SUBJECT · Complete Bible Study

Soul

That immortal, immaterial, active substance or principle in man, whereby he perceives, remembers, reasons, and wills. See MATERIALISM. This unified study connects 7 installed resource categories without replacing their source records.

View overview sources
  • Historical Reference: Nave’s Topical Bible — Public domain
  • Historical Reference: topics
  • Historical Reference: A Biblical and Theological Dictionary
  • Historical Reference: concordance
  • Historical Reference: Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible lexical data / BDB-Strong mapping
  • Historical Reference: STEPBible TBESG (based primarily on Abbott-Smith)
  • Historical Reference: A Greek-English Lexicon to the New Testament
  • Historical Reference: Installed reference work

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Study overview

Study at a glance

Subject type
Subject
Strong’s
H5315, G5590, G21315, H5082, H5397
Hebrew
נֶ֫פֶשׁ · nephesh
Greek
ψυχή · psuchē

Grafted biblical context

Concept articles connected to this study

Strong’s and original-language information

Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible lexical data / BDB-Strong mapping

נֶ֫פֶשׁ

H5315
Transliteration
nephesh
Pronunciation
neh'-fesh
Language
Hebrew
Indexed occurrences
754

Glosses

soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, passion, any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it.

Lexicon definition

properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality

used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)

Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon

ψυχή

G5590
Transliteration
psuchē
Language
Greek
Part of speech
G:N-F
Indexed occurrences
103

Glosses

soul, heart (+ -ily), life, mind, soul, + us, + you

Lexicon definition

ψυχή, -ῆς, ἡ, [in LXX very frequently for נֶפֶשׁ, sometimes for לֵבַב ,לֵב, etc. ;] __1. breath (Lat. anima), breath of life, life (Hom., al.; in Arist., of the vital principle): Mat.6:25, Mrk.3:4 10:45, Luk.12:22, Jhn.10:11, Act.20:10, 24 2Co.1:23, Php.2:30, 1Th.2:8, al. __2. the soul, __(a) as the seat of the will, desires and affections: Mat.26:38, Mrk.12:30" (LXX) 14:34, Luk.1:46, Jhn.10:24, Act.14:2, Php.1:27, al.; ἐκ ψυχῆς, from the heart, heartily: Eph.6:6, Col.3:23; __(b) as a periphrasis for person or self (frequently in translation from Semitic originals, see M, Pr., 87; Robinson, Gospels, 113ff.; but also frequently in cl., see LS, see word II, 2; Edwards, Lex., App. A.): Mat.11:29, Mrk.8:36, Act.2:41, Rom.2:9, 1Pe.3:20, al.; πᾶσα ψ., Act.2:43 3:23" (LXX), Rom.13:1; ψ. ζῶσα (ζωῆς), 1Co.15:45, Rev.16:3; __(with) as the object of divine grace and eternal salvation: Heb.13:17, Jas.1:21 5:20, 1Pe.1:9, 22 2:11 4:19, 3Jo.2. SYN.: see: νοῦς, πνεῦμα, ψυχικός, and cf. ICC on 1Th.5:23, Lft., Notes, 88f. (AS)

Abbott-Smith Greek Lexicon

φιλόψυχος

G21315
Transliteration
philopsuchos
Indexed occurrences
0

Glosses

souls

Lexicon definition

loving one's life, cowardly, dastardly, faint-hearted , (Euripides) (ML)

A Greek-English Lexicon to the New Testament

Ψυχή

G5590
Transliteration
psychḗ
Language
Greek
Indexed occurrences
103

Glosses

heart (+ -ily), life, mind, soul, + us, + you

Lexicon definition

breath; the principle of animal life; the life, Mat. 2.20; 6.25. Mar. 3.4. Lu. 21.19. Jno. 10.11, et al.; an animate being, 1 Co. 15.45; a human individual, soul, Ac. 2.41; 3.23; 7.14; 27.37. Ro. 13.1. 1 Pe. 3.20; the immaterial soul, Mat. 10.28. 1 Pe. 1.9; 2.11, 25; 4.19, et al,; the soul as a seat of religious and moral sentiment, Mat. 11.29. Ac. 14.2, 22; 15.24. Eph. 6.6, et al.; the soul as a seat of feeling, Mat. 12.18; 26.38, et.al.; the soul, the inner self, Lu. 12.19: whence

Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Lexicon

נְדִיבָה

H5082
Transliteration
nᵉdîybâh
Pronunciation
ned-ee-baw'
Language
Hebrew
Indexed occurrences
4

Glosses

soul.

