Dictionary of Bible Themes Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5760 Human attitudes and behaviour » 5895 intimacy Close relationships are part of God's will for human life. Scripture speaks of intimate relationships between Jesus Christ and the Father, between God and his people, and between various individuals. Jesus Christ's intimate relationship with his Father Matthew 11:27 See also Matthew 3:17 pp Mark 1:11 pp Luke 3:22; John 5:20; John 10:30,38; John 14:10-11; John 17:21 God's intimate relationship with his people John 17:3 “know” speaks of close personal relationship rather than theoretical or academic knowledge. See also 2 Chronicles 7:15-16; Psalm 148:14; Hosea 6:6; John 14:21; John 15:4,15 Images of God's desire for intimacy with his people God as a father Jeremiah 31:9 See also Psalm 103:13; Jeremiah 31:20; Hosea 11:1-4; Romans 8:15; 1 John 3:1 God as a husband Isaiah 62:5 See also Isaiah 54:4-8; Jeremiah 3:14; Hosea 2:19; Ephesians 5:25-27; Revelation 19:7; Revelation 21:2 Intimate relationships between men and women As God's good purpose Genesis 2:18 See also Genesis 1:27-28; Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:5 pp Mark 10:7; 1 Corinthians 6:16; Ephesians 5:28,31; 1 Timothy 4:3-4 Examples of such close relationships Jacob and Rachel: Genesis 29:20,30 Ruth 4:13 Boaz and Ruth Elkanah and Hannah: 1 Samuel 1:5,8 Esther 2:17 Xerxes and Esther; Songs 1:15-16 Solomon and his beloved Intimacy in other relationships Close friendships commended Proverbs 18:24 See also Proverbs 17:17; Proverbs 27:10; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; John 15:13 Examples of close friendships David and Jonathan: Elijah and Elisha: 2 Kings 2:2,4 2 Timothy 1:16 Paul and Onesiphorus Examples of intimate family relationships Genesis 37:3 Jacob and his son Joseph; Ruth 1:16 Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi; 2 Samuel 18:33 David and his son Absalom See also
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