| Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (v. t.) To remember; to cause to remember; to mention. 2. (n.) A part of an animal capable of performing a distinct office; an organ; a limb. 3. (n.) Hence, a part of a whole; an independent constituent of a body 4. (n.) A part of a discourse or of a period or sentence; a clause; a part of a verse. 5. (n.) Either of the two parts of an algebraic equation, connected by the sign of equality. 6. (n.) Any essential part, as a post, tie rod, strut, etc., of a framed structure, as a bridge truss. 7. (n.) Any part of a building, whether constructional, as a pier, column, lintel, or the like, or decorative, as a molding, or group of moldings. 8. (n.) One of the persons composing a society, community, or the like; an individual forming part of an association; as, a member of the society of Friends. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia MEMBER mem'-ber
(1) yatsur; melos;
(2) shaphekhah, "membrum virile" (Deuteronomy 23:1)):
The first Hebrew word is derived from a root meaning "to knead," "to mold in clay," "to create." It therefore denotes any feature or part of the body. "So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things" (James 3:5). "The members" is equivalent with "the body" (which see; compare Psalm 139:16 the King James Version). The members are not self-governing, but execute the orders of the mind, obeying either the lower nature in the commission of sin or iniquity, unrighteousness and uncleanness (Romans 6:13, 19), or following the higher nature, the Divine impulses in the fulfilling of the law of Christ (6:19).
By nature, the "law in my members" (Romans 7:23) is opposed to the better nature (James 4:1) until by "regeneration" (which see) this condition is changed, when the Spirit of Christ becomes the governing power, using our members, i.e. all our abilities, in the execution of His plans. This is not done while we remain passive, but only when we have actively presented or yielded our members to His service (Romans 6:19). Therefore our bodies must not be desecrated by baser uses (1 Corinthians 6:15, 19, 20). The Lord Jesus illustrates the severe discipline which is needed to subdue the members of even the regenerate to perfect submission under the higher law of the Spirit by the simile of the right eye, which is to be plucked out, and the right hand, which is to be cut off (Matthew 5:29, 30), and Paul speaks of putting to death (the King James Version "mortifying") the "members which are upon the earth" (Colossians 3:5).
It is the difference in character and gifts of individual Christians which leads Paul to speak of the variety of members, which, though of manifold functions, are equally important to the completeness of the body. It is thus in the manifold variety of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-27 Ephesians 4:16), and Christians being members of Christ, who is the head (Ephesians 1:22; Ephesians 4:15; Ephesians 5:23), are members one of another (Romans 12:5 Ephesians 4:25).
In Deuteronomy 23:1 the Israelite Law against emasculation is referred to, and a religious disability is stated for the eunuch. Heathen Semites and other neighbors of Israel often castrated for religious purposes in the temple service of various divinities and for functions in princely palaces and harems. Heathen monarchs almost invariably had large numbers of these unfortunates, who frequently attained to positions of high power and responsibility. Herodotus states their frequent occurrence among the Persians (Hist. vi.32), and in the light of 2 Kings 20:18 and Daniel 1:3 it appears as not impossible that Daniel and his friends belonged to this class. In later years their existence is certain in Israel (1 Samuel 8:15 the Revised Version margin; Jeremiah 38:7 Matthew 19:12).
See also CONCISION; EUNUCH.
H. L. E. Luering |  | Multi-Version Concordance Member (20 Occurrences) Matthew 5:29 If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna. (Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV) Matthew 5:30 If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off, and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna. (Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV) Mark 15:43 Joseph of Arimathaea, a prominent council member who also himself was looking for the Kingdom of God, came. He boldly went in to Pilate, and asked for Jesus' body. (WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV) Luke 23:50 Behold, a man named Joseph, who was a member of the council, a good and righteous man (WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV) John 3:1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. (See NIV) Acts 10:2 He was religious and God-fearing--and so was every member of his household. He was also liberal in his charities to the people, and continually offered prayer to God. (WEY) Acts 17:34 A few, however, attached themselves to him and believed, among them being Dionysius a member of the Council, a gentlewoman named Damaris, and some others. (WEY NIV) Romans 11:1 I ask then, did God reject his people? May it never be! For I also am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. (See RSV) Romans 12:5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. (Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV) 1 Corinthians 12:14 For the body is not one member, but many. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV) 1 Corinthians 12:19 If they were all one member, where would the body be? (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS) 1 Corinthians 12:24 whereas our presentable parts have no such need. But God composed the body together, giving more abundant honor to the inferior part, (See NAS NIV) 1 Corinthians 12:26 When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. Or when one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV) Philippians 3:5 circumcised, as I was, on the eighth day, a member of the race of Israel and of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew sprung from Hebrews; as to the Law a Pharisee; (WEY) Hebrews 7:13 He, however, to whom that prophecy refers is associated with a different tribe, not one member of which has anything to do with the altar. (WEY) James 3:5 So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest! (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV) Leviticus 4:27 "'If anyone of the common people sins unwittingly, in doing any of the things which Yahweh has commanded not to be done, and is guilty; (See NIV) Leviticus 22:23 A bullock and a sheep that hath a member too long or too short, that mayest thou offer as a voluntary offering; but as a vow it shall not be accepted. (DBY NAS) Leviticus 25:47 "'If a stranger or sojourner with you becomes rich, and your brother beside him has grown poor, and sells himself to the stranger or foreigner living among you, or to a member of the stranger's family; (WEB RSV NIV) Deuteronomy 23:1 He who is wounded in the stones, or has his privy member cut off, shall not enter into the assembly of Yahweh. (WEB KJV ASV YLT RSV) |