Lexicon definition

properly, nobility, i.e. reputation

Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Lexicon

נְשָׁמָה

H5397
Transliteration
nᵉshâmâh
Pronunciation
nesh-aw-maw'
Language
Hebrew
Indexed occurrences
24

Glosses

blast, (that) breath(-eth), inspiration, soul, spirit.

Lexicon definition

a puff, i.e. wind, angry or vital breath, divine inspiration, intellect. or (concretely) an animal

Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Lexicon

נֶפֶשׁ

H5315
Transliteration
nephesh
Pronunciation
neh'-fesh
Language
Hebrew
Indexed occurrences
754

Glosses

any, appetite, beast, body, breath, creature, [idiom] dead(-ly), desire, [idiom] (dis-) contented, [idiom] fish, ghost, [phrase] greedy, he, heart(-y), (hath, [idiom] jeopardy of) life ([idiom] in jeopardy), lust, man, me, mind, mortally, one, own, person, pleasure, (her-, him-, my-, thy-) self, them (your) -selves, [phrase] slay, soul, [phrase] tablet, they, thing, ([idiom] she) will, [idiom] would have it.

Lexicon definition

properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality

used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or mental)

Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Lexicon

לֵב

H3820
Transliteration
lêb
Pronunciation
labe
Language
Hebrew
Indexed occurrences
617

Glosses

[phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom.

Lexicon definition

the heart

also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect

likewise for the centre of anything

Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Lexicon

לֵב

H3821
Transliteration
lêb
Pronunciation
labe
Language
Hebrew
Indexed occurrences
1

Glosses

heart.

Lexicon definition

{the heart

also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect

likewise for the centre of anything}

Complete dictionary entries

A Biblical and Theological Dictionary

SOUL

that immortal, immaterial, active substance or principle in man, whereby he perceives, remembers, reasons, and wills. See MATERIALISM.

