The term "happened" in the context of the Bible often refers to events or occurrences that are part of God's divine plan or providence. Throughout Scripture, various events are described as having "happened," indicating the unfolding of God's will in the lives of individuals and nations. This entry explores the use of "happened" in the Bible, highlighting key instances where this term is used to describe significant events.

Old Testament

1. Creation and Early Events: The Bible begins with the account of creation, where God speaks the universe into existence. While the word "happened" is not explicitly used in Genesis 1, the unfolding of creation is a series of divine acts that "happened" according to God's command. In Genesis 4:3, it is noted, "So it happened in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the LORD from the fruit of the ground."

2. Patriarchal Narratives: In the accounts of the patriarchs, events that "happened" often reveal God's covenantal promises and guidance. For example, Genesis 24:15 states, "Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milcah, who was the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor." This occurrence is seen as God's providential answer to prayer.

3. Exodus and Wilderness: The deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt is a series of miraculous events that "happened" by God's mighty hand. In Exodus 12:29, it is recorded, "Now it happened at midnight that the LORD struck down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and every firstborn of the livestock."

4. Historical Books: The historical books of the Old Testament frequently use "happened" to describe events that demonstrate God's intervention in Israel's history. In 1 Samuel 3:2, it is written, "And it happened at that time that Eli was lying down in his place, and his eyes had begun to grow dim so that he could not see."

New Testament

1. Life of Jesus: The New Testament records numerous events in the life of Jesus that "happened" as fulfillment of prophecy and divine purpose. In Luke 2:6, it is noted, "While they were there, the time came for her Child to be born." This event marks the incarnation of Christ, a pivotal moment in salvation history.

2. Acts of the Apostles: The book of Acts details the early church's growth and the spread of the Gospel, with many events "happening" as a result of the Holy Spirit's work. Acts 10:44 states, "While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard his message."

3. Pauline Epistles: The Apostle Paul often recounts events that "happened" in his ministry to illustrate God's faithfulness and guidance. In Philippians 1:12, Paul writes, "Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel."

Theological Significance

The occurrences that "happened" throughout the Bible are not random or coincidental but are seen as part of God's sovereign plan. These events demonstrate God's active involvement in the world and His ability to bring about His purposes through both ordinary and extraordinary means. The use of "happened" underscores the belief in divine providence, where God orchestrates events for His glory and the good of His people.(imp. & p. p.) of Happen.1096. ginomai -- to come into being, to happen, to become
... fell (6), finished (1), followed (1), formed (3), found (2), get (4), give (1),
got (1), granted (1), grown* (1), had (1), happen (6), happened (46), happening ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1096.htm - 15k

4819. sumbaino -- to come together, ie (of events) to come to pass
... Origin from sun and the same as basis Definition to come together, ie (of events)
to come to pass NASB Word Usage came (1), happen (1), happened (3), happening ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4819.htm - 8k

1448. eggizo -- to make near, refl. to come near
... 14 times (indicative mood) in the NT which expresses "extreme , immediate imminence --
even a ('It is here') because the moment of this coming happened (ie at ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1448.htm - 8k

537. hapas -- all, the whole
... than 3956 ("each, every"). : Ac 11:10: "This happened three times, and (537 )
was drawn back up into the sky" (). In this verse, "everything ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/537.htm - 7k

3909. paratugchano -- to happen to be near or present
... Word Origin from para and tugchano Definition to happen to be near or present
NASB Word Usage happened to be present (1). meet with. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3909.htm - 6k

3588. ho, he, to -- the
... 5), suitable (1), these (4), things (1), this (31), those (406), those who (17),
together* (8), under* (1), welfare (1), what (47), what had happened (1), what ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3588.htm - 8k

364. anamnesis -- remembrance
... Cognate: 364 (from 363 , "bring to mind") -- properly, , done to better appreciate
the effects (intended results) of what happened; active, self-prompted ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/364.htm - 7k

7136a. qarah -- to encounter, meet, befall
... 7136, 7136a. qarah. 7136b . to encounter, meet, befall. Transliteration:
qarah Short Definition: happened. Word Origin a prim. root ...
/hebrew/7136a.htm - 5k

4745. miqreh -- accident, chance, fortune
... Word Origin from qarah Definition accident, chance, fortune NASB Word Usage
accident (1), chance (1), fate (6), happened* (1). something ...
/hebrew/4745.htm - 6k

7122. qara -- to encounter, befall
... 16), befall (4), befallen (2), came (1), chance (1), come (1), down* (1), encounter
(2), engage (1), event* (1), happen to come (1), happened (3), help (1 ...
/hebrew/7122.htm - 6k

4291. meta -- to reach, attain
... Word Origin (Aramaic) appar. corresponding to matsa Definition to reach, attain
NASB Word Usage arrived (1), came (1), come (1), happened (1), reached (4). ...
/hebrew/4291.htm - 6k

1961. hayah -- to fall out, come to pass, become, be
... 1), give (1), go (4), gone (1), grown (1), had (80), had not been (2), had been
(1), had belonged (1), had...been (2), happen (11), happened (48), happens (4 ...
/hebrew/1961.htm - 8k

