The term "understandest" is an archaic form of the verb "understand," often found in older translations of the Bible. It signifies the act of comprehending or grasping the meaning, significance, or nature of something. In the context of Scripture, understanding is frequently associated with wisdom, discernment, and the ability to perceive spiritual truths.

Biblical Usage and Context

In the Bible, understanding is a gift from God, often linked with wisdom and knowledge. It is considered essential for living a life that is pleasing to God and for making righteous decisions. The Berean Standard Bible provides several instances where understanding is highlighted as a divine attribute or a quality to be sought after by believers.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, understanding is often associated with the fear of the Lord and obedience to His commandments. Proverbs 2:6 states, "For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding." This verse underscores the belief that true understanding is a divine endowment, not merely a human achievement.

The Book of Daniel also emphasizes the importance of understanding in interpreting visions and dreams. Daniel 10:12 records an angelic message to Daniel: "Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them." Here, understanding is linked with humility and a sincere pursuit of God's will.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, understanding is crucial for grasping the teachings of Jesus and the mysteries of the Kingdom of God. In Matthew 13:13 , Jesus explains why He speaks in parables: "This is why I speak to them in parables: 'Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.'" This highlights the spiritual blindness that can prevent individuals from comprehending divine truths.

The Apostle Paul frequently prays for believers to grow in understanding. In Ephesians 1:17-18 , he writes, "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you." Here, understanding is portrayed as a spiritual enlightenment that enables believers to know God more deeply.

Theological Significance

From a theological perspective, understanding is not merely intellectual but involves the heart and spirit. It is a transformative process that aligns one's mind with God's truth. The pursuit of understanding is encouraged throughout Scripture, as it leads to a deeper relationship with God and a more profound comprehension of His purposes.

Understanding is also seen as a safeguard against deception and false teachings. In Colossians 2:2-3 , Paul expresses his desire for the believers: "My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." This passage emphasizes that understanding is integral to knowing Christ and accessing the treasures of divine wisdom.

Practical Application

For believers, seeking understanding involves prayer, study of the Scriptures, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. James 1:5 offers a promise: "If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." This encourages Christians to actively seek understanding as a means to grow in faith and live according to God's will.

Acts viii. 26, 27
... chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him reading the prophet
Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xix acts viii 26.htm

Psalm CXXVIII.
... through baptism? In those therefore in whom thou understandest the wife, in
them thou understandest the mother, in them the children. 6 ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxviii.htm

A Meeting in the Desert
... 80. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias,
and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31. And ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/a meeting in the desert.htm

John Chapter iii. 29-36
... For the more thou understandest God, and apprehendest Him, He seems to be growing
in thee; but in Himself He grows not, being ever perfect. ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xiv john chapter iii.htm

The Apocalypse of Sedrach.
... And Sedrach said: Thou alone knowest all these things, O Lord; thou only understandest
all these things: only, I pray thee, deliver man from chastisement, and ...
/.../unknown/the apocalypse of sedrach/the apocalypse of sedrach.htm

Introduction.
... To enable those who ponder the scriptural representation of it to answer suitably
the Divine demand, "Understandest thou what thou readest?" prayer for ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/introduction.htm

Its Problem
... me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, Thou
understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/3 its problem.htm

God's Exhaustive Knowledge of Man.
... PSALM cxxxix. I-6.""O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my
down-sitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/gods exhaustive knowledge of man.htm

God's Exhaustive Knowledge of Man. [*Continued]
... PSALM cxxxix.1"6.""O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my
down-sitting and mine uprising; thou understandest my thought afar off. ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/gods exhaustive knowledge of man 2.htm

On Transparency.
... In joining himself to the Eunuch from Ethiopia who, sitting in his chariot read
the Prophet Esaias, Philip asked, "Understandest thou what thou readest?" and ...
/.../jackson/the message and the man/chapter ii on transparency.htm

Understandest (10 Occurrences)
...Understandest (10 Occurrences). John 3:10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art
thou the teacher of Israel, and understandest not these things? (ASV). ...
/u/understandest.htm - 9k

Understandeth (24 Occurrences)

/u/understandeth.htm - 13k

Afar (98 Occurrences)
... 49 Jehovah will bring a nation against thee from afar, from the end of the earth,
like as the eagle flieth, a nation whose tongue thou understandest not; (DBY ...
/a/afar.htm - 36k

Uprising (4 Occurrences)
... assassins?' (YLT). Psalms 139:2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising,
thou understandest my thought afar off. (KJV JPS ASV DBY). ...
/u/uprising.htm - 7k

Interpreter (7 Occurrences)
... saith unto Joseph, 'A dream I have dreamed, and there is no interpreter of it, and
I -- I have heard concerning thee, saying, Thou understandest a dream to ...
/i/interpreter.htm - 8k

Findest (7 Occurrences)
... transgress. (ASV JPS YLT). Proverbs 2:5 Then understandest thou fear of
Jehovah, And knowledge of God thou findest. (YLT). Isaiah ...
/f/findest.htm - 8k

Thither (119 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS YLT). Acts 8:30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the
prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? (KJV WBS). ...
/t/thither.htm - 38k

Readest (2 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV DBY WBS). Acts 8:30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the
prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? (KJV ASV WBS) ...
/r/readest.htm - 6k

Esaias (18 Occurrences)
... (KJV DBY). Acts 8:30 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet
Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? (KJV DBY). ...
/e/esaias.htm - 11k

Downsitting (1 Occurrence)
... Downsitting (1 Occurrence). Psalms 139:2 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine
uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. (KJV JPS ASV). ...
/d/downsitting.htm - 6k

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