Is there an easy way to find a first mention of a word?
Welcome Brandon
If you want "first mention" I assume
So run a Search on lemma.g:θυσία. The first result/mention is Mt 9:13
Let us know what you had in mind.
If you also search for lemma.g:θυσία in the LXX, the first mention is in Genesis 4:3.
If you define a LXX and a Greek New Testament as a series, both can be searched in one step.
I’m sorry guys, I’m meaning “any” word. The root of anything. Wasn’t sure it was a quick view of were something originally appeared in text.
quick view of where something originally appeared in text.
The first use in canonical sequence is essentially meaningless. I assume you mean first use historically which is a bit more difficult.
The root of anything.
Thanks so much, I’m new to deep study. Can you explain the meaninglessness of canonical sequence? I’m asking to learn, not debating. 😇 I hear lots of preachers stating the “first mention”.
I’m meaning “any” word.
Concordance tool shows all words. First occurrence of Greek lemma Ἰησοῦς is in Matthew 1:1 while first occurrence of יִשְׂרָאֵל is in Genesis 32:29
Keep Smiling [:)]
Did you know that the standard Jewish sequence is not the same as the "standard" Christian sequence? That is simply one example of how your choice of Bibles can change the sequence.
The use of words changes over time. A word in Job may be an older use of a word than its use in Ezra.
Brandon, you might want to check out Learn Logos's training on word studies. It is for Logos 8, but the principles have not really changed. Don Carson's book Exegetical Fallacies is also another great useful tool. Unfortunately, a lot of well meaning pastors do some pretty sloppy things with word studies and $8 of training in Logos and how to do Word Studies correctly is invaluable. This one from Logos 7 is more comprehensive but might be a little bit harder to follow. I would start with the first one and if you want to learn more, do the Logos 7 one.
I hear lots of preachers stating the “first mention”.
It might be instructive to search for “first mention” (with quotes) in your Library e.g. "“He will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth” Luke 1:13–17... . The account contains the first mention of the Holy Spirit..." Richards, L. (1990). The 365 Day Devotional Commentary (p. 714).
The text quoted does not clarify the context of "first mention". Even if one assumes it is related to the birth account, Mt 1:18 has a strong claim to being "first". person:"Holy Spirit" shows the application of "Holy Spirit" to "Spirit of God" in Genesis.
the "first mention" in the Bible occurs at Gen 1:2
Which is my usual example of why I don't trust Faithlife coding - providing anachronistic tagging after pressure from a particular portion of their market.
Excellent point.
Brandon might be referring to “the law of first mention.” It is a popular hermeneutical method in some circles. R. T. Kendall describes the principle in this way: “the way a word is first used in the Bible will be the way this word is largely understood thereafter” (Understanding Theology, Volume Two, 179).
EDIT: Mark Ward has a video on the subject: https://youtu.be/I9sb6UPPEz8
Can you explain the meaninglessness of canonical sequence?
MJ gave you an OT example. Here is an NT example:
In the New Testament, all of Paul's letters are placed later than the four Gospels. Every Scripture scholar of every kind I've ever encountered would agree that at least one of the four Gospels was written later than at least one of Paul's letters. Furthermore, Paul's letters are unambiguously not listed in the New Testament according to the order that they were written in. The history of the canonization of the components of the New Testament matters here.
