Wishing
Jump to: TopicalWebster'sConcordanceThesaurusGreekLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context
Wishing, in a biblical context, refers to the expression of a desire or hope for something to happen. It is a natural human inclination to desire outcomes that align with personal or communal well-being. In the Bible, wishing is often associated with prayer, hope, and the seeking of God's will.

Biblical References
While the term "wishing" itself is not frequently used in the Bible, the concept is present in various forms. The act of wishing can be seen in the expressions of desires and hopes throughout Scripture. For example, in the Psalms, the psalmists often express their desires for God's intervention and blessings. Psalm 37:4 states, "Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart." This verse suggests that aligning one's desires with God's will is key to fulfilling one's wishes.

Wishing and Prayer
Wishing is closely related to prayer in the Bible. Prayer is the means by which believers express their desires to God, seeking His guidance and provision. In Philippians 4:6 , Paul writes, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." This verse encourages believers to bring their wishes and desires before God in prayer, trusting in His wisdom and timing.

Wishing and God's Will
The Bible emphasizes the importance of aligning one's wishes with God's will. In James 4:3 , it is written, "And when you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may squander it on your pleasures." This passage highlights the necessity of seeking God's will rather than selfish desires. Wishing for things that are in accordance with God's purposes is encouraged, as seen in the Lord's Prayer, where Jesus teaches His disciples to pray, "Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10).

Warnings Against Selfish Wishing
The Bible warns against wishes that stem from selfishness or greed. In 1 John 2:16 , it is stated, "For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world." This verse cautions believers to be wary of worldly desires that can lead them away from God.

Wishing for Others
Wishing well for others is a biblical principle that reflects love and compassion. In 3 John 1:2 , John writes, "Beloved, I pray that in every way you may prosper and enjoy good health, as your soul also prospers." This expression of wishing for another's well-being is an example of Christian love and fellowship.

Conclusion
The concept of wishing in the Bible is intricately linked with prayer, the alignment of desires with God's will, and the expression of love and goodwill towards others. While the Bible encourages believers to express their desires to God, it also emphasizes the importance of seeking His will above personal ambitions.
Topical Bible Verses
John 1:3
All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.
Topicalbible.org

Galatians 3:8
And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel to Abraham, saying, In you shall all nations be blessed.
Topicalbible.org

Colossians 1:17
And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Topicalbible.org

Acts 1:8
But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come on you: and you shall be witnesses to me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth.
Topicalbible.org

1 Corinthians 8:6
But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.
Topicalbible.org

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Wish.

2. (a. & n.) from Wish.

Greek
1014. boulomai -- to will
... See 1012 (). 1014 (" plan") is a strong term that underlines the predetermined
(and determined) intention driving the planning (wishing, resolving). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1014.htm - 9k

940. baskaino -- to slander, hence by ext. to bewitch
... 940 (from , "to cast an evil spell, wishing injury upon someone; to bewitch") --
properly, to exercise evil power over someone, like putting them under a spell ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/940.htm - 7k

2309. thelo -- to will, wish
... 11), want (52), wanted (15), wanting (3), wants (8), will (5), willed (1), willing
(15), wills (4), wish (24), wished (7), wishes (16), wishing (4), would (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2309.htm - 11k

780. asmenos -- gladly
... delight, gladly. 780 (akin to , " pleasure, delight") -- properly, "euphoric
wishing, hoping for a change" (), looking for a . Word ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/780.htm - 6k

Library

Then Midas, King of Pessinus, Wishing to Withdraw the Youth from ...
... Book V. 7 Then Midas, king of Pessinus, wishing to withdraw the youth from
so disgraceful an intimacy? Then Midas, king of Pessinus ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/7 then midas king of.htm

Wishing to Give a Reason for the Lord's Answer to the Apostles...
... Book V. Chapter XVIII. Wishing to give a reason for the Lord's answer
to the apostles? Wishing to give a reason for the Lord's ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xviii wishing to give.htm

Wishing to Answer the Above-Stated Objection Somewhat More Fully.. ...
... Book V. Chapter VI. Wishing to answer the above-stated objection somewhat
more fully? Wishing to answer the above-stated objection ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter vi wishing to answer.htm

