'Think' in the Bible

Abram said to Sarai, "Since your servant is under your authority, do to her whatever you think best." Then Sarai treated Hagar harshly, so she ran away from Sarai.

The LORD asked Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and think, "Am I really going to bear a child, since I'm so old?'

They replied, “We have clearly seen how the Lord has been with you. We think there should be an oath between two parties—between us and you. Let us make a covenant with you:

My father may touch me! Then he'll think I'm mocking him and I'll bring a curse on myself instead of a blessing."

At this, his brothers replied, "Do you really think you're going to rule us or lord it over us?" So they hated him even more because of his dreams and his interpretations of them.

But think on me when it shall be well with thee, and shew kindness, I pray thee, unto me, and make mention of me unto Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house:

They set a place for him, a separate place for his brothers, and another for the Egyptians who were eating with him. (The Egyptians are not able to eat with Hebrews, for the Egyptians think it is disgusting to do so.)

Joseph said to them, "What did you think you were doing? Don't you know that a man like me can find out things like this by divination?"

Israel said to Joseph, "I didn't think I would see your face, and behold, God has let me see your seed also."

Pharaoh will think regarding the Israelites, 'They are wandering around confused in the land -- the desert has closed in on them.'

You still haven't brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, nor have you given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards. Do you really think that you can make these men look the other way? We won't go up."

This is the thing which the LORD doth command concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, Let them marry to whom they think best; only to the family of the tribe of their father shall they marry.

If you think, "These nations are more numerous than I -- how can I dispossess them?"

And you may think in your heart, 'My strength and the might of my hand {acquired this wealth for} me.'

Do not think to yourself after the Lord your God has driven them out before you, "Because of my own righteousness the Lord has brought me here to possess this land." It is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is driving them out ahead of you.

Be careful not to think this wicked thought to yourselves: "The seventh year, the year of remission, is drawing near,' and you show ill will toward your poor relative and not give to him. He may then call to the LORD on account of you, and you will be guilty of sin.

Likewise, the most tender and delicate of your women, who would never think of putting even the sole of her foot on the ground because of her daintiness, will turn against her beloved husband, her sons and daughters,

They will come out after us until we draw them away from the city, because they will think, '[They are] fleeing from us {as before}.' So we will flee from them.

Now we are in your hands. Do to us whatever you think is right.”

If you think it's the wrong thing for you to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves today whom you will serve the gods whom your ancestors served on the other side of the Euphrates River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose territories you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."

Since the Lord God of Israel has driven out the Amorites before his people Israel, do you think you can just take it from them?

The five men who had gone to scout out the land of Laish told their brothers, “Did you know that there are an ephod, household gods, and a carved image overlaid with silver in these houses? Now think about what you should do.”

Everyone who saw it said, “Nothing like this has ever happened or has been seen since the day the Israelites came out of the land of Egypt to this day. Think it over, discuss it, and speak up!”

Turn back, my daughters! Go, for {I am too old to have a husband}. If I should think there is hope for me, even if I should have a husband [this] night, and even if I should bear sons,

Don’t think of me as a wicked woman; I’ve been praying from the depth of my anguish and resentment.”

Her husband Elkanah replied, “Do what you think is best, and stay here until you’ve weaned him. May the Lord confirm your word.” So Hannah stayed there and nursed her son until she weaned him.

And his armor bearer said to him, “Do everything that is in your heart (mind); here I am with you in whatever you think [best].”

Then he said to all Israel, "You will be on one side, and I and my son Jonathan will be on the other side." The army replied to Saul, "Do whatever you think is best."

Saul said to his servants, “Listen, men of Benjamin: Is Jesse’s son going to give all of you fields and vineyards? Do you think he’ll make all of you commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds?

So Achish summoned David and told him, “As the Lord lives, you are an honorable man. I think it is good to have you working with me in the camp, because I have found no fault in you from the day you came to me until today. But the leaders don’t think you are reliable.

Now go back quietly and you won’t be doing anything the Philistine leaders think is wrong.”

