In the context of the Bible, the concept of "states" as understood in modern political terms does not directly appear. However, the Scriptures provide significant insights into governance, authority, and the role of nations, which can be related to the idea of states.

Biblical Foundations of Governance

The Bible acknowledges the existence of governing authorities and their role in maintaining order and justice. Romans 13:1-2 states, "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves." This passage underscores the divine ordination of authority, suggesting that states and their governments are part of God's sovereign plan.

The Role of Nations

Throughout the Old Testament, God interacts with various nations, often using them to fulfill His purposes. For example, in Isaiah 45:1 , God refers to Cyrus, the king of Persia, as His anointed, indicating that God can use secular rulers to accomplish His divine will. The rise and fall of empires, such as Egypt, Babylon, and Persia, are depicted as being under God's control, demonstrating His sovereignty over all nations.

Israel as a Theocratic State

The nation of Israel serves as a unique example of a theocratic state, where God Himself was recognized as the ultimate ruler. The laws given to Israel, including the Ten Commandments and various civil and ceremonial laws, were intended to set Israel apart as a holy nation (Exodus 19:6). The governance of Israel was initially through judges and later through kings, with the expectation that these leaders would adhere to God's laws and lead the people in righteousness.

The Kingdom of God

In the New Testament, Jesus speaks of the Kingdom of God, which transcends earthly states and political boundaries. In John 18:36 , Jesus declares, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight to prevent My arrest by the Jews. But now My kingdom is not of this realm." This statement highlights the spiritual nature of God's kingdom, which operates on principles distinct from worldly governments.

Christians and Earthly States

Christians are called to live as citizens of both the earthly state and the heavenly kingdom. Philippians 3:20 reminds believers, "But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ." While living in the world, Christians are instructed to respect and pray for their leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2) and to be good citizens, obeying laws that do not contradict God's commands.

Prophetic Visions of Nations

The prophetic books of the Bible, such as Daniel and Revelation, contain visions of future events involving nations and rulers. These prophecies often depict the rise and fall of kingdoms and the ultimate establishment of God's eternal kingdom. Daniel 2:44 prophesies, "In the days of those kings, the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed, nor will it be left to another people. It will shatter all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, but will itself stand forever."

In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly discuss "states" as modern political entities, it provides a framework for understanding governance, the role of nations, and the believer's relationship to earthly authorities, all under the overarching sovereignty of God.2204. zeo -- to boil, be hot
... the participle of the Latin , 'or ' is an exact translation of this word, which
means 'or ' and is therefore used figuratively of mental states and emotions ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2204.htm - 7k

73. agon -- a gathering, contest, struggle
... agony," "agonize") -- properly, a (), a grueling (fight); (figuratively) that goes
with " the good of faith" (1 Tim 6:12) -- which literally states, "(75 ) the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/73.htm - 7k

4729. stenochoreo -- to be made narrow, to compress
... cf. , 1, 25.54). In 2 Cor 4:8, Paul states God's grace kept him in difficult
circumstances from feeling such. See 4730 (). Word ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4729.htm - 7k

The Presbyterian Church in the United States of America.
... PARS QUARTA: RECENT CONFESSIONAL DECLARATIONS AND TERMS OF CORPORATE CHURCH UNION.
The Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. ...
/.../the presbyterian church in the.htm

Whether the Difference of States Applies to those who are ...
... TREATISE ON THE STATES OF LIFE (QQ -189)OF MAN'S VARIOUS DUTIES AND STATES IN GENERAL
(FOUR ARTICLES) Whether the difference of states applies to those who are ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the difference of states.htm

St. Ambrose States that after the Explanations He Has Already ...
... The Book Concerning the Mysteries. Chapter I. St. Ambrose states that after
the explanations he has already given of holy living? St. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter i st ambrose states.htm

Treatise on the States of Life (Qq -189)Of Man's Various Duties ...
... TREATISE ON THE STATES OF LIFE (QQ -189)OF MAN'S VARIOUS DUTIES AND STATES IN GENERAL
(FOUR ARTICLES). We must next consider man's various states and duties. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/treatise on the states of.htm

On the States of Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation
... DISPUTATION XXXVIII ON THE STATES OF CHRIST'S HUMILIATION AND EXALTATION.
Respecting the imposition and the execution of the offices ...
/.../the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation xxxviii on the states.htm

Whether There Should be Different Duties or States in the Church?
... TREATISE ON THE STATES OF LIFE (QQ -189)OF MAN'S VARIOUS DUTIES AND STATES IN GENERAL
(FOUR ARTICLES) Whether there should be different duties or states in the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether there should be different.htm

To My Christian Brethren in the United States of America.
... TO MY CHRISTIAN BRETHREN IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THE present age
may be considered an epoch of transition in the developement ...
/.../to my christian brethren in.htm

Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ...
... Faustus states his objections to the morality of the law and the prophets, and Augustin
seeks by the application of the type and the allegory to explain away ...
/.../faustus states his objections to.htm

Camp-Meetings in Various States
... Chapter XXI Camp-Meetings in Various States. While engaged in the work in Chicago
I had the privilege of attending camp-meetings in a number of States. ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter xxi camp-meetings in various.htm

Look at the States of Musti and Assura...
... Book I. Chapter 15. " 16. Look at the states of Musti and Assura? "16.
Look at the states of Musti [1947] and Assura: [1948 ...
/.../writings in connection with the donatist controversy /chapter 15 16 look.htm

States (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance States (3 Occurrences). Proverbs 8:23 From the age I was
anointed, from the first, From former states of the earth. (YLT). ...
/s/states.htm - 7k

Confederate (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) of or pertaining to the government of the eleven Southern States of the
United States which (1860-1865) attempted to establish an independent nation ...
/c/confederate.htm - 9k

Shilling (8 Occurrences)
... Great Britain and its dependencies, equal to twelve pence, or the twentieth part
of a pound, equivalent to about twenty-four cents of the United States currency ...
/s/shilling.htm - 9k

Feeling (59 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) The sense by which the mind, through certain nerves of the body, perceives
external objects, or certain states of the body itself; that one of the five ...
/f/feeling.htm - 27k

Alliance (12 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A union or connection of interests between families, states, parties, etc.,
especially between families by marriage and states by compact, treaty, or ...
/a/alliance.htm - 21k

State (51 Occurrences)
... 8. (n.) Any body of men united by profession, or constituting a community of a
particular character; as, the civil and ecclesiastical states, or the lords ...
/s/state.htm - 23k

Senate (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (n.) The upper and less numerous branch of a legislature in various countries,
as in France, in the United States, in most of the separate States of the ...
/s/senate.htm - 9k

Chaldeans (82 Occurrences)
... home; but as they are closely related to the Arameans, it is possible that their
first settlements lay in the neighborhood of the Aramean states bordering on ...
/c/chaldeans.htm - 48k

Macedonia (23 Occurrences)
... In order to maintain their position they entered into a good understanding from
time to time with the states of Greece or acknowledged temporarily Persian ...
/m/macedonia.htm - 40k

Stater (1 Occurrence)
... 6d. of our money. (see SHEKEL.). Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) One who
states. 2. (n.) The principal gold coin of ancient Greece. ...
/s/stater.htm - 8k

Is the United States a Christian nation? | GotQuestions.org

Is the United States of America in Bible prophecy? | GotQuestions.org

Were the Founding Fathers of the United States Christians? | GotQuestions.org

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