en_tw/content/kt/wordofgod.md

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word of God, word of Yahweh, word of the Lord, scripture

Definition:

In the Bible, the term "word of God" refers to anything that God has communicated to people. This includes spoken and written messages. Jesus is also called "the Word of God."

  • The term "scriptures" means "writings." It is only used in the New Testament and refers to the Hebrew scriptures or "Old Testament." These writings were God's message that he had told people to write down so that many years in the future people can still read it.
  • The related terms "word of Yahweh" and "word of the Lord" often refer to a specific message from God that was given to a prophet or other person in the Bible.
  • Sometimes this term occurs as simply "the word" or "my word" or "your word" (when talking about God's word).
  • In the New Testament, Jesus is called "the Word" and "the Word of God." These titles mean that Jesus fully reveals who God is, because he is God himself.

Translation Suggestions:

  • Depending on the context, other ways to translate this term could include, "the message of Yahweh" or "God's message" or "the teachings from God."
  • It may be more natural in some languages to make this term plural and say "God's words" or "the words of Yahweh."
  • The expression "the word of Yahweh came" is often used to introduce something that God told his prophets or his people. This could be translated as, "Yahweh spoke this message" or "Yahweh spoke these words."
  • The term "scripture" or "scriptures" could be translated as "the writings" or "the written message from God." This term should be translated differently from the translation of the term "word."
  • When "word" occurs alone, it could be translated as "message" or "God's word" or "teachings," depending on the context. Also consider the alternate translations suggested above.

(See also: prophet, prophecy, prophesy · word · Yahweh)

Bible References:

Examples from the Bible stories:

  • 25-07 In God's word he commands his people, 'Worship only the Lord your God and only serve him.'"
  • 33-06 So Jesus explained, "The seed is the word of God.
  • 42-03 Then Jesus explained to them what God's word says about the Messiah.
  • 42-07 Jesus said, "I told you that everything written about me in God's word must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds so they could understand God's word.
  • 45-10 Philip also used other scriptures to tell him the good news of Jesus.
  • 48-12 But Jesus is the greatest prophet of all. He is the Word of God.
  • 49-18 God tells you to pray, to study his word, to worship him with other Christians, and to tell others what he has done for you.