Source: A Biblical and Theological Dictionary · View data sources

Concordance

Strong's Concordance

Soul

Indexed occurrences: 204

Source: Strong's Concordance · View data sources

Strong's Concordance

Souls

Indexed occurrences: 30

Source: Strong's Concordance · View data sources

All Scripture references823 references

Genesis 39

Exodus 15

Leviticus 48

Numbers 44

Deuteronomy 32

Joshua 15

Judges 8

Ruth 1

1 Samuel 29

2 Samuel 14

1 Kings 26

2 Kings 15

1 Chronicles 4

2 Chronicles 4

Esther 7

Job 38

Psalms 173

Psalms 3:3Psalms 6:3Psalms 6:4Psalms 6:5Psalms 7:2Psalms 7:3Psalms 7:6Psalms 10:3Psalms 11:1Psalms 11:5Psalms 13:2Psalms 13:3Psalms 16:10Psalms 17:9Psalms 17:13Psalms 19:7Psalms 19:8Psalms 22:20Psalms 22:21Psalms 22:30Psalms 23:3Psalms 24:4Psalms 25:1Psalms 25:13Psalms 25:20Psalms 26:9Psalms 27:12Psalms 30:4Psalms 31:7Psalms 31:8Psalms 31:9Psalms 31:10Psalms 31:14Psalms 33:19Psalms 33:20Psalms 34:2Psalms 34:3Psalms 34:23Psalms 35:3Psalms 35:4Psalms 35:7Psalms 35:9Psalms 35:12Psalms 35:13Psalms 35:17Psalms 35:25Psalms 38:13Psalms 40:15Psalms 41:3Psalms 41:5Psalms 42:1Psalms 42:2Psalms 42:3Psalms 42:4Psalms 42:5Psalms 42:6Psalms 42:7Psalms 42:11Psalms 42:12Psalms 43:5Psalms 44:25Psalms 44:26Psalms 49:8Psalms 49:9Psalms 49:16Psalms 49:18Psalms 49:19Psalms 54:4Psalms 54:5Psalms 54:6Psalms 55:18Psalms 55:19Psalms 56:7Psalms 56:13Psalms 56:14Psalms 57:1Psalms 57:2Psalms 57:4Psalms 57:5Psalms 57:6Psalms 57:7Psalms 59:4Psalms 62:1Psalms 62:2Psalms 62:5Psalms 62:6Psalms 63:1Psalms 63:2Psalms 63:5Psalms 63:6Psalms 63:8Psalms 63:9Psalms 63:10Psalms 66:9Psalms 66:16Psalms 69:2Psalms 69:11Psalms 69:18Psalms 69:19Psalms 70:3Psalms 71:10Psalms 71:13Psalms 71:23Psalms 72:13Psalms 72:14Psalms 74:19Psalms 77:2Psalms 77:3Psalms 78:18Psalms 78:50Psalms 84:2Psalms 84:3Psalms 86:2Psalms 86:4Psalms 86:13Psalms 86:14Psalms 88:3Psalms 88:4Psalms 88:15Psalms 89:48Psalms 89:49Psalms 94:17Psalms 94:19Psalms 94:21Psalms 97:10Psalms 103:1Psalms 103:2Psalms 103:22Psalms 104:1Psalms 104:35Psalms 105:18Psalms 105:22Psalms 106:15Psalms 107:5Psalms 107:9Psalms 107:18Psalms 107:26Psalms 109:20Psalms 109:31Psalms 116:4Psalms 116:7Psalms 116:8Psalms 119:20Psalms 119:25Psalms 119:28Psalms 119:81Psalms 119:109Psalms 119:129Psalms 119:167Psalms 119:175Psalms 120:2Psalms 120:6Psalms 121:7Psalms 123:4Psalms 124:4Psalms 124:5Psalms 124:7Psalms 130:5Psalms 130:6Psalms 131:2Psalms 138:3Psalms 139:14Psalms 141:8Psalms 142:4Psalms 142:5Psalms 142:7Psalms 142:8Psalms 143:3Psalms 143:6Psalms 143:8Psalms 143:11Psalms 143:12Psalms 146:1

Proverbs 54

Ecclesiastes 8

Song of Solomon 7

Isaiah 32

Jeremiah 58

Lamentations 12

Ezekiel 33

Hosea 2

Joel 1

Amos 3

Jonah 5

Micah 3

Habakkuk 3

Haggai 1

Zechariah 1

Matthew 6

Mark 15

Luke 18

John 10

Acts 13

1 Corinthians 1

2 Corinthians 1

Philippians 1

1 Thessalonians 1

1 Timothy 1

Hebrews 4

James 5

1 Peter 6

2 Peter 1

1 John 2

Revelation 3

Topical Bible

Nave's Topical Bible

SOUL

Entry:
Nave’s Topical Bible references for SOUL.

Source: Nave's Topical Bible · View data sources

Sources

Ancient Context11 items

Josephus Antiquities Whiston

The Constitution Of The World And The Disposition Of The Elements.

Antiquities Book 1, Chapter 1

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Josephus Antiquities Whiston

How Isaac Died, And Was Buried In Hebron.

Antiquities Book 1, Chapter 22

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Josephus Antiquities Whiston

The Polity Settled By Moses; And How He Disappeared From Among Mankind.

Antiquities Book 4, Chapter 8

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Josephus Antiquities Whiston

How David, Upon Saul's Laying Snares For Him, Did Yet Escape The Dangers He Was In By The Affection And Care Of Jonathan And The Contrivances Of His Wife Michal: And How He Came To Samuel The Prophet.

Antiquities Book 6, Chapter 11

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Josephus Antiquities Whiston

How Saul Upon God's Not Answering Him Concerning The Fight With The Philistines Desired A Necromantic Woman To Raise Up The Soul Of Samuel To Him; And How He Died, With His Sons Upon The Overthrow Of The Hebrews In Battle.

Antiquities Book 6, Chapter 14

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Josephus Antiquities Whiston

How Antiochus Made A League With Ptolemy And How Onias Provoked Ptolemy Euergetes To Anger; And How Joseph Brought All Things Right Again, And Entered Into Friendship With Him; And What Other Things Were Done By Joseph, And His Son Hyrcanus.

