Topical Bible: Provision

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Definition and Concept
Provision, in a biblical context, refers to the act of God supplying the needs of His people. It encompasses both physical sustenance and spiritual nourishment. The concept of provision is deeply rooted in the understanding of God as Jehovah Jireh, "The Lord Will Provide," a name first revealed in Genesis 22:14 when God provided a ram as a substitute sacrifice for Isaac.

Old Testament Examples
The Old Testament is replete with instances of God's provision. In the wilderness, God provided manna and quail for the Israelites (Exodus 16:4-15). This daily sustenance was a direct demonstration of God's care and faithfulness. In 1 Kings 17:6, God provided for Elijah through ravens that brought him bread and meat during a time of drought. These examples illustrate God's ability to provide in miraculous ways, often beyond human understanding.

New Testament Teachings
In the New Testament, Jesus emphasizes God's provision in the Sermon on the Mount. In Matthew 6:31-33 , Jesus instructs, "So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans strive after all these things, and your Heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you." This passage highlights the priority of seeking God's kingdom, with the assurance that God will provide for our needs.

Spiritual Provision
Beyond physical needs, the Bible speaks of God's provision for spiritual needs. In John 6:35 , Jesus declares, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst." Here, Jesus presents Himself as the ultimate provision for spiritual fulfillment and eternal life. The Apostle Paul also speaks of spiritual provision in Philippians 4:19 , stating, "And my God will supply all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus."

Principles of Provision
The biblical principle of provision is closely tied to faith and obedience. In Malachi 3:10 , God challenges His people to bring the full tithe into the storehouse, promising, "Test Me in this," says the LORD of Hosts, "and see if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you blessing without measure." This passage underscores the relationship between faithful giving and divine provision.

Human Responsibility
While God promises provision, the Bible also teaches human responsibility in stewardship and work. Proverbs 6:6-8 advises, "Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways and be wise. Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food at harvest." This wisdom literature encourages diligence and planning as part of God's design for provision.

Conclusion
The theme of provision in the Bible reveals a God who is intimately involved in the lives of His people, caring for their physical and spiritual needs. Through faith, obedience, and responsible stewardship, believers are invited to trust in God's unfailing provision.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) The act of providing, or making previous preparation.

2. (n.) That which is provided or prepared; that which is brought together or arranged in advance; measures taken beforehand; preparation.

3. (n.) Especially, a stock of food; any kind of eatables collected or stored; -- often in the plural.

4. (n.) That which is stipulated in advance; a condition; a previous agreement; a proviso; as, the provisions of a contract; the statute has many provisions.

5. (n.) A canonical term for regular induction into a benefice, comprehending nomination, collation, and installation.

6. (n.) A nomination by the pope to a benefice before it became vacant, depriving the patron of his right of presentation.

7. (v. t.) To supply with food; to victual; as, to provision a garrison.

Greek

4307. pronoia -- foresight, forethought
... Transliteration: pronoia Phonetic Spelling: (pron'-oy-ah) Short Definition: forethought,
foresight Definition: forethought, foresight, provision for, providence ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4307.htm - 6k

2024. epichoregia -- a supply
... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: epichoregia Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-ee-khor-ayg-ee'-ah) Short Definition: supply, provision, equipment Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2024.htm - 6k

1979. episitismos -- provisions
... provisions. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: episitismos Phonetic
Spelling: (ep-ee-sit-is-mos') Short Definition: provision, nourishment, food ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1979.htm - 6k

5527. chortasma -- fodder
... of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: chortasma Phonetic Spelling: (khor'-tas-
mah) Short Definition: food, sustenance Definition: food, sustenance, provision ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5527.htm - 6k

1967. epiousios -- for the coming day, for subsistence
... It refers to God's provision that is needed for (Mt 6:11; Lk 11:3) -- literally,
"bread that (meets) the unique demands of the coming day.". ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1967.htm - 7k

