The Real Christian Meaning of Meditation
A discourse expressing considered thoughts on the subject
In today’s world, the word meditation is often associated with Eastern religious practices, yoga, or techniques for stress relief through the “emptying of the mind.” However, this modern view does not reflect the real Christian meaning of meditation as found in the Bible. The Scriptures present meditation as a deeply reflective, spiritual activity focused on the contemplation of God’s word, His works, and His purpose. Meditation, in its biblical sense, is a form of communion—where thought becomes prayer and contemplation becomes worship.
The Meaning of Meditation in the Old Testament
The first mention of meditation in Scripture is found in Genesis 24:63, where we read:
"And Isaac was out walking in order to meditate in the field at about the falling of evening."
This early example shows that meditation was a personal, reflective practice done in solitude. The Hebrew word used here for “meditate” is הגה (hagah), Strong’s Concordance 1897, which means:
“to murmur (in pleasure or anger); by implication, to ponder: — imagine, meditate, mourn, mutter, roar, speak, study, talk, utter.”
This reveals that meditation was not about silence and emptiness, but about murmuring, pondering, and speaking to oneself—a deliberate act of reflection. Closely related is the Hebrew word higgaion, meaning:
“a low, vibrant sound; chant; to speak in a low voice to oneself; deep reflection; contemplation.”
Meditation in the Hebrew context involved thoughtful, spoken reflection—often over Scripture, God's promises, or His works.
Meditation in the New Testament
In the Greek Scriptures, similar ideas emerge. The verb θεωρέω (theoreo), Strong’s 2334, means:
“to behold, consider, look on, perceive, see.”
It is used in Luke 23:48:
“And all the people that came together to that sight [θεωρία], beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.”
Here, theoria (sight, from Strong’s 2335) does not mean mystical absorption, but attentiveness—beholding and considering something deeply. Among early Christians, theoria came to mean studying the Scriptures with spiritual understanding, not abstract philosophical contemplation of Platonic forms.
Paul uses the word μελετάω (meletao) in 1 Timothy 4:15:
“Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.”
The word meletao (Strong’s 3191) means:
“to take care of, i.e. (by implication) revolve in the mind: — imagine, (pre-)meditate.”
This again shows the biblical meaning of meditation as intentional thinking—serious reflection, not emptying of thought. The same word is used in Acts 4:25:
“Why did nations become tumultuous and peoples meditate upon empty things?”—a warning against unprofitable meditations.
The Practice of Christian Meditation
Biblical meditation is most often practiced in solitude. Jesus taught:
“Go into your room or closet and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret.” —Matthew 6:6
This echoes the pattern of Isaac, who went out into the field alone at eventide to reflect. The Psalmist also meditated during the night watches:
“When I remember you upon my bed, and meditate on you in the watches of the night.” —Psalm 63:6
Meditation is distinguished from prayer, even silent prayer, in that it is not directed speaking to God but thinking about God—His works, His word, and His will. It is in this quiet, inward space that a person may “ponder,” “murmur,” or “revolve in the mind” what they have read or experienced.
Meditation begins with the reading of Scripture. It is written:
“His delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.” —Psalm 1:2
“I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.” —Psalm 77:12
This is not a passive exercise. The spirit of man becomes one with the Spirit of God in these contemplative thoughts (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:17). A deep harmony is formed when the believer aligns his thoughts with divine teaching.
The Goal and Fruit of Meditation
Christian meditation is not for the purpose of mental escape or self-enlightenment. It is for growth in wisdom and righteousness. The heart becomes trained to discern what is good. As it is written:
“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” —Psalm 19:14
“My mouth shall speak wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.” —Psalm 49:3
Profitable meditation leads to wise speech and spiritual maturity:
“The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.” —Proverbs 15:28
Paul echoes this principle in Philippians 4:8:
“Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure… think on these things.”
Meditation becomes the foundation of a life directed toward the good, the holy, and the eternal.
Conclusion
Christian meditation is a discipline of thought and reflection, not a mystical practice of mental silence or disembodiment. It involves murmuring, pondering, studying, and speaking to oneself about the truths of God. It is rooted in Scripture, practiced in solitude, and aimed at transformation. As David wrote:
“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.” —Psalm 143:5
The real Christian meaning of meditation is not emptiness, but fullness—filling the mind and heart with the knowledge of God.
The meaning of meditation
Genesis 24:62 Now Isaac had come from the way that goes to Beerlahairoi, for he was dwelling in the land of the Negeb. 63 And Isaac was out walking in order to meditate in the field at about the falling of evening. When he raised his eyes and looked, why, there camels were coming!