But when David's delegation arrived in Ammonite territory, the Ammonite officials asked their lord Hanun, "Do you think that because David has sent a delegation of consolers to you that he is honoring your father? His delegation has arrived intending to search, scout the land, and then overthrow it, hasn't it?"

But Jonadab, son of David’s brother Shimeah, spoke up: “My lord must not think they have killed all the young men, the king’s sons, because only Amnon is dead. In fact, Absalom has planned this ever since the day Amnon disgraced his sister Tamar.

Now therefore let not my lord the king take the thing to his heart, to think that all the king's sons are dead: for Amnon only is dead.

"Get out of here! Get out!" Shimei yelled as he cursed. "You murderer! You who think you're above the law!

Look! He's probably already hiding in a cave or someplace like that. If the first attack fails, people will hear about it and think, "Absalom's army is losing!'

“I will do whatever you think is best,” the king replied to them. So he stood beside the gate while all the troops marched out by hundreds and thousands.

The watchman said, “I think the running of the first one is like the running of Ahimaaz the son of Zadok.” And the king said, “This is a good man and comes with good news.”

He said to the king, "Don't think badly of me, my lord, and don't recall the sin of your servant on the day when you, my lord the king, left Jerusalem! Please don't call it to mind!

Ziba slandered your servant to my lord the king. But my lord the king is like the Angel of God, so do whatever you think best.

So Gad went to David, told him the choices, and asked him, “Do you want three years of famine to come on your land, to flee from your foes three months while they pursue you, or to have a plague in your land three days? Now, think it over and decide what answer I should take back to the One who sent me.”

Do to him what you think is appropriate, but don't let him live long and die a peaceful death.

if they take it to heart in the land where they have been taken captive, and they repent and pray to You in the land of their captors, saying, ‘We have sinned and done wrong and we have acted wickedly;’

Then the king of Israel called for all the elders of the land and said, “Think it over and you will see that this one is only looking for trouble, for he demanded my wives, my children, my silver, and my gold, and I didn’t turn him down.”

But the Lord's angelic messenger told Elijah the Tishbite, "Get up, go to meet the messengers from the king of Samaria. Say this to them: 'You must think there is no God in Israel! That explains why you are on your way to seek an oracle from Baal Zebub the god of Ekron.

They replied, "A man came up to meet us. He told us, "Go back to the king who sent you and tell him, 'This is what the Lord says: "You must think there is no God in Israel! That explains why you are sending for an oracle from Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron. Therefore you will not leave the bed you lie on, for you will certainly die."'"

Elijah said to the king, "This is what the Lord says, 'You sent messengers to seek an oracle from Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron. You must think there is no God in Israel from whom you can seek an oracle! Therefore you will not leave the bed you lie on, for you will certainly die.'"

When the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his clothes and asked, “Am I God, killing and giving life that this man expects me to cure a man of his skin disease? Think it over and you will see that he is only picking a fight with me.”

So the overseer of the palace, the overseer of the city, the elders, and the guardians sent a message to Jehu: “We are your servants, and we will do whatever you tell us. We will not make anyone king. Do whatever you think is right.”

You think mere words are strategy and strength for war. What are you now relying on so that you have rebelled against me?

Certainly you have heard how the kings of Assyria have annihilated all lands. Do you really think you will be rescued?

Sing to him, sing psalms to him, and think about all of his miraculous deeds.

But when David's delegation arrived to visit Hanun in Ammonite territory to console him, the Ammonite officials asked Hanun, "Do you think that because David has sent a delegation of consolers to you that he is honoring your father? His delegation has arrived to search, overthrow, and scout the land, hasn't it?"

And now ye think to withstand the kingdom of the LORD in the hand of the sons of David; and ye be a great multitude, and there are with you golden calves, which Jeroboam made you for gods.

But if you do go, strengthen yourself for war. Do you think God will throw you down before the enemy, since God has the power both to help or to overthrow?"

And now ye think to subjugate the children of Judah and Jerusalem as your bondmen and bondwomen. Are there not with you, even with you, trespasses against Jehovah your God?

and said to them, Ye shall not bring in the captives hither; because, for our guilt before Jehovah, ye think to increase our sins and our trespasses: for our trespass is great, and fierce wrath is upon Israel.