Not Wishing to Overload this Long Essay with Too Many Parentheses. ...
... Chapter 47 Not wishing to overload this long essay with too many parentheses?
Not wishing to overload this long essay with too ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 47 not wishing to.htm

And Wishing to Show at Greater Length that Even the Thoughts of ...
... Chapter LXXXVIII. And wishing to show at greater length that even the thoughts
of God entertained by? And wishing to show at greater ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxxxviii and wishing to.htm

After This, Wishing to Prove that There is no Difference Between ...
... Chapter XXXI. After this, wishing to prove that there is no difference
between Jews and Christians? After this, wishing to prove ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxxi after this wishing.htm

In the Next Place, Wishing to Shake the Faith of those who Believe ...
... Chapter XIV. In the next place, wishing to shake the faith of those who
believe in Jesus? In the next place, wishing to shake ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/chapter xiv in the next.htm

After This, Wishing to Prove that the Occurrences which Befell Him ...
... Chapter XXIV. After this, wishing to prove that the occurrences which befell
Him were painful and distressing? After this, wishing ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxiv after this wishing.htm

And Having Come to a Certain Cave, and Wishing to Rest in It...
... Chapter 18. And having come to a certain cave, and wishing to rest in it?
And having come to a certain cave, and wishing to rest ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of pseudo-matthew/chapter 18 and having come.htm

The General Purport of this Work the Heretics, Marcion, Apelles ...
... Chapter I."The General Purport of This Work The Heretics, Marcion, Apelles, and
Valentinus, Wishing to Impugn the Doctrine of the Resurrection, Deprive ...
/.../tertullian/ on the flesh of christ/chapter i the general purport of.htm

Thesaurus
Wishing (25 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Wishing (25 Occurrences). ... Luke 8:20 And it was told him
saying, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, wishing to see thee. ...
/w/wishing.htm - 13k

Wished (31 Occurrences)
... (YLT). John 16:19 Jesus, therefore, knew that they were wishing to ask him, and
he said to them, 'Concerning this do ye seek one with another, because I said, A ...
/w/wished.htm - 15k

Wist (13 Occurrences)

/w/wist.htm - 14k

Sanhedrin (19 Occurrences)
... Acts 22:30 The next day, wishing to know exactly what charge was being brought against
him by the Jews, the Tribune ordered his chains to be removed; and ...
/s/sanhedrin.htm - 27k

You-ward (9 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some count slackness;
but is longsuffering to you-ward, not wishing that any should perish, but ...
/y/you-ward.htm - 9k

Volition
... and American) "headstrong"; "willing" (The Wisdom of Solomon 14:19), boulomai, the
Revised Version (British and American) "wishing"; thelo (Ecclesiasticus 6:35 ...
/v/volition.htm - 11k

Undermine (1 Occurrence)
... 2 Corinthians 11:12 and what I do, I also will do, that I may cut off the occasion
of those wishing an occasion, that in that which they boast they may be ...
/u/undermine.htm - 7k

Offense (44 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Acts 23:28 And, wishing to know with certainty the offense of which they
were accusing him, I brought him down into their Sanhedrin, (WEY). ...
/o/offense.htm - 18k

Jehoiakim (37 Occurrences)
... Nebuchadnezzar placed his son Jehoiachin on the throne, wishing still to retain
the kingdom of Judah as tributary to him. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ...
/j/jehoiakim.htm - 33k

Wisheth (1 Occurrence)

/w/wisheth.htm - 6k

Resources
Is it wrong to wish for something? | GotQuestions.org

How should Christians respond to the "War on Christmas"? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about the possibility of Bigfoot/Sasquatch? | GotQuestions.org

Wishing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Wishing (25 Occurrences)

Mark 15:15
Pilate, wishing to please the multitude, released Barabbas to them, and handed over Jesus, when he had flogged him, to be crucified.
(WEB WEY ASV YLT NAS RSV)

Luke 8:20
And it was told him saying, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, wishing to see thee.
(DBY YLT NAS)

Luke 10:29
But he, desiring to justify himself, asked Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?"
(See NAS)

Luke 23:8
And Herod having seen Jesus did rejoice exceedingly, for he was wishing for a long 'time' to see him, because of hearing many things about him, and he was hoping some sign to see done by him,
(YLT)

