Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the concept of "farewell" encompasses both the act of parting and the expressions of blessing and hope for those who are departing. The term is often associated with the end of a journey, mission, or relationship, and it carries significant emotional and spiritual weight. Throughout Scripture, farewells are moments of transition, reflection, and often divine commissioning.
Old Testament FarewellsIn the Old Testament, farewells are frequently seen in the context of blessings and covenants. For instance, when Jacob prepares to leave Laban, he takes his family and possessions, and they part ways with a covenant and a heap of stones as a witness (
Genesis 31:44-49). This farewell is marked by a mutual agreement and a recognition of God's oversight.
Moses' farewell to the Israelites is another poignant example. As he prepares to die, Moses delivers a series of speeches, blessings, and warnings to the people of Israel (Deuteronomy 31-33). His farewell is not only a goodbye but also a prophetic charge, urging the Israelites to remain faithful to God.
New Testament FarewellsIn the New Testament, farewells often occur in the context of missionary journeys and the early church's expansion. The Apostle Paul, in particular, is known for his heartfelt farewells. In
Acts 20:17-38, Paul bids farewell to the Ephesian elders. He reminds them of his ministry among them, warns them of future challenges, and commends them to God. This passage highlights the deep emotional bonds formed in Christian ministry and the reliance on God's grace for the future.
Paul's letters also contain farewell elements. In
2 Corinthians 13:11, he writes, "Finally, brothers, rejoice! Aim for perfect harmony, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you." Here, Paul's farewell includes exhortations for unity and peace, reflecting the communal nature of the Christian faith.
Expressions of FarewellFarewells in the Bible are often accompanied by blessings and prayers. The Hebrew word "shalom," meaning peace, is frequently used as a farewell blessing, conveying a wish for wholeness and well-being. In the New Testament, the Greek word "eirēnē" carries a similar connotation.
The farewell greeting "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you" is a common Pauline benediction, as seen in
1 Corinthians 16:23. This expression underscores the centrality of Christ's grace in the life of believers and serves as a reminder of the spiritual bond that transcends physical separation.
Theological SignificanceFarewells in the Bible often serve as moments of theological reflection and instruction. They remind believers of the transient nature of earthly life and the eternal hope found in God. Farewells are opportunities to reaffirm faith, express love, and entrust one another to God's care.
In the broader biblical narrative, farewells point to the ultimate reunion of God's people in His eternal kingdom. The temporary nature of earthly partings is contrasted with the promise of eternal fellowship with God and fellow believers, as depicted in
Revelation 21:3-4, where God will dwell with His people, and there will be no more death or mourning.
ConclusionWhile farewells in the Bible are often marked by sadness and separation, they are also infused with hope, blessing, and divine assurance. They reflect the deep relational bonds within the community of faith and the enduring presence of God with His people.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
interj.) Go well; good-by; adieu; -- originally applied to a person departing, but by custom now applied both to those who depart and those who remain. It is often separated by the pronoun; as, fare you well; and is sometimes used as an expression of separation only; as, farewell the year; farewell, ye sweet groves; that is, I bid you farewell.
2. (n.) A wish of happiness or welfare at parting; the parting compliment; a good-by; adieu.
3. (n.) Act of departure; leave-taking; a last look at, or reference to something.
4. (a.) Parting; valedictory; final; as, a farewell discourse; his farewell bow.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
FAREWELLfar-wel' (chairo), Fare ye, or thou, well: Originally a wish at parting for those faring forth (traveling):
(1) As a parting wish at the close of a letter it represents the Greek err(h)oso, "Be strong," imperative of rhonnumi, "to make strong" (Acts 15:29;Acts 23:30 the King James Version; see the Revised Version, margin; 2 Maccabees 11:21); once chairete (imperative of chairo), "Rejoice!" (2 Corinthians 13:11, the Revised Version, margin "Rejoice: be perfected").
(2) As equivalent to our saying "good-bye," it represents the Greek apotassomai, "to separate one's self," "to take leave," "to bid farewell" (Luke 9:61, "to bid farewell to them that are at my house"; Acts 18:21, "bade them farewell," the Revised Version (British and American) "taking his leave of them").
SeeFARE;GREETING.
W. L. Walker
Greek
4517. rhonnumi -- to strengthen, be strong... strengthen, be strong. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: rhonnumi Phonetic Spelling:
(hrone'-noo-mee) Short Definition: I strengthen,
farewell Definition: I
...657. apotasso -- to set apart, take leave of
... Word Origin from apo and tasso Definition to set apart, take leave of NASB Word
Usage bidding...farewell (1), give (1), say good-bye (1), taking...leave (1...
