Using Reference Works

--- continuation of Chapter 2 ---


Good evening, you seem eager to get started, do you have a question?

Yes, how does bible mnemonics differ from what I consider ‘bible study’?

Well what mnemonics does is internalizes what exists in symbols, but always keep in mind that thoughts function different in the essential inner entity of the heart than they do in the mind, even memorization, which many mistakenly consider ‘knowing by heart’. View it from the inside out; the essential inner entity of the heart is the organ of communion with the uncreated grace-light-energy of God. This is the essence of the man’s heart-soul. The mind is the energy of the heart-soul which is where thoughts from the senses and spirit world are managed, and must defer to the essential inner revelation.


Revelation is an experience of prayer which is the action of the Spirit in the heart of one in remembrance of Jesus. Man’s spirit which completes the tri-unity image of God in man is actually the inner man’s handle on his body. When Jesus is in the heart man’s spirit becomes a ‘living knowledge derived from inward faith’ and is sensed, felt, and manifested.


Now concerning the ‘bible study’ part of the question. Most of what passes for bible study is a chasing of associations of one type or another hoping that some of them will stick. Mnemonics identifies, holds, and makes room for the associations on purpose.


i do not want you to stop your use of reference works but, i want you to realize that by understanding the manifold complex choices available to you in using them, and by developing mnemonic skills; you can humbly improve your knowledge base, prevent aimless wandering, and stop the chasing of one’s intellectual tail.


And so, here is a linear and systematic look at those choices in reference works:


Go to any word in the text. The word exists in the text, concordances, dictionaries, topics, and comments. You now have 20 lines of choices and sometimes more:
- 1. In the text you can go to the next word
- 2. In the concordance you can go:
- - - - -3. to the next word, or
- - - - -4. you can go to the first reference, or
- - - - -5. sometimes to a related concordance-word (if one exists).
- - - If you always choose choice (1.), the next word in the text, you will continuously read through the bible text.
- - - If you always choose choice (3.), the next word in the concordance, and follow that course you will continuously read the bible vocabulary in alphabetical order.
- - - If you have opportunity and choose choice (5.), a related concordance-word, you now can go to the next word from there in the concordance (3.) or to the first reference listed (4).
- - -If you choose choice (4.), going to the first reference listed, you have three more choices;
- - - - -6. go to the next reference, or
- - - - -7. go to the source dictionary.
- - - - -8. use the book-chapter-verse number to look up comments.
- - - If you always choose choice (6.), go to the next reference, you will read all the occasions of the existence of any word.
- - -If you choose choice (7.), go to the source dictionary, you have at least four more choices:
- - - - -9. read the definition
- - - - -10. look up the first related definition-word in the concordance
- - - - -11. look up the first related definition-word (if one exists) in the source dictionary
- - - - -12. look up the first related translated-word in the concordance
- - -13. If you return to a word in the source dictionary and look up the next definition-word in the concordance, and
- - -14. in the source dictionary (if one exists) until complete, giving you a feel for semantic domains.
- - -15. If you return to a word in the source dictionary look up the next translation-word in the concordance until complete.
-16. In the topics you can:
- - - - -17. go to the next topic
- - - - -18. go to the next sub topic (if one exists)
- - - - -19. read the facts
- - - - -20. use the book-chapter-verse number to verify facts in the text.

Let’s think exhaustive and start at the beginning or rather “In the beginning” as an example of above. (Ge 1:1)

The word “In” is not in the concordance in common form, next
The word “the” is not in the concordance in common form, next
The word “beginning” is in the concordance, next
Let’s choose option (5.), and go to the first related concordance-word ‘begin’, next
Let’s choose option (4.), and go to the first reference Gen 11:6: "And the LORD3068 said,559 Behold,2005 the people5971 is one,259 and they have all3605 one259 language;8193 and this2088 they begin2490 to do:6213 and now6258 nothing3808, 3605 will be restrained1219 from4480 them, which834 they have imagined2161 to do.6213 (http://www.e-sword.com)
Let’s choose option (7.) and go to the source dictionary for ‘BEGIN 011106 102490’
A primitive root (compare H2470); properly to bore, that is, (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one’s word), to begin (as if by an opening-wedge); denominatively (from H2485) to play (the flute)

: - begin (X men began), defile, X break, defile, X eat (as common things), X first, X gather the grape thereof, X take inheritance, pipe, player on instruments, pollute, (cast as) profane (self), prostitute, slay (slain), sorrow, stain, wound.

