Should
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The term "should" in the Bible often conveys a sense of duty, obligation, or moral imperative. It is used to express what is considered right, proper, or expected according to God's commandments and teachings. The use of "should" in Scripture underscores the importance of aligning one's actions and decisions with divine will and moral law.

1. Moral and Ethical Imperatives: The Bible frequently uses "should" to indicate moral obligations. For example, in Micah 6:8 , it is written, "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" Here, the use of "should" is implied in the requirements of justice, mercy, and humility.

2. Obedience to God's Commandments: The concept of "should" is often linked to obedience. In Deuteronomy 5:33 , it states, "You shall walk in all the ways that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess." The expectation is clear that the Israelites should follow God's commandments to receive His blessings.

3. Faith and Trust in God: The Bible also uses "should" to express the necessity of faith and trust in God. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." The implication is that believers should trust God rather than rely solely on their own understanding.

4. Love and Compassion: The New Testament emphasizes the "should" of love and compassion. In John 13:34 , Jesus commands, "A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another." The use of "must" here is synonymous with "should," indicating a moral imperative for believers to love one another as Christ loves them.

5. Repentance and Forgiveness: The call to repentance is another area where "should" is significant. In Acts 17:30 , Paul declares, "Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent." The expectation is that all people should turn away from sin and seek forgiveness.

6. Witness and Evangelism: Believers are often reminded of their duty to witness and evangelize. In Matthew 28:19-20 , Jesus instructs, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you." The Great Commission implies that Christians should actively spread the Gospel.

7. Prayer and Worship: The Bible encourages believers to engage in prayer and worship as a regular practice. Philippians 4:6 advises, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." This suggests that believers should consistently bring their concerns to God in prayer.

8. Righteous Living: The call to live righteously is a recurring theme. In 1 Peter 1:15-16 , it is written, "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" The expectation is that believers should strive for holiness in their conduct.

The use of "should" in the Bible serves as a guide for believers, directing them toward a life that reflects God's will and purpose. It emphasizes the importance of living in accordance with biblical principles and the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (imp.) of Shall.

2. (imp.) Used as an auxiliary verb, to express a conditional or contingent act or state, or as a supposition of an actual fact; also, to express moral obligation (see Shall); e. g.: they should have come last week; if I should go; I should think you could go.

Greek
1498. eien -- should be, was, were.
... 1497, 1498. eien. 1499 . should be, was, were. Transliteration: eien Phonetic
Spelling: (i'-ane) Short Definition: should. ... of eimi, qv. should be, was, were ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1498.htm - 6k

2071. esomai -- should be, shall come to pass, may have
... should be, shall come to pass, may have. Transliteration: esomai Phonetic Spelling:
(es'-om-ahee) Short Definition: be. ... should be, shall come to pass, may have ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2071.htm - 6k

1163. dei -- it is necessary
... a form of deo Definition it is necessary NASB Word Usage due (1), had (7), have
(2), must (56), necessary (4), needed (1), ought (17), ought to (1), should (9 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1163.htm - 7k

3784. opheilo -- to owe
... Definition to owe NASB Word Usage had (1), have (1), indebted (2), must (1), obligated
(3), ought (15), owe (4), owed (4), owes (1), responsible (1), should (2 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3784.htm - 8k

5273. hupokrites -- one who answers, an actor, a hypocrite
... When applied in the NT, it refers to . "Christianity requires that believers
should be open and above-board. They should be themselves. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5273.htm - 7k

5600. o -- may, might
... The subjunctive of eimi; (may, might, can, could, would, should, must, etc.; also
with ei and its comparative, as well as with other particles) be -- + appear ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5600.htm - 6k

11. Abraam -- Abraham, the Heb. patriarch
... Abraham. Of Hebrew origin ('Abraham); Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch -- Abraham.
(In Acts 7:16 the text should probably read Jacob.). see HEBREW 'Abraham. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/11.htm - 6k

3195. mello -- to be about to
... things, + which was for) to come, intend, was to (be), mean, mind, be at the point,
(be) ready, + return, shall (begin), (which, that) should (after, afterwards ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3195.htm - 9k

1798. enupnion -- a dream
... The Christian therefore should , open to communing with God all through
the night to receive strength and illumination from Him. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1798.htm - 7k

3403. mimnesko -- to remind, remember
... incidentally. [3403 should be treated (semantically) the same as 3415 (), so ,
J. Thayer -- ie as by-forms of the same verb (having the ). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3403.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew
3175. yachil -- waiting
... Word Origin from yachal Definition waiting NASB Word Usage waits (1). should hope.
From yachal; expectant -- should hope. see HEBREW yachal. 3174, 3175. ...
/hebrew/3175.htm - 6k

