When does the Bible first use a form of the word “thank”? Where do we find the last use of “thank”? And how about which book uses the word the most? Or the most per capita? Enjoy this small exercise to get your heart (and stomach!) turned toward Thanksgiving.
The observations below are simply a concordance and spreadsheet overview of the Bible’s use of the word “thank” or a form of it such as “thankfulness” or “thanksgiving.” This exercise is more an act of curiosity rather than profundity, but it does provide an opportunity to think about God’s Word and ponder thankfulness. You can’t go wrong with either of those.
First Use
While we see acts of thankfulness expressed in Genesis (Noah building an altar) and Exodus (Moses writing a song), the first use of the word “thank” occurs in Leviticus 7:12 regarding a peace offering. Fittingly, this is one offering that allowed laymen (non-priests) to eat part of the offering.
Most Use
The book with the most uses of the word “thank”? Any guesses? Yep, Psalms. By a wide margin. A form of the word “thank” shows up 27 times in Psalms. The second place finisher is 1 Corinthians, with only nine.
Most use per capita (per chapter and per verse)
But while Psalms contains the most uses of “thank,” it ranks second in the Old Testament and 13th overall in its use of “thank” per capita by verse. The Old Testament leader is Nehemiah with 7 “thanks” in 13 chapters and 405 verses. Given the message of Nehemiah, that makes sense. In the New Testament (and overall), the leader is Colossians, with 6 “thanks” in 4 chapters and 95 verses, that’s more than one “thank” per chapter. Given the emphasis on Jesus’ work on our behalf, that makes sense.
Last Use:
As you might expect, it comes in the book of Revelation. In fact, it is a fitting prayer of thanksgiving to help us turn our hearts and minds to Thanksgiving:
“We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.”
Revelation 11:17