An important aspect of the contextual principle is what is often called the principle of the first occurrence. That rule or principle says that the first occurrence of words and expressions in the Bible is often helpful when interpreting later uses of the same word or expression.[i] For example, if we want to understand the meaning of the word prophet as used in the Bible, an essential part of our word study is discovering when the word or concept is first introduced.
It doesn’t mean that the meaning of a word is fixed the first time it’s used. Word meanings develop over time, and different shades of meaning can be added[ii]. The Bible was written over a period of about 3500 years by about 40 different authors from different generations living in different historical settings. That makes the development of word meaning quite likely. However, knowing how it was first used is usually helpful. The first use of a word in the Bible is always a part of the broader canonical context that can throw light on the passages where it is later used. This rule is important because Bible authors read and often expounded on the previous revelation in their writing. Their theological worldview was shaped by the earlier revelation that they read. In addition to that, the Holy Spirit inspired all the authors.
The immediate and book contexts are the greatest determinants of meaning, and this rule doesn’t change that. However, because the Bible is one book, the meaning of a word (as used earlier in a book) often informs how the word is used later in the book.
[i] I first learned this principle and several others shared in this section when I read E.W. Bullinger, How to Enjoy the Bible: 12 Basic Principles for Understanding God’s Word, Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Classics, 1990
[ii] Even today, authors can use the same word in the same book as two different terms. That is, the same word can have different meanings in the same work. That’s common in secular writing today.