How do you understand bible verses?

Answer 1

There are also numerous aids to understanding such as Bible Dictionaries which explain key terms and cultural contexts. Many Bibles have various notes in them to assist in understanding. It is also helpful to ask while reading - 'to whom is this addressed?' This can be important since many passages have a limited applicability whereas others have a more lasting significance. It may also be helpful to consider whether the passage you are reading is poetry like the Psalms or a historical narrative like the books of Kings, or doctrine like the book of Romans. Using the standard literary questions - who, what, how, when and where and trying to answer them can also aid in understanding. Some of these may be answered in a Bible dictionary, or, in a good study Bible with notes some unfamiliar customs may be explained. Another important tool is a good Bible concordance which will list all the occurrences of particular words. This will help add meaning and context to particular words you wish to understand better. For example, if you wish to know what The Bible says about obedience you would look up this word and the concordance will list from Genesis to Revelation all the times this occurs. That way you can get a fuller picture of what the Bible teaches about the particular subject you are interested in. One thing which it is important to know about the Bible is that it does not necessarily endorse all it records. The Bible tells it 'warts and all' and so some very unsavory and violent deeds appear. The Bible clearly states that people do wrong things because they are sinners - they have departed from God in their heart and so act out the evil within. This is not surprising as it corresponds with reality. The Bible does nothing to sanitize human failings but it also points to a solution in Jesus Christ. He is ultimately the focal point of the whole Bible. This fact alone explains the clear demonstrations of human failing as well as the awareness in all the bloody Old Testament sacrifices that the 'blood of bulls and goats can never atone' - but the blood of God's only Son can and did. In the New Testament, though clearly pre-figured in the Old, Jesus is clearly the centre, especially His death and glorious resurrection. Without the actual and factual bodily resurrection of Jesus the New Testament makes no sense. Jesus is clearly proclaimed as a risen and living saviour. It also depends why you wish to understand the Bible better. If you are already a believer there is the Holy Spirit, the one who inspired the scripture in the first place as a promised guide and helper. God has also promised that if we seek we shall surely find and so it is important to not be afraid to ask questions.

Answer 2

Get a good study bible - that's one way. There is a really, really theologically sound guy named R.C. Sproul who has one out and it is so informative I can't even explain it. Like wow. Just look it up. It will definitely help you to learn and explore the Bible on your own.

Answer:

There are instances, of course, where the meaning of certain passages seem confusing and require help from others to understand them... but, for the most part, I found the key to understanding Bible verses is to simply "believe what they plainly say."

Try reading it like you would a school text book.

Just believe what it says.

Answer 3

The Bible is best interpreted in its most obvious meaning as any allegory is always made clear. Much of it is a historical document and should be treated as such, since its credentials exceed those of other ancient documents readily accepted.

The Bible should not be interpreted in a piecemeal manner, but in context of the whole. Verses should not be taken out of context but considered against the setting of the whole. If one passage is unclear, other scriptures may she light upon it.

An understanding of the original languages helps to establish the original meaning and nuances.

In addition, the Holy Spirit provides guidance to believers in understanding the deeper meaning and practical application of scripture.

Answer:

For the most part, don't try to interpret anything. About two-thirds of it is straight forward language... laws, genealogies, songs and prayers of praise and desperation and historical information. Read it like you would any other book... and just believe what it says.

Jesus' parables, which are designed to hide the meaning of what He is saying to all but His own, need interpretation. His disciples didn't even know what they meant until they asked Him in private what they meant. But Jesus always sent the crowds away before He interpreted His parables to His elect. He interprets them for us, too, if we pay attention to what He says:

"...then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the (His) house: and His disciples came unto Him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field." (Matt.13:36)

What follows is the "Bible's interpretaion" of what needs interpreted for God's elect... Jesus' disciples, and you and I if He has given us the eyes to see and the ears to hear: "...He that soweth the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world..." etc., (verses 37-38). Straight forward, clear, plain words of explanation. No interpretation is needed.

For the other almost one-third of the Bible... "prophecy"... the Bible also interprets itself... here a little, and there a little.

When Daniel, whose gift of "interpretation" was called upon to reveal the meaning of King Nebuchadnezzar's "prophetic" dream (a dream about the gospel of Jesus Christ and the coming Kingdom of God to the earth that shall smash all of man's governments and rule the world)... Daniel gave credit where credit was due.

"...there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days... He that revealeth secrets maketh known to thee what shall come to pass. But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king..." (Dan.2:22-30).

So, after explaining to the king where his dream came from... and whose interpretation of it it was... Daniel told the king the specifics of the "parable-like" dream the king had... and its interpretation:

"...This is the dream; and WE will tell the interpretation thereof before the king... THE GREAT GOD HATH MADE KNOWN TO THE KING (interpreted) what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure." (Dan.2:36-45)

Daniel later had a dream of his own. The very same prophetic dream as the king about the gospel of the Kingdom of God taking over the world... but instead of Nebuchadnezzar's metallic man, Daniel dreamed of Beasts. The four beastly world-ruling government systems of man throughout history.

