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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Surmise</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/s/surmise.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/acts/27-27.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/s/surmise.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Surmise</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/s/surly.htm" title="Surly">◄</a> Surmise <a href="/topical/s/surmised.htm" title="Surmised">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#web" title="Webster's Dictionary">Webster's</a> • <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#grk" title="Strong's Greek Concordance">Greek</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div><b>Definition:</b> <br>Surmise refers to the act of forming an opinion or assumption based on incomplete or uncertain evidence. It involves conjecture or speculation without firm evidence. In a biblical context, surmise can lead to misunderstandings or false judgments, as it often relies on human reasoning rather than divine revelation or truth.<br><br><b>Biblical References and Context:</b> <br>The concept of surmise is not directly named in the Bible, but the idea is present in various passages that warn against making judgments or assumptions without full knowledge or understanding.<br><br>1. <b><a href="/proverbs/18-13.htm">Proverbs 18:13</a> :</b> "He who answers a matter before he hears it—this is folly and disgrace to him." <br> This verse highlights the folly of making assumptions or judgments without fully understanding the situation. It warns against the dangers of surmising without listening or gathering all the facts.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/1_timothy/6-4.htm">1 Timothy 6:4</a> :</b> "He is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and semantics, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions." <br> Here, the Apostle Paul warns Timothy about individuals who engage in disputes and controversies, leading to "evil suspicions." This can be seen as a form of surmise, where assumptions and conjectures lead to discord and misunderstanding.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/james/4-11.htm">James 4:11-12</a> :</b> "Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. And if you judge the law, you are not a practitioner of the law, but a judge of it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?" <br> James cautions against making judgments about others, which often stem from surmising their motives or actions without full knowledge. This passage underscores the importance of leaving judgment to God, who alone has complete understanding.<br><br><b>Theological Implications:</b> <br>Surmise can lead to sin when it results in false accusations, gossip, or slander. It reflects a reliance on human wisdom rather than seeking God's guidance and truth. The Bible encourages believers to seek wisdom and understanding from God, who provides clarity and truth through His Word and Spirit.<br><br><b>Practical Application:</b> <br>Believers are called to exercise discernment and avoid making hasty judgments based on incomplete information. Instead of surmising, Christians are encouraged to seek the truth, listen carefully, and rely on God's wisdom. This involves prayer, studying Scripture, and seeking counsel from mature believers. By doing so, they can avoid the pitfalls of surmise and promote peace and understanding within the body of Christ.<br><br><b>Related Concepts:</b> <br>· <b>Discernment:</b> The ability to judge well, especially in spiritual matters, by seeking God's wisdom and understanding.<br>· <b>Judgment:</b> The act of forming an opinion or conclusion, which should be based on truth and righteousness rather than assumptions.<br>· <b>Wisdom:</b> The quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment, which is a gift from God and essential for avoiding the errors of surmise.<a name="web" id="web"></a><div class="vheading2">Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary</div>1. (<I>n.</I>) A thought, imagination, or conjecture, which is based upon feeble or scanty evidence; suspicion; guess; as, the surmisses of jealousy or of envy.<p>2. (<I>n.</I>) Reflection; thought.<p>3. (<I>v. t.</I>) To imagine without certain knowledge; to infer on slight grounds; to suppose, conjecture, or suspect; to guess.<a name="grk" id="grk"></a><div class="vheading2">Greek</div><a href="/greek/5282.htm"><span class="l">5282. huponoeo -- to suspect, conjecture</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Word Origin from hupo and noeo Definition to suspect, conjecture NASB Word Usage<br> expecting (1), suppose (1), <b>surmise</b> (1). think, suppose, deem. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5282.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/kuyper/the_work_of_the_holy_spirit/xxx_organically_one.htm"><span class="l">Organically One.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Unless its spiritual wealth and nobility are discovered in some other way, no one<br> will <b>surmise</b> that this is the Church which shall one day decide the destiny <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxx organically one.htm</font><p><a href="/library/tertullian/apology/elucidations.htm"><span class="l">Elucidations.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> [155]. Tertullian born (circa) ad150. Tertullian converted (<b>surmise</b>) 185. <b>...</b> Tertullian<br> lapsed (circa) 200. Tertullian deceased (extreme <b>surmise</b>) 240. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/elucidations.htm</font><p><a href="/library/aquinas/summa_theologica/whether_man_in_his_first.htm"><span class="l">Whether Man in his First State could be Deceived?</span></a> <br><b>...</b> I answer that, in the opinion of some, deception may mean two things; namely, any<br> slight <b>surmise</b>, in which one adheres to what is false, as though it were true <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether man in his first.htm</font><p><a href="/library/gregory/gregory_of_nyssa_dogmatic_treatises_etc/section_22_he_has_no.htm"><span class="l">He Has no Right to Assert a Greater and Less in the Divine Being. <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> If, then, this <b>surmise</b> is to have its way, namely, that our Lord is not perfected<br> in every kind of good, it is very easy to see the conclusion of the blasphemy <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 22 he has no.htm</font><p><a href="/library/dionysius/dionysis_on_divine_names/caput_i_to_my_fellow.htm"><span class="l">To My Fellow Presbyter, Timothy, Dionysius the Presbyter.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> and anticipates all things, but Itself is altogether incomprehensible to all, and<br> of It, there is neither perception nor imagination, nor <b>surmise</b>, nor name <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../dionysius/dionysis on divine names/caput i to my fellow.htm</font><p><a href="/library/meyer/john_the_baptist/xv_the_grave_of_john.htm"><span class="l">The Grave of John, and Another Grave</span></a> <br><b>...</b> would be equally credulous. From one to another the <b>surmise</b> would<br> pass""John the Baptist is risen from the dead.". Why, then, did <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/xv the grave of john.htm</font><p><a href="/library/leupold/exposition_of_genesis_volume_1/chapter_iv.htm"><span class="l">Chapter iv</span></a> <br><b>...</b> To claim that she could quite naturally have anticipated that fact, would practically<br> make revelation unnecessary: man could adequately <b>surmise</b> the most vital <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter iv.htm</font><p><a href="/library/unknown/acts_and_martyrdom_of_the_holy_apostle_andrew/acts_and_martyrdom_of_the.htm"><span class="l">Acts and Martyrdom of the Holy Apostle Andrew.