'Answer' in the Bible

So my honesty will answer for me later, when you come concerning my wages. Every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats and black among the lambs, if found with me, will be considered stolen.”

Joseph then answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.”

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence.

and they shall answer and say, ‘Our hands did not shed this blood, nor did our eyes see it.

You shall answer and say before the Lord your God, ‘My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down to Egypt and sojourned there, few in number; but there he became a great, mighty and populous nation.

The Levites shall then answer and say to all the men of Israel with a loud voice,

‘Cursed is the man who makes an idol or a molten image, an abomination to the Lord, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’ And all the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen.’

“Her wise princesses would answer her,Indeed she repeats her words to herself,

He said to her, “Get up and let us go,” but there was no answer. Then he placed her on the donkey; and the man arose and went to his home.

And about the time of her death the women who stood by her said to her, “Do not be afraid, for you have given birth to a son.” But she did not answer or pay attention.

Then you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, but the Lord will not answer you in that day.”

Saul inquired of God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will You give them into the hand of Israel?” But He did not answer him on that day.

David called to the people and to Abner the son of Ner, saying, “Will you not answer, Abner?” Then Abner replied, “Who are you who calls to the king?”

When Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by prophets.

And he could no longer answer Abner a word, because he was afraid of him.

“They looked, but there was none to save;Even to the Lord, but He did not answer them.

So Gad came to David and told him, and said to him, “Shall seven years of famine come to you in your land? Or will you flee three months before your foes while they pursue you? Or shall there be three days’ pestilence in your land? Now consider and see what answer I shall return to Him who sent me.”

King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father Solomon while he was still alive, saying, “How do you counsel me to answer this people?”

So he said to them, “What counsel do you give that we may answer this people who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke which your father put on us’?”

Elijah came near to all the people and said, “How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people did not answer him a word.

Then they took the ox which was given them and they prepared it and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon saying, “O Baal, answer us.” But there was no voice and no one answered. And they leaped about the altar which they made.

Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that You, O Lord, are God, and that You have turned their heart back again.”

Then he said to Gehazi, “Gird up your loins and take my staff in your hand, and go your way; if you meet any man, do not salute him, and if anyone salutes you, do not answer him; and lay my staff on the lad’s face.”

But the people were silent and answered him not a word, for the king’s commandment was, “Do not answer him.”

either three years of famine, or three months to be swept away before your foes, while the sword of your enemies overtakes you, or else three days of the sword of the Lord, even pestilence in the land, and the angel of the Lord destroying throughout all the territory of Israel.’ Now, therefore, consider what answer I shall return to Him who sent me.”

Then King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served his father Solomon while he was still alive, saying, “How do you counsel me to answer this people?”

So he said to them, “What counsel do you give that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke which your father put on us’?”

Then the king sent an answer to Rehum the commander, to Shimshai the scribe, and to the rest of their colleagues who live in Samaria and in the rest of the provinces beyond the River: “Peace. And now

“Call now, is there anyone who will answer you?And to which of the holy ones will you turn?

“If one wished to dispute with Him,He could not answer Him once in a thousand times.

“How then can I answer Him,And choose my words before Him?

“For though I were right, I could not answer;I would have to implore the mercy of my judge.

“For He is not a man as I am that I may answer Him,That we may go to court together.

“Then call, and I will answer;Or let me speak, then reply to me.

“You will call, and I will answer You;You will long for the work of Your hands.

“Should a wise man answer with windy knowledgeAnd fill himself with the east wind?

“Is there no limit to windy words?Or what plagues you that you answer?

“Behold, I cry, ‘Violence!’ but I get no answer;I shout for help, but there is no justice.

“I call to my servant, but he does not answer;I have to implore him with my mouth.

“I listened to the reproof which insults me,And the spirit of my understanding makes me answer.

“I would learn the words which He would answer,And perceive what He would say to me.

“I cry out to You for help, but You do not answer me;I stand up, and You turn Your attention against me.

What then could I do when God arises?And when He calls me to account, what will I answer Him?

“Oh that I had one to hear me!Behold, here is my signature;Let the Almighty answer me!And the indictment which my adversary has written,

And his anger burned against his three friends because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.