The Hebrew word for “meditate” is haghah´. 01897. הגה hagah [haw-gaw’]; a primitive root [compare 01901]; to murmur (in pleasure or anger); by implication, to ponder: — imagine, meditate, mourn, mutter, roar, X sore, speak, study, talk, utter.
Higgaion, hig-ga'-ion (Heb.)--hum; murmur; a low, vibrant sound; chant; enchantment; meditate, i.e., to speak in a low voice to oneself; thought; deep reflection; contemplation.
Lu 23:48 And all the people that came together to that sight <2335>, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.
Both Greek θεωρία (Theoria) and Latin contemplatio primarily meant looking at things, whether with the eyes or with the mind
Among the Greek Fathers, Christian theoria was not contemplation of Platonic Ideas nor of the astronomical heavens of Pontic Heraclitus, but "studying the Scriptures", with an emphasis on the spiritual sense
2335. θεωρία theoria [theh-o-ree’-ah]; from the same as 2334; spectatorship, i.e. (concretely) a spectacle: — sight.
2334. θεωρέω theoreo [theh-o-reh’-o]; from a derivative of 2300 (perhaps by add. of 3708); to be a spectator of, i.e. discern, (literally, figuratively [experience] or intensively [acknowledge]): — behold, consider, look on, perceive, see. Compare 3700.
Acts 4:25 and who through holy spirit said by the mouth of our forefather David, your servant, ‘Why did nations become tumultuous and peoples meditate <3191> upon empty things?
1Ti 4:15 Meditate upon <3191> these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
3191. μελετάω meletao [mel-et-ah’-o]; from a presumed derivative of 3199; to take care of, i.e. (by implication) revolve in the mind: — imagine, (pre-)meditate.
Christian contemplation
go into your room or closet and shut the door and pray to your father who is in secret (Matthew 6:6)
In order to meditate properly, a person needs to be free from distractions, alone with his thoughts, so to speak. Isaac, for example, went out walking alone in the early evening to meditate, possibly about his coming marriage to Rebekah. (Gen 24:63)
It was during the solitude of the night watches that the psalmist meditated on the greatness of his Creator. (Psa 63:6)
The kind of deep, concentrated thinking in which a person seriously reflects on past experiences, ponders over current matters, or thoughtfully contemplates possible future events.
Meditation differs from prayer, even from silent prayer, in that meditation is thought about God and contemplation of His word and His works.
Meditation normally begins by reading from the holy Scriptures, the Word of God. In such contemplative thoughts the spirit of man becomes one with the Spirit of God (cf. 1 Cor 6.17).
There is also the type of meditation and contemplation done totally in silence, without any words or images or thoughtful activity at all, not even reading or chanting the psalms. The person merely sits in silence, and emptying his mind of all thoughts, imaginations and desires, listens to God in silence, the divine “language of the Kingdom of heaven”.
The meditations of the heart should be focused on beneficial things, on God’s splendour and works, on things pleasing to him (Psa 19:14; 49:3; 77:12; 143:5; Php 4:8), and not on the ways of the wicked.—Prov 24:1, 2.
By engaging in profitable meditation, one will not be inclined to give foolish answers. He will seriously think out these matters of importance, and as a result, the answers given will be from the heart and will not be something to regret later on.—Prov 15:28.
The purpose of meditation is to expand the mind higher into the mind of Christ; to bring into realisation divine Truth; to be transformed by the renewing of the mind.
There are 4 steps to meditation. The first, relaxation, deals with the body and gives directions for physical training. The second, concentration, relates to the mind and its nature and concerns mental training. The third, is meditation. Meditation induces a union of the mental and the spiritual. The fourth is realisation in realisation we become more and more conscious of the Christ mind in us
meditation raises us into higher spiritual realms of thought, where we contact God and realise our oneness with Him. This realisation is an eternal state of being.
Hear O' Israel.
Yahweh is our God,
Yahweh is One.
I am a Son of God,
I am a son of the living Father.
I am essentially One with Jesus
in the Communion of the Father.
I accept Jesus as my Personal Image,
whose Twinship is the Light of the World.
I seek all these things,
in the name of the Living One.
...Amen.
The Jesus Prayer is very simple:
"Lord Jesus Christ Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner,"
Prayer helps us to be able to “stand in God’s presence.” Prayer helps us to focus our mind exclusively on God with “no other thought” occupying our mind but the thought of God. At this moment when our mind is totally concentrated on God, we discover a very personal and direct relationship with Him.
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