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> At these words, therefore, all becoming exceedingly grieved, in order that the <b>surmise</b><br> might be free from doubt, He made it clear, saying, To whomsoever I <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../acts and martyrdom of the holy apostle andrew/acts and martyrdom of the.htm</font><p><a href="/library/de_liguori/uniformity_with_gods_will/preface.htm"><span class="l">Preface</span></a> <br><b>...</b> others. If this be true, his <b>surmise</b> proved correct, for the appearance of<br> his subsequent pamphlet was greeted with instant favor.". <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/de liguori/uniformity with gods will/preface.htm</font><p><a href="/library/augustine/on_patience_/on_patience.htm"><span class="l">On Patience</span></a> <br><b>...</b> We, namely, can feel none of these without molestation: but be it far from us to<br> <b>surmise</b> that the impassible nature of God is liable to any molestation. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on patience /on patience.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/s/surmise.htm"><span class="l"><b>Surmise</b> (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> to suppose, conjecture, or suspect; to guess. Multi-Version Concordance<br><b>Surmise</b> (1 Occurrence). Acts 27:27 But when the fourteenth <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/surmise.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/i/infer.htm"><span class="l">Infer (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 4. (vt) To derive by deduction or by induction; to conclude or <b>surmise</b> from facts<br> or premises; to accept or derive, as a consequence, conclusion, or probability <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/i/infer.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/r/rezon.htm"><span class="l">Rezon (3 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> It is said of Rezon that he "reigned over Syria" (1 Kings 11:25), and if the <b>surmise</b><br> adopted by many scholars is correct that he is the same as Hezion (1 Kings <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/r/rezon.htm - 9k</font><p><a href="/topical/a/amalekite.htm"><span class="l">Amalekite (12 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> They do not seem to have had any relationship with the tribes of Israel, save as,<br> we may <b>surmise</b>, some of the descendants of Esau were incorporated into the <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/a/amalekite.htm - 16k</font><p><a href="/topical/a/amalek.htm"><span class="l">Amalek (35 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> They do not seem to have had any relationship with the tribes of Israel, save as,<br> we may <b>surmise</b>, some of the descendants of Esau were incorporated into the <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/a/amalek.htm - 22k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/semitic.htm"><span class="l">Semitic</span></a><br><b>...</b> of the Semites. Various theories of course have been proposed; fancy and<br><b>surmise</b> have ranged from Africa to Central Asia. (1) The <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/semitic.htm - 28k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/semites.htm"><span class="l">Semites</span></a><br><b>...</b> of the Semites. Various theories of course have been proposed; fancy and<br><b>surmise</b> have ranged from Africa to Central Asia. (1) The <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/semites.htm - 27k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/suspect.htm"><span class="l">Suspect (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> to have a slight or vague opinion of the existence of, without proof, and often<br> upon weak evidence or no evidence; to mistrust; to <b>surmise</b>; -- commonly used <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/suspect.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/surmised.htm"><span class="l">Surmised (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of <b>Surmise</b>. Multi-Version Concordance<br> Surmised (1 Occurrence). Acts 27:27 But when the fourteenth <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/surmised.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/surly.htm"><span class="l">Surly (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/surly.htm - 7k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Moses-wife.html">Who was Moses' wife? Did Moses have more than one wife? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/scarlet-thread.html">What is the significance of a scarlet thread? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/sow-wind-reap-whirlwind.html">What does it mean to sow the wind and reap the whirlwind (Hosea 8:7)? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://clyx.com/term/surmise.htm">Surmise: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Surmise (1 Occurrence)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/acts/27-27.htm">Acts 27:27</a></span><br />But when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven back and forth in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors surmised that they were drawing near to some land.<br /><span class="source">(Root in WEB ASV NAS)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/s/surmise.htm">Surmise</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/surmise.htm">Surmise (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/n/nicodemus.htm">Nicodemus (5 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/fourteenth.htm">Fourteenth (25 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/fro.htm">Fro (54 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/exaltation.htm">Exaltation (9 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/driven.htm">Driven (128 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/drawing.htm">Drawing (60 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/m/midnight.htm">Midnight (14 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/pekahiah.htm">Pekahiah (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/blindness.htm">Blindness (7 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/bacchus.htm">Bacchus</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/approaching.htm">Approaching (24 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/adriatic.htm">Adriatic (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/andronicus.htm">Andronicus (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/a'dria.htm">A'dria (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/adria.htm">Adria (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/surmounted.htm">Surmounted (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/sailors.htm">Sailors (9 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/sensed.htm">Sensed (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/l/leper.htm">Leper (34 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/eden.htm">Eden (19 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/across.htm">Across (172 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/l/leprosy.htm">Leprosy (51 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/n/nigh.htm">Nigh (243 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/v/virgin.htm">Virgin (62 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/birth.htm">Birth (357 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham (2539 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/government.htm">Government (20 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/christ.htm">Christ (573 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/s/surly.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Surly"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Surly" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/s/surmised.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Surmised"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Surmised" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div> <div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"><script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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