Topical Encyclopedia The concept of "whole" in the Bible often signifies completeness, perfection, and integrity, both in physical and spiritual contexts. The term is used to describe the state of being undivided or unbroken, reflecting God's desire for His creation to be restored to its intended state of harmony and fullness.Old Testament Usage In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "whole" is "shalem," which is related to "shalom," meaning peace or completeness. This connection underscores the idea that wholeness is not merely physical but also spiritual and relational. For instance, in Leviticus 3:9, the term is used in the context of offerings: "From the peace offering, he is to bring a sacrifice made by fire to the LORD: its fat, the entire fat tail cut off close to the backbone, the fat that covers the entrails, and all the fat that is on them" . Here, the "whole" offering signifies total dedication to God. The concept of wholeness is also evident in the laws concerning physical health and ritual purity. Leviticus 13-14 details the process for diagnosing and cleansing skin diseases, emphasizing the restoration of the individual to a state of wholeness within the community. New Testament Usage In the New Testament, the Greek word "holos" is often used to denote wholeness. Jesus' ministry frequently involved restoring individuals to wholeness, both physically and spiritually. In Matthew 9:22, Jesus tells the woman who touched His garment, "Take courage, daughter, your faith has healed you." And the woman was cured from that very hour" . Here, the healing is not just physical but also a restoration of her social and spiritual status. The theme of wholeness is central to the message of salvation. In Colossians 2:10, Paul writes, "And you have been made complete in Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority" . This completeness in Christ signifies the believer's restored relationship with God, made possible through Jesus' redemptive work. Wholeness in Christian Life The pursuit of wholeness is a key aspect of Christian discipleship. Believers are called to live lives of integrity, reflecting the wholeness of Christ in their actions and relationships. James 1:4 encourages believers to "let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything" . This maturity is a process of becoming whole in Christ, marked by spiritual growth and moral integrity. Wholeness also involves the healing of broken relationships and the restoration of peace within the community of believers. Ephesians 4:3 urges Christians to "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" , highlighting the communal aspect of wholeness. Conclusion In summary, the biblical concept of "whole" encompasses physical, spiritual, and relational dimensions, reflecting God's desire for His creation to be restored to its intended state of completeness. Through Christ, believers are called to pursue wholeness in their personal lives and within the community of faith. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (a.) Containing the total amount, number, etc.; comprising all the parts; free from deficiency; all; total; entire; as, the whole earth; the whole solar system; the whole army; the whole nation.2. (a.) Complete; entire; not defective or imperfect; not broken or fractured; unimpaired; uninjured; integral; as, a whole orange; the egg is whole; the vessel is whole. 3. (a.) Possessing, or being in a state of, heath and soundness; healthy; sound; well. 4. (n.) The entire thing; the entire assemblage of parts; totality; all of a thing, without defect or exception; a thing complete in itself. 5. (n.) A regular combination of parts; a system. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia WHOLE; WHOLESOMEhol, hol'-sum: "Whole," originally "hale" (a word still in poetic use), had at first the meaning now expressed by its derivative "healthy." In this sense "whole" is fairly common (Job 5:18, etc.) in English Versions of the Bible, although much more common in the New Testament than in the Old Testament. From this meaning "healthy," the transition to the modern force. "complete," "perfect," "entire" (Exodus 12:6, ere) was not unnatural, and it is in this later sense alone that the adverb "wholly" (Leviticus 6:22, etc.) is used. "Wholesome," however, is derived from the earlier meaning of "whole." It occurs in Proverbs 15:4, the King James Version, the English Revised Version, "a wholesome tongue" (rapha', "heal," the Revised Version margin "the healing of the tongue," the American Standard Revised Version "a gentle tongue"), and in 1 Timothy 6:3, the King James Version "wholesome words" (hugiaino, "be healthy," the Revised Version margin "healthful," the Revised Version (British and American) "sound"). Greek 3650. holos -- whole, complete ... whole, complete. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: holos Phonetic Spelling: (hol'-os) Short Definition: all, the whole, entire Definition: all, the ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3650.htm - 7k 3646. holokautoma -- a whole burnt offering 5199. hugies -- sound, whole, healthy 537. hapas -- all, the whole 537a. hapas -- all, the whole 3826. pamplethei -- with the whole multitude 3956. pas -- all, every 1273. dianuktereuo -- to pass the night 3832. panoikei -- with all the household 3648. holokleros -- complete, entire Strong's Hebrew 3605. kol -- the whole, allkol or kol. 3604, 3605. kol or kol. 3606 . the whole, all. Transliteration: kol or kol Phonetic Spelling: (kole) Short Definition: all. ... /hebrew/3605.htm - 7k 3632. kalil -- entire, whole, a holocaust 3606. kol -- the whole, all 5930a. olah -- whole burnt offering 5930. olah -- whole burnt offering 8003. shalem -- complete, safe, at peace 3117. yom -- day 7495. rapha -- to heal 8549. tamim -- complete, sound 4749. miqshah -- perhaps hammered work Library 'The Whole Family' Whether the Whole Christ was in Hell? Whether the Whole of this Life is the Time for Contrition? Whether it is Fitting that the Whole Trinity Should Adopt? The Whole of that in which we Appear Before God, Justifies Us. But ... How the Whole and the Sick are to be Admonished. The Seven Assemblies as a Whole (I. 11). Whether the Whole Body Should be Anointed in this Sacrament? The Whole Armor. Whether the Whole Human Nature was Assumed through the Medium of ... Thesaurus Whole (2785 Occurrences)... 1. (a.) Containing the total amount, number, etc.; comprising all the parts; free from deficiency; all; total; entire; as, the whole earth; the whole solar ... /w/whole.htm - 8k Whole-armour (1 Occurrence) Whole-hearted (6 Occurrences) All (60349 Occurrences) Achaia (11 Occurrences) Ablution Completion (40 Occurrences) Armour (32 Occurrences) System (3 Occurrences) Sixth (45 Occurrences) Resources What is the whole counsel of God? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to gain the whole world but lose your soul? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about how to get baptized / how to baptize? | GotQuestions.org Whole: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Whole (2785 Occurrences)Whole is found 2785 times in 12 translations. You can narrow your search using the Advanced Bible Search. Subtopics Related Terms |
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