Let’s choose option (7.) and look up the first related definition-word ‘H2470’ in the source dictionary
A primitive root (compare H2342, H2490); properly to be rubbed or worn; hence (figuratively) to be weak, sick, afflicted; or (causatively) to grieve, make sick; also to stroke (in flattering), entreat: - beseech, (be) diseased, (put to) grief, be grieved, (be) grievous, infirmity, intreat, lay to, put to pain, X pray, make prayer, be (fall, make) sick, sore, be sorry, make suit (X supplication), woman in travail, be (become) weak, be wounded.

Let’s choose option (7.) and look up the first related definition-word ‘H2342’ in the source dictionary
A primitive root; properly to twist or whirl (in a circular or spiral manner), that is, (specifically) to dance, to writhe in pain (especially of parturition) or fear; figuratively to wait, to pervert: - bear, (make to) bring forth, (make to) calve, dance, drive away, fall grievously (with pain), fear, form, great, grieve, (be) grievous, hope, look, make, be in pain, be much (sore) pained, rest, shake, shapen, (be) sorrow (-ful), stay, tarry, travail (with pain), tremble, trust, wait carefully (patiently), be wounded.

Let’s not at this time pursue these connections any farther but return to the top and make a different choice.

Let’s think exhaustive and start at the beginning or rather “In the beginning”.
The word “In” is not in the concordance in common form, next
The word “the” is not in the concordance in common form, next
The word “beginning” is in the concordance, next
Let’s choose option (5.), and go to the first related concordance-word ‘begin’, next
Let’s choose option (6.), go to the next reference, until we come to a new source dictionary word, which is this one
Neh 11:17 And Mattaniah4983 the son1121 of Micha,4318 the son1121 of Zabdi,2067 the son1121 of Asaph,623 was the principal7218 to begin8462 the thanksgiving3034 in prayer:8605 and Bakbukiah1229 the second4932 among his brethren,4480, 251 and Abda5653 the son1121 of Shammua,8051 the son1121 of Galal,1559 the son1121 of Jeduthun.3038
Let’s choose option (7.) and go to the source dictionary for ‘BEGIN 161117 098462’
From H2490 in the sense of opening; a commencement; relatively original (adverbially originally)

: - begin (-ning), first (time).
Let’s not at this time pursue these connections any farther but return to the top and make a different choice.


Let’s think exhaustive and start at the beginning or rather “In the beginning”.
The word “In” is not in the concordance in common form, next
The word “the” is not in the concordance in common form, next
The word “beginning” is in the concordance, next
Let’s choose option (5.), and go to the first related concordance-word ‘begin’, next
Let’s choose option (6.), go to the next reference, until we come to a new source dictionary word, which is this one
Mat 24:49 And2532 shall begin756 to smite5180 his fellow servants,4889 and1161 to eat2068 and2532 drink4095 with3326 the3588 drunken;3184
Let’s choose option (7.) and go to the source dictionary for ‘BEGIN 402449 020756’
Middle voice of G757 (through the implication of precedence); to commence (in order of time)

: - rehearse from the) begin (-ning).
Let’s choose option (7.) and look up the first related definition-word ‘G757’ in the source dictionary
A primary verb; to be first (in political rank or power)

: - reign (rule) over.

Hopefully this will shed some light on the system of choices that you use and help you with your studies. Your obedience and faithfulness in this matter is changing the course of history veiwed from some vantage points!


And so, ‘bible mnemonics’ although different than ‘bible study’ is an equal and complementary skill.


--- next context and flow ----