5463. chairo -- to rejoice, be glad
...farewell, be glad, God speed, rejoice. A primary verb; to be "cheer"ful,
ie Calmly happy or well-off; impersonally, especially as...
537b. apaspazomai -- to take leave of
... 537a, 537b. apaspazomai. 538 . to take leave of. Transliteration: apaspazomai
Short Definition:farewell. Word Origin from apo and...
1515. eirene -- one, peace, quietness, rest.
... Phonetic Spelling: (i-ray'-nay) Short Definition: peace, peace of mind Definition:
peace, peace of mind; invocation of peace a common Jewishfarewell, in the...
Strong's Hebrew
7971. shalach -- to send... root Definition to send NASB Word Usage again (5), bade his
farewell (1), burned*
(1), cast (2), cast off (1), casting (1), certainly let (1), certainly let
...Library
AFarewell.
... THE SOUL. XVII. AFAREWELL. Ffowch deganau gwael y ddaear 8,7,8,7,8,7,8,7. Fly,
Earth's gaudy, fading trifles; Empty joys, no longer stay:...
AFarewell: to CEG
... AFAREWELL: TO CEG. My fairest child, I have no song to give you; No lark
could pipe in skies so dull and gray; Yet, if you will, one...
TheFarewell
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First XXXVI THEFAREWELL. Anon.... Then, base delights
and dunghill joys!Farewell, adieu! While yet I live I'm dead to you,....
Farewell to America
... Chapter 2. Troubles in Georgia; Return to England; Peter Bohler; "I Felt
my Heart Strangely Warmed"Farewell to America. Thursday...
AFarewell
... BOOK III CHAPTER XLI AFAREWELL. For I am long since weary of your storm
Of... present. I know that I am bidding youfarewell for ever....
The Minister'sFarewell
... The Minister'sFarewell.... II. I must now turn away from the apostle Paul to address
you A VERY FEW EARNEST, SINCERE AND AFFECTIONATE WORDS BY WAY OFFAREWELL....
TheFarewell
... CHAPTER XXXVI THEFAREWELL. WE cannot find out from any history of Dr. Tauler,
the exact time of his abode in Cologne. He must have...
The King'sFarewell
... DD, Litt. D.; ST. MATTHEW Chaps. XVIII to XXVIII THE KING'SFAREWELL. 'Woe
unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are...
Farewell to a Missionary.
... ORIGINAL HYMNS HYMN CCLIV.Farewell to a Missionary. 8.8.8.8.8.8 James Montgomery.
Farewell to a Missionary. Home, kindred, friends, and country, these....
The ChristianFarewell.
... SOCIAL AND DOMESTIC WORSHIP. 923. " The ChristianFarewell. 923. LM Doddridge.
The ChristianFarewell. 1 Thy presence, everlasting God!...
Thesaurus
Farewell (13 Occurrences)... It is often separated by the pronoun; as, fare you well; and is sometimes used as
an expression of separation only; as,
farewell the year;
farewell, ye sweet
...Bade (27 Occurrences)
... and of the Sadducees. (KJV ASV). Mark 6:46 He then bade the peoplefarewell,
and went away up the hill to pray. (WEY). Luke 14:9 And...
Kiss (39 Occurrences)
... his father); Exodus 4:27 (Aaron and Moses); 18:7 (Moses and Jethro, united with
obeisance); Ruth 1:9, 14 (Naomi and her daughters-in-law-afarewell); 2 Samuel...
Fare (13 Occurrences)
... (singular) imperat. (err(h)oso) or plural (err(h)osthe) as afarewell salutation,
or at the close of a...Farewell." (Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)....
Deuteronomy (1 Occurrence)
... Thesefarewell addresses of Moses to the tribes of Israel he had so long led in
the wilderness "glow in each line with the emotions of a great leader...
Bid (35 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To offer in words; to declare, as a wish, a greeting, a threat, or defiance,
etc.; as, to bid one welcome; to bid good morning,farewell, etc....
Adieu (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (interj. & adv.) Good-by;farewell; an expression of kind wishes at parting.
2. (n.) Afarewell; commendation to the care of God at parting....
Unchastity (5 Occurrences)
...Farewell." (See RSV). 1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God: your
sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality, (See RSV)....
Obtaining (5 Occurrences)
... (WEY). 2 Corinthians 2:13 yet, obtaining no relief for my spirit because I did not
find our brother Titus, I bade themfarewell and went on into Macedonia....
Joshua (211 Occurrences)
... This section has been compared to the Domesday Book of the Norman conquest. (3.)
Thefarewell addresses of Joshua, with an account of his death (23, 24)....
Resources
What is the whole counsel of God? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of the Hebrew word shalom? | GotQuestions.orgHow can a church survive/recover when a pastor leaves? | GotQuestions.orgFarewell: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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