Just as zooming out helps us get the broader context of a topic, when we zoom in, we dig into the details. Sometimes we need to zoom in on specific words to get a better understanding of what is being said in Scripture!
Why is this important?
The Bible says in Proverbs 4:7, “Wisdom [is] the principal thing; [therefore] get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” We know that studying the Word of God is important, but we also have to make sure that we understand what we are studying. In the parable of the sower, Jesus gives the example of someone who hears the Word but does not understand it. As a result, the enemy comes and takes away what was sown in their heart (Matt. 13:19). We want to understand and keep what we receive, whether it is something taught over the pulpit or something we gain during our personal time with God.
How To Zoom In
When focusing on individual words or phrases, we can uncover richness in Scripture that may not be apparent at first glance. When we zoom in, we focus on the details, digging deeper into both the big and little words of Scripture. Taking a verse and studying it word by word is one way to do this. Think about it—something can be misinterpreted because of one single word.
For example, if someone says, “You should get this assignment done by noon,” it could be interpreted as a suggestion. But, “You must get this assignment done by noon” changes the meaning entirely. One is a suggestion, while the other communicates a requirement. A biblical example is understanding the difference between words such as ye and thee in the Bible. “Ye is plural, whereas thee is singular. Those small words can help us identify exactly who is being addressed and better understand what a passage is saying.
A great example is John 3. Jesus said, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (v. 5), and then emphasized, “Ye must be born again” (v. 7). Zooming in on words such as and and must helps us see the importance of exactly what Jesus said: being born of both water and Spirit is necessary. And the “Ye” in verse 7 highlights that this requirement is for everybody!
The Old Testament was originally written primarily in Hebrew and the New Testament in Greek. Exploring the definitions of words in their original languages is another powerful way to make sure we are getting understanding. There are various tools for studying that can help us dig into those definitions, including Strong’s Dictionary and Blue Letter Bible.
Make sure that as you study, you zoom out to get the broader context and zoom in to uncover the riches of God’s written Word.
Want to learn more? Visit Just Word Academy for full notes, a quiz, and more resources to help you zoom in and dig deeper into the Word!