3111. makellon -- a meat market
... a meat market, food market. Of Latin origin (macellum); a butcher's stall, meat
market or provision-shop -- shambles. (makello) -- 1 Occurrence. 3110, 3111. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3111.htm - 6k

1305. diatrophe -- food, nourishment
... 1305 (from 1223 , "thoroughly," intensifying 5610 , "food, supplies") -- properly,
provision ( supplies) -- as (used only in 1 Tim 6:8). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1305.htm - 7k

5524. choregeo -- to lead a chorus (ie a group of performers), to ...
... "The provision of a chorus at public festivals was a costly business for
the Athenian public offices, who supplied " (P. Hughs).]. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5524.htm - 7k

740. artos -- bread, a loaf
... 740 -- properly, bread; (figuratively) divine provision; all the sustenance God
supplies to yielded believers scene-by-scene to live in His preferred-will ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/740.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew

6718b. tsayid -- provision, food
... 6718a, 6718b. tsayid. 6719 . provision, food. Transliteration: tsayid
Short Definition: provision. Word Origin from an unused word ...
/hebrew/6718b.htm - 5k

6720. tsedah -- provision, food
... tsedah. 6721 . provision, food. Transliteration: tsedah Phonetic Spelling:
(tsay-daw') Short Definition: provisions. ... meat, provision, venison, victuals. ...
/hebrew/6720.htm - 6k

6719b. tsid -- take as one's provision
... 6719a, 6719b. tsid. 6720 . take as one's provision. Transliteration:
tsid Short Definition: provisions. Word Origin denominative ...
/hebrew/6719b.htm - 5k

3559. kun -- to be firm
... established (3), formed (1), founds (1), full (1), get yourself ready (1), installed
(1), made it ready (1), made preparations (1), made provision (1), made ...
/hebrew/3559.htm - 7k

6679. tsud -- to hunt
... root Definition to hunt NASB Word Usage catches (1), hunt (8), hunt down (2), hunted
(2), hunted me down (1), hunts (2). chase, hunt, sore, take provision. ...
/hebrew/6679.htm - 6k

6598. path-bag -- portion, delicacies
... portion provision of meat. Of Persian origin; a dainty -- portion (provision)
of meat. 6597, 6598. path-bag. 6599 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6598.htm - 5k

3740. kerah -- a feast
... Word Origin from karah Definition a feast NASB Word Usage feast (1). provision.
From karah; a purchase -- provision. see HEBREW karah. 3739, 3740. ...
/hebrew/3740.htm - 6k

3978. maakal -- food
... Word Origin from akal Definition food NASB Word Usage eaten (1), food (26), fruit
(2), provision (1), something to eat (1). food, fruit, victual. ...
/hebrew/3978.htm - 6k

3899. lechem -- bread, food
... lacham Definition bread, food NASB Word Usage bread (188), food (87), fruit (1),
loaves (3), meal (7), meal* (1), meals (2), prey (1), provision (1), showbread ...
/hebrew/3899.htm - 6k

1697. dabar -- speech, word
... lying, manner, matter, message, (no) thing, oracle, X ought, X parts, + pertaining, +
please, portion, + power, promise, provision, purpose, question, rate ...
/hebrew/1697.htm - 8k

Library

A Provision Ground
... CHAPTER XVI: A PROVISION GROUND. The 'provision grounds' of the
were very interesting. I had longed to behold, alive and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xvi a provision ground.htm

Frugality a Good Provision for the Christian.
... Chapter VII."Frugality a Good Provision for the Christian. ... A fair provision for the
journey to heaven is theirs who bear frugality with chaste gravity. ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter vii frugality a good provision.htm

Christianity, by Its Provision for the Flesh, Has Put on it the ...
... Chapter VIII."Christianity, by Its Provision for the Flesh, Has Put on It the Greatest
Honour The Privileges of Our Religion in Closest Connection with Our ...
/.../on the resurrection of the flesh/chapter viii christianity by its provision.htm