3426. yesh -- being, substance, existence, is
... wealth (1), will (1), would (1). there are, he, it, shall, there, there may,
there shall, there should be,. Perhaps from an unused root ...
/hebrew/3426.htm - 6k

518. im -- if
... 1), nevertheless* (1), no (6), no means (1), none (1), nor (7), nothing (1), O
(1), Oh (2), only (4), only* (7), or (75), rather* (11), should (1), since (4 ...
/hebrew/518.htm - 6k

6310. peh -- mouth
... as, -ing to), after, appointment, assent, collar, command(-ment), X eat, edge, end,
entry, + file, hole, X in, mind, mouth, part, portion, X (should) say(-ing ...
/hebrew/6310.htm - 7k

2421a. chayah -- to live
... root Definition to live NASB Word Usage alive (3), alive should not live (1), came
to life (1), come to life (3), come alive (1), give life (2), gives me life ...
/hebrew/2421a.htm - 6k

194. ulay -- perhaps
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition perhaps NASB Word Usage if (1), perhaps (35),
should (1), suppose (8). if so be, may be, peradventure, unless. ...
/hebrew/194.htm - 6k

369. ayin -- nothing, nought
... nor are there (2), nor is there (3), nor is there one (1), nor was there (2), nor
have (1), nor* (1), nothing (19), nothing* (10), one (3), one should never (1 ...
/hebrew/369.htm - 7k

3240. yanach -- bestow, cast down, lay down, up, leave off, let ...
... forms with the dagesh are here referred to, in accordance with the older grammarians;
but if any distinction of the kind is to be made, these should rather be ...
/hebrew/3240.htm - 6k

2764. cherem -- devoted thing, devotion, ban
... Extermination -- (ac-)curse(-d, -d thing), dedicated thing, things which should
have been utterly destroyed, (appointed to) utter destruction, devoted (thing ...
/hebrew/2764.htm - 6k

3433. Yashubi Lechem -- "returner of bread," a man of Judah
... (Prob. The text should be pointed Yoshbev Lechem {yo-sheh-bay' leh'-khem}, and rendered
"(they were) inhabitants of Lechem," ie Of Bethlehem (by contraction). ...
/hebrew/3433.htm - 6k

Library

'Why Should I?'
... X 'Why Should I?'. ... Why should I do, or go and accept what I do not want?' and so
we hang back until some motive carries our judgment or feelings. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/howard/standards of life and service/x why should i.htm

What Should I See?
... FOR THE CHILDREN WHAT SHOULD I SEE? tr., Emma Frances Bevan, 1899. If I had the
eyes of Heaven,. ... All around would be! I should see all still and stately. ...
/.../bevan/hymns of ter steegen and others second series/what should i see.htm

Or the Gods of Heaven Should be Said to be Ungrateful If...
... Book VII. 12 Or the gods of heaven should be said to be ungrateful if?
Or the gods of heaven should be said to be ungrateful if ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/12 or the gods of.htm

So it is that I Should Mightily Fear...
... Section 8. So it is that I should mightily fear? 8. So it is that I should
mightily fear, with terror and trembling, this judgment ...
/.../patrick/the confession of st patrick/section 8 so it is.htm

Whether Baptism Should be Deferred?
... OF THOSE WHO RECEIVE BAPTISM (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether Baptism should be deferred?
Objection 1: It seems that Baptism should be deferred. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether baptism should be deferred.htm

What Children of Light Should Be
... EPHESIANS WHAT CHILDREN OF LIGHT SHOULD BE. 'Walk as children of light.'"Ephesians
5:8. It was our Lord who coined this great name for His disciples. ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/what children of light should.htm

The Church as She Should Be
... The Church As She Should Be. A Sermon (No.984). ... God forbid that followers of Jesus
should be mistaken for political partisans or ambitious adventurers. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the church as she should.htm

Whether Sinners Should be Baptized?
... OF THOSE WHO RECEIVE BAPTISM (TWELVE ARTICLES) Whether sinners should be baptized?
Objection 1: It seems that sinners should be baptized. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether sinners should be baptized.htm

December 20. "That I Should be the Minister of Jesus Christ to the ...
... DECEMBER 20. "That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles,
ministering the Gospel of God" (Rom. xv. 16). "That ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /december 20 that i should.htm

"I was Taught that I Should See Mine Own Sin, and not Other Men's ...
... THE SIXTEENTH REVELATION CHAPTER LXXIX "I was taught that I should see mine own
sin, and not other men's sin except it may be for comfort and help of my fellow ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter lxxix i was taught.htm

Thesaurus
Should (5487 Occurrences)
... a conditional or contingent act or state, or as a supposition of an actual fact;
also, to express moral obligation (see Shall); eg: they should have come last ...
/s/should.htm - 7k

