Doubtful
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In the context of the Bible, the term "doubtful" often refers to a state of uncertainty or lack of conviction regarding faith, God's promises, or His will. This concept is addressed in various passages, highlighting both the human tendency to doubt and the call to trust in God's faithfulness.

Biblical Instances of Doubt:

1. Thomas the Apostle: One of the most well-known instances of doubt in the New Testament is that of Thomas, one of Jesus' twelve apostles. After Jesus' resurrection, Thomas expressed skepticism about the reports of Jesus being alive. In John 20:25 , Thomas states, "Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe." Jesus later appears to Thomas, inviting him to touch His wounds, leading Thomas to believe and exclaim, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:28).

2. Peter Walking on Water: Another example is Peter's experience of walking on water. In Matthew 14:29-31 , Peter steps out of the boat to walk toward Jesus but becomes frightened by the wind and begins to sink. Jesus immediately reaches out to save him, saying, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" This incident illustrates the struggle between faith and doubt, even among those closest to Jesus.

3. The Father of the Demon-Possessed Boy: In Mark 9:24 , a father seeking healing for his son cries out to Jesus, "I do believe; help my unbelief!" This plea reflects the internal conflict between belief and doubt, a common experience for many believers.

Teachings on Doubt:

1. Faith and Assurance: The Bible encourages believers to have faith and not be swayed by doubt. James 1:6-8 warns, "But let him ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. He is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways." This passage underscores the importance of unwavering faith in prayer and reliance on God.

2. God's Faithfulness: Scripture reassures believers of God's steadfastness and reliability. In Hebrews 10:23 , it is written, "Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful." This verse encourages Christians to remain steadfast in their faith, trusting in God's promises despite circumstances that may cause doubt.

3. Encouragement to Seek Understanding: The Bible also acknowledges the human struggle with doubt and encourages believers to seek wisdom and understanding. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." This passage highlights the importance of relying on God's wisdom rather than one's own limited perspective.

Practical Implications:

Believers are encouraged to confront doubt through prayer, study of Scripture, and fellowship with other Christians. Engaging with the Word of God and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit can strengthen faith and provide clarity in times of uncertainty. Additionally, sharing experiences of doubt and faith within a community can offer support and encouragement, helping individuals to grow in their spiritual journey.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (a.) Not settled in opinion; undetermined; wavering; hesitating in belief; also used, metaphorically, of the body when its action is affected by such a state of mind; as, we are doubtful of a fact, or of the propriety of a measure.

2. (a.) Admitting of doubt; not obvious, clear, or certain; questionable; not decided; not easy to be defined, classed, or named; as, a doubtful case, hue, claim, title, species, and the like.

3. (a.) Characterized by ambiguity; dubious; as, a doubtful expression; a doubtful phrase.

4. (a.) of uncertain issue or event.

5. (a.) Fearful; apprehensive; suspicious.

Greek
1365b. distazo -- to duplicate, waver, doubt
... Word Origin from dis Definition to duplicate, waver, doubt NASB Word Usage doubt
(1), doubtful (1). 1365a, 1365b. distazo. 1366 . Strong's Numbers.
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1365b.htm - 5k

3349. meteorizo -- to raise on high, fig. to be in suspense
... of airo or perhaps rather aer (compare "meteor"); to raise in mid-air, ie (figuratively)
suspend (passively, fluctuate or be anxious) -- be of doubtful mind. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3349.htm - 7k

1261. dialogismos -- a reasoning
... From dialogizomai; discussion, ie (internal) consideration (by implication, purpose),
or (external) debate -- dispute, doubtful(-ing), imagination, reasoning ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1261.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew
5204. niy -- wailing
... wailing A doubtful word; apparently from nahah; lamentation -- wailing. see
HEBREW nahah. 5203, 5204. niy. 5204a . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5204.htm - 5k

2992. yabam -- to perform the duty of a husband's brother
... A primitive root of doubtful meaning; used only as a denominative from yabam; to
marry a (deceased) brother's widow -- perform the duty of a husband's brother ...
/hebrew/2992.htm - 6k

1718. dadah -- perhaps to move slowly
... 1), wander (1). go softly, with. A doubtful root; to walk gently -- go (softly,
with). 1717, 1718. dadah. 1719 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/1718.htm - 5k

