Word

Word wurd: The commonest term in the Old Testament for "word" is dabhar (also "matter" "thing"); in the New Testament logos ("reason," "discourse," "speech"); but also frequently rhema. Rhema is a "word" in itself considered; logos is a spoken word, with reference generally to that which is in the speaker's mind. Some of the chief applications of the terms may thus be exhibited:

(1) We have the word of Yahweh (or God; see below)

(a) as the revelation to the patriarch, prophet, or inspired person (Gen 15:1, Exo 20:1, Num 22:38, etc.);

(b) as spoken forth by the prophet (Exo 4:30, Exo 34:1, 2Ki 7:1, Isa 1:10, etc.).

(2) The word is often a commandment, sometimes equivalent to "the Law" (Exo 32:28, Num 20:24, Deu 6:6, Psa 105:8, Psa 119:11, Psa 119:17, Isa 66:2, etc.).

(3) As a promise and ground of hope (Psa 119:25, Psa 119:28, Psa 119:38, etc.; 130:5, etc.).

(4) As creative, upholding, and preserving (Ps 33:6; compare Gen 1:3, Psa 147:15, Psa 147:18, Heb 1:3, Heb 11:3, 2Pe 3:5, 2Pe 3:7).

(5) As personified (in Apocrypha, The Wisdom of Solomon 18:15, Eccl 1:5, the Revised Version margin "omitted by the best authorities").

(6) As personal (Joh 1:1). Logos in Philo and Greek-Jewish philosophy meant both reason or thought and its utterance, "the whole contents of the divine world of thought resting in the Nous of God, synonymous with the inner life of God Himself and corresponding to the logos endiathetos of the human soul; on the other hand, it is the externalizing of this as revelation corresponding to the logos prophorikos in which man's thought finds expression (Schultz). Compare also the references to Creation by "the word of God" and its personifications; see LOGOS; incarnated in Jesus Christ (Joh 1:14, Joh 1:1, Joh 1:2, Rev 19:13, "His name is called, The Word of God," Ho Logos tou Theou). See PERSON OF CHRIST.

(7) Cannot be broken, endureth forever (2Ki 10:10, Psa 119:89, Isa 40:8, etc.).

(8) A designation of the gospel of Christ: sometimes simply "the word"; with Jesus "the word of the Kingdom" (Mat 13:19, Mar 2:2, Act 4:4, Act 4:29, Act 4:31, etc.). In John's Gospel Jesus frequently speaks of His "word" and "works" as containing the divine revelation and requirements made through Him, which men are asked to believe in, cherish and obey (Joh 5:24, Joh 6:63, Joh 6:68, etc.); "the words of God" (Joh 3:34, Joh 8:47, Joh 14:10, Joh 17:8, Joh 17:14, etc.); His "word" (logos and rhema) is to be distinguished from lalia, speech (compare Mat 26:73, Mar 14:70), translated "saying," Joh 4:42 (4:41, "Many more believed because of his own word" (logos); 4:42, "not because of thy saying" (lalia), the Revised Version (British and American) "speaking"); in the only other occurrence of lalia in this Gospel (Joh 8:43) Jesus uses it to distinguish the outward expression from the inner meaning, "Why do ye not understand my speech?" (lalia), "Even because ye cannot hear my word" (logos).

(9) "Words" are distinguished from "power" (1Co 4:20, 1Th 1:5); are contrasted with "deed" (Mal 2:17, 1Co 4:20, 1Co 4:1). (10) Paul refers to "unspeakable words" (arrheta rhemata) which he heard in Paradise (2Co 12:4), and to "words (logoi) .... which the Spirit teacheth" (1Co 2:13).

For "word" the Revised Version (British and American) has "commandment" (Nu 4:45, etc.); for "words," "things" (Joh 7:9, Joh 8:30, Joh 9:22, Joh 9:40, Joh 17:1), "sayings" (Joh 10:21, Joh 12:47, Joh 12:48); for "enticing words," "persuasiveness of speech" (Col 2:4); conversely, "word" for "commandment" (Num 24:13, Num 27:14, Jos 8:8, etc.), with numerous other changes.

W. L. Walker