Second Day. God's Provision for Holiness.
... Second Day. God's Provision for Holiness. ... Here is God's provision for our
holiness, God's response to our question, How to be holy? ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/murray/holy in christ/second day gods provision for.htm

Blessed Martyrs Designate, -- Along with the Provision which Our ...
... Chapter I. Blessed Martyrs Designate, " Along with the provision which our
lady mother the Church? [8961] Blessed Martyrs Designate ...
/.../tertullian/ad martyras/chapter i blessed martyrs designate.htm

If God had Anyhow Checked Man's Liberty, Marcion Would have Been ...
... Opposite Cavil. Man's Fall Foreseen by God. Provision Made for It Remedially
and Consistently with His Truth and Goodness. By such ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter vii if god had anyhow.htm

God Willing that all Men Should be Saved.
... part. Those for whom no provision was made, would be in like state with
persons who have committed the sin unto death, for whom St. ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xvii god willing that.htm

Jehovah-Jireh
... So he named that place by a name that spoke nothing of his trial, but everything
of God's provision"'The Lord will see,' or 'The Lord will provide.'. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/jehovah-jireh.htm

The Mission of the Christian Home.
... This involves obedience to the law of co-operation; and has special reference to
that provision which the heads of families should make for the wants of those ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/philips/the christian home/chapter ii the mission of.htm

Note B. --Chap. Iv the Law Written in the Heart
... F. Webster, at Keswick last year, in confirmation of what I have just said: "Put
ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/the two covenants/note b chap iv the law.htm

Thesaurus

Provision (50 Occurrences)
... 7. (vt) To supply with food; to victual; as, to provision a garrison.
Multi-Version Concordance Provision (50 Occurrences). ...
/p/provision.htm - 23k

Provisions (41 Occurrences)
... Genesis 45:21 And the sons of Israel did so; and Joseph gave them wagons, according
to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way. ...
/p/provisions.htm - 19k

Mouldy (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Of the Gibeonites it is said that "all the bread
of their provision was dry and mouldy" (Joshua 9:5, 12). ...
/m/mouldy.htm - 7k

Bringeth (313 Occurrences)
... Genesis 27:25 And he saith, 'Bring nigh to me, and I do eat of my son's provision,
so that my soul doth bless thee;' and he bringeth nigh to him, and he eateth ...
/b/bringeth.htm - 37k

Provided (68 Occurrences)
... Genesis 27:33 and Isaac trembleth a very great trembling, and saith, 'Who, now,
'is' he who hath provided provision, and bringeth in to me, and I eat of all ...
/p/provided.htm - 28k

Wages (52 Occurrences)
... the hire of wrongdoing." (7) Opsonion, meaning primarily "rations for soldiers"
(opson being the word for cooked meat) and so "pay" or stipend, provision wages ...
/w/wages.htm - 28k

Tasteful (6 Occurrences)
... Genesis 27:7 Bring for me provision, and make for me tasteful things, and I
do eat, and bless thee before Jehovah before my death. (YLT). ...
/t/tasteful.htm - 8k

Tasty (7 Occurrences)
... Genesis 27:7 Bring for me provision, and make for me tasteful things, and I do
eat, and bless thee before Jehovah before my death. (See NIV). ...
/t/tasty.htm - 8k

Entertainment (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) That which entertains, or with which one is entertained; as: (a) Hospitality;
hospitable provision for the wants of a guest; especially, provision for ...
/e/entertainment.htm - 7k

Moldy (2 Occurrences)
... Joshua 9:5 and old and patched shoes on their feet, and wore old garments. All the
bread of their provision was dry and moldy. (WEB WBS RSV NIV). ...
/m/moldy.htm - 7k

Resources

What should be the focus of Christians on Thanksgiving? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that God provides? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Feast of Tabernacles / Booths / Sukkot? | GotQuestions.org

Provision: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Provision (50 Occurrences)

