Reference: Answer
American
Besides the common use of this word in the sense of to reply, it is very often used in the bible, following the Hebrew and Greek idioms, in the sense of to speak; meaning simply that one begins or resumes his discourse, Zec 3:4; 6:4; Mt 11:25; 12:38; Lu 7:40. It also means, to sing in choruses or responses, 1Sa 18:7; and to give account of one's self in judgment, Ge 30:33; Job 9:3.
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And my righteousness will answer for me {later} when you come concerning my wages before you. Every [one] that [is] not speckled or spotted among the goats, or dark-colored among the sheep shall be stolen [if it is] with me."
And the women sang as they danced, and they said, "Saul has struck down his thousands, but David his ten thousands!"
If he wants to contend with him, he cannot answer him one [time] in a thousand.
And he answered and said to the ones standing {before} him, saying, "Remove the filthy garments from him." And he said to him, "See, I have taken away your guilt from you, and will clothe you [with] rich garments."
And I answered and said to the angel [that was] talking to me, "What [are] these, my lord?"
At that time Jesus answered [and] said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these [things] from the wise and intelligent, and have revealed them to young children.
Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered him saying, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from you!"
And Jesus answered [and] said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he said, "Teacher, say [it]."
Hastings
An answer is (1) an apology or defence, as 2Ti 4:16 'at my first answer no man stood by me'; so perhaps 1Pe 3:21 'the answer of a good conscience'; (2) oracle, Divine response, as Ro 11:4 'what saith the answer of God?'
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But what does the divine response say to him? "I have left for myself seven thousand people who have not bent the knee to Baal."
At my first defense, no one came to my [aid], but [they] all deserted me; may it not be counted against them.
And also, corresponding to [this], baptism now saves you, not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Watsons
ANSWER. Besides the common usage of this word, in the sense of a reply, it has other significations. Moses, having composed a thanksgiving, after the passage of the Red Sea, Miriam, it is said, answered, "Sing ye to the Lord," &c,
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And my righteousness will answer for me {later} when you come concerning my wages before you. Every [one] that [is] not speckled or spotted among the goats, or dark-colored among the sheep shall be stolen [if it is] with me."
{And then} many disasters and troubles will come upon them, and this song will give evidence before them as a witness, because it will not be forgotten from [out of] the mouth of their descendants, for I know their inclination that they [are] having {today} before I have brought them into the land that I swore."
[Is] this not David about whom they sing in the dances, saying, 'Saul has killed his thousands, but David his ten thousands'?"
The pride of Israel testifies {against him}, and Israel and Ephraim stumble in their guilt, and Judah stumbles with them.
Now [when] he had said these [things], one of the officers who was standing by gave a slap in the face to Jesus, saying, "Do you reply to the high priest in this way?"
On the contrary, O man, who are you who answers back to God? Will what is molded say to the one who molded [it], "Why did you make me like this"?
But [we] ourselves had the sentence of death in ourselves, so that we would not be putting confidence in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead,