Sovereignty
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Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Scope:
Sovereignty, in a biblical context, refers to the supreme authority and power of God over all creation. It encompasses His absolute right to govern the universe according to His will, purpose, and pleasure. This concept is foundational to understanding God's nature and His interactions with the world.

Biblical Foundation:
The sovereignty of God is a central theme throughout Scripture, affirming His ultimate control and authority. In Genesis 1:1, the Bible begins with the declaration, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth," establishing God's authority as Creator. His sovereignty is further emphasized in passages such as Psalm 115:3, "Our God is in heaven; He does as He pleases," and Daniel 4:35, "All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back His hand or say to Him: 'What have You done?'"

Attributes of Divine Sovereignty:
1. Omnipotence: God's sovereignty is closely linked to His omnipotence, meaning He possesses unlimited power. Jeremiah 32:17 states, "Ah, Lord GOD! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You."

2. Omniscience: God's all-knowing nature supports His sovereign rule. Isaiah 46:10 declares, "I declare the end from the beginning, and ancient times from what is still to come. I say, 'My purpose will stand, and all My good pleasure I will accomplish.'"

3. Providence: God's sovereignty is exercised through His providence, whereby He sustains and governs all things. Colossians 1:17 affirms, "He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."

Human Responsibility and Divine Sovereignty:
While God is sovereign, Scripture also affirms human responsibility. The tension between divine sovereignty and human free will is a profound mystery. Proverbs 16:9 states, "A man's heart plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps." This suggests that while humans make choices, God's sovereign will ultimately prevails.

Sovereignty in Salvation:
The doctrine of election highlights God's sovereignty in salvation. Ephesians 1:4-5 explains, "For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will."

Sovereignty in History:
God's sovereignty extends over the course of history. Acts 17:26 states, "From one man He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and He determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their lands." This indicates that God orchestrates the rise and fall of nations according to His divine plan.

Sovereignty in Suffering:
The sovereignty of God provides comfort in times of suffering. Romans 8:28 assures believers, "And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose." This verse underscores the belief that God is in control, even in adversity, and is working for the ultimate good of His people.

Worship and Sovereignty:
Acknowledging God's sovereignty leads to worship and reverence. Revelation 4:11 proclaims, "Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created." Recognizing God's sovereign rule inspires awe and submission to His divine authority.
Topical Bible Verses
Psalm 115:3
But our God is in the heavens: he has done whatever he has pleased.
Topicalbible.org

Acts 4:24
And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, you are God, which have made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is:
Topicalbible.org

Romans 9:21
Has not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel to honor, and another to dishonor?
Topicalbible.org

1 Chronicles 29:11-12
Yours, O LORD is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is yours; your is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all.
Topicalbible.org

1 Samuel 2:6
The LORD kills, and makes alive: he brings down to the grave, and brings up.
Topicalbible.org

Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Topicalbible.org

Easton's Bible Dictionary
Of God, his absolute right to do all things according to his own good pleasure (Dan. 4:25, 35; Romans 9:15-23; 1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 4:11).
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(n.) The quality or state of being sovereign, or of being a sovereign; the exercise of, or right to exercise, supreme power; dominion; sway; supremacy; independence; also, that which is sovereign; a sovereign state; as, Italy was formerly divided into many sovereignties.
Greek
932. basileia -- kingdom, sovereignty, royal power
... kingdom, sovereignty, royal power. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
basileia Phonetic Spelling: (bas-il-i'-ah) Short Definition: kingship ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/932.htm - 7k

2231. hegemonia -- rule
... Feminine Transliteration: hegemonia Phonetic Spelling: (hayg-em-on-ee'-ah) Short
Definition: rule, authority Definition: rule, authority, sovereignty; a reign. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2231.htm - 6k

4267. proginosko -- to know beforehand
... requiring) them" (G. Archer). [See also Jer 18:8-10 on the perfect harmony
of divine sovereignty and human freedom.]. Word Origin from ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4267.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew
4467. mamlakah -- kingdom, sovereignty, dominion, reign
... 4466, 4467. mamlakah. 4468 . kingdom, sovereignty, dominion, reign.
Transliteration: mamlakah Phonetic Spelling: (mam-law-kaw') Short Definition: kingdom. ...
/hebrew/4467.htm - 6k

4437. malku -- royalty, reign, kingdom
... malkuth Definition royalty, reign, kingdom NASB Word Usage government affairs (1),
kingdom (38), kingdoms (3), realm (4), reign (4), royal (3), sovereignty (4 ...
/hebrew/4437.htm - 6k

4438. malkuth -- royalty, royal power, reign, kingdom
... 41), kingdoms (2), kingship (1), realm (3), reign (21), royal (15), royal position
(1), royal robes (1), royalty (1), rule (1), sovereignty (2), throne (1). ...
/hebrew/4438.htm - 6k