Zebul (5 Occurrences)
... and who is Shechem, that we should serve him (ie Abimelech)? ... Why then should we serve
him (Abimelech)?" This is also the way Budde (Kurzer Hand-Comm. ...
/z/zebul.htm - 12k

Kindness (295 Occurrences)
... nation. And the Christian ideal of society is that a similar relation should
exist between all men without limit or distinction. ...
/k/kindness.htm - 45k

Amongst (47 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Mark 15:24 And having crucified him, they part his clothes amongst themselves,
casting lots on them, what each one should take. (DBY). ...
/a/amongst.htm - 20k

Strictly (19 Occurrences)
... WBS YLT). Matthew 12:16 and charged them strictly that they should not make
him publicly known: (DBY). Matthew 16:20 Then he commanded ...
/s/strictly.htm - 11k

Straitly (12 Occurrences)
... Mark 1:43 And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away; (KJV). Mark
3:12 And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known. (KJV). ...
/s/straitly.htm - 11k

Sakes (35 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 5:15 He died for all, that those who live should no longer live to
themselves, but to him who for their sakes died and rose again. (WEB ASV). ...
/s/sakes.htm - 17k

Stumble (89 Occurrences)
... For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than
for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna. (WEB ASV YLT NAS). ...
/s/stumble.htm - 34k

Snare (69 Occurrences)
... 5:29 If therefore your eye, even the right eye, is a snare to you, tear it out and
away with it; it is better for you that one member should be destroyed ...
/s/snare.htm - 31k

Antichrist (4 Occurrences)
... That the Messiah should be the divine Logos, the only adequate expression of God,
was merely hinted at, not stated: so Antichrist was exhibited as the opponent ...
/a/antichrist.htm - 26k

Resources
Questions about Life Decisions (All) | GotQuestions.org

What should I do if I cannot decide whom I should be dating? | GotQuestions.org

What factors should one consider when trying to find a good local church? | GotQuestions.org

Should: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Concordance
Should (5487 Occurrences)

Should appears 5487 times in 12 translations.

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Subtopics

Should

Related Terms

Shoulder-pieces (9 Occurrences)

Shoulder-blade (1 Occurrence)

Shoulder-piece

Heave-shoulder (2 Occurrences)

Straps (10 Occurrences)

Shoulderpiece

Shoulderblade

Shoulders (38 Occurrences)

Pitcher (16 Occurrences)

Attached (31 Occurrences)

Blade (23 Occurrences)

Ephod (45 Occurrences)

Ends (108 Occurrences)

Stationed (49 Occurrences)

Forepart (6 Occurrences)

Attaching (3 Occurrences)

Dusk (21 Occurrences)

Baggage (15 Occurrences)

Jar (45 Occurrences)

Pieces (209 Occurrences)

Underneath (19 Occurrences)

Joint (12 Occurrences)

Garland (6 Occurrences)

Guide (89 Occurrences)

Wreathen (8 Occurrences)

Woven (40 Occurrences)

Waistband (15 Occurrences)

Wing (18 Occurrences)

Inwards (24 Occurrences)

Fastened (43 Occurrences)

Filigree (9 Occurrences)

Fighting (201 Occurrences)

Fleshhook (2 Occurrences)

Flesh-hook (2 Occurrences)

Rump (5 Occurrences)

Rebecca (28 Occurrences)

Refractory (7 Occurrences)

Runners (21 Occurrences)

Elbow (1 Occurrence)

Dart (9 Occurrences)

Maw (2 Occurrences)

Braided (10 Occurrences)

Coupling (8 Occurrences)

Caul (12 Occurrences)

Clod (1 Occurrence)

Attach (12 Occurrences)

Socket (5 Occurrences)

Seam (3 Occurrences)

Skillfully (12 Occurrences)

Stationeth (12 Occurrences)

Settings (19 Occurrences)

Strap (4 Occurrences)

Shechem (61 Occurrences)

Stubbornly (10 Occurrences)

Cords (80 Occurrences)

Issachar (40 Occurrences)

Statute (63 Occurrences)

Bottom (33 Occurrences)

Arm (110 Occurrences)

Key (8 Occurrences)

Load (22 Occurrences)

Memorial (54 Occurrences)

Rebekah (31 Occurrences)

Corners (56 Occurrences)

Twilight (25 Occurrences)

Burdens (35 Occurrences)

Heave-offering (55 Occurrences)

Rings (46 Occurrences)

Net (91 Occurrences)

Bone (35 Occurrences)

Finished (157 Occurrences)

Lip (20 Occurrences)

Adversity (54 Occurrences)

Purify (39 Occurrences)

Remembrance (74 Occurrences)

Praying (71 Occurrences)

Dug (45 Occurrences)

Burden (111 Occurrences)

Shot
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