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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: Imagining</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/i/imagining.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/2_corinthians/12-19.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/i/imagining.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> > Imagining</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/i/imagineth.htm" title="Imagineth">◄</a> Imagining <a href="/topical/i/imagining_the_worst.htm" title="Imagining the Worst">►</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="#heb" title="Strong's Hebrew Concordance">Hebrew</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>Imagining, in the biblical context, often refers to the process of forming mental images or concepts that are not present to the senses. It can encompass both positive and negative connotations, depending on the context in which it is used in Scripture. The Bible addresses the concept of imagining in various ways, highlighting its potential to either align with God's will or deviate from it.<br><br><b>Positive Aspects of Imagining</b><br><br>Imagining can be a powerful tool for faith and vision when aligned with God's purposes. In the Old Testament, God often communicated His promises and plans through visions and dreams, which required the recipients to imagine the fulfillment of these divine revelations. For instance, in <a href="/genesis/15-5.htm">Genesis 15:5</a>, God takes Abram outside and says, "Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them." Then He said to him, "So shall your offspring be." Here, Abram is invited to imagine the vastness of his future descendants, fostering faith in God's promise.<br><br>The New Testament also encourages believers to imagine and meditate on things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable (<a href="/philippians/4-8.htm">Philippians 4:8</a>). This form of imagining is a spiritual discipline that aligns the believer's thoughts with God's truth and goodness.<br><br><b>Negative Aspects of Imagining</b><br><br>Conversely, the Bible warns against vain or evil imaginations that lead individuals away from God's truth. In <a href="/genesis/6-5.htm">Genesis 6:5</a>, it is written, "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time." Here, the imaginations of humanity's heart are depicted as corrupt, leading to widespread wickedness and ultimately the judgment of the flood.<br><br>The Psalms frequently address the futility of wicked imaginations. <a href="/psalms/2.htm">Psalm 2:1</a> asks, "Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain?" This rhetorical question highlights the futility of imagining schemes against God's anointed, emphasizing that such imaginations are ultimately fruitless.<br><br>In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul speaks against imaginations that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God. In <a href="/2_corinthians/10-5.htm">2 Corinthians 10:5</a>, he writes, "We tear down arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." This passage underscores the importance of submitting one's imaginations to the authority of Christ, ensuring they are in line with divine truth.<br><br><b>Imagining and Idolatry</b><br><br>Imagining can also lead to idolatry when individuals create mental images or concepts of God that are contrary to His revealed nature. <a href="/romans/1-21.htm">Romans 1:21-23</a> describes how humanity, although knowing God, did not glorify Him as God and became futile in their thinking, leading to the worship of created things rather than the Creator. This passage warns against the dangers of allowing one's imaginations to distort the true image of God.<br><br><b>Imagining in Prophetic and Apocalyptic Literature</b><br><br>Prophetic and apocalyptic literature in the Bible often involves vivid imagery and symbolism that require the reader to engage their imagination. Books like Daniel and Revelation are replete with visions that convey spiritual truths and future events. These texts invite believers to imagine the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.<br><br>In summary, imagining in the biblical sense can be a double-edged sword. When aligned with God's will, it serves as a means of faith, hope, and spiritual growth. However, when misused, it can lead to deception, idolatry, and rebellion against God. The Bible calls believers to cultivate imaginations that are rooted in truth and obedient to Christ, ensuring that their mental and spiritual landscapes reflect the glory and purposes of God.<a name="web" id="web"></a><div class="vheading2">Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary</div>(<I>p. pr. & vb. n.</I>) of Imagine.<a name="heb" id="heb"></a><div class="vheading2">Strong's Hebrew</div><a href="/hebrew/2031.htm"><span class="l">2031. harhor -- fancy, <b>imagining</b></span></a><br><b>...</b> 2030, 2031. harhor. 2032 . fancy, <b>imagining</b>. Transliteration: harhor<br> Phonetic Spelling: (har-hor') Short Definition: fantasies. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/hebrew/2031.