Hypertext Webster Gateway: "providence"
From Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary (easton)
Providence
literally means foresight, but is generally used to denote God's
preserving and governing all things by means of second causes
(Ps. 18:35; 63:8; Acts 17:28; Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3). God's
providence extends to the natural world (Ps. 104:14; 135:5-7;
Acts 14:17), the brute creation (Ps. 104:21-29; Matt. 6:26;
10:29), and the affairs of men (1 Chr. 16:31; Ps. 47:7; Prov.
21:1; Job 12:23; Dan. 2:21; 4:25), and of individuals (1 Sam.
2:6; Ps. 18:30; Luke 1:53; James 4:13-15). It extends also to
the free actions of men (Ex. 12:36; 1 Sam. 24:9-15; Ps. 33:14,
15; Prov. 16:1; 19:21; 20:24; 21:1), and things sinful (2 Sam.
16:10; 24:1; Rom. 11:32; Acts 4:27, 28), as well as to their
good actions (Phil. 2:13; 4:13; 2 Cor. 12:9, 10; Eph. 2:10; Gal.
5:22-25).
As regards sinful actions of men, they are represented as
occurring by God's permission (Gen. 45:5; 50:20. Comp. 1 Sam.
6:6; Ex. 7:13; 14:17; Acts 2:3; 3:18; 4:27, 28), and as
controlled (Ps. 76:10) and overruled for good (Gen. 50:20; Acts
3:13). God does not cause or approve of sin, but only limits,
restrains, overrules it for good.
The mode of God's providential government is altogether
unexplained. We only know that it is a fact that God does govern
all his creatures and all their actions; that this government is
universal (Ps. 103:17-19), particular (Matt. 10:29-31),
efficacious (Ps. 33:11; Job 23:13), embraces events apparently
contingent (Prov. 16:9, 33; 19:21; 21:1), is consistent with his
own perfection (2 Tim. 2:13), and to his own glory (Rom. 9:17;
11:36).
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Providence \Prov"i*dence\, n. [L. providentia: cf. F.
providence. See {Provident}, and cf. {Prudence}.]
1. The act of providing or preparing for future use or
application; a making ready; preparation.
Providence for war is the best prevention of it.
--Bacon.
2. Foresight; care; especially, the foresight and care which
God manifests for his creatures; hence, God himself,
regarded as exercising a constant wise prescience.
The world was all before them, where to choose Their
place of rest, and Providence their guide. --Milton.
3. (Theol.) A manifestation of the care and superintendence
which God exercises over his creatures; an event ordained
by divine direction.
He that hath a numerous family, and many to provide
for, needs a greater providence of God. --Jer.
Taylor.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
Providence
n 1: the capital and largest city of Rhode Island; located in
northeastern Rhode Island on Narragansett Bay; site of
Brown University [syn: {Providence}, {capital of Rhode
Island}]
2: the guardianship and control exercised by a deity; "divine
providence"
3: a manifestation of God's foresightful care for His creatures
4: the prudence and care exercised by someone in the management
of resources [ant: {improvidence}]
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