Biblical Word Study on Addiction and Counseling - Essay Example

? BIBLICAL WORD STUDY ON ADDICTION AND COUNSELING Biblical Word Study on Addiction and Counseling Originally, the bible was written in Greek, Hebrew, and Amharic. As Christianity grew, there was need to translate it into English and other romantic languages. When doing the translation of the bible, some of the nuances were lost since English did not necessarily have exact translation of Greek, Hebrew, and Amharic. This piloted the necessity to do an extensive word study on words of interest. By definition, word study is based on word pattern; this paper will review patterns of specific words in Greek and Hebrew as used in the bible. The words we will be studying are related to addiction and counseling. On addiction, we will study the words wine, desire, and restraint (Stedman, 2013). On counseling, we will review the words counsel, wisdom, and help. The paper will underscore where each of these words appear in the bible, their definition in Greek and Hebrew and themes they highlight. The website will be used primarily in the study. Occasionally, other websites may be used but overall, the above website will be our main resource. The study will start out on biblical words related to counseling. Using resources from www.blueletterbible.org, the study will delve into counseling words, “counsel, wisdom, and help” as used in the Old and New Testament. Next, the study will delve into biblical words related to addiction in this case wine, desire, and restraint. We will repeat the same process using the stated resources. On each of the words, we will highlight a brief description and how it is used in Greek and Hebrew (Henry, 2013). We will further stress a few verses were each of these words are used in the bible and specific themes they evoke. Finally, the paper will highlight a brief summary of what the bible says about these words based on what we have studied and how they cement our belief on the same. Biblical words related to counseling. Using resources from the website www.blueletterbible.org, our word study on words related to counseling followed the following procedure. First, we went to blueletterbibble classic highlighted on the top left corner of the above website. We then searched for each of the words relating to counseling in this case counsel, wisdom, and help. The words were searched for in the New American Standard Bible version (BlueLetterBible, 2013). We further reviewed commentaries from various writers regarding these words. A few books and articles were used for further our understanding of each of the words. From this study, a number of themes were evoked. In our study, we found that the words ‘counsel and wisdom’ invoked the theme of covenant and wisdom throughout the bible. “Help” evoked the theme of salvation and forgiveness. Counsel The word “counsel” occurs seventy four times in seventy-two verses of the bible. It has eight different strong concordance results in the Old Testament and four in the New Testament. The different varieties of the word correspond to strong numbers H3245, H3287, H4156, H4431, H5475, H5843, H6098, and H8458 in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, they correspond to strong numbers G1011, G1012, G4823, and G4824 according to the website www.blueletterbible.org. Old Testament Strong’s number H3245 is a transliteration of the word “yacad” pronounced as ya·sad' in Hebrew. It can be a derivative of foundation, lay, ordain, counsel, founded, established, foundation, appointed, sure, instructed, seat themselves close together and set. In psalms 31:13, the word “counsel” is used and has the above concord number. In this verse, David makes complaint of his trouble to God. He laments how many “seat themselves close together” to kill him. Strong’s number H3287 transliterate to the word “ya`ats” pronounced as ya·ats'. It can mean to deliberate, to advice, consult, purpose, plan, devise, and conspire. In Exodus 18:19, the word “counsel” is used to mean ‘give advice’. Other transliterations of the word “counsel” include good advice, counselor, secret, device, and assembly. In the Old Testament, this word highlights themes such as wisdom and covenant. New Testament Strong numbers G1011 is a transliteration of the word bouleuo and is pronounces as bu-lyu'-o in Greek. Its meaning may be to deliberate with oneself, to consider or take counsel. Other transliterations of the word counsel as used in the New Testament include boule, symbouleuo and