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/origen/origen_against_celsus/chapter_v_immediately_after_these.htm"><span class="l">Immediately after These Points, Celsus, <b>Imagining</b> that the Jews <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> Chapter V. Immediately after these points, Celsus, <b>imagining</b> that the Jews<br> are Egyptians by descent? Immediately after these points <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter v immediately after these.htm</font><p><a href="/library/various/life_and_works_of_rufinus_with_jeromes_apology_against_rufinus_/29_the_third_day_he.htm"><span class="l">The Third Day He Rose Again from the Dead. The Glory of Christ's <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> And do not impute lack of power to God, the Creator of all things, by <b>imagining</b><br> his work to have ended in the fall into an abyss which He in His redemptive <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../29 the third day he.htm</font><p><a href="/library/hoadly/several_discourses_concerning_the_terms_of_acceptance_with_god/sermon_x_romans_x_13.htm"><span class="l">Romans x. 13</span></a> <br><b>...</b> upon such Accounts as these, they hope for his Favour at last, and perceive some<br> Satisfaction and Rest in that Hope for the present: <b>imagining</b>, perhaps, that St <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../sermon x romans x 13.htm</font><p><a href="/library/luther/epistle_sermons_vol_iii/twenty_third_sunday_after_trinity.htm"><span class="l">Twenty Third Sunday after Trinity Enemies of the Cross of Christ <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> them"lest they sometime be misled by such teachers"to hold steadily to what they<br> have received, not seeking anything else and not <b>imagining</b>, like self <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/twenty third sunday after trinity.htm</font><p><a href="/library/augustine/the_confessions_of_saint_augustine/chapter_xvi_and_what_did.htm"><span class="l">And what did it Profit Me, that Scarce Twenty Years Old...</span></a> <br><b>...</b> when, <b>imagining</b> whatever was, was comprehended under those often Predicaments, I<br> essayed in such wise to understand, O my God, Thy wonderful and unchangeable <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter xvi and what did.htm</font><p><a href="/library/athanasius/select_works_and_letters_or_athanasius/section_7_refutation_of_dualism.htm"><span class="l">Refutation of Dualism from Reason. Impossibility of Two Gods. The <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> exists, and then walk wandering as if in darkness, often falling and going down<br> steep places, thinking it was dark and not light,"for, <b>imagining</b> that he sees <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 7 refutation of dualism.htm</font><p><a href="/library/arthur/words_for_the_wise/let_her_pout_it_out.htm"><span class="l">Let Her Pout it Out.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> Don't fall into the very fault you condemn in Maria; that of <b>imagining</b> a sentiment<br> to be entertained by another which she does not hold, and then growing <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//christianbookshelf.org/arthur/words for the wise/let her pout it out.htm</font><p><a href="/library/irenaeus/against_heresies/chapter_xvi_the_creator_of_the.htm"><span class="l">The Creator of the World Either Produced of Himself the Images of <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> And any one, again, might bring against them the same charge, by <b>imagining</b> four<br> thousand three hundred and eighty heavens, or ??ons, since the days of the year <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xvi the creator of the.htm</font><p><a href="/library/alexander/epistles_on_the_arian_heresy_and_the_deposition_of_arius/ii_epistle_catholic.htm"><span class="l">Epistle Catholic.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> But since Eusebius, the present bishop of Nicomedia, <b>imagining</b> that with him rest<br> all ecclesiastical matters, [2447] because, having left Berytus and cast his <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../ii epistle catholic.htm</font><p><a href="/library/calvin/the_institutes_of_the_christian_religion/chapter_10_the_resemblance_between.htm"><span class="l">The Resemblance Between the Old Testament and the New.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> and some madmen of the sect of the Anabaptists, who think of the people of Israel<br> just as they would do of some herd of swine, absurdly <b>imagining</b> that the Lord <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 10 the resemblance between.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/i/imagining.htm"><span class="l"><b>Imagining</b> (3 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Multi-Version Concordance <b>Imagining</b> (3 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians 12:19 You are<br><b>imagining</b>, all this time, that we are making our defense at your bar. <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/i/imagining.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/i/imaginings.htm"><span class="l">Imaginings (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/i/imaginings.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/i/imagineth.htm"><span class="l">Imagineth (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/i/imagineth.