Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Usage:The term "befall" is used in the Bible to describe events or occurrences that happen to individuals or groups, often with a connotation of fate or divine providence. It is a verb that signifies the unfolding of events, whether positive or negative, and is frequently associated with the fulfillment of God's will or the consequences of human actions.
Biblical Context:In the biblical narrative, the concept of events befalling individuals is often tied to the overarching theme of God's sovereignty and the moral order He has established. The occurrences that befall people are seen as part of God's divine plan, whether they are blessings or judgments.
Old Testament References:The Old Testament frequently uses the concept of events befalling individuals or nations as a reflection of their relationship with God. For example, in
Genesis 42:4, Jacob expresses concern for his son Benjamin, saying, "But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with the others, because he feared that harm might befall him." Here, the potential for harm is seen as a possible outcome of the journey, reflecting Jacob's protective nature and the precariousness of life.
In
Deuteronomy 31:29, Moses warns the Israelites of the consequences that will befall them if they turn away from God: "For I know that after my death you will become utterly corrupt and turn from the way I have commanded you. In the days to come, disaster will befall you, because you will do evil in the sight of the LORD and provoke Him to anger through the work of your hands." This passage highlights the conditional nature of the events that befall the Israelites, contingent upon their faithfulness to God's commandments.
New Testament References:In the New Testament, the concept of befalling is often linked to the fulfillment of prophecy and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan. In
Acts 20:22, the Apostle Paul speaks of the uncertainty of what will befall him as he follows the Holy Spirit's leading: "And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there." Paul's statement reflects a trust in God's providence despite the unknown nature of future events.
Theological Implications:From a theological perspective, the events that befall individuals are understood within the framework of divine providence. God is seen as actively involved in the world, guiding the course of history and the lives of individuals according to His purposes. The occurrences that befall people serve as opportunities for growth, testing, and the demonstration of faith.
Moral and Ethical Considerations:The Bible often presents the events that befall individuals as consequences of their moral and ethical choices. Righteous living is associated with blessings, while disobedience and sin lead to negative outcomes. This moral order underscores the importance of aligning one's life with God's will to ensure that what befalls them is in accordance with His blessings rather than His judgment.
Conclusion:The concept of "befall" in the Bible serves as a reminder of the interplay between human free will and divine sovereignty. It calls believers to trust in God's plan, remain faithful to His commandments, and seek His guidance in all circumstances, knowing that He is ultimately in control of all that befalls them.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To happen to.
2. (v. i.) To come to pass; to happen.
Greek
4876. sunantao -- to meet with, hence tobefall... to meet with, hence to
befall. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: sunantao Phonetic
Spelling: (soon-an-tah'-o) Short Definition: I meet, encounter Definition
...2186. ephistemi -- to set upon, set up, to stand upon, be present
... be present. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: ephistemi Phonetic Spelling:
(ef-is'-tay-mee) Short Definition: I stand by, am urgent,befall one, impend...
4819. sumbaino -- to come together, ie (of events) to come to pass
...befall, happen unto. From sun and the base of basis; to walk (figuratively, transpire)
together, ie Concur (take place) -- be(-fall), happen (unto)....
Strong's Hebrew
7122. qara -- to encounter,befall... to encounter,
befall. Transliteration: qara Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-raw') Short
Definition: meet.
...befall, by chance, cause to come upon, fall out, happen, meet.
...7136a. qarah -- to encounter, meet,befall
... 7136, 7136a. qarah. 7136b . to encounter, meet,befall. Transliteration:
qarah Short Definition: happened. Word Origin a prim. root...
7136. qarah -- to encounter, meet,befall
... 7135, 7136. qarah. 7136a . to encounter, meet,befall. Transliteration:
qarah Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-raw') Short Definition: appoint....
579. anah -- to be opportune, to meet, encounter opportunely
... anah. 580 . to be opportune, to meet, encounter opportunely. Transliteration:
anah Phonetic Spelling: (aw-naw') Short Definition:befall. Word Origin a prim....
4672. matsa -- to attain to, find
... root Definition to attain to, find NASB Word Usage actually found (1), afford*
(1),befall (1), befallen (2), befell (1), came (2), caught (5), come (6), comes...