Antiquities Book 12, Chapter 4

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Josephus Antiquities Whiston

How Herod Upon His Making Aristobulus High Priest Took Care That He Should Be Murdered In A Little Time; And What Apology He Made To Antony About Aristobulus; As Also Concerning Joseph And Mariamne.

Antiquities Book 15, Chapter 3

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Josephus Antiquities Whiston

How Herod Slew Hyrcanus And Then Hasted Away To Cæsar, And Obtained The Kingdom From Him Also; And How A Little Time Afterward, He Entertained Cæsar In A Most Honorable Manner.

Antiquities Book 15, Chapter 6

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Josephus Antiquities Whiston

How Herod Slew Sohemus And Mariamne And Afterward Alexandra And Costobarus, And His Most Intimate Friends, And At Last The Sons Of Babbas Also.

Antiquities Book 15, Chapter 7

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Josephus Antiquities Whiston

How Herod Celebrated The Games That Were To Return Every Fifth Year Upon The Building Of Cæsarea; And How He Built And Adorned Many Other Places After A Magnificent Manner; And Did Many Other Actions Gloriously

Antiquities Book 16, Chapter 5

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Josephus Antiquities Whiston

How Herod, By Permission From Cæsar Accused His Sons Before An Assembly Of Judges At Berytus; And What Tero Suffered For Using A Boundless And Military Liberty Of Speech. Concerning Also The Death Of The Young Men And Their Burial At

Antiquities Book 16, Chapter 11

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Immortal

There have been many books written on life after death, most of which take a subjective approach, speaking about things such as out-of-body and near-death experiences. In a number of these books, the author(s) even claim to have personally visited heaven or hell (or both) and returned to tell about it. This is not one of those books. This book is a Theological dissertation about eternal life, and its purpose is to highlight biblical perspectives on heaven, hell, and the resurrection. I cite several historical sources, in addition to an abundance of scriptural references, which all support my thesis. I will also demonstrate that first-century believers did not hold the popular beliefs about life after death that we see today. My greatest desire in writing this book is to reveal the truth about what the Bible teaches concerning eternal life and the resurrection of the dead. It is my pleasure to share with you the power of the resurrection, and I hope it transforms your life as it has my own. This second edition has been edited and reformatted for easier readability and expanded, revised, and updated to provide greater depth and clarity. We hope you will enjoy this second edition of Immortal even more than the first.

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Topic

SOUL

Nave’s Topical Bible references for SOUL.

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Dictionary

Conversion

The turning of a sinner to God (Acts 15:3). In a general sense the heathen are said to be "converted" when they abandon heathenism and embrace the Christian faith; and in a more special sense men are converted when, by the influence of divine grace in their souls, their whole life is changed, old things pass away, and all things become new (Acts 26:18). Thus we speak of the conversion of the Philippian jailer (16:19-34), of Paul (9:1-22), of the Ethiopian treasurer (8:26-40), of Cornelius (10), of Lydia (16:13-15), and others. (See [125]REGENERATION.)

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Dictionary

Daemoniac

One "possessed with a devil." In the days of our Lord and his apostles, evil spirits, "daemons," were mysteriously permitted by God to exercise an influence both over the souls and bodies of men, inflicting dumbness (Matt. 9:32), blindness (12:22), epilepsy (Mark 9:17-27), insanity (Matt. 8:28; Mark 5:1-5). Daemoniacs are frequently distinguished from those who are afflicted with ordinary bodily maladies (Mark 1:32; 16:17, 18; Luke 6:17, 18). The daemons speak in their own persons (Matt. 8:29; Mark 1:23, 24; 5:7). This influence is clearly distinguished from the ordinary power of corruption and of temptation over men. In the daemoniac his personality seems to be destroyed, and his actions, words, and even thoughts to be overborne by the evil spirit (Mark, l.c.; Acts 19:15).

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Dictionary

Daystar

Which precedes and accompanies the sun-rising. It is found only in 2 Pet. 1:19, where it denotes the manifestation of Christ to the soul, imparting spiritual light and comfort. He is the "bright and morning star" of Rev. 2:28; 22:16. (Comp. Num. 24:17.)

