Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  4000 Creation  »  4900 Time  »  4909 beginning

A starting point, origin or source. The beginning often refers to the time of or before the creation of the world. God is described as the Beginning and the End, denoting the eternity of his existence. Jesus Christ's coming marks a new beginning both for God's people and, finally, for all creation.

Beginning as the starting point

As the source

Psalm 111:10 See also Proverbs 1:7; Proverbs 9:10; Micah 1:13 the source of Israel's sin; Colossians 1:18 Jesus Christ as the source of the church's life

As the origin

Job 8:7; Acts 26:4; Hebrews 7:3

As the commencement

Leviticus 23:5; Judges 7:19; 1 Kings 6:1 pp 2 Chronicles 3:1; Luke 23:54; 1 John 2:7; 2Jn 5

The beginning: before the creation

Proverbs 8:22-23

Jesus Christ's existence predates the creation

John 17:5 See also John 1:1-2; John 8:58; Colossians 1:15-17; 1 John 1:1; John 2:13-14

Salvation planned before the creation

Ephesians 1:3-4 See also 1 Corinthians 2:7; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 2 Timothy 1:9; Titus 1:2

The beginning: the creation

Genesis 1:1; Hebrews 1:10 See also Psalm 102:25; Isaiah 40:21; Daniel 12:1; Matthew 24:21 pp Mark 13:19

Marriage ordained from the beginning

Matthew 19:4-6 pp Mark 10:6-9 See also Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:24

The beginning of Israel's nationhood

Exodus 12:2 See also 2 Samuel 7:10 pp 1 Chronicles 17:9; Isaiah 52:4; Jeremiah 2:2-3

New beginnings for God's people

For Israel

Hosea 2:14-15 See also Isaiah 1:26; Isaiah 43:18-19; Isaiah 44:26; Isaiah 61:4; Jeremiah 33:7-9

For believers

2 Corinthians 5:17 See also 2 Corinthians 4:6; Ephesians 2:10

A new creation

Isaiah 65:17 See also Isaiah 66:22; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1

Beginnings of significant events

The rebuilding of Jerusalem

Nehemiah 2:18; Haggai 1:14

Jesus Christ's ministry

Matthew 4:17 See also Mark 1:1,15; Luke 3:23; Acts 1:1

The beginning of signs of the end

Matthew 24:7-8 pp Mark 13:8; Luke 21:28

The beginning and the end

Implying all-inclusiveness

Genesis 44:12; Deuteronomy 31:24; 1 Samuel 3:12; Matthew 20:8

The beginning and end contrasted

Proverbs 20:21; Ecclesiastes 7:8; 2 Peter 2:20

Completing what is begun

Philippians 1:6 See also 2 Corinthians 8:6; Galatians 3:3; Hebrews 3:14; Revelation 2:5,19

God as the Beginning and the End

Isaiah 44:6; Revelation 21:6 See also Isaiah 41:4; Isaiah 48:12; Revelation 1:17; Revelation 2:8; Revelation 22:13

Satan as sinful from the beginning

John 8:44 See also 1 John 3:8

See also

1140  God, the eternal
4005  creation
4915  completion
4918  dawn
4930  end
5655  birth
6698  newness
6730  reinstatement
9120  eternity
9160  new heavens & new earth
9165  restoration