Luke 9:12
And the day began to wear away; and the twelve came, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages and country round about, and lodge, and get provisions: for we are here in a desert place.
(Root in ASV YLT RSV)

Acts 24:2
When he was called, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, "Seeing that by you we enjoy much peace, and that excellent measures are coming to this nation,
(See RSV)

Romans 5:17
For if by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; so much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ.
(See NIV)

Romans 13:14
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, for its lusts.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV WBS NAS RSV)

1 Corinthians 9:15
But I have used none of these things, and I don't write these things that it may be done so in my case; for I would rather die, than that anyone should make my boasting void.
(See RSV)

1 Corinthians 10:25
Whatever is sold in the provision market, that eat, asking no question for conscience' sake:
(WBS)

Philippians 1:19
For I know that this will turn out to my salvation, through your supplication and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
(See NAS)

1 Timothy 5:8
But if a man makes no provision for those dependent on him, and especially for his own family, he has disowned the faith and is behaving worse than an unbeliever.
(WEY)

Genesis 27:3
and now, take up, I pray thee, thy instruments, thy quiver, and thy bow, and go out to the field, and hunt for me provision,
(YLT)

Genesis 27:5
And Rebekah is hearkening while Isaac is speaking unto Esau his son; and Esau goeth to the field to hunt provision -- to bring in;
(YLT)

Genesis 27:7
Bring for me provision, and make for me tasteful things, and I do eat, and bless thee before Jehovah before my death.
(YLT)

Genesis 27:19
And Jacob saith unto his father, 'I 'am' Esau thy first-born; I have done as thou hast spoken unto me; rise, I pray thee, sit, and eat of my provision, so that thy soul doth bless me.'
(YLT)

Genesis 27:25
And he saith, 'Bring nigh to me, and I do eat of my son's provision, so that my soul doth bless thee;' and he bringeth nigh to him, and he eateth; and he bringeth to him wine, and he drinketh.
(YLT)

Genesis 27:31
and he also maketh tasteful things, and bringeth to his father, and saith to his father, 'Let my father arise, and eat of his son's provision, so that thy soul doth bless me.'
(YLT)

Genesis 27:33
and Isaac trembleth a very great trembling, and saith, 'Who, now, 'is' he who hath provided provision, and bringeth in to me, and I eat of all before thou comest in, and I bless him? -- yea, blessed is he.'
(YLT)

Genesis 41:56
And the famine was on all the earth. And Joseph opened every place in which there was provision, and sold grain to the Egyptians; and the famine was grievous in the land of Egypt.
(DBY)

Genesis 42:25
Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn, and to restore every man's money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way: and thus did he unto them.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 45:21
The sons of Israel did so. Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Genesis 45:23
To his father, he sent after this manner: ten donkeys loaded with the good things of Egypt, and ten female donkeys loaded with grain and bread and provision for his father by the way.
(WEB ASV RSV NIV)

Exodus 12:39
And they bake with the dough which they have brought out from Egypt unleavened cakes, for it hath not fermented; for they have been cast out of Egypt, and have not been able to delay, and also provision they have not made for themselves.
(YLT NAS RSV)

Deuteronomy 19:4
This is the case of the manslayer, that shall flee there and live: whoever kills his neighbor unawares, and didn't hate him in time past;
(See RSV)

Joshua 1:11
Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you provisions; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God giveth you to possess it.
(Root in WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Joshua 9:5
and old and patched shoes on their feet, and wore old garments. All the bread of their provision was dry and moldy.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Joshua 9:11
Our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spoke to us, saying,'Take provision in your hand for the journey, and go to meet them, and tell them, "We are your servants. Now make a covenant with us."'
(WEB JPS ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 9:12
This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we went out to go to you; but now, behold, it is dry, and has become moldy.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS)

