Inquire
What Does It Mean to Inquire in the Bible?
In biblical terms, 'to inquire' goes beyond simple questioning. It represents a deliberate, often formal, act of seeking guidance, revelation, or judgment from a higher authority. The primary Hebrew verbs translated as 'inquire' are sha'al (to ask, desire), darash (to seek, require), and baqash (to seek, search out). These terms describe a spectrum of activity, from personal prayerful seeking to official consultation of religious intermediaries like priests and prophets. Inquiring was not a casual act but a recognition of one's need for wisdom beyond human understanding, particularly in matters of governance, war, law, and personal conduct.
Methods of Divine Inquiry
The Bible records several established methods through which people and leaders inquired of God. Before the establishment of the monarchy, guidance was often sought through dreams, direct prophetic utterance, or the use of sacred lots like the Urim and Thummim, worn by the high priest (Exodus 28:30; Numbers 27:21). Leaders like Moses inquired directly of God at the tent of meeting (Exodus 33:7). King David frequently 'inquired of the LORD' before military campaigns, receiving specific tactical instructions (2 Samuel 5:19, 23-24). The practice could also involve consulting a prophet, as seen when King Jehoshaphat sought Micaiah's counsel despite the king's dislike for his messages (1 Kings 22:5-7).
The Dangers and Misuse of Inquiry
Scripture also warns about improper or misguided inquiry. The most severe violation was inquiring of sources other than Yahweh. King Saul's consultation of the medium at Endor, after God had stopped answering him, was a capital offense that sealed his fate (1 Samuel 28:6-7; 1 Chronicles 10:13-14). The prophets consistently condemned Israel for inquiring of idols and false gods (Ezekiel 20:1-3, 31). Furthermore, inquiry could be hypocritical; God rebuked those who fasted and sought Him outwardly while oppressing workers (Isaiah 58:2-3). The book of Proverbs warns against making a rash vow to God and only afterward 'inquiring' about how to get out of it (Proverbs 20:25).
From External Ritual to Internal Seeking
A significant shift occurs in the biblical narrative regarding the nature of true inquiry. The prophets began to emphasize that God desires a seeking that goes beyond ritual. Jeremiah proclaimed that when people seek God with all their heart, they will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13). The Psalms celebrate the joy of inquiring in God's temple—dwelling in His presence to 'gaze upon the beauty of the LORD' (Psalm 27:4). This moves inquiry from a transactional act for answers into a relational pursuit of God Himself. By the New Testament, the language of seeking is applied to pursuing the kingdom of God above all else (Matthew 6:33) and to the Gentiles who would 'seek the Lord' (Acts 15:17, quoting Amos 9:12).
Inquiry in the New Testament Community
In the New Testament, the Greek words zēteō (to seek) and the compound epizēteō (to seek after) carry forward the concept. Jesus teaches that those who seek will find (Matthew 7:7-8). The early church 'inquired' through prayer, seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance for major decisions, such as selecting Matthias (Acts 1:24-26) and sending out Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:2-3). When faced with complex theological and practical disputes, the Jerusalem council sought a solution through deliberation and recognition of the Spirit's work (Acts 15:1-29). The focus shifts to seeking God's will through the revealed Word, the guidance of the Spirit, and the wisdom of the community of believers.
Biblical Context
The concept of inquiry appears throughout the biblical narrative, from Genesis to Revelation. Key narratives include the Israelites inquiring of God through Moses for legal judgments (Exodus 18:15), Joshua consulting the LORD via the priest's ephod after the defeat at Ai (Joshua 7:6-9), and the period of the Judges where people inquired at Bethel (Judges 20:27). The practice is central to the monarchy, with David modeling proper inquiry (2 Samuel 2:1; 1 Chronicles 14:10, 14) and Saul exemplifying its catastrophic misuse (1 Samuel 28:6-7). The prophets call for genuine seeking (Isaiah 55:6; Amos 5:4-6), and the Psalms are filled with the language of seeking God's face (Psalm 105:4). In the New Testament, the Greek terms describe seeking God's kingdom (Matthew 6:33), seeking Jesus (John 1:38), and the Bereans' noble character in diligently searching the Scriptures (Acts 17:11).
Theological Significance
The practice of inquiry teaches profound theological truths about God's nature and humanity's posture. It reveals God as a communicative God who desires to guide His people, not a distant deity. It underscores human limitation and the necessity of divine wisdom for life and godliness. Proper inquiry requires humility, faith, and obedience—seeking not just answers but the Answerer Himself. The condemnation of false inquiry highlights God's jealousy for exclusive worship and the danger of seeking guidance from any source rivaling Him. Ultimately, the biblical trajectory moves from external, often crisis-driven consultation to the internal, continual seeking championed by the prophets and fulfilled in Christ, who is Himself the Wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24). The believer's life is now characterized by seeking the things above where Christ is (Colossians 3:1).
Historical Background
The biblical practice of inquiry existed within a broader Ancient Near Eastern context where consulting the gods was standard for rulers. Kings across Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Canaan employed diviners, astrologers, and priests to discern the divine will through omens, extispicy (reading animal entrails), and oracles. Israel's methods—while sharing the formal purpose of seeking guidance—were distinct in their focus on the one true God and rejection of manipulative divination. Archaeological finds, like the Arad and Lachish letters, show correspondence where military officers request that someone 'inquire of God' for them, confirming the practice's embeddedness in daily life. The Urim and Thummim, though their exact mechanism remains unknown, were a uniquely Israelite institution for yes/no inquiries directed to Yahweh. The prophetic critique of empty ritual aligns with a broader 8th-7th century BC movement among some prophets (e.g., Micah, Isaiah) emphasizing heartfelt religion over formalism.