A question may be a difficult problem, riddle, inquiry, or dispute. Biblical usage includes asking for information, presenting a legal charge, and engaging in argumentative debate.
Definition
A question may be an inquiry, a difficult problem, a riddle, a legal charge, or a dispute. In biblical translation the word represents terms meaning a word, dark saying, riddle, inquiry, questionings, or an argument carried on in debate.
Biblical Usage
The Bible uses question for Solomon’s difficult questions and riddles, for asking information, and for argumentative disputes. To be called in question may mean to be summoned before a court or to stand judged. The New Testament also uses related language for disputes and questionings.
Historical Background
The English word represents several Hebrew and Greek expressions with distinct meanings, including riddle, inquiry, dispute, courtroom accusation, and judgment. Translation differences therefore account for varying renderings such as hard question, questionings, dispute, or called into court.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>kwes'-chun: The noun for dabhar, "word," in 1Ki 10:3 parallel 2Ch 9:2, with "hard question" for chidhah, "dark saying," "riddle," in 1Ki 10:1 parallel 2Ch 9:1. In the New Testament for zetema, the synonym zetesis (and 1Ti 1:4, ekzetesis), being rendered "questionings" by the Revised Version (British and American) (the King James Version does not distinguish). In Mr 11:29 for logos, "word" (so the Revised Version margin). The verb in the sense "ask a question" in 2Ch 31:9 for darash, and Lu 2:46; 23:9 for eperotao (compare the American Standard Revised Version, the English Revised Version margin Joh 16:23). Elsewhere the verb is for suzeteo, "dispute" (Mr 1:27, etc.; compare Ac 6:9; 9:29). "Called in question," Ac 19:40 the King James Version, represents egkaleo, "call into court," but in Ac 23:6; 24:21, "I am called in question" is for krinomai, "I am being judged."</p><p>Burton Scott Easton</p>
