Undertook
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The term "undertook" in the context of the Bible often refers to the act of taking on a responsibility, task, or mission. It implies a commitment to fulfill a duty or obligation, often with a sense of solemnity and purpose. This concept is woven throughout the biblical narrative, illustrating the faithfulness and dedication required of God's people.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of undertaking is frequently associated with the covenants and promises made by God and His people. For instance, when God called Abraham, He undertook to make him the father of many nations (Genesis 17:4-5). Abraham, in turn, undertook the responsibility to walk before God and be blameless (Genesis 17:1).

The Israelites, under the leadership of Moses, undertook the covenant at Mount Sinai, agreeing to follow God's commandments as His chosen people (Exodus 19:5-8). This undertaking was a solemn commitment to live according to God's laws, which was central to their identity and relationship with Him.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of undertaking is exemplified in the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ. Jesus undertook the ultimate mission of salvation, as He came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets and to offer Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity (Matthew 5:17, John 3:16). His undertaking was marked by obedience to the Father, even unto death on the cross (Philippians 2:8).

The apostles and early Christians also undertook the Great Commission, as Jesus instructed them to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). This undertaking required courage, faith, and perseverance, as they spread the Gospel message despite persecution and hardship.

Biblical Examples

1. Nehemiah: Nehemiah undertook the task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, demonstrating leadership and reliance on God amidst opposition (Nehemiah 2:17-20).

2. Paul: The Apostle Paul undertook numerous missionary journeys, spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles and establishing churches throughout the Roman Empire. His letters often reflect the burdens and joys of this undertaking (Romans 15:20, 2 Corinthians 11:23-28).

3. Ruth: Ruth undertook the responsibility of caring for her mother-in-law Naomi, leaving her homeland and embracing the God of Israel. Her faithfulness is celebrated in the lineage of King David and ultimately, Jesus Christ (Ruth 1:16-17, Matthew 1:5).

Theological Implications

The act of undertaking in the Bible is deeply connected to themes of faith, obedience, and service. It reflects a willingness to align one's life with God's purposes, often requiring sacrifice and trust in His provision. Believers are called to undertake their own roles within the body of Christ, using their gifts and talents to serve others and glorify God (1 Peter 4:10-11).

Key Verses

· "For I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes." (Genesis 18:27)
· "And he undertook to build the house of the Lord in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the Lord had appeared to his father David." (2 Chronicles 3:1)
· "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek." (Romans 1:16)

The biblical concept of undertaking serves as a powerful reminder of the commitment and dedication required in the life of faith, encouraging believers to faithfully pursue the tasks and callings God has placed before them.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (imp.) of Undertake.

2. (v.) imp. of Undertake.

Strong's Hebrew
2974. yaal -- to show willingness, be pleased, determine ...
... undertake (to do anything) NASB Word Usage agreed (1), determined (1), persisted
(3), please (2), pleased (2), pleased* (1), tried (1), undertook (1), ventured ...
/hebrew/2974.htm - 6k

6901. qabal -- to receive, take
... root Definition to receive, take NASB Word Usage accept (4), accepted (1), made
a custom (1), opposite (2), received (2), take (1), took (1), undertook (1). ...
/hebrew/6901.htm - 6k

Library

Of the Fact that John Undertook the Exposition of Christ's ...
... the harmony of the gospels.Book I. Chapter IV."Of the Fact that John Undertook
the Exposition of Christ's Divinity. 7. These three ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter iv of the fact that.htm

Wherefore Christ Undertook a Method of Setting us Free So Painful ...
... CHAPTER VIII Wherefore Christ undertook a method of setting us free so painful and
laborious, when a word from Him, or an act of His will, would alone have ...
/.../chapter viii wherefore christ undertook.htm

Epiphanius of Pavia.
... In reliance on God, he undertook the re-construction of a church which had been
reduced to ashes, although he had no means of paying the expenses. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/neander/light in the dark places/epiphanius of pavia.htm

It is Related that when Pilate Would Fain have Released Him all ...
... dissertation. Yet we will add a few words more, lest we should seem altogether
to have passed over what we undertook. Luke xxiii. 21. 22. ...
/.../22 it is related that.htm

