Play
Play
(, tsachak, Exo 32:6). This word, in addition to the sense of joking or sporting (Gen 19:14), may also be understood of amusements, accompanied with music and singing, in which sense it may be understood in Jdg 16:25. Though we have no particular mention in the Old Testament of such matters, we may reasonably suppose that some of the games practiced by the ancient Egyptians were likewise known to the Hebrews; these appear, from the monuments, to have been mock combats, races, gymnastic exercises, singing, dancing and games of chance (Wilkinson, Anc. Egyptians, 1, 189 sq.). In the declining period of Jewish history the athletic games of the Greeks were introduced and there were gymnasia, or schools of exercise in Jerusalem, where they practiced wrestling, racing, quoits, etc. (1 Maccabees 5, 16; 1 Maccabees 2 Mance. 4:13-15). For the Grecian games of strength and skill so often alluded to by Paul, SEE GAMES. SEE SPORT.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Play
PLAY.See Boyhood, vol. i. p. 222, and Games.
Fuente: A Dictionary Of Christ And The Gospels
Play
We should not have needed any attention to this word, had the general acceptation of it in Scripture been similar to the received opinion of it among men. By play we understand pastime, or sport, or diversions; but this is not always the case in Scripture language. The word Zachach, which is rendered play, means also to mock, or insult, or fight. Thus we read, (2Sa 2:14) “Abner said to Joab, let the young men now arise and play before us.” But the Scripture shews that this play was fighting; for we are told that “they caught every one his fellow by the head, and thrust his sword into his fellow’s side, so they fell down together; wherefore that place was called Helkath-hazzarim”-which the margin of the Bible renders “the field of strong men.” And there was a very sore battle that day. So again we read, (Exo 32:6) that when the people had sat down to eat and drink at their sacrifices, they rose up to play. But the history itself, as well as the New Testament explanation of it, (1Co 10:7) shews that this play was the mockery of the Lord by the grossest idolatry. Hence, therefore, it is necessary that in our reading Scripture, we should have a right apprehension of the terms and words made use of, that we may not confound things. By play is not only meant an idle frivolity, and “jesting and foolish talking,” as the apostle speaks, and which he condemns, (Eph 5:4) but sometimes, as we have seen, yet much worse. Indeed play, and what the world calls amusements, even of the least offensive kind, are unsuited to dying creatures, and therefore ought not to be once mentioned among Christians professing godliness. The apostle’s direction on these grounds is absolute and unaccommodating; and every truly regenerated heart wishes to adopt the same, though there had been no precept for it. (Eph 5:1-31; 2Co 6:17-18)
Fuente: The Poor Mans Concordance and Dictionary to the Sacred Scriptures
Play
pla. See GAMES.
Fuente: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Play
properly, “to play as a child” (pais), hence denotes “to play” as in dancing and making merry, 1Co 10:7. Cp. empaizo, “to mock.”
Fuente: Vine’s Dictionary of New Testament Words
Play
Exo 32:6 (c) We may consider that this act represents the carelessness and the heedlessness of the unsaved, who while living in their sins, and enjoying evil pleasures, have no fear of GOD, no regard for His Word, and no care about their destiny.