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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | Do you have a Prodigal in your family? | John 13:35 | Aixen7z4 | 106627 | ||
It might be worthy of note that the dictionary still defines a prodigal as one who is wastefully extravagant. One is a prodigal who is given to wasteful luxury or reckless spending. I suspect that we are referring here to one who has gone away; an absconder, a backslider, a delinquent. Nevertheless, it is clear that the terminology does not ease the pain. Perhaps one day the makers of dictionaries will realize we are talking about a loved one having left home and about our longing to have them back. In the meantime it might be helpful to remember that God also has His “prodigals”. We can pray and know that He will answer, because He wants them back even more badly than we do. He will do all He can, eve more than He's already done. The Spirit will bring them to themselves, though He still leaves it up to them to say, “I will arise and go (back)”. The problem of people turning away and running away from loved ones is a big one. It is widespread, though no less hurtful for that. It helps to know that whereas even their whereabouts may not be known to us, they cannot hide from God. Not every “prodigal” will become a Franklin Graham, but God will hear the prayers offered in these situations. He will speak peace to his people. |
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2 | Do you have a Prodigal in your family? | John 13:35 | kalos | 106632 | ||
This, too, might be worthy of note: I ran a search for the word "prodigal" in the KJV. When I did I got this message in reply: "Your search query for 'prodigal' did not return any results." If the word prodigal is used nowhere in the text of the English Bible, then I see no conflict between the Bible and the dictionary regarding the definition of prodigal. We may define a word to suit us, according to our whims, but ultimately a word will mean what it means. I wonder why the dictionary defines prodigal as "recklessly extravagant; characterized by wasteful expenditure : LAVISH." (http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary) Could it be because of where the word comes from? "prodigal Etymology: Latin prodigus, from prodigere to drive away, SQUANDER, from pro-, prod- forth [plus] agere to drive" (http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary) (Emphasis added.) If only the makers of dictionaries would consult their local Bible knowledge dilettante before publishing. |
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3 | Do you have a Prodigal in your family? | John 13:35 | Aixen7z4 | 106699 | ||
The Bible story is of a son who went away from home and wasted his money in riotous living. Somewhere along the line someone referred to that young man as a prodigal. The term was meant to refer to his wasting his money, not to the fact he had gone away from his family. As time went on people thought the word was referring to the fact he had left home and gone away, breaking ties with his family. A dictionary does not decide the meaning of a word. It aims to reflect what people mean when they use the word. Up to this point in time the word prodigal is recorded in the dictionary to let us know what people mean when they use the word. Clearly, some people are presently using the word in a manner different from what was originally intended. In time, dictionary makers may recognize the fact that a significant part of the population is using the word in a new way. They may then listen to those folks, determine what the word means when they use it, and record it as an additional meaning. At present, “prodigal” is not a Bible term. As has been noted, it is not found in any of the current translations. If the term continues to be used, as it has been here, it may well become a part of future translations. It may then come to represent both of the major aspects of the young man’s behavior. At the risk of offending someone (That is not the intent) these statements are made here for information purposes. The writer is academically qualified to make these statements. He is willing to risk the verbal attacks of anyone, qualified or not, in order to provide the above information to anyone who is willing to learn something new. Nor is he attempting to substitute academic qualifications for Bible knowledge. He hopes we can now drop the subject of word usage and return to the topic, which is worthy of attention, and which had been lying dormant for quite some time. Let it be understood that this writer would be in favor of redefining the term so that its use as here is accurate. It matters so little what we call these people, if we are able in some way to help them and to comfort those they leave behind. Some folks watch their children walk away. Some find out after the fact that they’re not coming home. This writer works with families in this way. The pain is apparently no less for those who, like Jacob, feel bereft of their children, or who, like David, are betrayed by a child. The question still seems to be, perhaps not yet fully answered, how the Lord would have us respond to such incidents. |
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