Christ in the Covenant
... We have also loved our Saviour as the Surety of the covenant, who, on our behalf,
undertook to pay our debts; and on his Father's behalf, undertook, also, to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/christ in the covenant.htm

A Secret Life of Prayer.
... The second is implied"it is the toughest task you ever undertook. ... It is the toughest
task you ever undertook: it will take supernatural power. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on service/a secret life of prayer.htm

How Claudius, the Second of the Romans who came into Britain ...
... Augustus, being desirous to approve himself a prince beneficial to the republic,
and eagerly bent upon war and conquest on every side, undertook an expedition ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap iii how claudius the.htm

Acacius and Aetius; and How the Deputies of the Two Councils of ...
... and succession of his books. Endowed with all these advantages, he succeeded
with ease in whatever he undertook. As there were at ...
/.../chapter xxiii acacius and aetius and.htm

It is Time to Describe the Great and Celebrated Spectacle of ...
... He especially excelled all in our time in most sincere devotion to the Divine
Scriptures and indefatigable industry in whatever he undertook, and in his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pamphilius/church history/chapter xi it is time.htm

Thalassius is Ordained Bishop of C??sarea in Cappadocia.
... About this same time, under the seventeenth consulate of Theodosius, [1040] Proclus
the bishop undertook the performance of an act, such as no one among the ...
/.../chapter xlviii thalassius is ordained bishop.htm

Thesaurus
Undertook (14 Occurrences)
... 2. (v.) imp. of Undertake. Multi-Version Concordance Undertook (14 Occurrences).
Luke 22:5 And they were glad, and undertook to give him money. (BBE). ...
/u/undertook.htm - 11k

Nero
... His aunt, Domitia Lepida, now undertook the care of the boy and placed
him with two tutors, a dancer and a barber (Suetonius vi). ...
/n/nero.htm - 41k

Underwent (22 Occurrences)

/u/underwent.htm - 12k

Undertakings (20 Occurrences)

/u/undertakings.htm - 12k

Ahab (85 Occurrences)
... His anger was on this account kindled against the prophet, and he sought to kill
him. He undertook three campaigns against Ben-hadad II., king of Damascus. ...
/a/ahab.htm - 52k

Kidneys (15 Occurrences)
... the plural: kelayoth; nephroi; Latin renes, whence the English "reins"): "Reins"
and "kidneys" are synonyms, but the King James Version undertook a distinction ...
/k/kidneys.htm - 16k

Uzziah (27 Occurrences)
... of his father, owing to a great military disaster, must ever have been present to
the mind of Uzziah, and early in his reign he undertook and successfully ...
/u/uzziah.htm - 27k

Jephthah (26 Occurrences)
... The "elders of Gilead" in their extremity summoned him to their aid, and
he at once undertook the conduct of the war against Ammon. ...
/j/jephthah.htm - 20k

Joktheel (2 Occurrences)
... (2.) Amaziah, king of Judah, undertook a great expedition against Edom
(2 Chronicles 25:5-10), which was completely successful. ...
/j/joktheel.htm - 8k

Gaal (10 Occurrences)
... He undertook to foment and lead a rebellion on the part of the inhabitants of Shechem
against Abimelech, son of Gideon, and his rebellion failed (Judges 9:26-45 ...
/g/gaal.htm - 10k

Resources
What is the New International Version (NIV)? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Hezekiah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is Biblical Hebrew? Why was the Old Testament written in Hebrew? | GotQuestions.org

Undertook: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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

Luke 22:5
And they were glad, and undertook to give him money.
(BBE)

Acts 19:13
But there were also some wandering Jewish exorcists who undertook to invoke the name of Jesus over those who had the evil spirits, saying, "I command you by that Jesus whom Paul preaches."
(WEY RSV)

Deuteronomy 1:5
beyond the Jordan, in the land of Moab, took Moses upon him to expound this law, saying:
(See NAS RSV)

Deuteronomy 6:18
And do what is upright and good in the eyes of the Lord your God, so that it may be well for you and you may go in and take for your heritage that good land from which the Lord undertook by an oath to your fathers,
(BBE)