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/f/fiction.htm"><span class="l">Fiction (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of feigning, inventing, or<br><b>imagining</b>; as, by a mere fiction of the mind. 2. (n.) That <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/f/fiction.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/r/reality.htm"><span class="l">Reality (13 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> are asleep. (WEY). 2 Corinthians 12:19 You are <b>imagining</b>, all this time,<br> that we are making our defense at your bar. In reality it <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/r/reality.htm - 11k</font><p><a href="/topical/d/defense.htm"><span class="l">Defense (49 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> the matter. (WEB). 2 Corinthians 12:19 You are <b>imagining</b>, all this time,<br> that we are making our defense at your bar. In reality it <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/d/defense.htm - 20k</font><p><a href="/topical/d/disposed.htm"><span class="l">Disposed (16 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> meet it, that this song hath testified to its face for a witness; for it is not<br> forgotten out of the mouth of its seed, for I have known its <b>imagining</b> which it <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/d/disposed.htm - 11k</font><p><a href="/topical/d/distresses.htm"><span class="l">Distresses (20 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> meet it, that this song hath testified to its face for a witness; for it is not<br> forgotten out of the mouth of its seed, for I have known its <b>imagining</b> which it <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/d/distresses.htm - 12k</font><p><a href="/topical/p/progress.htm"><span class="l">Progress (9 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> the Christ. (WEY). 2 Corinthians 12:19 You are <b>imagining</b>, all this time,<br> that we are making our defense at your bar. In reality it <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/p/progress.htm - 10k</font><p><a href="/topical/c/counterfeit.htm"><span class="l">Counterfeit (3 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> The Wisdom of Solomon 14:17 (anatupoo, "to make a likeness"), "counterfeit of his<br> visage," the Revised Version (British and American) "<b>imagining</b> the likeness <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/c/counterfeit.htm - 9k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-daydreaming.html">What does the Bible say about daydreaming? Is it wrong to daydream? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/sexual-fantasy.html">Is it wrong for a Christian to have a sexual fantasy? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/fantasy-Bible.html">Is it wrong to have a fantasy, according to the Bible? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://clyx.com/term/imagining.htm">Imagining: 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">Imagining (3 Occurrences)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/2_corinthians/12-19.htm">2 Corinthians 12:19</a></span><br />You are <span class="boldtext">imagining</span>, all this time, that we are making our defense at your bar. In reality it is as in God's presence and in communion with Christ that we speak; but, dear friends, it is all with a view to your progress in goodness.<br /><span class="source">(WEY)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/1_timothy/6-5.htm">1 Timothy 6:5</a></span><br />and persistent wranglings on the part of people whose intellects are disordered and they themselves blinded to all knowledge of the truth; who imagine that godliness means gain. <br /><span class="source">(See RSV)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/deuteronomy/31-21.htm">Deuteronomy 31:21</a></span><br />And it hath been, when many evils and distresses do meet it, that this song hath testified to its face for a witness; for it is not forgotten out of the mouth of its seed, for I have known its <span class="boldtext">imagining</span> which it is doing to-day, before I bring them in unto the land of which I have sworn.'<br /><span class="source">(YLT)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/i/imagining.htm">Imagining</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/gnosticism.htm">Gnosticism</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/i/imagining.htm">Imagining (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/i/imalcue.htm">Imalcue</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/p/psalms.htm">Psalms (44 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/archaeology.htm">Archaeology</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/criticism.htm">Criticism (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/anem.htm">Anem (1 Occurrence)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/i/imagineth.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Imagineth"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Imagineth" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/i/imagining_the_worst.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Imagining the Worst"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Imagining the Worst" /></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'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script></div></td></tr></table></div></div></div> <br /><br /> <div align="center"> <div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>