Topical Encyclopedia
The term "elsewhere" is not directly mentioned in the Bible; however, the concept of being in a different place or location is prevalent throughout the Scriptures. The Bible often contrasts specific locations with the idea of being elsewhere, emphasizing the significance of certain places in God's redemptive plan.
Biblical Context and Usage1.
Exile and Displacement: The theme of being elsewhere is vividly illustrated in the narratives of exile and displacement. The Israelites experienced being elsewhere during their captivity in Babylon. This period of exile was a result of their disobedience to God, as prophesied by Jeremiah: "This whole land will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years" (
Jeremiah 25:11). The concept of being elsewhere here signifies a place of judgment and reflection away from the Promised Land.
2.
Pilgrimage and Sojourning: The patriarchs, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, often found themselves elsewhere as they journeyed in faith.
Hebrews 11:9-10 states, "By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God." This passage highlights the transient nature of earthly life and the anticipation of a heavenly homeland.
3.
The Great Commission: The call to spread the Gospel inherently involves going elsewhere. Jesus commanded His disciples, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature" (
Mark 16:15). The mandate to evangelize requires believers to move beyond their familiar surroundings to reach those who are elsewhere, underscoring the global mission of the Church.
4.
Heaven and Earth: The ultimate "elsewhere" for Christians is the heavenly realm. The Bible contrasts the temporal nature of earthly life with the eternal promise of heaven.
Philippians 3:20 reminds believers, "But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ." This verse encourages Christians to live with an eternal perspective, recognizing that their true home is elsewhere, in the presence of God.
5.
Spiritual Condition: The concept of being elsewhere can also metaphorically describe a spiritual state. In the parable of the prodigal son, the younger son finds himself elsewhere, in a distant country, away from his father's house (
Luke 15:13). This narrative illustrates the consequences of straying from God and the joy of returning to Him.
Theological ImplicationsThe idea of being elsewhere in the Bible often serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the believer's journey of faith. Whether through physical displacement, spiritual wandering, or the call to mission, the concept underscores the transient nature of life and the eternal hope found in Christ. The Bible encourages believers to trust in God's plan, whether they find themselves in familiar surroundings or elsewhere, knowing that He is present and active in all places.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
adv.) In any other place; as, these trees are not to be found elsewhere.
2. (adv.) In some other place; in other places, indefinitely; as, it is reported in town and elsewhere.
Greek
237b. allachou --elsewhere... allachou. 238 .
elsewhere. Transliteration: allachou Short Definition: else. Word
Origin from allos Definition
elsewhere NASB Word Usage somewhere else (1).
...237. allachothen -- from another place
... some other way, from somewhere else From allos; fromelsewhere -- some other way.
see GREEK allos. (allachothen) -- 1 Occurrence. (allachou) -- 1 Occurrence....
3333. metakaleo -- to call from one place to another
... to invite, summon, call. From meta and kaleo; to callelsewhere, ie Summon -- call
(for, hither). see GREEK meta. see GREEK kaleo. (metakalesai) -- 1 Occurrence...
2411. hieron -- temple.
... of hieros; a sacred place, ie The entire precincts (whereas naos denotes the central
sanctuary itself) of the Temple (at Jerusalem orelsewhere) -- temple....
3343. metapempo -- to send after or for
... to send after, summon. From meta and pempo; to send fromelsewhere, ie (middle voice)
to summon or invite -- call (send) foreign. see GREEK meta. see GREEK pempo...
313. anagennao -- to beget again
... [313 () "does not occur in classical or Septuagintal Greek. Any useelsewhere
(ie outside the NT) is (cf. Moulton-Milligan; Selwyn, , 122)" ()....
3334. metakineo -- to move away, remove
... move away. From meta and kineo; to stir to a placeelsewhere, ie Remove
(figuratively) -- move away. see GREEK meta. see GREEK kineo....
4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... Nothing quite like this two-fold witness appearselsewhere in the Bible.
These statements sober the heart and inspire the soul!...
Strong's Hebrew
3069. Yhvh -- God... of Yhovah (used after 'Adonay, and pronounced by Jews as 'elohiym, in order to prevent
the repetition of the same sound, since they
elsewhere pronounce Yhovah
...6854. tsephardea -- frogs
... frog. From tsaphar and a wordelsewhere unused meaning a swamp; a marsh-leaper,
ie Frog -- frog. see HEBREW tsaphar. 6853, 6854. tsephardea. 6855 ....