Deuteronomy 7:13
And he will give you his love, blessing you and increasing you: he will send his blessing on the offspring of your body and the fruit of your land, your grain and your wine and your oil, the increase of your cattle and the young of your flock, in the land which by his oath to your fathers he undertook to give you.
(BBE)

Deuteronomy 8:1
Take care to keep all the orders which I give you today, so that you may have life and be increased and go in and take as a heritage the land which the Lord, by his oath to your fathers, undertook to give you.
(BBE)

Deuteronomy 19:8
And if the Lord your God makes wide the limits of your land, as he said in his oath to your fathers, and gives you all the land which he undertook to give to your fathers;
(BBE)

Joshua 23:15
And you will see that, as all the good things which the Lord your God undertook to do for you, have come to you, so the Lord will send down on you all the evil things till he has made your destruction complete, and you are cut off from the good land which the Lord your God has given you.
(BBE)

2 Kings 18:7
And the Lord was with him; he did well in all his undertakings: and he took up arms against the king of Assyria and was his servant no longer.
(See NIV)

2 Chronicles 31:21
And for everything he undertook, in connection with the work of the house of God and his law and orders, he got directions from God and did it with serious purpose; and things went well for him.
(BBE DBY RSV NIV)

2 Chronicles 32:30
It was Hezekiah who had the higher spring of the water of Gihon stopped, and the water taken down on the west side of the town of David. In everything he undertook, Hezekiah did well.
(BBE NIV)

2 Chronicles 34:3
In the eighth year of his rule, while he was still young, his heart was first turned to the God of his father David; and in the twelfth year he undertook the clearing away of all the high places and the pillars and the images of wood and metal from Judah and Jerusalem.
(BBE)

Esther 9:23
And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them;
(KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Ecclesiastes 2:4
I undertook great works, building myself houses and planting vine-gardens.
(BBE NIV)

Subtopics

Undertook

Related Terms

Nero

Underwent (22 Occurrences)

Undertakings (20 Occurrences)

Ahab (85 Occurrences)

Kidneys (15 Occurrences)

Uzziah (27 Occurrences)

Jephthah (26 Occurrences)

Joktheel (2 Occurrences)

Gaal (10 Occurrences)

Wandering (120 Occurrences)

Imputation

Trophimus (3 Occurrences)

Tryphon

Tiphsah (2 Occurrences)

Ebionites

Ebionism

Enlarged (21 Occurrences)

Desolation (131 Occurrences)

Publican (7 Occurrences)

Pledge (55 Occurrences)

Projects (3 Occurrences)

Clearing (11 Occurrences)

Confusion (71 Occurrences)

Antiochus

Sanballat (10 Occurrences)

Saul (371 Occurrences)

Seleucus

Limits (69 Occurrences)

Vulgate

Azariah (47 Occurrences)

Vine-gardens (41 Occurrences)

Circumcision (98 Occurrences)

Planting (57 Occurrences)

Increasing (61 Occurrences)

Jewish (49 Occurrences)

Serious (31 Occurrences)

Solomon (277 Occurrences)

Joshua (211 Occurrences)

Boats (11 Occurrences)

Ephesus (20 Occurrences)

Ships (46 Occurrences)

Macedonia (23 Occurrences)

Abomination (78 Occurrences)

Zephaniah (11 Occurrences)

Metal (69 Occurrences)

Wide (206 Occurrences)

Tongues (67 Occurrences)

Forefathers (135 Occurrences)

Increased (165 Occurrences)

Connection (72 Occurrences)

Command (442 Occurrences)

Directions (100 Occurrences)

Samson (37 Occurrences)

Syriac (2 Occurrences)

Increase (184 Occurrences)

Upright (392 Occurrences)

Offspring (186 Occurrences)

Pillars (132 Occurrences)

Careful (130 Occurrences)

Harlot (87 Occurrences)

History (57 Occurrences)

Higher (73 Occurrences)

Israel (27466 Occurrences)

David (1052 Occurrences)

Versions

Anaharath (1 Occurrence)

Temple (614 Occurrences)

Undertakings
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