Library

The Sovereignty of God
The Sovereignty of God. <. The Sovereignty of God Arthur W. Pink. Table
of Contents. Title Page. FOREWORD TO THE FIRST EDITION. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the sovereignty of god/

Divine Sovereignty
... Divine Sovereignty. A Sermon (No.77). Delivered on Sabbath Morning, May 4, 1856,
by the. REV. CH SPURGEON. At New Park Street Chapel, Southwark. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/divine sovereignty.htm

Sovereignty and Salvation
... Sovereignty and Salvation. A Sermon (No.60). Delivered on Sabbath Morning, January
6, 1856, by the. REV. CH SPURGEON. At New Park Street Chapel, Southwark. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/sovereignty and salvation.htm

God's Sovereignty.
... The Past Failure God's Sovereignty. There has been a good bit of teaching about
"God's sovereignty". Behind that mysterious, indefinite ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/gods sovereignty.htm

Divine Sovereignty.
... LECTURE XLV. DIVINE SOVEREIGNTY. In this discussion I shall endeavor to show, I.
What is not intended by the term "sovereignty" when applied to God. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xlv divine sovereignty.htm

The Sovereignty of God in Creation
The Sovereignty of God. <. ... CHAPTER TWO THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD IN
CREATION. "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter two the sovereignty of.htm

Psalm 8:1. SM God's Sovereignty and Goodness; and Man's Dominion ...
... THE Psalms of David, In Metre. Psalm 8:1. SM God's sovereignty and goodness;
and man's dominion over the creatures. 1 O Lord, our ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watts/the psalms of david/psalm 8 1 s m gods.htm

Sovereignty and Human Responsibility
The Sovereignty of God. <. ... CHAPTER EIGHT SOVEREIGNTY AND HUMAN
RESPONSIBILITY. "So then every one of us shall give account ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter eight sovereignty and human.htm

The Sovereignty of God in Operation
The Sovereignty of God. <. ... CHAPTER SIX THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD IN
OPERATION. "For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter six the sovereignty of.htm

Sovereignty of God in Administration
The Sovereignty of God. <. ... CHAPTER THREE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD IN
ADMINISTRATION. "The LORD hath prepared His Throne In the ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter three sovereignty of god.htm

Thesaurus
Sovereignty (14 Occurrences)
... many sovereignties. Multi-Version Concordance Sovereignty (14 Occurrences).
Luke 19:15 And upon his return, after he had obtained ...
/s/sovereignty.htm - 11k

Choose (116 Occurrences)
... OLD TESTAMENT 1. Human Choice 2. God Chooses King of Israel 3. God Chooses Jerusalem
4. Election of Israel 5. Yahweh's Grace (1) An Act of Sovereignty (2) For ...
/c/choose.htm - 54k

Chosen (197 Occurrences)
... OLD TESTAMENT 1. Human Choice 2. God Chooses King of Israel 3. God Chooses Jerusalem
4. Election of Israel 5. Yahweh's Grace (1) An Act of Sovereignty (2) For ...
/c/chosen.htm - 53k

Affliction (120 Occurrences)
... The Hebrew when afflicted did not doubt the universal sovereignty of God; yet, while
assuming this sovereignty, he was sometimes tempted to accuse Him of ...
/a/affliction.htm - 53k

Predestination
... Hodge has well remarked that, "rightly understood, this doctrine (1) exalts the
majesty and absolute sovereignty of God, while it illustrates the riches of his ...
/p/predestination.htm - 26k

Throne (181 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To place on a royal seat; to enthrone. 5. (vt) To place in an elevated
position; to give sovereignty or dominion to; to exalt. ...
/t/throne.htm - 48k

Principality (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A territory ruled by a prince or sovereignty;
hence, superiority; predominance; high, or the highest, station. ...
/p/principality.htm - 12k

Crown (94 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A royal headdress or cap of sovereignty, worn by emperors, kings, princes,
etc. ... 6. (n.) Imperial or regal power or dominion; sovereignty. ...
/c/crown.htm - 58k

Sceptre (20 Occurrences)
... authority; a royal mace. 2. (n.) Hence, royal or imperial power or authority;
sovereignty; as, to assume the scepter. 3. (vt) To endow ...
/s/sceptre.htm - 17k

Province (66 Occurrences)
... In the older provinces these districts corresponded generally with the urban
communities which had been the units of sovereignty before the advent of the Romans ...
/p/province.htm - 38k

Resources
How does the sovereignty of God impact my everyday life? | GotQuestions.org

How do God's sovereignty and humanity's free will work together in salvation? | GotQuestions.org

How does God's sovereignty work together with free will? | GotQuestions.org

Sovereignty: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Sovereignty (14 Occurrences)

Luke 19:15
And upon his return, after he had obtained the sovereignty, he ordered those servants to whom he had given the money to be summoned before him, that he might learn their success in trading.
(WEY)