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Dictionary

Embalming

The process of preserving a body by means of aromatics (Gen. 50:2, 3, 26). This art was practised by the Egyptians from the earliest times, and there brought to great perfection. This custom probably originated in the belief in the future reunion of the soul with the body. The process became more and more complicated, and to such perfection was it carried that bodies embalmed thousands of years ago are preserved to the present day in the numberless mummies that have been discovered in Egypt. The embalming of Jacob and Joseph was according to the Egyptian custom, which was partially followed by the Jews (2 Chr. 16:14), as in the case of king Asa, and of our Lord (John 19:39, 40; Luke 23:56; 24:1). (See [181]PHARAOH.)

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Dictionary

Ghost

An old Saxon word equivalent to soul or spirit. It is the translation of the Hebrew nephesh_ and the Greek _pneuma, both meaning "breath," "life," "spirit," the "living principle" (Job 11:20; Jer. 15:9; Matt. 27:50; John 19:30). The expression "to give up the ghost" means to die (Lam. 1:19; Gen. 25:17; 35:29; 49:33; Job 3:11). (See HOLY [236]GHOST.)

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Dictionary

Grace, means of

An expression not used in Scripture, but employed (1) to denote those institutions ordained by God to be the ordinary channels of grace to the souls of men. These are the Word, Sacraments, and Prayer. (2.) But in popular language the expression is used in a wider sense to denote those exercises in which we engage for the purpose of obtaining spiritual blessing; as hearing the gospel, reading the Word, meditation, self-examination, Christian conversation, etc.

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Dictionary

Heart

According to the Bible, the heart is the centre not only of spiritual activity, but of all the operations of human life. "Heart" and "soul" are often used interchangeably (Deut. 6:5; 26:16; comp. Matt. 22:37; Mark 12:30, 33), but this is not generally the case. The heart is the "home of the personal life," and hence a man is designated, according to his heart, wise (1 Kings 3:12, etc.), pure (Ps. 24:4; Matt. 5:8, etc.), upright and righteous (Gen. 20:5, 6; Ps. 11:2; 78:72), pious and good (Luke 8:15), etc. In these and such passages the word "soul" could not be substituted for "heart." The heart is also the seat of the conscience (Rom. 2:15). It is naturally wicked (Gen. 8:21), and hence it contaminates the whole life and character (Matt. 12:34; 15:18; comp. Eccl. 8:11; Ps. 73:7). Hence the heart must be changed, regenerated (Ezek. 36:26; 11:19; Ps. 51:10-14), before a man can willingly obey God. The process of salvation begins in the heart by the believing reception of the testimony of God, while the rejection of that testimony hardens the heart (Ps. 95:8; Prov. 28:14; 2 Chr. 36:13). "Hardness of heart evidences itself by light views of sin; partial acknowledgment and confession of it; pride and conceit; ingratitude; unconcern about the word and ordinances of God; inattention to divine providences; stifling convictions of conscience; shunning reproof; presumption, and general ignorance of divine things."

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Dictionary

Humiliation of Christ

(Phil. 2:8), seen in (1) his birth (Gal. 4:4; Luke 2:7; John 1:46; Heb. 2:9), (2) his circumstances, (3) his reputation (Isa. 53; Matt. 26:59, 67; Ps. 22:6; Matt. 26:68), (4) his soul (Ps. 22:1; Matt. 4:1-11; Luke 22:44; Heb. 2:17, 18; 4:15), (5) his death (Luke 23; John 19; Mark 15:24, 25), (6) and his burial (Isa. 53:9; Matt. 27:57, 58, 60). His humiliation was necessary (1) to execute the purpose of God (Acts 2:23, 24; Ps. 40:6-8), (2) fulfil the Old Testament types and prophecies, (3) satisfy the law in the room of the guilty (Isa. 53; Heb. 9:12, 15), procure for them eternal redemption, (4) and to show us an example.

