Bible Encyclopedias
Inquisition

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

in - kwi - zish´un ( דּרשׁ , dārash , "to follow," "diligently inquire," "question," "search" ( Deuteronomy 19:18; Psalm 9:12 ), בּקשׁ , baḳash , "to search out," "to strive after," "inquire" (Esther 2:23 )): The term refers, as indicated by these passages, first of all to a careful and diligent inquiry necessary to ascertain the truth from witnesses in a court, but may also refer to a careful examination into circumstances or conditions without official authority.