6213a. asah -- do, make
... 1), followed (1), fulfill (1), fulfilling (1), gather (1), gave (4), give you over
(1), grant (1), granted (1), greedily (1), happen (1), happened (1), held (2 ...
/hebrew/6213a.htm - 8k

4672. matsa -- to attain to, find
... 4), discovery (1), enough (1), fall (1), find (109), finding (2), finds (17), found
(231), going (1), had (2), handed (3), happen (1), happened (2), has (1 ...
/hebrew/4672.htm - 6k

5060. naga -- to touch, reach, strike
... 1), brought down (1), came (6), cast (1), casts (1), close (2), come (2), draw near
(1), drawn near (1), drew near (1), follows (1), happened (1), happens (2 ...
/hebrew/5060.htm - 6k

And it Happened That, in the Time of the Feast...
... Chapter 2. And it happened that, in the time of the feast? And it happened
that, in the time of the feast, among those who were ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of pseudo-matthew/chapter 2 and it happened.htm

What Happened
... CHAPTER XIV What Happened. ... "What do you suppose happened to them?" he asked, and
we told him. We were talking in the pleasant drawing-room of an Indian Hotel. ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter xiv what happened.htm

Of the Events which Happened on Account of Chrysostom.
... Book V. Chapter XXXIV."Of the events which happened on account of Chrysostom.
At this part of my history I know not what sentiments ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter xxxiv of the events which.htm

Concerning the Famine that Happened in Judea and Syria; and How ...
... CHAPTER 9. Concerning The Famine That Happened In Judea And Syria; And How Herod,
After He Had Married Another Wife, Rebuilt Cesarea, And Other Grecian Cities. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 concerning the famine.htm

And Hence it Happened that Even Holy Scripture...
... Book 2 Chapter 6. And hence it happened that even Holy Scripture? 6. And
hence it happened that even Holy Scripture, which brings ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 6 and hence it.htm

What Happened to the Hebrews During Thirty-Eight Years in the ...
... From The Rejection Of That Generation To The Death Of Moses. CHAPTER 4. What Happened
To The Hebrews During Thirty-Eight Years In The Wilderness. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 what happened to.htm

Now, when this Happened, the Fallen Angels Entered Again into Some ...
... [Way-3-44] Now, when this happened, the fallen angels entered again into
some power in their lost? Now, when this happened, the ...
/.../law/the way to divine knowledge/way-3-44 now when this happened.htm

The Events which Happened at this Time to Dionysius and those in ...
... Chapter XI."The Events which happened at this Time to Dionysius and those in Egypt. ...
But such are the things which happened at that time [2264] to Dionysius. ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xi the events which happened.htm

The Events which Happened to the Heathen.
... Book VIII. Chapter XV."The Events which happened to the Heathen. 1. During
the entire ten years [2584] of the persecution, they ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xv the events which happened.htm

But Before This, it Happened that Philip, the Son of Jacimus...
... Section 36. But before this, it happened that Philip, the son of Jacimus?
36. But before this, it happened that Philip, the son ...
/.../josephus/the life of flavius josephus/section 36 but before this.htm

Happened (882 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Happened (882 Occurrences). Happened is used 882 times
in 12 translations. You can narrow your search using the Advanced Bible Search. ...
/h/happened.htm - 6k

Besieged (34 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 11:1 It happened, at the return of the year, at the time when kings go
out to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel ...
/b/besieged.htm - 16k

Visited (40 Occurrences)
... Now, as it happened, an Ethiopian eunuch who was in a position of high authority
with Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, as her treasurer, had visited Jerusalem ...
/v/visited.htm - 18k

Pigs (18 Occurrences)
... Matthew 8:33 Those who fed them fled, and went away into the city, and told everything,
including what happened to those who were possessed with demons. ...
/p/pigs.htm - 11k

Played (50 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Genesis 38:24 It happened about three months later, that it was told Judah,
saying, "Tamar, your daughter-in-law, has played the prostitute; and moreover ...
/p/played.htm - 23k

Ate (138 Occurrences)
... Ate (138 Occurrences). Matthew 9:10 It happened as he sat in the house, behold,
many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. ...
/a/ate.htm - 37k

Along (500 Occurrences)
... sea. (See NIV). Mark 4:4 and it happened, as he sowed, some seed fell by
the road, and the birds came and devoured it. (See RSV NIV). ...
/a/along.htm - 33k

Praying (71 Occurrences)
... day. (See NIV). Luke 3:21 Now it happened, when all the people were baptized,
Jesus also had been baptized, and was praying. The ...
/p/praying.htm - 27k

Blew (37 Occurrences)
... Joshua 6:16 It happened at the seventh time, when the priests blew the trumpets,
Joshua said to the people, "Shout, for Yahweh has given you the city! ...
/b/blew.htm - 19k

Killing (41 Occurrences)
... Genesis 34:25 It happened on the third day, when they were sore, that two of Jacob's
sons, Simeon and Levi, Dinah's brothers, each took his sword, came upon ...
/k/killing.htm - 19k

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