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Power

Culture & Society

What is the meaning of Power in the Bible?

The concept of power encompasses physical strength, authority, and divine capability, with Hebrew terms like 'oz' and 'koach' appearing in the Old Testament and Greek terms 'dunamis' (miraculous power) and 'exousia' (authority) dominating New Testament discourse.

SIGNIFICANCE

Understanding these distinctions clarifies how biblical authors distinguish between inherent divine strength and delegated human or angelic authority, illuminating the nature of God's intervention in history and the legitimacy of leadership structures within early Christian communities.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Power. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Power in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Power clarify?

Source Attribution

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.

How to Cite This Entry

"Power." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/power/
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