But Daniel needed it interpreted for him, for he didn't understand it and he was exceedingly disturbed by it.

"...I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the night visions of my head troubled me. I came near unto one of them that stood by, and asked him the Truth of all this. SO HE TOLD ME, and MADE ME KNOW THE INTERPRETATION of the things..." (Dan.7:15-16).

The Bible interprets itself. All we need to do is read it and believe what it says.

There are no new prophecies. They are all written... and we are merely awaiting their fulfillment. King Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel both dreamed of a fabulous Kingdom smashing man's governments to pieces, establishing itself on the earth and ruling forever.

Jesus Christ was born centuries later in partial fulfillment of that prophecy and began to preach it: "...The time is fulfilled, and the Kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." (Mark 1:15)

Gospel means "good news." The prophecies of Nebuchadnezzar and Daniel are called "good news" by God. They are written and they are interpreted for us. The hard work is done. Now all man has to do is "believe" what is written.

Answer 4

Those who are true Christians have the promise of the Holy Spirit of God to aid them in understanding the meaning, not just as dead words but as a message with power and purpose for every situation. To this end it is often also important to understand to whom the original words were addressed and to also realise that some may not be relevant directly to us, even though all is in some way instructive and edifying.

As an aid, hard words can be interpreted through a good Bible dictionary. A Bible atlas may also help in understanding the setting of what was written.

In terms of meaning, the context itself often makes the meaning clear - the very few allegories and ''stories'' (non-literal) are usually identified as such. Apart from these, historical passages are to be taken as such, poetry as poetry etc. Many come to the Bible with naturalistic pre-conceptions that certain things are impossible or that secular historical and archaeological research, even science has disproved much of the Bible, which therefore relegates it to a series of interesting Fairy Tales. Sadly, this is not the case as there is much evidence for the literal historicity of the complete Bible, including the bits most controversial today such as the creation 6,000 years ago and the great flood of Noah. In relation to historicity archaeologist Dr Clifford Wilson has a multi-volume work which details over 2,000 examples where research has directly vindicated the Bible record. The number is growing almost daily. Thus, in reading this book we can have confidence in its absolute truthfulness, even where remaining to be verified, essentially because it is written by a God who cannot lie (Numbers 23:19).

Thirdly, it is most important to use the Bible to interpret the Bible: don't try to do it yourself. Always use Scripture to interpret Scripture. For example, Joseph had 2 dreams: (Jacob and the other 11 sins knew what they meant!):-

Original event:-

Gen 37:5-11 WEB Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it to his brothers, and they hated him all the more. (v.6) He said to them, "Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: (v.7) for behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright; and behold, your sheaves came around, and bowed down to my sheaf." (v.8) His brothers said to him, "Will you indeed reign over us? Or will you indeed have dominion over us?" They hated him all the more for his dreams and for his words. (v.9) He dreamed yet another dream, and told it to his brothers, and said, "Behold, I have dreamed yet another dream: and behold, the sun and the moon and eleven stars bowed down to me." (v.10) He told it to his father and to his brothers. His father rebuked him, and said to him, "What is this dream that you have dreamed? Will I and your mother and your brothers indeed come to bow ourselves down to you to the earth?" (v.11) His brothers envied him, but his father kept this saying in mind.

This is shown by their Historical fulfillment:-

Gen 42:6-9 WEB Joseph was the governor over the land. It was he who sold to all the people of the land. Joseph's brothers came, and bowed themselves down to him with their faces to the earth.(v.7) Joseph saw his brothers, and he recognized them, but acted like a stranger to them, and spoke roughly with them. He said to them, "Where did you come from?" They said, "From the land of Canaan to buy food." (v.8) Joseph recognized his brothers, but they didn't recognize him. (v.9) Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed about them, and said to them, "You are spies! You have come to see the nakedness of the land."

Gen 43:26 WEB When Joseph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand into the house, and bowed themselves down to him to the earth.

Gen 44:14 WEB Judah and his brothers came to Joseph's house, and he was still there. They fell on the ground before him.

Future fulfillment:-

(This is always tied in somehow to the Messiah)

Rev 12:1-2, 5 WEB (v.1) A great sign was seen in heaven: a woman [ie country of Israel] clothed with the sun , and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars [ ie the 12 tribes of Israel]. (v.2) She was with child. She cried out in pain, laboring to give birth. (v.5) She gave birth to a son, a male child [ie Jesus Christ], who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron . Her [ie country of Israel's] child [ie Jesus Christ] was caught up to God, and to his throne.

Additional Answer (1). To begin to understand it remember God is the Author and the writer of the book is just a scribe, so if you have a query ask the Author - He'll be glad to help.

(2). Take it seriously but use Common Sense: just as in our day-to-day speaking, most of it is literal, but some is figurative and there are metaphors and figures of speech.