935. bo -- to come in, come, go in, go
... abide, apply, attain, be,befall, besiege, bring forth, in,. A primitive root;
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) -- abide...
4745. miqreh -- accident, chance, fortune
... 1), chance (1), fate (6), happened* (1). something befallen,befall, chance,
event, happen. From qarah; something met with, ie An...
1961. hayah -- to fall out, come to pass, become, be
... 1), apply (1), became (85), became his and lived (1), became* (1), become (221),
becomes (13), becoming (1), been (90), been done (2),befall (1), befallen (2...
Library
Therefore May it NeverBefall Me to be Separated by My God from...
... Section 58. Therefore may it neverbefall me to be separated by my God from
his? 58. Therefore may it neverbefall me to be separated...
A Good Declaring of Some Certain Deceits that MayBefall in this...
... HERE BEGINNETH THE FIVE AND FORTIETH CHAPTER A good declaring of some certain deceits
that maybefall in this work.... And on this manner may this deceitbefall....
Jesaia, Dem Propheten, Das Geschah. These Things the Seer Isaiah...
... XXV. Jesaia, dem Propheten, das geschah. These Things the Seer Isaiah didbefall.
The German Sanctus. Written for Luther's German Mass, 1526. Melody, 1526....
The Substance of all Perfection is Nought Else but a Good Will...
... AND FORTIETH CHAPTER The substance of all perfection is nought else but a good will;
and how that all sounds and comfort and sweetness that maybefall in this...
To Sit in the Throne of God is the Most Supreme Estate that Can...
... THE FOURTH CENTURY 71 To sit in the Throne of God is the most supreme estate
that canbefall a creature. To sit in the Throne of...
He Thought Also that no Poverty couldBefall Him that Enjoyed...
... THE FOURTH CENTURY 36 He thought also that no poverty couldbefall him that
enjoyed Paradise. He thought also that no poverty could...
Celsus, However, Accepting or Granting that Jesus Foreknew what...
... Chapter XIV. Celsus, however, accepting or granting that Jesus foreknew what
wouldbefall Him? Celsus, however, accepting or granting...
Sermon for Epiphany
... showeth how God, of His great faithfulness hath foreseen and ordained all sufferings
for the eternal good of each man, in whatever wise theybefall us, and...
The vision of the Son of Man.
... sent. "Now I am come to make thee understand what shallbefall thy people
in the latter days; for yet the vision is for many days......
Of Good Angels
... "This gives me notice," said he, "every morning, of any evil which willbefall me
that day." A late writer, indeed, (I suppose one that hardly believes the...
Thesaurus
Befall (25 Occurrences)... 2. (vi) To come to pass; to happen. Multi-Version Concordance
Befall (25 Occurrences).
... Do not sin any more, or a worse thing may
befall you." (WEY ASV RSV).
...Mischief (64 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Genesis 42:4 But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren;
for he said, Lest peradventure mischiefbefall him. (KJV DBY WBS YLT)....
Befallen (20 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (pp) ofBefall. Multi-Version Concordance Befallen
(20 Occurrences). Matthew 8:33 And they that kept them...
Befalls (6 Occurrences)
... Befalls (6 Occurrences). Genesis 44:29 and if ye take this one also from me, and
harmbefall him, ye will bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave....
Grave (128 Occurrences)
... Genesis 42:38 And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is
dead, and he is left alone: if mischiefbefall him by the way in the which ye...
Beeves (6 Occurrences)
Hate (177 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) To have a great aversion to, with a strong desire that evil shouldbefall
the person toward whom the feeling is directed; to dislike intensely; to...
Latter (91 Occurrences)
... Genesis 49:1 And Jacob called unto his sons, and said: gather yourselves together,
that I may tell you that which shallbefall you in the latter days....
Locust (25 Occurrences)
... The devastations they make in Eastern lands are often very appalling. The invasions
of locusts are the heaviest calamites that canbefall a country....
Fortune (7 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) That which befalls or is tobefall one; lot in life, or event in any
particular undertaking; fate; destiny; as, to tell one's fortune....
Resources
Does God need us? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the consequences of nations turning away from God? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is an omen? | GotQuestions.orgBefall: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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