therefore.htm

The Rebuke of Peter and the Answer of Jesus.
... Book XII. 21. The Rebuke of Peter and the Answer of Jesus. "And Peter took Him
and began to rebuke Him, saying, God be propitious to Thee. ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/21 the rebuke of peter.htm

For as to that which we Hear Said by You...
... made in the same way to the others, on the contrary, that they may not be injurious,
it follows that it should be understood that the propitious deities will ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/23 for as to that.htm

Of Religion.
... For why should I say 'may He be propitious? ' for He can be propitious to no
one." What can be spoken more contemptible with respect to God? ...
/.../a treatise on the anger of god addressed to donatus/chap viii of religion.htm

In Fine, Supplication for Pardon, with Humble and Ingenuous ...
... he has been freely reconciled to him. God cannot be propitious to any but
those whom he pardons. Hence it is not strange that this ...
/.../of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 9 in fine supplication.htm

Of Hope and True Religion, and of Superstition.
... If one victim renders the deity propitious, it is plain that many victims must render
him more propitious, because multiplied services oblige [876] rather than ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xxviii of hope and true.htm

The Enlargement of Kingdoms is Unsuitably Ascribed to Jove; for If ...
... Or what need is there of Jove himself in this affair, if Victory favors and is
propitious, and always goes to those whom she wishes to be victorious? ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 14 the enlargement of kingdoms.htm

Sowing in the Wind, Reaping under Clouds
... "To every thing there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven."
It is well to sow when the weather is propitious. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/sowing in the wind reaping.htm

Literary Expressions
... A prop for my faint heart. A propitious sky, marbled with pearly white [propitious =
favorable; kindly; gracious]. A protest wavered on her lip. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section vii literary expressions.htm

Propitious (12 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Convenient; auspicious; favorable; as, a propitious
breeze. ... Multi-Version Concordance Propitious (12 Occurrences). ...
/p/propitious.htm - 11k

Propitiation (4 Occurrences)
... That by which God is rendered propitious, ie, by which it becomes consistent with
his character and government to pardon and bless the sinner. ...
/p/propitiation.htm - 15k

Favor (184 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Kind regard; propitious aspect; countenance;
friendly disposition; kindness; good will. 2. (n.) The ...
/f/favor.htm - 40k

Smile (4 Occurrences)
... smiling plenty. 4. (vi) To be propitious or favorable; to favor; to countenance; --
often with on; as, to smile on one's labors. 5. (vt ...
/s/smile.htm - 8k

Bowing (35 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 5:18 For this thing Jehovah be propitious to thy servant, in the coming
in of my lord into the house of Rimmon to bow himself there, and he was ...
/b/bowing.htm - 19k

Established (200 Occurrences)
... hath disallowed her in the day of his hearing, none of her vows and her bonds which
she hath bound on her soul is established, and Jehovah is propitious to her ...
/e/established.htm - 37k

Atonement (112 Occurrences)
... Our guilt is expiated by the punishment which our vicar bore, and thus God is rendered
propitious, ie, it is now consistent with his justice to manifest his ...
/a/atonement.htm - 101k

Proportion (15 Occurrences)

/p/proportion.htm - 14k

Unfavorable (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Not favorable; not propitious; adverse; contrary;
discouraging. Multi-Version Concordance Unfavorable (1 Occurrence). ...
/u/unfavorable.htm - 6k

Outgoing (10 Occurrences)
... outgoing of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, is
established -- her husband hath broken them -- and Jehovah is propitious to her ...
/o/outgoing.htm - 10k

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