The term "Beloved" in the Bible is often used to denote deep affection and love, typically in the context of God's love for His people or the love between individuals. It is a term that signifies a special relationship characterized by care, devotion, and favor.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "beloved" is "yadid" or "dod." One of the most notable uses of "beloved" is found in the Song of Solomon, a poetic book that celebrates the love between a bride and her bridegroom. This book is often interpreted allegorically as representing the love between God and Israel or Christ and the Church. For example, Song of Solomon 6:3 states, "I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine; he grazes among the lilies."

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the Greek word "agapetos" is frequently used to describe someone who is dearly loved. The term is often applied to Jesus Christ, as seen in Matthew 3:17, where God declares, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." This declaration underscores the unique and divine relationship between God the Father and Jesus Christ, affirming Christ's identity and mission.

The Apostle Paul frequently uses the term "beloved" in his epistles to express his deep affection for fellow believers. For instance, in Romans 1:7, Paul writes, "To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." Here, "beloved" signifies the special status of believers as recipients of God's love and grace.

Theological Significance

The concept of being "beloved" is central to understanding the nature of God's relationship with humanity. It emphasizes the personal and intimate nature of God's love, which is not based on human merit but on His sovereign choice and grace. In Ephesians 1:5-6, Paul explains that believers are predestined for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, "to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the Beloved."

Practical Implications

For Christians, being "beloved" by God is both a comfort and a calling. It assures believers of their secure position in Christ and motivates them to live in a manner worthy of their calling. In Colossians 3:12, Paul exhorts believers, "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience."

Conclusion

The term "beloved" in the Bible encapsulates the profound love and favor that God extends to His people. It is a reminder of the intimate and covenantal relationship that believers have with God through Jesus Christ, encouraging them to live out their faith in love and obedience.1730. dod -- beloved, love, uncle
... 1729, 1730. dod. 1731 . beloved, love, uncle. Transliteration: dod Phonetic
Spelling: (dode) Short Definition: beloved. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/1730.htm - 6k

The Well-Beloved's vineyard.
... THE WELL-BELOVED'S VINEYARD. ... IN MR. SPURGEON'S OWN ROOM AT MENTONE."My
Well-beloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill.""Isaiah 5:1. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/the well-beloveds vineyard.htm

I am My Beloved's, and My Beloved is Mine; He Feedeth among the ...
... CHAPTER VI. 2. I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine; He feedeth among
the lilies. The moment the soul is wholly freed from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/2 i am my beloveds.htm

A Word from the Beloved's Own Mouth. "And Ye are Clean. " --John ...
... A WORD FROM THE BELOVED'S OWN MOUTH. "And ye are clean.""John xiii. 10.
A WORD FROM THE BELOVED'S OWN MOUTH. AS Gideon's fleece ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/a word from the beloveds.htm

July 6. "I am My Beloved's" (Song of Solomon vii. 10).
... JULY 6. "I am my beloved's" (Song of Solomon vii. 10). "I am my beloved's"
(Song of Solomon vii.10). If you want power you must compress. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/simpson/days of heaven upon earth /july 6 i am my.htm

July 15. "I am My Beloved's and My Beloved is Mine" (Song of ...
... JULY 15. "I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine" (Song of Solomon vi. 3). "I
am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine" (Song of Solomon vi.3). ...
//christianbookshelf.org/simpson/days of heaven upon earth /july 15 i am my.htm

I am My Beloved's, and his Desire is Towards Me.
... 10. I am my beloved's, and His desire is towards me. The Spouse, being assured of
the truth of the assertions of the virgins, confesses and even confirms it. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/10 i am my beloveds.htm

Cli the Beloved
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First CLI THE BELOVED. F. Quarles. ... Where in a greater
current they conjoin: So I my Best-beloved's am; so He is mine. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/cli the beloved.htm

The True Christian Life
... THE TRUE CHRISTIAN LIFE. TEXT: "My beloved is mine, and I am his.""Sol. Song
2:16. "I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine.""Sol. Song 6:3. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/the true christian life.htm

Love's Question
... Love delights in knowing, expressing, and fulfilling the beloved's wishes. I. The
communion of Love delights on both sides in knowing the beloved's wishes. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/loves question.htm

No Man Loves
... If two lovers delight in the same piece of meat, either takes pleasure
in the other, and more esteems the beloved's satisfaction. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/traherne/centuries of meditations/56 no man loves.htm

Beloved's (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Beloved's (2 Occurrences). Song of Songs 6:3 I am my
beloved's, and my beloved is mine. ... Song of Songs 7:10 I am my beloved's. ...
/b/beloved's.htm - 6k

Lover (55 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Song of Songs 1:16 Behold, thou art fair, my beloved, yea, pleasant; also
our couch is leafy. (See NIV). ... (See NIV). Song of Songs 2:8 Hark! my beloved! ...
/l/lover.htm - 24k

Lilies (15 Occurrences)
... (WEB YLT RSV NIV). Song of Songs 2:16 My beloved is mine, and I am his. ... Song
of Songs 6:3 I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine. ...
/l/lilies.htm - 10k

Feedeth (11 Occurrences)
... foolishness. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Song of Songs 2:16 My beloved is mine, and
I am his: he feedeth among the lilies. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/f/feedeth.htm - 9k

Delighting (9 Occurrences)
... of men. (See RSV NIV). Song of Songs 2:16 My beloved 'is' mine, and I 'am'
his, Who is delighting among the lilies, (YLT). Song of ...
/d/delighting.htm - 9k

Browses (2 Occurrences)
... Browses (2 Occurrences). Song of Songs 2:16 My beloved is mine, and I am his. ... (WEB
NIV). Song of Songs 6:3 I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine. ...
/b/browses.htm - 6k

Below (52 Occurrences)

/b/below.htm - 22k

Beloved (117 Occurrences)
... 1. (imp. & pp) of Belove. 2. (pp & a.) Greatly loved; dear to the heart. 3. (n.)
One greatly loved. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BELOVED. ...
/b/beloved.htm - 40k

What is the meaning of beloved in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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