Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Meaning:The term "aloof" generally refers to being distant, detached, or uninvolved, either physically or emotionally. In a biblical context, it often describes a lack of engagement or concern, particularly in relationships or spiritual matters.
Biblical Usage and Context:While the specific word "aloof" may not frequently appear in most English translations of the Bible, the concept is present in various passages that describe individuals or groups who are emotionally or spiritually distant. This detachment can manifest in several ways, including indifference to the suffering of others, a lack of participation in communal worship, or a failure to engage with God's commandments.
Scriptural Examples:1.
Indifference to Suffering: In the book of Job, Job's friends initially come to comfort him but eventually become critical and unsympathetic. Their emotional distance and lack of true understanding can be seen as a form of aloofness. Job laments their behavior, saying, "My relatives stay far away, and my friends have turned against me" (
Job 19:13). This illustrates how aloofness can exacerbate the suffering of those in distress.
2.
Spiritual Detachment: The prophets often rebuked the Israelites for their spiritual aloofness, particularly when they turned away from God to follow idols. In Isaiah, God expresses His frustration with the people's superficial worship: "These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me" (
Isaiah 29:13). This passage highlights the danger of being spiritually aloof, where outward actions do not reflect true devotion.
3.
Failure to Act Justly: In the parable of the Good Samaritan (
Luke 10:25-37), Jesus contrasts the aloofness of the priest and the Levite, who pass by the injured man without helping, with the compassion of the Samaritan. The priest and Levite's decision to remain uninvolved serves as a warning against the sin of omission and the importance of active compassion.
Theological Implications:Aloofness, particularly in a spiritual sense, is often seen as a barrier to genuine relationship with God and others. It can lead to a hardened heart, making it difficult to respond to God's call or to the needs of those around us. The Bible encourages believers to be engaged and compassionate, reflecting God's love and justice in their interactions.
Practical Application:Christians are called to overcome aloofness by actively participating in their faith communities, showing empathy and support to those in need, and maintaining a close relationship with God through prayer and obedience. By doing so, they fulfill the commandment to love God and neighbor, as emphasized in
Matthew 22:37-39.
Related Concepts:· Compassion
· Empathy
· Indifference
· Spiritual Apathy
· Community Engagement
Further Reading:For more on the dangers of spiritual aloofness and the call to active faith, see the books of Isaiah and James, as well as Jesus' teachings in the Gospels.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
adv.) Without sympathy or desire to associate with others.
Greek
4724. stello -- to arrange, prepare, gather up, hence to restrain... stel'-lo) Short Definition: I arrange, take care, withdraw from Definition: I set,
arrange; mid: I provide for, take care, withdraw from, hold
aloof, avoid.
...873. aphorizo -- to mark off by boundaries from, ie set apart
... Word Origin from apo and horizo Definition to mark off by boundaries from, ie set
apart NASB Word Usage hold...aloof (1), ostracize (1), separate (2...
817. ater -- without
... in the absence of, without. A particle probably akin to aneu;aloof, ie Apart from
(literally or figuratively) -- in the absence of, without. see GREEK aneu....
4026. periistemi -- to stand around, turn around (to avoid)
... From peri and histemi; to stand all around, ie (near) to be a bystander, or (aloof)
to keep away from -- avoid, shun, stand by (round about). see GREEK peri....
Strong's Hebrew
5048. neged -- in front of, in sight of, opposite to... Word Origin from nagad Definition in front of, in sight of, opposite to NASB Word
Usage against (3),
aloof* (3), away (1), before (60), broad (1), demoralized
...5144. nazar -- to dedicate, consecrate
... A primitive root; to holdaloof, ie (intransitivey) abstain (from food and drink,
from impurity, and even from divine worship (ie Apostatize)); specifically...
7368. rachaq -- to be or become far or distant
... 1), remove you far (1), remove...far (1), removed and far (1), removed my far (2),
removed them far (1), removed...far (1), shun (1), standaloof (1), went far...
4480. min -- from
... 2), across* (3), addition* (1), after (16), after* (5), against (13), against*
(7), all (1), all alone* (1), all* (4), alone (2), alone* (2),aloof* (3), among...
Library
Let us StandAloof from Such Heretics.
... Chapter VII."Let us standaloof from such heretics. They abstain from the
Eucharist and from prayer, [1016] because they confess...
Recreant Reuben
... II. The reason for standingaloof. Reuben 'abode in the sheepfolds to hear the pipings
to the flocks.' For Dan his ships, for Asher his havens held them apart....
War! War! War!
... Not that this nation of England should touch it; God forbid. If tyrants fight,
let them fight; let free men standaloof.... We standaloof....
Fifth Tractate. On Love.
... neither desirous nor capable of descending to this sphere, never having developed
the downward tendency, a divine Hypostasis essentiallyaloof, so unreservedly...
Epistle xii. --To the Alexandrians.
... training and probation. For it by no means keptaloof from us, although
it spread with greatest violence among the heathen. 4. To...
On Admonition and Repentance.
... 2. Thou canst not hear His words, while thou dost not know thyself; and if thou
keepest His judgments while thy understanding isaloof from Him, who will give...
St. Chrysostom as a Homilist.
... Even when severely rebuking, when blazing with indignation, he never seems alien,
never standsaloof, but throws himself among them, in a very transport of...
Rom. I. 8
... For even when I was hindered he means, I did not standaloof from the attempt, but
I kept attempting always yet was always hindered, yet never did I stand...
Toleration
... to visit that man's soul, and cherish it, and teach it, and shape it (be it ever
so little) into His own likeness: and shall we dare to standaloof from him...
Guelf and Ghibelline. (ii)
... Thus when Frederick reached Palestine the Templars and Hospitallers heldaloof,
while the Mendicant Orders preached against him; and when, in accordance with...
Thesaurus
Aloof (15 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Aloof (15 Occurrences).
... (See NAS). 1 Thessalonians
5:22 Hold yourselves
aloof from every form of evil. (WEY DBY).
...Refrain (33 Occurrences)
... govern. 2. (vt) To abstain from. 3. (vi) To keep one's self from action
or interference; to holdaloof; to forbear; to abstain. 4...
Alongside (10 Occurrences)
Quarreling (17 Occurrences)
... end. (See RSV). Proverbs 20:3 It is an honor for a man to keepaloof from strife;
but every fool will be quarreling. (WEB RSV). Proverbs...
Quarrelling (5 Occurrences)
... is quarrelling. (ASV). Proverbs 20:3 It is an honor for a man to keepaloof
from strife; But every fool will be quarrelling. (ASV)....
Origin (25 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Acts 5:38 And now I tell you to holdaloof from these men and leave them
alone--for if this scheme or work is of human origin, it will come to nothing....
Justus (3 Occurrences)
... there had lost its first warmth, and when in consequence, probably, of their fear
of persecution, most of them had proved untrue and were holdingaloof from him...
Lovers (57 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Psalms 38:11 My lovers and my friends standaloof from my plague.
My kinsmen stand far away. (WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT)....
Greedy (24 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 5:10 not that in this world you are to keep whollyaloof from such
as they, any more than from people who are avaricious and greedy of gain, or...
Wholly (67 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 5:10 not that in this world you are to keep whollyaloof from such
as they, any more than from people who are avaricious and greedy of gain, or...
Resources
What does the Bible say about the evangelization of children? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that God is transcendent? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Isaiah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgAloof: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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