Require
The Biblical Meaning of Require
In older English and in the King James Version, "require" carried a broader range of meaning than it does in modern usage. While today it primarily means "to demand," the biblical usage also encompassed "to seek after" and "to ask." Understanding this fuller meaning enriches the reader's grasp of passages where God or people require something.
What God Requires
The most theologically significant use of "require" relates to what God expects from His people. Micah 6:8 provides perhaps the most famous statement: "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Deuteronomy 10:12 echoes this theme: "And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you?" These passages establish that God's requirements center on relationship and righteousness rather than mere ritual performance.
God Requiring an Account
Scripture also uses "require" in the sense of God holding people accountable for their actions. In Genesis 9:5, God declares that He will require an accounting for the lifeblood of every person. Ezekiel 3:18 warns that if a watchman fails to warn the wicked, their blood will be required at the watchman's hand. Ecclesiastes 3:15 observes that God requires an account of what is past. This dimension of "require" underscores the biblical teaching that all human beings are answerable to God.
Seeking and Asking
In some biblical contexts, "require" simply means to seek or request. In 1 Samuel 21:8, David tells Ahimelech that "the king's business required haste," meaning the matter demanded urgency. Ezra 8:22 describes Ezra's reluctance to ask the king for military protection because he had told the king that God's hand was on those who seek Him. First Corinthians 4:2 states that it is required of stewards to be found faithful, using the word in the sense of an expected standard.
The Stewardship of Faithfulness
The New Testament extends the concept of divine requirement into the realm of stewardship and discipleship. In Luke 12:48, Jesus teaches that "from everyone who has been given much, much will be required." This principle establishes that God's expectations are proportional to the gifts and opportunities He provides. The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) illustrates this same idea: the master requires an accounting from each servant based on what was entrusted to them.
Living Under God's Requirements
The biblical concept of what God requires is not burdensome legalism but an invitation to genuine relationship. When God requires justice, mercy, and humility, He is describing the life that flows naturally from a heart transformed by His grace. The prophets consistently taught that outward religious observance without inner faithfulness fails to meet God's true requirements (Isaiah 1:11-17, Amos 5:21-24).
Biblical Context
The word 'require' appears throughout Scripture: God requires justice and mercy (Micah 6:8), accountability for blood (Genesis 9:5), faithfulness from stewards (1 Corinthians 4:2), and proportional responsibility (Luke 12:48). It also appears in narrative contexts such as 1 Samuel 21:8 and Ezra 8:22.
Theological Significance
The concept of divine requirement establishes that God has legitimate expectations of His creatures. These requirements are rooted in His character and reflect His desire for genuine relationship. They teach that obedience is not optional, but the specific requirements center on heart attitudes rather than empty ritual.
Historical Background
The English word 'require' originally meant 'to seek after,' which more closely matches the range of Hebrew and Greek terms it translates. In the KJV era, the word carried broader connotations than it does today. Understanding this historical usage helps modern readers grasp the nuanced biblical meaning.