symboulion. These Greek words may translate to consultation, consult, advice, purpose or will in English. In John 18:14, the word “advice” is used and it corresponds to Greek word symbouleuo, which may mean “give counsel”. In this verse, Caiaphas advises the Jews that it was useful for one man to die on behalf of others. In John 11:53 we see the word “they planned” which corresponds to the Greek word bouleuo. In the New Testament, the word “counsel” evokes two themes to wisdom and covenant. Wisdom The word “wisdom” occurs two hundred and sixteen times in two hundred and three verses of the New American Standard Bible. It has twelve different strong concordance results in the Old Testament and the New Testament. The different varieties of the word correspond to strong numbers H998, H2449, H2451, H2452, H2454, H2942, H3820, H6195, and H7922, H8454 in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, they correspond to strong numbers G4678, and G5428. Old Testament Strong’s number H998 transliterate of the word “biynah” which is pronounced as be·na'. Its direct derivative in English may be knowledge, understanding, or meaning. In Kings 10:23 we see the word wisdom being used. This verse highlights King Solomon’s riches, enterprise, and prudence in comparison to other kings. Other transliterations corresponding to the stated strong’s numbers above include, chakam, chokmah, chokmowth, t@`em, leb, `ormah, sekel and tuwshiyah. These Hebrew words may directly translate to enterprise, prudence, sense, decree, guile, wilily, stouthearted, care, wisely or regard in English. New Testament Strong’s number G4678 is transliterating of the word Sofia while G5428 transliteration is phronesis. These two are pronounced as so-fe'-a and fro'-na-ses respectively. Their meaning may be prudence, intelligence, and use of knowledge. In mark 6:2, the word “wisdom” is used and it corresponds to Greek word “sofia”. In this context it use used to acknowledged the wise words, great teachings and works by Jesus. In Acts 6:3 we again see the use of the word “wisdom”. Here brethrens are being asked to select men of wisdom to undertake a task. The theme of wisdom is highlighted by this word. Help The word “help” occurs one hundred and forty seven times in 140 verses of the New American Standard Bible. It has eighteen different strong concordance results. The varieties of the word corresponds to following strong numbers H3444, H3467, H5800, H5826, H5828, H5833, H7125, and H8668 in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, they correspond to strong numbers G482, G484, G996, G997, G1947, G4815, G4820, G4878, G4903, and G4943. Old Testament Hebrew words yeshuw`ah, yasha`, `azab, azar, `ezer, `ezrah, qir’ah and teshuw`ah have been used in response to the word “help”. This word may directly translate to the following English words. Salvation, save, committed, hope, avenge, rescue, deliverance and victory. In Exodus 18:4, we see the use of the word “help.” Believer acknowledges how God delivered him from the sword of Pharaoh. Here the theme of salvation is evident. New Testament Strong numbers G482, G484, G996, G997, G1947, G4815, G4820, G4878, G4903, and G4943 corresponds to the words antilambano, antilempsis, boetheia, boetheo, epikouria, syllambano, symballo, synantilambanomai, synergeo, synypourgeo respectively. These Greek words may mean work together, support, or partake. The Greek word ‘antilambano’ biblical usage connotes “to embrace or partake.” In Acts 20:35, the bible emphasizes on the need to embrace/ help the week. Biblical words related to addiction. The same procedure used when researching on biblical words related to counseling was used. Our words of interest included wine, desire, and restraint. Using resources from the website blueletterbibble classic, a few themes manifested themselves in relation to the above words. The word ‘wine’ evoked the theme of hospitality (A guide to key biblical themes, 2012). The theme of prayer manifested itself with the word desire and the theme of blessing manifest itself in the word restraint. Wine The word “wine” occurs 246 times in the New American Standard Bible. This word corresponds to sixteen different strong numbers according to our research. In the New Testament, it corresponds to five strong numbers while in the Old Testament it corresponds to eleven. The theme of hospitality is highlighted by this word. Old Testament The strong’s numbers transliterate to the following Hebrew words “chemer, chamar, yayin, yeqeb, mamcak, cobe, `enab, `aciyc, shekar, soreq