(3). Download a Bible Program off the Net. (Many are Free!) But which one? One of the most popular is "e-sword" and you can download whatever additional Bible versions, Commentaries, Dictionaries you like. At the other end of the spectrum there are programs with just one Bible, usually the 'King James' version. An in-between program that comes with multiple Bibles is the " Berean Bible" and I personally like it as it has a magnificent "Search" facility. (However, that is personal preference).

(4). Remember the Bible interprets the Bible, so if you have a sticky passage put the relevant word/s in "Search" in the Bible program you choose and follow the list of verses through until you get the answer.

(5). Ensure you have a Bible Program, it is essential that you have you have a printed TRANSLATION of the Bible (NOT a paraphrase) and that it has a CENTRE-REFERENCE column showing other relevant verses. This cannot be stressed too much. Relevant translations would be either the King James [KJ], New King James [NKJ], or New American Standard Version [NASB].

(6). For the order of reading, if you do NOT have a centre reference Bible, start at Genesis and read a couple of chapters, and then immediately after read a couple of chapters from Matthew (the first book of the New Testament) and so on to Revelation.

(7). if you DO have a centre reference Bible, START at REVELATION, and follow the references through. There are over 800 references in the rest of the Bible to the 404 verses in Revelation, and doing this will take you to almost every book of the entire Bible. This is a fantastic learning tool.

(8). To understand the Book of Revelation, before reading it do a search in a Bible program on 'Day of the Lord' and read every verse, and picture it in your mind. Only then read Revelation and then, believe it or not, it will make a lot more sense.

Answer 5

The Bible is a Christian book, that Christians believe God has written through various men and given to men so that they may see who God is and what He is like.

The very first book a person should read is the Gospel according to John and is found in the New Testament. This book will supply many basic topics about Jesus Christ, God's Son, that many people need. Read it slowly and thoughtfully, prayerfully if you are a Christian.

God sent His Son, Jesus, to save persons from their sins. An acceptance of Jesus Christ as your personal Savior will give you salvation.

Answer 6

Read the entire Bible thoroughly and carefully, taking notes as you go. While doing so, go back and reread any earlier chapters that seem inconsistent with what you are reading later on, until you think you understand the differences. As you read, you will find terms and passages that you do not fully understand - look on the internet for at least two alternative explanations if you can. The process can take several weeks, given the size and complexity of the Bible, and will not make you an expert on the Bible, but you will understand it much better than you did before.

Answer 7

There are two basic rules about reading Bible passages if we wish to understand their real meaning. Both are very difficult because they go against everything people are taught to do from childhood.

The first rule is to avoid preconceptions. If you already think you know what the passage means, then you will try to find that meaning in the verses, even if the author meant something else entirely.

The second rule is to read verses in context. Too often, people set out to read a particular verse or group of verses, because those verses alone are supposed to provide some hidden truth. Not only does that imply a preconception, but it masks the real meaning. Go back one or a few verses until you see the start of the context, then read past the verses were were first interested in, to see what is written next. Occasionally this means going back to a previous chapter, or reading the start of another chapter, since the book was originally written without any chapter breaks. Then think of the verses of interest in the context of the entire passage.

If you avoid preconceptions, read a passage in context and look for the ordinary meaning of the words wherever possible, you will be well on the way to understanding the meaning. An important remaining limitation is the possibility that the translation into English does not entirely match the original meaning, and this can even be the result of the English language not having a word that is the exact equivalent of the original Hebrew or Greek word. The King James Bible can sometimes be helpful in this, because it often uses italics where the translators were unsure of the original meaning or where they intentionally changed the original wording.

An example of all these issues is is Isaiah 7:14.

• Based on Christian tradition, a preconception would be that this verse was written as a prophecy of the virgin birth of Jesus: "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." Indeed this does seem to be a prophecy of Jesus, although it does not actually mention him. The problem with a preconception here is that it could equally be a prophecy of modern IVF.
• Looking at the context, we see that the author tells us that Ahaz had just refused to ask the Lord for a sign (7:12), but that the Lord had then promised him a sign, unasked - that the child would be born. We then find (8:3) that the young woman really did have a child, just as verse 7:14 had said.
• There remains the issue of translations error. In most English translations, verse 7:14 says that a virgin would bear a child, but this is based on the Septuagint, an early, flawed Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures. The original Hebrew text does not say, "a virgin," it says, "the young woman." The young woman, or prophetess, of verse 8:3 was not a virgin, but she did have a child.

So, here we started out with a preconception that led to one meaning. When we read the verse in its context without preconception, and considered the translation error arising from the Septuagint version, we saw an entirely different and credible meaning that was relevant to the times when Isaiah was writing.

Answer 8

one should read it with respect and honest virtue!

Answer 9

Read it as much as possible and you will become familiar with the different books, where they are, what stories they tell, what they teach etc.