Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of exile is a significant theme throughout the Bible, representing both physical displacement and spiritual separation from God. In the biblical narrative, exile often serves as a consequence of disobedience to God's commandments, a period of purification, or a means of divine discipline and restoration.
Old Testament Exile1.
Adam and Eve: The first instance of exile occurs in Genesis when Adam and Eve are expelled from the Garden of Eden due to their disobedience (
Genesis 3:23-24). This exile marks the beginning of humanity's separation from God and the loss of paradise.
2.
Cain: After murdering his brother Abel, Cain is cursed and becomes a wanderer on the earth, experiencing a form of exile as he is driven from the presence of the Lord (
Genesis 4:12-16).
3.
The Flood: While not a traditional exile, the Flood narrative in
Genesis 6-9 can be seen as a form of divine judgment leading to the destruction and renewal of the earth, with Noah and his family being preserved to repopulate the world.
4.
The Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob experience various forms of exile as they sojourn in foreign lands. Abraham is called to leave his homeland (
Genesis 12:1), and Jacob flees to Haran to escape Esau's wrath (
Genesis 28:10).
5.
Joseph: Sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph's exile in Egypt ultimately leads to the preservation of his family during a time of famine (Genesis 37-50).
6.
The Babylonian Exile: The most significant exile in the Old Testament is the Babylonian Exile, where the Kingdom of Judah is conquered, and its people are taken captive to Babylon (2 Kings 24-25). This exile is seen as a punishment for the nation's idolatry and disobedience, as prophesied by Jeremiah (
Jeremiah 25:11-12) and Isaiah (
Isaiah 39:6-7).
New Testament Exile1.
Jesus Christ: The New Testament presents Jesus as experiencing a form of exile through His incarnation. He leaves the glory of heaven to dwell among humanity, ultimately facing rejection and crucifixion (
John 1:10-11).
2.
The Early Church: The early Christians often faced persecution and were scattered, experiencing exile as they spread the Gospel. This dispersion is seen as fulfilling Jesus' command to be His witnesses "to the ends of the earth" (
Acts 1:8).
3.
Spiritual Exile: The New Testament also speaks of a spiritual exile, where sin separates individuals from God. The call to repentance and faith in Christ offers a way back from this exile, restoring the relationship with God (
Ephesians 2:12-13).
Theological SignificanceExile in the Bible is not merely a historical or geographical event but carries deep theological significance. It serves as a metaphor for the human condition of separation from God due to sin. Yet, it also holds the promise of redemption and restoration. The return from exile, as seen in the return of the Jewish people from Babylon, prefigures the ultimate restoration through Jesus Christ, who reconciles humanity to God and promises an eternal home for believers (
Revelation 21:3-4).
Throughout Scripture, exile is a tool used by God to bring about repentance, transformation, and a deeper understanding of His sovereignty and grace.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Exile.
Greek
1290. diaspora -- a dispersion (Isr. in Gentile countries)... [1290 () properly refers to
exiled to foreign lands, ie Jews residing of Palestine
(see Jn 7:35).]. Word Origin from diaspeiro Definition a dispersion (Isr.
...Strong's Hebrew
1540. galah -- to uncover, remove... go into captivity (1), committed (1), depart (1), departed (3), deported (1),
disappears (1), discloses (2), disclosing (1), exile (8),
exiled (4), exiles (1
...7628. shbiy -- captive
... From shbuw;exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and
collectively); by extension, booty -- captive(-ity), prisoners, X take away, that...
1473. golah -- exiles, exile
... part. of galah Definition exiles, exile NASB Word Usage captives (1), exile (19),
exiled* (1), exiles (16), exiles* (5). carried away, captivity, removing....
3020. Yogli -- perhaps "led into exile," a Danite
... Jogli (1). Jogli. From galah;exiled; Jogli, an Israelite -- Jogli. see HEBREW
galah. 3019, 3020. Yogli. 3021 . Strong's Numbers.
