Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and ContextIn the biblical context, "pursuit" often refers to the act of chasing or striving after something or someone with determination. This can be seen in both physical and spiritual dimensions, where individuals or groups pursue enemies, goals, righteousness, or God Himself. The concept of pursuit is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating both human endeavors and divine actions.
Old Testament Examples1.
Military Pursuit: One of the most common uses of pursuit in the Old Testament is in the context of warfare. For instance, in the book of Exodus, the Egyptians pursued the Israelites as they fled from slavery. "The Egyptians—all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, horsemen and troops—pursued and overtook them as they camped by the sea" (
Exodus 14:9). This pursuit highlights the relentless nature of Pharaoh's army and sets the stage for God's miraculous deliverance of His people.
2.
Pursuit of Righteousness: The pursuit of righteousness is a recurring theme in the wisdom literature.
Proverbs 21:21 states, "He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor" . This verse underscores the blessings associated with diligently seeking a life that aligns with God's standards.
3.
Divine Pursuit: God’s pursuit of His people is a profound theme in the Old Testament. The prophet Hosea illustrates God's relentless love and pursuit of Israel despite their unfaithfulness.
Hosea 2:14-15 depicts God’s intention to allure and speak tenderly to His people, demonstrating His desire to restore and redeem them.
New Testament Examples1.
Pursuit of Peace and Holiness: In the New Testament, believers are encouraged to pursue peace and holiness.
Hebrews 12:14 exhorts, "Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord" . This pursuit is essential for maintaining unity within the body of Christ and for personal sanctification.
2.
Pursuit of God’s Kingdom: Jesus emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the pursuit of God’s kingdom. In
Matthew 6:33, He instructs, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you" . This pursuit involves a commitment to placing God’s will above all earthly concerns.
3.
Paul’s Example: The Apostle Paul frequently speaks of his own pursuit of Christ and the heavenly prize. In
Philippians 3:12-14, he writes, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been perfected, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me... I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus" . Paul’s relentless pursuit serves as a model for believers to strive toward spiritual maturity and eternal rewards.
Theological ImplicationsThe concept of pursuit in the Bible reveals the dynamic relationship between God and humanity. It illustrates human responsibility in seeking God and His righteousness, while also highlighting God’s active role in pursuing and drawing people to Himself. The biblical narrative portrays pursuit as a vital aspect of faith, where believers are called to actively engage in their spiritual journey, seeking to align their lives with God’s purposes and promises.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The act of following or going after; esp., a following with haste, either for sport or in hostility; chase; prosecution; as, the pursuit of game; the pursuit of an enemy.
2. (n.) A following with a view to reach, accomplish, or obtain; endeavor to attain to or gain; as, the pursuit of knowledge; the pursuit of happiness or pleasure.
3. (v. t.) Course of business or occupation; continued employment with a view to same end; as, mercantile pursuits; a literary pursuit.
4. (v. t.) Prosecution.
Greek
5385. philosophia -- the love orpursuit of wisdom... the love or
pursuit of wisdom. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
philosophia Phonetic Spelling: (fil-os-of-ee'-ah) Short Definition: love of wisdom
...1375. diogmos -- persecution
... of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: diogmos Phonetic Spelling:
(dee-ogue-mos') Short Definition: persecution Definition: chase,pursuit; persecution....
4197. poreia -- a journey
... a journey. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: poreia Phonetic Spelling:
(por-i'-ah) Short Definition: a journey,pursuit, undertaking Definition: a...
973. biastes -- a violent man
... biastes Phonetic Spelling: (bee-as-tace') Short Definition: a forceful, violent
man Definition: a forceful, violent man; one who is eager inpursuit....
Strong's Hebrew
7291. radaph -- to pursue, chase, persecute... persecutors (4), press (1), pursue (36), pursued (37), pursuer (1), pursuers (9),
pursues (9), pursuing (13), puts to flight (1), took up the
pursuit (1), went
...1245. baqash -- to seek
... consulted (1), demand (1), desire (1), eager (1), hold* (1), inquired (2), investigated
(1), look (3), looked (1), looking (3), plead (1),pursuit (1), request...
1875. darash -- to resort to, seek
... A primitive root; properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (forpursuit
or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship -- ask, X...