39. Abimael -- "a father is El," a son of Joktan, also his desc.
... Abimael. From 'ab and anelsewhere unused (probably foreign) word; father of Mael
(apparently some Arab tribe); Abimael, a son of Joktan -- Abimael....
Library
I haveElsewhere Shown the Gross Darkness and Ignorance which...
... Address 49: I haveelsewhere shown the gross darkness and ignorance which
govern that which is called? I haveelsewhere shown...
When Celsus Here orElsewhere Finds Himself Unable to Dispute the...
... Chapter LIX. When Celsus here orelsewhere finds himself unable to dispute
the truth of what we? When Celsus here orelsewhere...
The Mystery of the Assumption of Our Perfect Human Nature by the...
... by the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity. He is Here Called, as Often
Elsewhere, the Spirit. Now, that we may give a simpler...
The Imagination Also Adds Even to Things we have not Seen, those...
... Book XI. Chapter 10."The Imagination Also Adds Even to Things We Have
Not Seen, Those Things Which We Have SeenElsewhere. 17....
Christ Clothed with the True Substance of Human Nature.
... 1. Of the divinity of Christ, which haselsewhere been established by clear and
solid proofs, I presume it were superfluous again to treat....
The Authorship.
... Places are named that are not spoken ofelsewhere in the Old or New Testament, and
of the existence of which we would have had no knowledge were it not for the...
Bethphage
... V. That which we produced first concerning the cause "of the stubborn elder," is
recited alsoelsewhere; and these words are added, "He found the council...
It is Said Then in the Psalms, "I Laid Me Down and Slept, and Rose...
... me." Again, in another place, "Because of the wretchedness of the needy and the
groaning of the poor, now will I arise, saith the Lord." Andelsewhere, as we...
The Jews Make all Ready for the War; and Simon, the Son of Gioras...
... James, in forbidding to swear in general, ch.5:12; 6:2, 3; yet do they explain it
elsewhere, by avoiding to swear falsely, and to swear often and in vain, ch.2...
He Ascended into Heaven, and Sitteth on the Right Hand of the...
... The same David sayselsewhere, "God hath ascended jubilantly, and the Lord with
the sound of the trumpet." For conquerors are wont to return from battle with...
Thesaurus
Elsewhere (14 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (adv.) In any other place; as, these trees are not
to be found
elsewhere.
... Multi-Version Concordance
Elsewhere (14 Occurrences).
...Measure (269 Occurrences)
... (a) Hok, Isaiah 5:14,elsewhere "statute." (b) Mad, Job 11:9... (e) Mishpat, Jeremiah
30:11,elsewhere "judgment." (f) Mithkoneth and token, Ezek. 45:11....
Watercourse (6 Occurrences)
... kors: (1) 'aphiq (Ezekiel 6:3; Ezekiel 31:12; Ezekiel 32:6; Ezekiel 34:13; Ezekiel
35:8; 36:4, 6), the King James Version "river,"elsewhere "stream," "channel...
Propitiation (4 Occurrences)
... translators in Exodus 25:17 andelsewhere as the equivalent for the Hebrew kapporeth,
which means "covering," and is used of the lid of the ark of the covenant...
Bondmaid (18 Occurrences)
... The word here is shiphchah. It occurs often in the Old Testament, but iselsewhere
translated "maid," "handmaid," "woman servant," "maidservant," etc....
Cushite (15 Occurrences)
... kush'-it: Whereas kushi, iselsewhere rendered Ethiopian, in 2 Samuel 18:21-32 it
is rendered Cushite in the Revised Version (British and American) (see CUSHI...
Governor (78 Occurrences)
...Elsewhere it is rendered "overseer" or "officer" (compare Genesis 41:34 2 Kings
25:19; Nehemiah 11:9, 22). (8) sar "governor of the city" (1 Kings 22:26)....
Red (124 Occurrences)
... The use, however, of ashes in Numbers 19:17 is unique in the Old Testament,
although parallels fromelsewhere can be adduced. So...
Heifer (22 Occurrences)
... hef'-er (parah, in Numbers 19 (see following article) and Hosea 4:16; `eghlah,
elsewhere in the Old Testament; damalis, in Hebrews 9:13):For the "heifer of...
Preacher (27 Occurrences)
... The word does not occurelsewhere, although it is from a stem that is in common
use. Apparently it has been coined for a purpose by the author of Ecclesiastes....
Resources
What is the theory of directed panspermia? | GotQuestions.orgWhere was Jesus for the three days between His death and resurrection? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a spiritual father? | GotQuestions.orgElsewhere: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
