Definition of the word concordance

The word "concordance" originates from the Latin word "concordex," which means "agreement" or "harmony." The term was first used in the context of literature in the 16th century by scholars who were working on creating reference tools to help them compare and contrast different passages in the Bible. In the mid-16th century, the monk and scholar Robert Estienne (known as Stephanus) began publishing Bibles that included what he called a "concordantia," which was essentially a list of Hebrew, Greek, and Latin words that appeared in the text, along with their English translations and references to where each word appeared in the Bible. This tool allowed scholars to easily compare the usage of a particular word across the different languages and books of the Bible, making it easier to understand the meaning and significance of that word in its various contexts. This practice eventually led to the creation of full-scale concordances, which are still used today by biblical scholars, linguists, and students to understand the relationships between words and concepts in various texts. In summary, the word "concordance" refers to a reference tool that helps in comparing and contrasting different texts by identifying the exact words and phrases that appear in each text and their relationships with one another. The idea of a concordance grew out of the concept of "concord" or "harmony" in the 16th century and has since become an essential tool for anyone engaged in biblical studies or the study of other texts that require close attention to the meaning and usage of words.