1692. dabaq -- to cling, cleave, keep close
... A primitive root; properly, to impinge, ie Cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch
bypursuit -- abide fast, cleave (fast together), follow close (hard after...
3318. yatsa -- to go or come out
... pluck (1), prematurely (1), proceed (4), proceeded (11), proceeds (1), produces
(3), projecting (3), promised* (1), publicly (2), pull (1),pursuit (1), put...
Library
ThePursuit of God
ThePursuit of God. <. ThePursuit of God AW Tozer. Produced by Free
Elf, Colin Bell, and the Online Distributed Proofreading...
The Master's Profession --The Disciple'sPursuit
... The Master's Profession"The Disciple'sPursuit. A Sermon (No.977). Delivered
on Thursday Evening, April 21st, 1870 by. CH SPURGEON,....
ThePursuit of Human Glory, we Maintain, is Forbidden not Only by...
... Chapter XXIV. Thepursuit of human glory, we maintain, is forbidden not
only by the teaching of? Thepursuit of human glory, we...
ThePursuit
... CHAPTER II THEPURSUIT. Meanwhile, there was a hubbub in Vienna.... Even Kimberker cried
thepursuit. "Fear God!" he said. "For this is no common mishap!"....
ThePursuit of God
ThePursuit of God. <.... Title Page. ThePursuit of God. "Then shall
we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going...
The Adventures of Achamoth Outside the Pleroma the Mission of...
... Chapter XIV."The Adventures of Achamoth Outside the Pleroma The Mission of Christ
inPursuit of Her. Her Longing for Christ. Horos' Hostility to Her....
Of Learning Philosophy, and what Great Qualifications are...
... Of the False Wisdom of Philosophers. Chap. XXV."Of Learning Philosophy, and
What Great Qualifications are Necessary for ItsPursuit....
Of those who are Able to Profit Others by virtuous Example in...
... OF GREGORY THE GREAT BISHOP OF ROME, Chapter V. Of those who are able to profit
others by virtuous example in supreme rule, but fly from it inpursuit of their...
Of False Wisdom.
... Philosophy is the love orpursuit of wisdom.... If it is thepursuit of wisdom,
not even thus is philosophy identical with wisdom....
Whether Daring Ensues from Hope?
... Now every movement of the appetitive power is reducible to one either of
pursuit or of avoidance. Again,pursuit or avoidance is...
Thesaurus
Pursuit (35 Occurrences)... 1. (n.) The act of following or going after; esp., a following with haste, either
for sport or in hostility; chase; prosecution; as, the
pursuit of game; the
...Eager (43 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Excited by desire in thepursuit of any object; ardent to pursue, perform,
or obtain; keenly desirous; hotly longing; earnest; zealous; impetuous...
Scribes (85 Occurrences)
... study of the Law. Rabbi Gamaliel II emphatically advised thepursuit of a
business in addition to thepursuit of the Law. It is well...
Quest (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of seeking, or looking after anything; attempt to find or obtain;
search;pursuit; as, to rove in quest of game, of a lost child, of property...
Fugitive (12 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Fleeing frompursuit, danger, restraint, etc., escaping, from service, duty
etc.; as, a fugitive solder; a fugitive slave; a fugitive debtor....
Earnest (33 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Sincere; purposeful; ardent in thepursuit of an object; eager to obtain
or do; zealous with sincerity; with hearty endeavor; heartfelt; fervent; hearty...
Aner (3 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A boy. (1.) A Canaanitish chief who joined his forces
with those of Abraham inpursuit of Chedorlaomer (Genesis 14:13, 24)....
Ammah (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A cubit, the name of a hill which Joab and Abishai reached
as the sun went down, when they were inpursuit of Abner (2 Samuel 2:24)....
Steady (10 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Constant in feeling, purpose, orpursuit; not fickle, changeable, or wavering;
not easily moved or persuaded to alter a purpose; resolute; as, a man...
Suit (15 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of following or pursuing, as game;
pursuit. 2. (n.) The act of suing; the process by which...
Resources
Is the United States a Christian nation? | GotQuestions.orgDoes God pursue us? | GotQuestions.orgIs being holy even possible, since only God is holy? | GotQuestions.orgPursuit: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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