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Dictionary

Humility

A prominent Christian grace (Rom. 12:3; 15:17, 18; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; 2 Cor. 3:5; Phil. 4:11-13). It is a state of mind well pleasing to God (1 Pet. 3:4); it preserves the soul in tranquillity (Ps. 69:32, 33), and makes us patient under trials (Job 1:22). Christ has set us an example of humility (Phil. 2:6-8). We should be led thereto by a remembrance of our sins (Lam. 3:39), and by the thought that it is the way to honour (Prov. 16:18), and that the greatest promises are made to the humble (Ps. 147:6; Isa. 57:15; 66:2; 1 Pet. 5:5). It is a "great paradox in Christianity that it makes humility the avenue to glory."

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Dictionary

Naphish

the soul; he that rests, refreshes himself, or respires

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Dictionary

Prayer

Is converse with God; the intercourse of the soul with God, not in contemplation or meditation, but in direct address to him. Prayer may be oral or mental, occasional or constant, ejaculatory or formal. It is a "beseeching the Lord" (Ex. 32:11); "pouring out the soul before the Lord" (1 Sam. 1:15); "praying and crying to heaven" (2 Chr. 32:20); "seeking unto God and making supplication" (Job 8:5); "drawing near to God" (Ps. 73:28); "bowing the knees" (Eph. 3:14). Prayer presupposes a belief in the personality of God, his ability and willingness to hold intercourse with us, his personal control of all things and of all his creatures and all their actions. Acceptable prayer must be sincere (Heb. 10:22), offered with reverence and godly fear, with a humble sense of our own insignificance as creatures and of our own unworthiness as sinners, with earnest importunity, and with unhesitating submission to the divine will. Prayer must also be offered in the faith that God is, and is the hearer and answerer of prayer, and that he will fulfil his word, "Ask, and ye shall receive" (Matt. 7:7, 8; 21:22; Mark 11:24; John 14:13, 14), and in the name of Christ (16:23, 24; 15:16; Eph. 2:18; 5:20; Col. 3:17; 1 Pet. 2:5). Prayer is of different kinds, secret (Matt. 6:6); social, as family prayers, and in social worship; and public, in the service of the sanctuary. Intercessory prayer is enjoined (Num. 6:23; Job 42:8; Isa. 62:6; Ps. 122:6; 1 Tim. 2:1; James 5:14), and there are many instances on record of answers having been given to such prayers, e.g., of Abraham (Gen. 17:18, 20; 18:23-32; 20:7, 17, 18), of Moses for Pharaoh (Ex. 8:12, 13, 30, 31; Ex. 9:33), for the Israelites (Ex. 17:11, 13; 32:11-14, 31-34; Num. 21:7, 8; Deut. 9:18, 19, 25), for Miriam (Num. 12:13), for Aaron (Deut. 9:20), of Samuel (1 Sam. 7:5-12), of Solomon (1 Kings 8; 2 Chr. 6), Elijah (1 Kings 17:20-23), Elisha (2 Kings 4:33-36), Isaiah (2 Kings 19), Jeremiah (42:2-10), Peter (Acts 9:40), the church (12:5-12), Paul (28:8). No rules are anywhere in Scripture laid down for the manner of prayer or the attitude to be assumed by the suppliant. There is mention made of kneeling in prayer (1 Kings 8:54; 2 Chr. 6:13; Ps. 95:6; Isa. 45:23; Luke 22:41; Acts 7:60; 9:40; Eph. 3:14, etc.); of bowing and falling prostrate (Gen. 24:26, 52; Ex. 4:31; 12:27; Matt. 26:39; Mark 14:35, etc.); of spreading out the hands (1 Kings 8:22, 38, 54; Ps. 28:2; 63:4; 88:9; 1 Tim. 2:8, etc.); and of standing (1 Sam. 1:26; 1 Kings 8:14, 55; 2 Chr. 20:9; Mark 11:25; Luke 18:11, 13). If we except the "Lord's Prayer" (Matt. 6:9-13), which is, however, rather a model or pattern of prayer than a set prayer to be offered up, we have no special form of prayer for general use given us in Scripture. Prayer is frequently enjoined in Scripture (Ex. 22:23, 27; 1 Kings 3:5; 2 Chr. 7:14; Ps. 37:4; Isa. 55:6; Joel 2:32; Ezek. 36:37, etc.), and we have very many testimonies that it has been answered (Ps. 3:4; 4:1; 6:8; 18:6; 28:6; 30:2; 34:4; 118:5; James 5:16-18, etc.). "Abraham's servant prayed to God, and God directed him to the person who should be wife to his master's son and heir (Gen. 24:10-20). "Jacob prayed to God, and God inclined the heart of his irritated brother, so that they met in peace and friendship (Gen. 32:24-30; 33:1-4). "Samson prayed to God, and God showed him a well where he quenched his burning thirst, and so lived to judge Israel (Judg. 15:18-20). "David prayed, and God defeated the counsel of Ahithophel (2 Sam. 15:31; 16:20-23; 17:14-23). "Daniel prayed, and God enabled him both to tell Nebuchadnezzar his dream and to give the interpretation of it (Dan. 2: 16-23). "Nehemiah prayed, and God inclined the heart of the king of Persia to grant him leave of absence to visit and rebuild Jerusalem (Neh. 1:11; 2:1-6). "Esther and Mordecai prayed, and God defeated the purpose of Haman, and saved the Jews from destruction (Esther 4:15-17; 6:7, 8). "The believers in Jerusalem prayed, and God opened the prison doors and set Peter at liberty, when Herod had resolved upon his death (Acts 12:1-12). "Paul prayed that the thorn in the flesh might be removed, and his prayer brought a large increase of spiritual strength, while the thorn perhaps remained (2 Cor. 12:7-10). "Prayer is like the dove that Noah sent forth, which blessed him not only when it returned with an olive-leaf in its mouth, but when it never returned at all.", Robinson's Job.