Luke 23:20
But Pilate once more addressed them, wishing to set Jesus free.
(WEY YLT)

John 16:19
Jesus, therefore, knew that they were wishing to ask him, and he said to them, 'Concerning this do ye seek one with another, because I said, A little while, and you do not behold me, and again a little while, and ye shall see me?
(YLT)

Acts 19:33
and out of the multitude they put forward Alexander -- the Jews thrusting him forward -- and Alexander having beckoned with the hand, wished to make defence to the populace,
(See RSV)

Acts 22:30
The next day, wishing to know exactly what charge was being brought against him by the Jews, the Tribune ordered his chains to be removed; and, having sent word to the High Priests and all the Sanhedrin to assemble, he brought Paul down and made him stand before them.
(WEY NAS)

Acts 23:28
And, wishing to know with certainty the offense of which they were accusing him, I brought him down into their Sanhedrin,
(WEY)

Acts 24:27
But when two years were fulfilled, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, and desiring to gain favor with the Jews, Felix left Paul in bonds.
(See NAS)

Acts 25:9
But Festus, desiring to gain favor with the Jews, answered Paul and said, "Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem, and be judged by me there concerning these things?"
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Acts 25:22
And Agrippa said unto Festus, 'I was wishing also myself to hear the man;' and he said, 'To-morrow thou shalt hear him;'
(YLT)

Acts 27:29
and fearing lest on rough places we may fall, out of the stern having cast four anchors, they were wishing day to come.
(YLT)

Acts 27:30
But the sailors wishing to flee out of the ship, and having let down the boat into the sea under pretext of being about to carry out anchors from the prow,
(DBY)

Acts 27:43
but the centurion, wishing to save Paul, hindered them from the counsel, and did command those able to swim, having cast themselves out first -- to get unto the land,
(YLT RSV)

Acts 28:18
who, having examined me, were wishing to release 'me', because of their being no cause of death in me,
(YLT)

Romans 9:3
for I was wishing, I myself, to be anathema from the Christ -- for my brethren, my kindred, according to the flesh,
(YLT)

2 Corinthians 11:12
But what I do, I will also do, that I may cut off the opportunity of those wishing for an opportunity, that wherein they boast they may be found even as we.
(DBY YLT)

2 Corinthians 11:32
In Damascus the ethnarch of Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes shut up, wishing to take me;
(DBY YLT)

Galatians 1:7
that is not another, except there be certain who are troubling you, and wishing to pervert the good news of the Christ;
(YLT)

Galatians 4:20
and I was wishing to be present with you now, and to change my voice, because I am in doubt about you.
(YLT)

1 Timothy 6:9
and those wishing to be rich, do fall into temptation and a snare, and many desires, foolish and hurtful, that sink men into ruin and destruction,
(YLT)

Hebrews 12:17
for ye know that also afterwards, wishing to inherit the blessing, he was disapproved of, for a place of reformation he found not, though with tears having sought it.
(YLT)

2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but is patient with us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
(WEB ASV NAS RSV)

Job 31:30
Neither have I suffered my mouth to sin by wishing a curse to his soul.
(KJV WBS)

Subtopics

Wishing

Related Terms

Witty (1 Occurrence)

Wot (10 Occurrences)

Wishing (25 Occurrences)

Ought (130 Occurrences)

Liers (11 Occurrences)

Wistfully (1 Occurrence)

Forbidden (20 Occurrences)

Erred (14 Occurrences)

Business (147 Occurrences)

Conveyed (4 Occurrences)

Ananias (11 Occurrences)

Sore (156 Occurrences)

Sought (199 Occurrences)

Asleep (50 Occurrences)

Tables (41 Occurrences)

Talked (79 Occurrences)

Ignorance (27 Occurrences)

Manna (19 Occurrences)

Whence (84 Occurrences)

Commit (142 Occurrences)

Talk (164 Occurrences)

Wherein (208 Occurrences)

Hasted (35 Occurrences)

Soul (554 Occurrences)

Haste (106 Occurrences)

Brethren (528 Occurrences)

Commandments (181 Occurrences)

Plain (113 Occurrences)

Wisheth
Top of Page
Top of Page