Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "altered" in the Bible can refer to changes in physical appearance, circumstances, or spiritual states. The term itself may not frequently appear in the text, but the idea of transformation or change is prevalent throughout Scripture. This entry explores various instances and themes related to alteration as found in the Bible.
Physical Alteration1.
Transformation of Appearance: In the Bible, physical alteration often signifies a deeper spiritual or divine intervention. For example, in the account of Jesus' transfiguration, His appearance was dramatically altered.
Matthew 17:2 states, "There He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light." This alteration was a revelation of His divine glory to His disciples.
2.
Leprosy and Healing: Leprosy in biblical times was a disease that altered the physical appearance of those afflicted. The healing of lepers, as seen in the ministry of Jesus, represents a restoration and reversal of this alteration. In
Luke 17:14 , Jesus instructs the ten lepers, "Go, show yourselves to the priests." As they went, they were cleansed, signifying a miraculous alteration from disease to health.
Circumstantial Alteration1.
Change in Status: The Bible often records changes in the status or circumstances of individuals as a result of divine intervention. Joseph's rise from a prisoner to the second-in-command in Egypt is a prime example.
Genesis 41:41 records Pharaoh's declaration, "I hereby place you over all the land of Egypt." This alteration in Joseph's circumstances was part of God's providential plan.
2.
Conversion and Repentance: The alteration of one's life through conversion and repentance is a central theme in the New Testament. Saul's transformation into Paul is a significant example.
Acts 9:18 describes his conversion, "Immediately something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized." This physical and spiritual alteration marked the beginning of his ministry.
Spiritual Alteration1.
Renewal of the Mind: Spiritual alteration is emphasized in the call for believers to renew their minds.
Romans 12:2 exhorts, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This transformation involves a fundamental change in thinking and living according to God's will.
2.
New Creation in Christ: The concept of becoming a new creation is a profound spiritual alteration.
2 Corinthians 5:17 states, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!" This alteration signifies the believer's new identity and life in Christ.
Divine Alteration of Plans1.
God's Sovereignty: The Bible illustrates that God can alter human plans to fulfill His purposes.
Proverbs 19:21 declares, "Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the purpose of the LORD will prevail." This alteration underscores God's ultimate authority over human affairs.
2.
Intervention in History: Throughout biblical history, God has altered the course of events to accomplish His will. The deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt and the subsequent parting of the Red Sea (
Exodus 14:21-22) is a dramatic example of divine alteration in history.
In summary, the theme of alteration in the Bible encompasses physical, circumstantial, and spiritual changes, often highlighting God's intervention and transformative power in the lives of individuals and nations.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Alter.
Greek
2087. heteros -- other ... altered, different. Of uncertain affinity; (an-, the) other or different --
altered,
else, next (day), one, (an-)other, some, strange. (etera) -- 14 Occurrences
... Strong's Hebrew
8133. shena -- to change... Word Origin (Aramaic) corresponding to shana Definition to change NASB Word Usage
altered (1), change (1), changed (5), changes (1), damaged (1), different (5
... Library
Harmony of the Church and the Scriptures Heretics have Tampered ...
... Chapter XXXVIII."Harmony of the Church and the Scriptures Heretics Have Tampered
with the Scriptures, and Mutilated, and Altered Them. ...
The Answer that Scripture Truth is not to be Altered on Account of ...
... The Conferences of John Cassian. Chapter XVI. The answer that Scripture truth
is not to be altered on account of an offence given to the weak. ...
Whether the World Will be Renewed?
... But it is impossible for the universe to be altered; because whatever is altered
argues some alterant that is not altered, which nevertheless is a subject of ...
Whether Impassibility Excludes Actual Sensation from Glorified ...
... Accordingly if there be a thing that is naturally adapted to be altered by an active
principle, with a natural and a spiritual alteration, the natural ...
St. Chrysostom as a Homilist.
... The foot-notes also present some few specimens of the numerous enlargements and
explanatory changes or transitional additions by which the altered text printed ...
Treatment of Words
... The following is a list of those which I have altered in the text, with their nearest
modern equivalents. ... Where the meaning is obscure I have altered: ...
Let us Therefore Examine Carefully the Real Significance of that ...
... Have these first elements, from which it is agreed that all things were compacted,
been altered into elements of an opposite character? ...
Dr. Holmes' Note.
... reader, in reference to the subject of the preceding Book:"Marcion received but
eleven books of the New Testament, and these strangely curtailed and altered. ...
Prayer and Transfiguration
... VOLUME I: ST. LUKE Chaps. I to XII PRAYER AND TRANSFIGURATION. 'And as He prayed,
the fashion of His countenance was altered.'"Luke 9:29. ...
Extracts from the Work on Things Created.
... to be an impious conclusion. And it will result that the unchangeable
and unaltered God has altered and changed. For if He made ...
Thesaurus
Altered (4 Occurrences)...Altered (4 Occurrences). Luke 9:29 As he was praying, the appearance of his
face was
altered, and his clothing became white and dazzling.
...Mahlah (5 Occurrences)
... Disease, one of the five daughters of Zelophehad (Numbers 27:1-11) who had their
father's inheritance, the law of inheritance having been altered in their ...
Bilhan (3 Occurrences)
... article "Bill"). (3) Still another question has arisen: Was the old "bond"
simply altered, or was a new one substituted for it? Here ...
Countenance (67 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 27:17); it "falls," ie looks despondent, disappointed (Genesis 4:5, 6);
is "cast down" (Job 29:24); "changed" (Job 14:20; compare "altered" into glory ...
Repentance (28 Occurrences)
... 90:13 (both terms, nacham and shubh; Isaiah 21:12; Isaiah 55:7). Both terms are
also sometimes employed when the twofold idea of grief and altered relation is ...
Version
... more consistently. The paragraphs have been altered in some cases and
(especially in the Old Testament) shortened. The punctuation ...
Xerxes (24 Occurrences)
... the king, let a royal commandment go from him, and let it be written among the laws
of the Persians and the Medes, so that it cannot be altered, that Vashti ...
Quotations
... Sometimes the LXX. is literally quoted (in about ninety instances), and sometimes
it is corrected or altered in the quotations (in over eighty instances). ...
Egypt (596 Occurrences)
... alike in the Priestly Code (P), Jahwist (Jahwist), and Elohim (E) of the documentary
theory, and also where the editor is supposed to have altered the documents ...
Varied (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Changed; altered; various; diversified; as, a
varied experience; varied interests; varied scenery. 2. (imp. & pp) of Vary. ...
Resources
Has the Bible been corrupted, altered, edited, revised, or tampered with? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Kwanzaa? Should a Christian celebrate Kwanzaa? | GotQuestions.orgMedical marijuana - what does the Bible say? | GotQuestions.orgAltered: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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