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Sabbath

(Heb. verb shabbath, meaning "to rest from labour"), the day of rest. It is first mentioned as having been instituted in Paradise, when man was in innocence (Gen. 2:2). "The sabbath was made for man," as a day of rest and refreshment for the body and of blessing to the soul. It is next referred to in connection with the gift of manna to the children of Israel in the wilderness (Ex. 16:23); and afterwards, when the law was given from Sinai (20:11), the people were solemnly charged to "remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy." Thus it is spoken of as an institution already existing. In the Mosaic law strict regulations were laid down regarding its observance (Ex. 35:2, 3; Lev. 23:3; 26:34). These were peculiar to that dispensation. In the subsequent history of the Jews frequent references are made to the sanctity of the Sabbath (Isa. 56:2, 4, 6, 7; 58:13, 14; Jer. 17:20-22; Neh. 13:19). In later times they perverted the Sabbath by their traditions. Our Lord rescued it from their perversions, and recalled to them its true nature and intent (Matt. 12:10-13; Mark 2:27; Luke 13:10-17). The Sabbath, originally instituted for man at his creation, is of permanent and universal obligation. The physical necessities of man require a Sabbath of rest. He is so constituted that his bodily welfare needs at least one day in seven for rest from ordinary labour. Experience also proves that the moral and spiritual necessities of men also demand a Sabbath of rest. "I am more and more sure by experience that the reason for the observance of the Sabbath lies deep in the everlasting necessities of human nature, and that as long as man is man the blessedness of keeping it, not as a day of rest only, but as a day of spiritual rest, will never be annulled. I certainly do feel by experience the eternal obligation, because of the eternal necessity, of the Sabbath. The soul withers without it. It thrives in proportion to its observance. The Sabbath was made for man. God made it for men in a certain spiritual state because they needed it. The need, therefore, is deeply hidden in human nature. He who can dispense with it must be holy and spiritual indeed. And he who, still unholy and unspiritual, would yet dispense with it is a man that would fain be wiser than his Maker" (F. W. Robertson). The ancient Babylonian calendar, as seen from recently recovered inscriptions on the bricks among the ruins of the royal palace, was based on the division of time into weeks of seven days. The Sabbath is in these inscriptions designated Sabattu, and defined as "a day of rest for the heart" and "a day of completion of labour." The change of the day. Originally at creation the seventh day of the week was set apart and consecrated as the Sabbath. The first day of the week is now observed as the Sabbath. Has God authorized this change? There is an obvious distinction between the Sabbath as an institution and the particular day set apart for its observance. The question, therefore, as to the change of the day in no way affects the perpetual obligation of the Sabbath as an institution. Change of the day or no change, the Sabbath remains as a sacred institution the same. It cannot be abrogated. If any change of the day has been made, it must have been by Christ or by his authority. Christ has a right to make such a change (Mark 2:23-28). As Creator, Christ was the original Lord of the Sabbath (John 1:3; Heb. 1:10). It was originally a memorial of creation. A work vastly greater than that of creation has now been accomplished by him, the work of redemption. We would naturally expect just such a change as would make the Sabbath a memorial of that greater work. True, we can give no text authorizing the change in so many words. We have no express law declaring the change. But there are evidences of another kind. We know for a fact that the first day of the week has been observed from apostolic times, and the necessary conclusion is, that it was observed by the apostles and their immediate disciples. This, we may be sure, they never would have done without the permission or the authority of their Lord. After his resurrection, which took place on the first day of the week (Matt. 28:1; Mark 16:2; Luke 24:1; John 20:1), we never find Christ meeting with his disciples on the seventh day. But he specially honoured the first day by manifesting himself to them on four separate occasions (Matt. 28:9; Luke 24:34, 18-33; John 20:19-23). Again, on the next first day of the week, Jesus appeared to his disciples (John 20:26). Some have calculated that Christ's ascension took place on the first day of the week. And there can be no doubt that the descent of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost was on that day (Acts 2:1). Thus Christ appears as instituting a new day to be observed by his people as the Sabbath, a day to be henceforth known amongst them as the "Lord's day." The observance of this "Lord's day" as the Sabbath was the general custom of the primitive churches, and must have had apostolic sanction (comp. Acts 20:3-7; 1 Cor. 16:1, 2) and authority, and so the sanction and authority of Jesus Christ. The words "at her sabbaths" (Lam. 1:7, A.V.) ought probably to be, as in the Revised Version, "at her desolations."