3318. yatsa -- to go or come out
... 1), departs (1), departure (1), descendants (2), do (1), draw (1), drawn (1), end
(1), entered (1), escape (3), escaped (2), exacted (1),exiled* (1), exported...
Library
How ValensExiled the virtuous Bishops.
... Book IV. Chapter XII."How Valensexiled the virtuous bishops. At the very
time of the baptism of Valens Eudoxius bound the unhappy...
Liberius, Bishop of Rome, and the Cause of his BeingExiled by...
... Book IV. Chapter XI."Liberius, Bishop of Rome, and the cause of his being
exiled by Constantius. Felix his Successor. Although...
Of Eudoxia's Silver Statue. On Account of it John isExiled a...
... Book VI. Chapter XVIII."Of Eudoxia's Silver Statue. On account of it John
isexiled a Second Time. At this time a silver statue...
Knox in the English Puritan Troubles at Frankfort: 1554-1555
... Dissent. The representatives of Puritans and of Anglicans were now alike
exiled, poor, homeless, without any abiding city. That...
Jeremiah
... Jehoahaz, the successor of Josiah, deposed by the Egyptians andexiled after a three
months' reign, xxii.10-12, was succeeded by the rapacious Jehoiakim (608...
Sparrows and Altars
... The well-known saying of the saintly Rutherford, when he was silenced and
exiled from his parish, echoes and expounds these words....
The Forty-Eighth Chapter: the Day of Eternity and the Distresses...
... earth. The citizens of heaven know how joyful that day is, but theexiled
sons of Eve mourn that this one is bitter and tedious....
The Bohemian Confessions after the Reformation. AD 1535 and 1575.
...Exiled Bohemians were to be found in every country of Europe, and were not
wanting in any of the armies that fought against Austria....
From this First Proof that the Prince had Been Won Over to their...
... bitterness. Then Eusebius, bishop of the Vercellenses, and Lucifer, bishop
of Caralis [373] in Sardinia, wereexiled. Dionysius, however...
Honoratus
... 2745] bishop of Constantina in Africa wrote a letter to one Arcadius who on account
of his confession of the catholic faith had beenexiled to Africa by King...
Thesaurus
Exiled (14 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Exiled (14 Occurrences). 2 Kings 17:23 until Yahweh removed
Israel out of his sight, as he spoke by all his servants the prophets.
...Education (4 Occurrences)
... Under the pressure of adverse external circumstances the only source of comfort
for theexiled people was in the law and covenant of Yahweh, while the...
Exiles (46 Occurrences)
Kir (11 Occurrences)
... kiru (for qiru), "wall," "inclosure," "interior," or the like, Kir might have the
general meaning of a place parted off for the reception ofexiled captives....
Nehushta (1 Occurrence)
... After the fall of the city she wasexiled with her son and his court (2 Kings
24:12 Jeremiah 29:2). Multi-Version Concordance Nehushta (1 Occurrence)....
Israel (27466 Occurrences)
... And when Judah itself was carried off to Babylon, many of theexiled Israelites
joined them from Assyria, and swelled that immense population which made...
Foreign (65 Occurrences)
... 4. (a.) Held at a distance; excluded;exiled. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
FOREIGN DIVINITIES. for'-in di-vin'-i-tiz (Acts 17:18 margin). See GOD, STRANGE....
Three (5005 Occurrences)
... that the sufferings of the nation in Babylon were wholly deserved, and an earnest
entreaty that God would intervene on behalf of Hisexiled and afflicted people...
Regemmelech (1 Occurrence)
... Friend of the king, one of the two messengers sent by theexiled Jews to Jerusalem
in the time of Darius (Zechariah 7:2) to make inquiries at the temple. Int....
Regem-melech (1 Occurrence)
... Friend of the king, one of the two messengers sent by theexiled Jews to Jerusalem
in the time of Darius (Zechariah 7:2) to make inquiries at the temple. Int....
Resources
What is the importance of Patmos in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about nationalism? | GotQuestions.orgWho was the first Jew? | GotQuestions.orgExiled: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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