Think upon me, my God, for good, according to all that I have done for this people.

Wherein was written, It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel: for which cause thou buildest the wall, that thou mayest be their king, according to these words.

My God, think thou upon Tobiah and Sanballat according to these their works, and on the prophetess Noadiah, and the rest of the prophets, that would have put me in fear.

Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.

Now please think: Who has ever perished when they're innocent? Where have the upright been destroyed?

Do you think that you can disprove my wordsor that a despairing man’s words are mere wind?

When I lie down I think:When will I get up?But the evening drags on endlessly,and I toss and turn until dawn.

What is man, that You think so highly of himand pay so much attention to him?

"When are you going to stop your word hunt? Think first, and then we can talk.

Why do you think we're like dumb animals? Do you think we're stupid?

Those who live in my house and my maidservants, too! treat me like a stranger; they think I'm a foreigner.

When I think about it, I am terrifiedand my body trembles in horror.

That's why I'm terrified at his presence! When I think about it, I'm afraid of him.

I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?

So Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite spoke out and said,“I am young in years and you are old;Therefore I was shy and afraid to tell you what I think.

“So I say, ‘Listen to me,I too will tell what I think.’

Do you really think that one who hates justice can govern? And will you declare guilty the supremely righteous One,

Do you think it is just when you say,“I am righteous before God”?

Therefore people revered him; he does not regard any {who think that they are wise}."

Lay your hands on it; think about [the] battle--you will not do [it] again!

He maketh a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary.

Many are saying of me,“There is no help [no salvation] for him in God.” Selah.

With my voice I was crying to the Lord,And He answered me from His holy mountain. Selah.

Salvation belongs to the Lord;May Your blessing be upon Your people. Selah.

O sons of men, how long will my honor and glory be [turned into] shame?How long will you [my enemies] love worthless (vain, futile) things and seek deception and lies? Selah.

Be angry, yet do not sin. Think about this when upon your beds, and be silent. Interlude

Let the enemy pursue me and overtake me;And let him trample my life to the groundAnd lay my honor in the dust. Selah.

what [is] a human being that you think of him? and a child of humankind that you care for him?

The Lord has made Himself known;He executes judgment;The wicked are trapped by the work of their own hands. Higgaion (meditation) Selah.

Put them in [reverent] fear of You, O Lord,So that the nations may know they are but [frail and mortal] men. Selah.

May He remember all your meal offeringsAnd accept your burnt offering. Selah.

You have given him his heart’s desire,And You have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah.

This is the generation (description) of those who diligently seek Him and require Him as their greatest need,Who seek Your face, even [as did] Jacob. Selah.

Who is [He then] this King of glory?The Lord of hosts,He is the King of glory [who rules over all creation with His heavenly armies]. Selah.

For day and night Your hand [of displeasure] was heavy upon me;My energy (vitality, strength) was drained away as with the burning heat of summer. Selah.

I acknowledged my sin to You,And I did not hide my wickedness;I said, “I will confess [all] my transgressions to the Lord”;And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah.

You are my hiding place; You, Lord, protect me from trouble;You surround me with songs and shouts of deliverance. Selah.

“Behold, You have made my days as [short as] hand widths,And my lifetime is as nothing in Your sight.Surely every man at his best is a mere breath [a wisp of smoke, a vapor that vanishes]! Selah.

“With rebukes You discipline man for sin;You consume like a moth what is precious to him;Surely every man is a mere breath [a wisp of smoke, a vapor that vanishes]. Selah.

But I am poor and needy; may the Lord think about me. You are my help and deliverer. My God, do not tarry too long! To the Director: A Davidic Psalm.

In God we have boasted all the day long,And we will praise and give thanks to Your name forever. Selah.

Though its waters roar and foam,Though the mountains tremble at its roaring. Selah.

The Lord of hosts is with us;The God of Jacob is our stronghold [our refuge, our high tower]. Selah.