4336. Meshak -- a Bab. name
... Meshak. (Aramaic) of foreign origin and doubtful significance; Meshak, the Babylonian
name of Miysha'el -- Meshak. see HEBREW Miysha'el. 4335, 4336. ...
/hebrew/4336.htm - 6k

5868. ayam -- perhaps a glow
... 1). mighty. Of doubtful origin and authenticity; probably meaning strength --
mighty. 5867b, 5868. ayam. 5869 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5868.htm - 5k

6217. ashuqim -- oppression, extortion
... Or mashuq {aw-shook'}; passive participle of ashaq; used in plural masculine as
abstractly, tyranny -- oppressed(-ion). (Doubtful.). see HEBREW ashaq. ...
/hebrew/6217.htm - 6k

Library

Doubtful Fragments on the Pentateuch.
... Part I."Exegetical. Doubtful Fragments on the Pentateuch. Preface. In the name
of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, one God. ...
/.../doubtful fragments on the pentateuch.htm

Manich??us Promises the Knowledge of Undoubted Things, and Then ...
... Fundamental. Chapter 14. "Manich??us Promises the Knowledge of Undoubted
Things, and Then Demands Faith in Doubtful Things. In ...
/.../chapter 14 name promises the.htm

There Is, Again, an Ambiguity Arising Out of the Doubtful Sound of ...
... Book 3 Chapter 7. There is, again, an ambiguity arising out of the doubtful
sound of syllables? 7. There is, again, an ambiguity ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 7 there is again.htm

Argument: C??cilius Begins his Argument First of all by Reminding ...
... Chapter V."Argument: C??cilius Begins His Argument First of All by Reminding Them
that in Human Affairs All Things are Doubtful and Uncertain, and that ...
/.../the octavius of minucius felix/chapter v argument caecilius begins his.htm

it is Safer to Explain a Doubtful Passage by Other Passages of ...
... Book III. Chapter 28." It is Safer to Explain a Doubtful Passage by Other
Passages of Scripture Than by Reason. 39. When, however ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 28 it is safer.htm

When, However, a Meaning is Evolved of Such a Kind that what is ...
... Book 3 Chapter 39. When, however, a meaning is evolved of such a kind that
what is doubtful? 39. When, however, a meaning is evolved ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 39 when however a.htm

Certain Neutral Character, Then, and Undecided and Doubtful Nature ...
... Book II. 31 A certain neutral character, then, and undecided and doubtful
nature of the soul? A certain neutral character, then ...
/.../31 a certain neutral character.htm

Of the Fact that the Question Suggested Ought to be Included among ...
... Chapter V. Of the fact that the question suggested ought to be included
among those things to be held in a neutral or doubtful way. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter v of the fact.htm

How a Soul is to Behave Herself to Obtain Light in Doubtful Cases ...
... INTERNAL CONTEMPLATIVE LIFE. CHAPTER VII. How a soul is to behave herself
to obtain light in doubtful cases of moment.? Sec. Sec. 1, 2 ...
/.../chapter vii how a soul.htm

Argument: C??cilius at Length Concludes that the New Religion is ...
... Chapter XIII."Argument: C??cilius at Length Concludes that the New Religion is to
Be Repudiated; And that We Must Not Rashly Pronounce Upon Doubtful Matters. ...
/.../the octavius of minucius felix/chapter xiii argument caecilius at length.htm

Thesaurus
Doubtful (4 Occurrences)
... wavering; hesitating in belief; also used, metaphorically, of the body when its
action is affected by such a state of mind; as, we are doubtful of a fact, or ...
/d/doubtful.htm - 8k

Debir (12 Occurrences)
... 1. The Meaning of the Name: (1) Debir is usually accepted as meaning "back," but
this is doubtful; the word debhir is used to denote the "holy of holies" (1 ...
/d/debir.htm - 16k

Coral (3 Occurrences)
... rubies" (the Revised Version, margin "red coral" or "pearls"); piTedhah, "topaz."
While the real meaning of some of these terms is doubtful (see STONES ...
/c/coral.htm - 12k

South (170 Occurrences)
... Songs 4:16). (4) yam, literally, "sea" (Psalm 107:3). (5) darom, etymology
doubtful (Deuteronomy 33:23 Ezekiel 40:24). (6) midhbar ...
/s/south.htm - 46k

Selah (76 Occurrences)
... A word frequently found in the Book of Psalms, and also in Habakkuk 3:9, 13, about
seventy-four times in all in Scripture. Its meaning is doubtful. ...
/s/selah.htm - 28k

Scrupulous (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (a.) Full of scruples; inclined to scruple; nicely doubtful; hesitating to
determine or to act, from a fear of offending or of doing wrong. ...
/s/scrupulous.htm - 7k

Wild (147 Occurrences)
... the King James Version; Acts 11:6, tetrapodon, the Revised Version (British and
American) "four-rooted beast." (1), (2) and (3) are of doubtful etymology, but ...
/w/wild.htm - 50k

Chaldeans (82 Occurrences)
... It is doubtful whether, at that early date, the Chaldeans had entered Babylonia
and founded settlements there, though the record mentions Arameans somewhat ...
/c/chaldeans.htm - 48k

Burden (111 Occurrences)
... The reading is doubtful, but probably the reference is to the speaker's
country-"Jakeh, of Massa" (compare Genesis 25:14), "Lemuel king of Massa." Other ...
/b/burden.htm - 46k

Beast (243 Occurrences)
... the King James Version; Acts 11:6, tetrapodon, the Revised Version (British and
American) "four-rooted beast." (1), (2) and (3) are of doubtful etymology, but ...
/b/beast.htm - 50k

Resources
Who was John Calvin? | GotQuestions.org

What is Christianization? | GotQuestions.org

Summary of the Book of Hebrews - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

Doubtful: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Doubtful (4 Occurrences)

Matthew 28:17
And when they saw him they gave him worship: but some were in doubt.
(See NAS)

Luke 12:29
And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.
(KJV ASV WBS)

Romans 14:1
Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
(KJV WBS)

2 Corinthians 13:7
And our prayer to God is that you may do nothing wrong; not in order that our sincerity may be demonstrated, but that you may do what is right, even though our sincerity may seem to be doubtful.
(WEY)

Subtopics

Doubtful

Related Terms

Hesitation (2 Occurrences)

Doubtless (10 Occurrences)

Doubtful (4 Occurrences)

Doubt (49 Occurrences)

Quarreling (17 Occurrences)

Nothing (769 Occurrences)

Unbelieving (22 Occurrences)

Wave (65 Occurrences)

Waves (43 Occurrences)

Wished (31 Occurrences)

Tossed (19 Occurrences)

Regarding (33 Occurrences)

Readily (22 Occurrences)

Downstairs (1 Occurrence)

Dissension (18 Occurrences)

Doubteth (2 Occurrences)

Driven (128 Occurrences)

Doubts (15 Occurrences)

Moreover (356 Occurrences)

Bade (27 Occurrences)

Blown (30 Occurrences)

Anymore (47 Occurrences)

Assured (28 Occurrences)

Accompany (19 Occurrences)

Lifting (157 Occurrences)

Seeming (4 Occurrences)

Speaketh (367 Occurrences)

Argument (45 Occurrences)

Magistrate (9 Occurrences)

Driving (144 Occurrences)

Bel (3 Occurrences)

Preacher (27 Occurrences)

Hesitate (4 Occurrences)

Separate (115 Occurrences)

Truly (468 Occurrences)

Lover (55 Occurrences)

Regard (230 Occurrences)

Arise (235 Occurrences)

Ecclesiastes (1 Occurrence)

Dragon (20 Occurrences)

Lift (283 Occurrences)

Myself (395 Occurrences)

Isaiah (64 Occurrences)

Wish (141 Occurrences)

Troubled (244 Occurrences)

Wind (180 Occurrences)

Speaking (376 Occurrences)

Risen (169 Occurrences)

Orders (736 Occurrences)

Wrath (503 Occurrences)

Anger (387 Occurrences)

Hater (72 Occurrences)

Spake (704 Occurrences)

James (40 Occurrences)

Truth (380 Occurrences)

Rise (417 Occurrences)

Maccabees

Cause (1309 Occurrences)

Mind (615 Occurrences)

Brethren (528 Occurrences)

Discomfiture (6 Occurrences)

Apocryphal

Second (2060 Occurrences)

Judges (117 Occurrences)

Books (16 Occurrences)

Covenant (309 Occurrences)

Peter (181 Occurrences)

Acts (271 Occurrences)

Epistle (13 Occurrences)

Old (3966 Occurrences)

Testament (13 Occurrences)

Doubteth
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