and tiyrowsh”. The direct derivative of these words may be strong drink, drunkard, juice, winebibbers, and banqueting. In Deuteronomy7:13, we see the word wine being used. The verse highlights blessing from God in terms of grain and fruit. New Testament Strong’s number G1098 is the transliterate of the Greek word “gleukos” pronounced as glyu'-kos. The direct English translation meaning may be sweet wine or juice. In Acts 2:13 the word “wine” is used and it corresponds to Greek word gleukos. In this context, its meaning is sweet wine. Strong’s number G3631 is the transliterate of the Greek word “oinos” pronounced as oi'-nos. The word wine highlights the theme of hospitality. Desire The word “desire” occurs one hundred and eleven times in one hundred and ten verses of the Bible. It has forty-three different strong concordance results in the Old Testament and the New Testament. Twenty-five of these are in the Old Testaments while the rest are in the New Testament. Old Testament Strong’s number H7522 is the transliterate of the word “ratsown.” Its direct derivative in English may be favor, acceptance, self-will, or delight. In Genesis 3:16 the word desire is used. In this verse, we see God punishing Eve with great pain during childbirth yet Eve desires shall always be her husband. In Leviticus 22:21 the Hebrew word “ratsown” is used to connote acceptance. The verse highlights the importance offering a sacrifice that is pure if it is to be ‘accepted’. Other transliterations of desire in Hebrew include tav, nephesh, machmad, chesheq etc. New Testament Strong’s number G1934 is the transliteration of the Greek word “epizeteo.” The meaning may be to seek, search for, or wish. In Hebrews 13:14, the Greek word “epizeteo.” is used and it corresponds to the English word “seeking.” In this context, it used to in relaying the importance of seeking the kingdom of God. Restraint The word “restraint” occurs four times in four verses of the New American Standard Bible. It only has one strong’s number H4622 meaning it only appears in the Old Testament. Old Testament Strong’s number H4622 is a transliteration of the word “ma`tsowr” pronounced as mah·tsore' in Hebrew. In Isaiah 23:10, this word is used. In this verse, the daughter of Tarshish is being asked by prophet Isaiah to overflow her land like the Nile for there is no more restraint. In this context, the word restraint is used to highlight the theme of blessing. A few themes were highlighted in this word study. In relation to counseling, the words counsel and wisdom connected to the theme of wisdom and covenant. The word “Help” connected with the theme of forgiveness and salvation. In relation to addiction, three themes were evident. The theme of prayer connects with the word desire, the theme of blessing connects with the word restraint, and the theme of hospitality connects with the word wine. Based on the study, biblical words relating to counseling emphasized on the need to be wise, embrace the weak and the power of God’s salvation. On the other hand, biblical words relating to addiction highlighted how God blesses, punishes and the type of offerings he accepts. Salvation, wisdom, forgiveness, prayer, covenant, blessing, and hospitality are the cornerstone of any religion. These seven points iterate throughout the bible. Reference A guide to key biblical themes (2012). Retrieved from Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for '"restraint"' in the NASB". Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2013. 8 Nov 2013. Retrieved from< http:// www.blbclassic.org/search/translationResults.cfm?Criteria=restraint&t=NASB > Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for epizeteo (Strong's 1934)". Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2013. 8 Nov 2013. Retrieved from < http:// www.blbclassic.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1934& amp;t=NASB > Blue Letter Bible. "Dictionary and Word Search for ya`ats (Strong's 3289)". Blue Letter Bible. 1996-2013. 8 Nov 2013. Retrieved from < http:// www.blbclassic.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=H3289& amp;t=NASB > Henry, Matthew. "Commentary on Psalms 31.”. Blue Letter Bible. 1 Mar, 1996. 2013. 8 Nov 2013. Retrieved from Stedman, Ray. "Isaiah: The Salvation of the Lord." Discovery Publishing. Blue Letter Bible. 1 Mar, 1996. 2013. 8 Nov 2013. Retrieved from http://www.blbclassic.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?AuthorID=9&contentID=12 431&commInfo=2&topic=Isaiah Read More