Romans 5:17
For if, through the transgression of the one individual, Death made use of the one individual to seize the sovereignty, all the more shall those who receive God's overflowing grace and gift of righteousness reign as kings in Life through the one individual, Jesus Christ.
(WEY)

Ephesians 1:21
high above all other government and authority and power and dominion, and every title of sovereignty used either in this Age or in the Age to come.
(WEY)

Hebrews 2:5
It is not to angels that God has assigned the sovereignty of that coming world, of which we speak.
(WEY)

Revelation 11:15
The seventh angel blew his trumpet; and there followed loud voices in Heaven which said, "The sovereignty of the world now belongs to our Lord and His Christ; and He will be King until the Ages of the Ages."
(WEY)

1 Kings 21:7
And Jezebel his wife said to him, Dost thou now exercise sovereignty over Israel? arise, eat bread, and let thy heart be glad: I will give thee the vineyard of Naboth the Jizreelite.
(DBY)

Psalms 103:19
Yahweh has established his throne in the heavens. His kingdom rules over all.
(See NAS)

Isaiah 17:3
The strong tower has gone from Ephraim, and the kingdom from Damascus: the rest of Aram will come to destruction, and be made like the glory of the children of Israel, says the Lord of armies.
(See NAS)

Daniel 2:44
In the days of those kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, nor shall its sovereignty be left to another people; but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever.
(WEB ASV DBY RSV)

Daniel 4:31
While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from the sky, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: The kingdom has departed from you:
(See NAS)

Daniel 4:36
At the same time my understanding returned to me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and brightness returned to me; and my counselors and my lords sought to me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent greatness was added to me.
(See NAS)

Daniel 5:18
You, king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty:
(See NAS NIV)

Daniel 7:27
The kingdom and the dominion, and the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole sky, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High: his kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him.
(See NAS NIV)

Daniel 11:4
When he shall stand up, his kingdom shall be broken, and shall be divided toward the four winds of the sky, but not to his posterity, nor according to his dominion with which he ruled; for his kingdom shall be plucked up, even for others besides these.
(See NAS)

Subtopics

Sovereignty

Related Terms

Reap (35 Occurrences)

Sowing (28 Occurrences)

Crops (48 Occurrences)

Crop (33 Occurrences)

Vineyards (55 Occurrences)

Whence (84 Occurrences)

Fowls (61 Occurrences)

Farmer (17 Occurrences)

Reaping (10 Occurrences)

Spontaneous (5 Occurrences)

Sower (11 Occurrences)

Sowed (20 Occurrences)

Grows (46 Occurrences)

Groweth (29 Occurrences)

Plant (92 Occurrences)

Sown (45 Occurrences)

Didn't (734 Occurrences)

Fruits (109 Occurrences)

Value (138 Occurrences)

Kernel (4 Occurrences)

Nourish (16 Occurrences)

Feeds (14 Occurrences)

Feedeth (11 Occurrences)

Fallow (5 Occurrences)

Exacting (5 Occurrences)

Dividing (23 Occurrences)

Maybe (5 Occurrences)

Prune (2 Occurrences)

Austere (2 Occurrences)

Stalk (7 Occurrences)

Springeth (12 Occurrences)

Severe (53 Occurrences)

Swine (15 Occurrences)

Gather (251 Occurrences)

Separated (97 Occurrences)

Bare (250 Occurrences)

Vineyard (69 Occurrences)

Wheat (56 Occurrences)

Yield (78 Occurrences)

Produce (140 Occurrences)

Air (74 Occurrences)

Perhaps (89 Occurrences)

Wicked (476 Occurrences)

Plow (11 Occurrences)

Increase (184 Occurrences)

Sky (278 Occurrences)

Seed (337 Occurrences)

Better (218 Occurrences)

Goes (472 Occurrences)

Behold (1513 Occurrences)

Scatter (65 Occurrences)

Sovereignty (14 Occurrences)

Store (134 Occurrences)

Observe (216 Occurrences)

Springs (59 Occurrences)

Jubilee (25 Occurrences)

Growth (77 Occurrences)

Birds (125 Occurrences)

Kinds (110 Occurrences)

Six (198 Occurrences)

Grain (413 Occurrences)

Kind (290 Occurrences)

Fields (199 Occurrences)

Seventh (123 Occurrences)

Lay (524 Occurrences)

Harvest (109 Occurrences)

Year (4027 Occurrences)

During (182 Occurrences)

Yet (1244 Occurrences)

Grapes (74 Occurrences)

Itself (203 Occurrences)

Yields (21 Occurrences)

Yielded (28 Occurrences)

Yielding (19 Occurrences)

Valuable (17 Occurrences)

Vomited (5 Occurrences)

Vines (39 Occurrences)

Vomit (12 Occurrences)

Vintage (14 Occurrences)

Sovereign Over Nature
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