dedication

Understanding ἐγκαινίζω (egkainizō) Strong’s G1457: The Sacred Act of Dedication That Points to Messiah’s New Covenant

Pronunciation Guide: eng-kah-ee-NEE-zoh (with emphasis on the “NEE” syllable) Basic Definition Strong’s G1457: The Greek verb ἐγκαινίζω (egkainizō) means “to dedicate,” “to inaugurate,” or “to consecrate something new.” It specifically refers to the solemn act of initiating or dedicating something…

Understanding ἐγκαίνια (enkainea) Strong’s G1456: The Sacred Festival of Dedication Revealing God’s Restorative Power

Pronunciation Guide: en-KAI-nee-ah (the ‘ai’ pronounced as in “aisle”) Basic Definition Strong’s G1456: ἐγκαίνια (enkainea) refers to the Feast of Dedication or Festival of Lights (known in Hebrew as Hanukkah), a Jewish celebration commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple…

Understanding ἀνατίθημι (anatithēmi) Strong’s G394: The Biblical Art of Laying Before or Committing to Divine Authority

Pronunciation Guide: ah-nah-TIH-thee-mee Basic Definition Strong’s G394: A compound verb combining ἀνά (up, again) and τίθημι (to place, put), meaning to lay up or lay before, especially in the sense of presenting a matter formally to an authority. In biblical…

Understanding ἀνάθημα (anathema) Strong’s G334: Sacred Offerings and Dedications in Biblical Temple Worship

Pronunciation Guide: an-ath’-ay-mah Basic Definition Strong’s G334: ἀνάθημα (anathema) refers to a votive offering or gift dedicated to God and placed in a temple. It specifically denotes something consecrated and set up in a temple as a dedication to deity,…

Understanding ἀναζητέω (anazētéō) Strong’s G327: The Divine Search that Reveals God’s Relentless Pursuit

Pronunciation Guide: an-ad-zay-TEH-oh Basic Definition Strong’s G327: A compound verb meaning “to seek carefully, to search up and down, to inquire after.” It carries the connotation of an extensive, diligent search that leaves no stone unturned. The word emphasizes both…

Understanding ἀλάβαστρον (alabastron) Strong’s G211: The Precious Vessel that Held the Most Valuable Perfumes

Pronunciation Guide: ah-LAB-ah-stron Basic Definition Strong’s G211: ἀλάβαστρον refers to a flask or vessel made of alabaster, specifically designed to store precious perfumes and ointments. This specialized container was typically crafted from fine-grained, translucent gypsum or calcite, known for its…

Understanding ἀκροθίνιον (akrothinion) Strong’s G205: The Sacred First Fruits and Choice Spoils in Biblical Context

Pronunciation Guide: ah-kro-thin’-ee-on Basic Definition Strong’s G205: ἀκροθίνιον (akrothinion) refers to the topmost or best part of a heap, specifically the choice spoils or first fruits from battle or harvest. In ancient Greek culture, it particularly denoted the first or…

Understanding ἀκολουθέω (akoloutheō) Strong’s G190: The Divine Call to Follow and Transform Through Discipleship

Pronunciation Guide: ah-kol-oo-THEH-oh Basic Definition Strong’s G190: ἀκολουθέω fundamentally means “to follow” or “to accompany,” but carries deeper connotations of becoming a devoted disciple, joining one’s self to a teacher, and conforming one’s life to the example of another. In…

Jeremiah Chapter 35

When Ancient Nomads Put Modern Christians to Shame What’s Jeremiah 35 about? God uses a nomadic family’s unwavering commitment to their ancestor’s commands to expose Israel’s stubborn disobedience. Sometimes the most powerful sermon comes from people who aren’t even trying…

Nehemiah Chapter 3

The Ultimate Ancient Team Building Project What’s Nehemiah 3 about? This chapter is essentially the world’s first recorded community barn-raising, but instead of a barn, they’re rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. It’s a detailed record of who built what section,…

1 Samuel Chapter 1

1 Samuel 1 – When God Seems Silent What’s 1 Samuel 1 about? This is the raw, honest story of Hannah – a woman whose desperate longing for a child becomes the backdrop for understanding how God works through our…

Numbers Chapter 7

Numbers 7 – The Greatest Gift Exchange in History What’s Numbers 7 about? Picture the most elaborate gift-giving ceremony you’ve ever seen – now multiply that by twelve and add the presence of God himself. Numbers 7 records what might…

Numbers Chapter 6

Numbers 6 – When God Makes You Beautifully Different What’s Numbers 6 about? This chapter introduces the Nazirite vow – a way for ordinary Israelites to voluntarily dedicate themselves to God through radical lifestyle changes, followed by the famous priestly…

Leviticus Chapter 27

Leviticus 27 – When Ancient Vows Meet Divine Economics What’s Leviticus 27 about? This final chapter of Leviticus is essentially God’s instruction manual for what happens when someone makes a vow to dedicate something (or someone) to Him – and…

Leviticus Chapter 1

Leviticus 1 – When God Explains How to Get Close What’s Leviticus 1 about? God’s first lesson in worship isn’t about singing or praying—it’s about sacrifice. This chapter is essentially God’s instruction manual for the burnt offering, teaching his people…