Topical Encyclopedia The term "at" is a preposition frequently used in the Bible to denote location, time, or circumstance. While it may seem insignificant, its usage helps to provide context and clarity in the narrative and teachings of Scripture. Below are some key instances and thematic elements where "at" plays a role in the biblical text.1. Location: The preposition "at" is often used to specify a particular place where events occur or where individuals are situated. For example, in Genesis 28:11, Jacob stops "at a certain place" to rest, which becomes significant as the location of his dream of the ladder reaching to heaven. This place is later named Bethel, meaning "House of God," marking it as a site of divine encounter. 2. Time: "At" is also used to indicate specific times when events take place. In the New Testament, the timing of events is crucial, such as in Acts 2:1, "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place." Here, "at" helps to pinpoint the moment when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles, marking the birth of the Church. 3. Circumstance: The use of "at" can denote circumstances or conditions under which events occur. For instance, in Matthew 27:46, Jesus cries out "at about the ninth hour," expressing His anguish on the cross. This moment is pivotal in the narrative of the crucifixion, highlighting the fulfillment of prophecy and the depth of Christ's suffering. 4. Divine Encounters: Throughout Scripture, "at" often introduces moments of divine encounter or revelation. In Exodus 3:2, Moses encounters the burning bush "at Horeb, the mountain of God." This location becomes a place of divine commissioning, where Moses receives his call to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. 5. Worship and Sacrifice: The preposition is used in contexts of worship and sacrifice, indicating the place or time of these acts. In Leviticus 1:3, instructions are given for bringing a burnt offering "at the entrance to the tent of meeting," signifying the importance of approaching God in the prescribed manner and place. 6. Prophetic Fulfillment: "At" is used in prophetic contexts to denote the fulfillment of God's promises. In Isaiah 7:14, the prophecy of the virgin birth is given, and its fulfillment is noted in Matthew 1:23, "Behold, the virgin shall be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel"—a promise realized "at" the appointed time in history. 7. Eschatological Significance: In eschatological passages, "at" is used to describe the timing of future events. In 1 Thessalonians 4:16, it is written, "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first." The use of "at" here underscores the certainty and specificity of the Second Coming of Christ. In summary, while "at" may appear to be a simple preposition, its usage in the Bible is rich with meaning, providing essential context for understanding the narrative, theological, and prophetic dimensions of Scripture. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (prep.) Primarily, this word expresses the relations of presence, nearness in place or time, or direction toward; as, at the ninth hour; at the house; to aim at a mark. It is less definite than in or on; at the house may be in or near the house. From this original import are derived all the various uses of at.2. (prep.) A relation of proximity to, or of presence in or on, something; as, at the door; at your shop; at home; at school; at hand; at sea and on land. 3. (prep.) The relation of some state or condition; as, at war; at peace; at ease; at your service; at fault; at liberty; at risk; at disadvantage. 4. (prep.) The relation of some employment or action; occupied with; as, at engraving; at husbandry; at play; at work; at meat (eating); except at puns. 5. (prep.) The relation of a point or position in a series, or of degree, rate, or value; as, with the thermometer at 80??; goods sold at a cheap price; a country estimated at 10,000 square miles; life is short at the longest. 6. (prep.) The relations of time, age, or order; as, at ten o'clock; at twenty-one; at once; at first. 7. (prep.) The relations of source, occasion, reason, consequence, or effect; as, at the sight; at this news; merry at anything; at this declaration; at his command; to demand, require, receive, deserve, endure at your hands. 8. (prep.) Relation of direction toward an object or end; as, look at it; to point at one; to aim at a mark; to throw, strike, shoot, wink, mock, laugh at any one. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia AT ONEeis eirenen, "at one," ("at peace"): "Set them at one again" (Acts 7:26), the reconciliation of persons at variance. From this adverb we have the words "atone" and "atonement." JUDAH AT (UPON) THE JORDAN (yehudhah ha-yarden): A place marking the eastern limit of the territory of Naphtali (Joshua 19:34). It is generally thought among scholars that the text is corrupt; but no very probable emendation has been suggested. Thomson (L B, II, 466) proposes to identify it with Seiyid Jehuda, a small white-domed sanctuary about 3 miles to the Southeast of Tell el-Qady. Greek 4873. sunanakeimai -- to recline with (at table) ... to recline with (at table). Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: sunanakeimai Phonetic Spelling: (soon-an-ak'-i-mahee) Short Definition: I recline at table ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4873.htm - 7k 639. aporeo -- to be at a loss, be perplexed 3364. ou me -- anymore, at all, neither, never 1736. endemeo -- to be in one's own country, to be at home 3626. oikourgos -- working at home 1764. enistemi -- to place in, to be at hand, perf. part. to be ... 4411. protoklisia -- the chief place (at the table) 3456. mukterizo -- to turn up the nose or sneer at 875. aphrizo -- to foam at the mouth 4412. proton -- before, at the beginning Strong's Hebrew 7599. shaan -- to be at ease or at peace, rest securely... shaan. 7600 . to be at ease or at peace, rest securely. Transliteration: shaan Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-an') Short Definition: ease. Word Origin a prim. ... /hebrew/7599.htm - 6k 7600. shaanan -- at ease, secure 3272. y'at, -- counselor 328. at -- gentleness 227. az -- at that time 855b. at -- you (fem. sing.) 5605. saphaph -- to stand at or guard the threshold 7961. shalev -- quiet, at ease 7954. sheleh -- at ease 4763. meraashoth -- a place at the head, head place Library At the Back of the North Wind At Last Sermons at Rugby At Last. Sermons Preached at Brighton At The Master's Feet At Last! At the Manger. At Home in Castile At the Other End. Thesaurus At (20085 Occurrences)... 1. (prep.) Primarily, this word expresses the relations of presence, nearness in place or time, or direction toward; as, at the ninth hour; at the house; to ... /a/at.htm - 9k At-tashheth (1 Occurrence) At'aroth (4 Occurrences) At'arah (1 Occurrence) At'aroth-ad'dar (2 Occurrences) At'roth-sho'phan (1 Occurrence) At'roth-beth-jo'ab (1 Occurrence) Scoff (18 Occurrences) Kibrothhattaavah (5 Occurrences) Silas (22 Occurrences) Resources At: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance At (20085 Occurrences)At appears 20085 times in 12 translations. You can narrow your search using the Advanced Bible Search. Subtopics Related Terms At'aroth-ad'dar (2 Occurrences) At'roth-sho'phan (1 Occurrence) At'roth-beth-jo'ab (1 Occurrence) Kibrothhattaavah (5 Occurrences) Kibroth-hattaavah (5 Occurrences) |