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Sanctification

Involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1 Cor. 6:11; 2 Thess. 2:13). Faith is instrumental in securing sanctification, inasmuch as it (1) secures union to Christ (Gal. 2:20), and (2) brings the believer into living contact with the truth, whereby he is led to yield obedience "to the commands, trembling at the threatenings, and embracing the promises of God for this life and that which is to come." Perfect sanctification is not attainable in this life (1 Kings 8:46; Prov. 20:9; Eccl. 7:20; James 3:2; 1 John 1:8). See Paul's account of himself in Rom. 7:14-25; Phil. 3:12-14; and 1 Tim. 1:15; also the confessions of David (Ps. 19:12, 13; 51), of Moses (90:8), of Job (42:5, 6), and of Daniel (9:3-20). "The more holy a man is, the more humble, self-renouncing, self-abhorring, and the more sensitive to every sin he becomes, and the more closely he clings to Christ. The moral imperfections which cling to him he feels to be sins, which he laments and strives to overcome. Believers find that their life is a constant warfare, and they need to take the kingdom of heaven by storm, and watch while they pray. They are always subject to the constant chastisement of their Father's loving hand, which can only be designed to correct their imperfections and to confirm their graces. And it has been notoriously the fact that the best Christians have been those who have been the least prone to claim the attainment of perfection for themselves.", Hodge's Outlines.

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Sheol

(Heb., "the all-demanding world" = Gr. Hades, "the unknown region"), the invisible world of departed souls. (See [579]HELL.)

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Spirit

(Heb. ruah; Gr. pneuma), properly wind or breath. In 2 Thess. 2:8 it means "breath," and in Eccl. 8:8 the vital principle in man. It also denotes the rational, immortal soul by which man is distinguished (Acts 7:59; 1 Cor. 5:5; 6:20; 7:34), and the soul in its separate state (Heb. 12:23), and hence also an apparition (Job 4:15; Luke 24:37, 39), an angel (Heb. 1:14), and a demon (Luke 4:36; 10:20). This word is used also metaphorically as denoting a tendency (Zech. 12:10; Luke 13:11). In Rom. 1:4, 1 Tim. 3:16, 2 Cor. 3:17, 1 Pet. 3:18, it designates the divine nature.

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