Bible Dictionary
DISCERN
To discern means to observe, recognize, distinguish, or judge carefully. Biblical discernment includes distinguishing good from evil and understanding whether teaching or spiritual activity is genuine.
Definition
To discern means to observe, recognize, distinguish, understand, or judge carefully. It may involve noticing a person, identifying a time, distinguishing right from wrong, or acquiring close and critical knowledge of a matter.
Biblical Usage
Scripture speaks of discerning time and judgment, distinguishing between the righteous and wicked, and knowing good and evil. The New Testament also uses the term for examining spiritual things, the Lord’s body, and matters requiring mature judgment.
Historical Background
Several Hebrew verbs contribute meanings such as knowing, recognizing, seeing, and hearing. New Testament terms express close examination, discrimination, and testing or approving after careful judgment.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>di-zurn': Five Hebrew words are thus translated: bin, yadha`, nakhar, ra'ah and shama`. It may simply mean "observe" (bin), "I discerned among the youths" (Pr 7:7); or discriminating knowlege, "A wise man's heart discerneth time and judgment" (Ec 8:5, yadha`); "He discerned him not, because his hands," etc. (Ge 27:23, nakhar); "Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked" (Mal 3:18, ra'ah); "So is my lord the king to discern good," etc. (2Sa 14:17, shama`). In the New Testament the words anakrino, diakrino and dokimazo are thus translated, expressing close and distinct acquaintance with or a critical knowledge of things. Used in 1Co 2:14 the King James Version of "the things of the spirit of God"; in 1Co 11:29 of "the (Lord's) body" in the sacrament; in Mt 16:3 of "the face of the heaven"; in Heb 5:14 of a clear knowledge of good and evil as the prerogative of a full-grown man. See also next article.</p><p>Henry E. Dosker</p>