Joshua 9:14
The men sampled their provisions, and didn't ask counsel from the mouth of Yahweh.
(Root in WEB JPS ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 7:8
And the people take the provision in their hand, and their trumpets, and every man of Israel he hath sent away, each to his tents; and on the three hundred men he hath kept hold, and the camp of Midian hath been by him at the lower part of the valley.
(YLT NAS NIV)

Judges 20:10
and we will take ten men of a hundred throughout all the tribes of Israel, and a hundred of a thousand, and a thousand of ten thousand, to bring provisions for the people, that when they come they may requite Gib'e-ah of Benjamin, for all the wanton crime which they have committed in Israel."
(Root in DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

1 Samuel 22:10
and he asketh for him at Jehovah, and provision hath given to him, and the sword of Goliath the Philistine hath given to him.
(YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Kings 4:7
Solomon had twelve officers over all Israel, who provided food for the king and his household: each man had to make provision for a month in the year.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS RSV NIV)

1 Kings 4:22
Solomon's provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and sixty measures of meal,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Kings 6:23
And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.
(KJV JPS ASV WBS YLT)

1 Chronicles 12:40
and those too that were near them, as far as Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought food on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen; provisions of meal, fig-cakes and raisin-cakes, and wine and oil, and oxen and sheep, abundantly; for there was joy in Israel.
(Root in DBY WBS RSV)

1 Chronicles 29:19
and give to Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep your commandments, your testimonies, and your statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for which I have made provision.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

2 Chronicles 3:1
Then Solomon began to build the house of Jehovah at Jerusalem on mount Moriah, where Jehovah appeared unto David his father, which he made ready in the place that David had appointed, in the threshing-floor of Ornan the Jebusite.
(See JPS)

2 Chronicles 11:23
And he dealt wisely, and dispersed of all his children throughout all the countries of Judah and Benjamin, to every fortified city: and he gave them provisions in abundance. And he desired many wives.
(Root in WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Nehemiah 11:23
For there was a commandment from the king concerning them, and a settled provision for the singers, as every day required.
(WEB ASV RSV)

Nehemiah 13:15
In those days I saw in Judah some treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day: and I testified against them in the day in which they sold provisions.
(Root in WBS YLT)

Job 38:41
Who doth prepare for a raven his provision, When his young ones cry unto God? They wander without food.
(YLT)

Psalms 78:25
Man did eat the bread of the mighty; He sent them provisions to the full.
(Root in JPS DBY)

Psalms 132:15
I will abundantly bless her provision. I will satisfy her poor with bread.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 144:13
Our barns are full, filled with all kinds of provision. Our sheep bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our fields.
(WEB NIV)

Proverbs 6:8
Provideth her provisions in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
(Root in WBS NAS NIV)

Isaiah 28:18
And disannulled hath been your covenant with death, And your provision with Sheol doth not stand, An overflowing scourge, when it passeth over, Then ye have been to it for a treading-place.
(YLT)

Ezekiel 45:25
In the seventh month, in the fifteenth day of the month, in the feast, shall he do the like the seven days; according to the sin offering, according to the burnt offering, and according to the meal offering, and according to the oil.
(See RSV NIV)

Daniel 1:5
And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.
(KJV DBY WBS)

Daniel 1:10
And the prince of the eunuchs said to Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your provision and your drink: for why should he see your faces more meager than the children who are of your sort? then will ye make me endanger my head to the king.
(WBS)

Daniel 1:13
Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenances of the children that eat of the portion of the king's provision: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.
(WBS)

Daniel 1:15
And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children who ate the portion of the king's provision.
(WBS)

Malachi 1:12
But ye have profaned it, in that ye say, The table of the LORD is polluted; and the fruit of it, even his provision, is contemptible.
(WBS)

Subtopics

Provision

Related Terms

Provisions (41 Occurrences)

Mustered (28 Occurrences)

Provision (50 Occurrences)

Marched (51 Occurrences)

City

Syrians (63 Occurrences)

Flocks (128 Occurrences)

Camped (100 Occurrences)

Opposite (137 Occurrences)