And when Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of the three men his anger burned.

“They are dismayed, they no longer answer;Words have failed them.

“Shall I wait, because they do not speak,Because they stop and no longer answer?

“I too will answer my share,I also will tell my opinion.

“Let me speak that I may get relief;Let me open my lips and answer.

“Then if you have anything to say, answer me;Speak, for I desire to justify you.

“I will answer you,And your friends with you.

“There they cry out, but He does not answerBecause of the pride of evil men.

“Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty?Let him who reproves God answer it.”

“Once I have spoken, and I will not answer;Even twice, and I will add nothing more.”

For the choir director; on stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!You have relieved me in my distress;Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.

Consider and answer me, O Lord my God;Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,

I have called upon You, for You will answer me, O God;Incline Your ear to me, hear my speech.

They cried for help, but there was none to save,Even to the Lord, but He did not answer them.

For the choir director. A Psalm of David.May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble!May the name of the God of Jacob set you securely on high!

Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed;He will answer him from His holy heavenWith the saving strength of His right hand.

Save, O Lord;May the King answer us in the day we call.

O my God, I cry by day, but You do not answer;And by night, but I have no rest.

Save me from the lion’s mouth;From the horns of the wild oxen You answer me.

Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice,And be gracious to me and answer me.

For I hope in You, O Lord;You will answer, O Lord my God.

Give heed to me and answer me;I am restless in my complaint and am surely distracted,

God will hear and answer them—Even the one who sits enthroned from of old— Selah.With whom there is no change,And who do not fear God.

That Your beloved may be delivered,Save with Your right hand, and answer us!

By awesome deeds You answer us in righteousness, O God of our salvation,You who are the trust of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest sea;

But as for me, my prayer is to You, O Lord, at an acceptable time;O God, in the greatness of Your lovingkindness,Answer me with Your saving truth.

Answer me, O Lord, for Your lovingkindness is good;According to the greatness of Your compassion, turn to me,

And do not hide Your face from Your servant,For I am in distress; answer me quickly.

A Prayer of David.Incline Your ear, O Lord, and answer me;For I am afflicted and needy.

In the day of my trouble I shall call upon You,For You will answer me.

“He will call upon Me, and I will answer him;I will be with him in trouble;I will rescue him and honor him.

O Lord our God, You answered them;You were a forgiving God to them,And yet an avenger of their evil deeds.

Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my distress;Incline Your ear to me;In the day when I call answer me quickly.

That Your beloved may be delivered,Save with Your right hand, and answer me!

So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me,For I trust in Your word.

Qoph.I cried with all my heart; answer me, O Lord!I will observe Your statutes.

On the day I called, You answered me;You made me bold with strength in my soul.

A Psalm of David.Hear my prayer, O Lord,Give ear to my supplications!Answer me in Your faithfulness, in Your righteousness!

Answer me quickly, O Lord, my spirit fails;Do not hide Your face from me,Or I will become like those who go down to the pit.

“Then they will call on me, but I will not answer;They will seek me diligently but they will not find me,

A gentle answer turns away wrath,But a harsh word stirs up anger.

A man has joy in an apt answer,And how delightful is a timely word!

The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,But the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

The plans of the heart belong to man,But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

He who gives an answer before he hears,It is folly and shame to him.

To make you know the certainty of the words of truthThat you may correctly answer him who sent you?

He kisses the lipsWho gives a right answer.

Do not answer a fool according to his folly,Or you will also be like him.

Answer a fool as his folly deserves,That he not be wise in his own eyes.

The sluggard is wiser in his own eyesThan seven men who can give a discreet answer.

Men prepare a meal for enjoyment, and wine makes life merry, and money is the answer to everything.

“I opened to my beloved,But my beloved had turned away and had gone!My heart went out to him as he spoke.I searched for him but I did not find him;I called him but he did not answer me.

“How then will one answer the messengers of the nation?That the Lord has founded Zion,And the afflicted of His people will seek refuge in it.”

O people in Zion, inhabitant in Jerusalem, you will weep no longer. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you.

But they were silent and answered him not a word; for the king’s commandment was, “Do not answer him.”