Weal
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In biblical terms, "weal" refers to a state of well-being, prosperity, or happiness, often associated with God's blessings and favor. The concept of weal is deeply rooted in the covenant relationship between God and His people, where obedience to God's commandments results in blessings and prosperity.

Old Testament Context

The idea of weal is prevalent in the Old Testament, particularly in the context of the covenant between God and Israel. In Deuteronomy 28, God outlines the blessings that will come upon Israel if they obey His commandments: "And all these blessings will come upon you and overtake you, if you will obey the voice of the LORD your God" (Deuteronomy 28:2). These blessings include prosperity in the land, health, and victory over enemies, all contributing to the overall weal of the nation.

The Psalms also reflect the concept of weal, often portraying it as the result of righteous living and trust in God. Psalm 1:1-3 describes the blessedness of the man who delights in the law of the Lord, likening him to a tree planted by streams of water, yielding fruit in its season and prospering in all he does.

Wisdom Literature

In the wisdom literature, particularly in Proverbs, weal is associated with wisdom, understanding, and the fear of the Lord. Proverbs 3:13-18 extols the virtues of wisdom, stating, "Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding, for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold" (Proverbs 3:13-14). Here, weal is depicted as the result of living wisely and in accordance with God's principles.

Prophetic Writings

The prophets often spoke of weal in terms of future hope and restoration. In Jeremiah 29:11, God assures the exiled Israelites of His plans for their weal: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope" . This promise of weal is tied to the eventual restoration and return of the people to their land.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of weal is transformed through the teachings of Jesus Christ. While material prosperity is not the primary focus, spiritual well-being and eternal life become central. Jesus teaches about the blessedness of those who are poor in spirit, mourn, and hunger for righteousness in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12). Here, weal is understood as the spiritual blessings and eternal rewards that come from living in accordance with God's kingdom values.

The apostle Paul also speaks of weal in terms of spiritual prosperity and contentment. In Philippians 4:11-13, Paul writes about learning to be content in all circumstances through Christ who strengthens him, indicating that true weal is found in a relationship with Christ rather than in external circumstances.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of weal encompasses both material and spiritual dimensions, with an emphasis on the blessings that come from a faithful relationship with God. Throughout Scripture, weal is portrayed as the result of obedience, wisdom, and trust in God's promises, ultimately pointing to the eternal well-being found in Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) A sound, healthy, or prosperous state; happiness; welfare.

2. (n.) The body politic; the state; common wealth.

3. (v. t.) To promote the weal of; to cause to be prosperous.

Strong's Hebrew
2250. chabburah -- a stripe, blow
... Or chabburah {khab-boo-raw'}; or chaburah {khab-oo-raw'}; from chabar; properly,
bound (with stripes), ie A weal (or black-and-blue mark itself) -- blueness ...
/hebrew/2250.htm - 6k
Library

Of Heavenly Weal and Hellish Woe
... OF HEAVENLY WEAL AND HELLISH WOE. The ... before. In this woe, weal sometimes shows
itself, and brings with it a hope which none can gainsay. ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter vi of heavenly weal.htm

Yes, and no one Considers what the Loss is to the Common Weal...
... Chapter XLIV. Yes, and no one considers what the loss is to the common
weal? Yes, and no one considers what the loss is to the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter xliv yes and no.htm

That God's Love is to be Mingled with Ilk Time and Deed nor Fails ...
... BOOK II CHAPTER X THAT GOD'S LOVE IS TO BE MINGLED WITH ILK TIME AND DEED NOR FAILS
NOT FOR WEAL OR WOE, AND OF THE WORTHINESS AND THE GAINING THEREOF: AND OF ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter x that gods love.htm

Whether There ever was a Roman Republic Answering to the ...
... to accept the definitions laid down by Scipio in Cicero's De Republica, there never
was a Roman republic; for he briefly defines a republic as the weal of the ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 21 whether there ever was.htm

Whether it is Always Sinful to Wage War?
... And as the care of the common weal is committed to those who are in authority, it
is their business to watch over the common weal of the city, kingdom or ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is always sinful.htm

"A Revelation of Love --In Sixteen Shewings"
... The Seventh is [our] often feeling of weal and woe; (the feeling of weal is gracious
touching and lightening, with true assuredness of endless joy; the feeling ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter i a revelation of.htm

Whether He who is under a Law May Act Beside the Letter of the Law ...
... I answer that, As stated above [2047](A[4]), every law is directed to the common
weal of men, and derives the force and nature of law accordingly. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether he who is under.htm

Whether Isidore's Description of the Quality of Positive Law is ...
... saying that "law is anything founded on reason, provided that it foster religion,
be helpful to discipline, and further the common weal." Therefore it was ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether isidores description of the.htm

Whether Human Law Should be Changed in any Way?
... in many ways; and these were changed by subsequent lawgivers who made institutions
that might prove less frequently deficient in respect of the common weal. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether human law should be 2.htm

Whether the Cardinal virtues are Fittingly Divided into Social ...
... whereby good men work for the good of their country and for the safety of the city."
But it is only legal justice that is directed to the common weal, as the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the cardinal virtues are.htm

Thesaurus
Weal (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) The body politic; the state; common wealth. 3. (vt) To promote the weal
of; to cause to be prosperous. Multi-Version Concordance Weal (1 Occurrence). ...
/w/weal.htm - 6k

Weak-willed (1 Occurrence)
Weak-willed. Weaknesses, Weak-willed. Weal . Multi-Version Concordance
Weak-willed (1 Occurrence). ... (See NIV). Weaknesses, Weak-willed. Weal . Reference ...
/w/weak-willed.htm - 6k

Wealth (340 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Weal; welfare; prosperity; good. 2.
(n.) Large possessions; a comparative abundance of things ...
/w/wealth.htm - 40k

Weals (1 Occurrence)

/w/weals.htm - 6k

Urim (8 Occurrences)
... of the non-existing Urim and Thummim: that the one asking must be a man of public
importance, that the question must pertain to the public weal; that the ...
/u/urim.htm - 21k

Thummim (6 Occurrences)
... of the non-existing Urim and Thummim: that the one asking must be a man of public
importance, that the question must pertain to the public weal; that the ...
/t/thummim.htm - 22k

Jezebel (20 Occurrences)
... spiritual death. The weal of the nation lay in fidelity to Yahweh alone,
and in His pure worship" (HPM, section symbol 213). The ...
/j/jezebel.htm - 26k

Resources
Weal: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Weal (1 Occurrence)

Isaiah 45:7
I am the giver of light and the maker of the dark; causing blessing, and sending troubles; I am the Lord, who does all these things.
(See RSV)

Subtopics

Weal

Related Terms

Weal (1 Occurrence)

Wealth (340 Occurrences)

Dressed (77 Occurrences)

Weak-willed
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