Topical Encyclopedia
Fleeing, in the biblical context, often refers to the act of escaping from danger, sin, or temptation. It is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, illustrating both physical and spiritual dimensions of escape. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on the concept of fleeing, emphasizing the importance of seeking refuge in God and avoiding evil.
Old Testament Instances1.
Lot's Escape from Sodom: One of the earliest examples of fleeing is found in
Genesis 19, where Lot and his family are urged by angels to flee the impending destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The urgency of their escape is highlighted in
Genesis 19:17 : "As soon as the men had brought them out, one of them said, 'Flee for your lives! Do not look back, and do not stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains, or you will be swept away!'"
2.
David's Flight from Saul: David's life provides multiple instances of fleeing, particularly during King Saul's pursuit. In
1 Samuel 19:10, David escapes Saul's attempt on his life: "Saul tried to pin David to the wall with his spear, but David eluded him, and Saul drove the spear into the wall. That night David fled and made his escape."
3.
Israel's Exodus from Egypt: The Israelites' exodus from Egypt is a significant act of fleeing from bondage to freedom.
Exodus 14:5 describes Pharaoh's realization of their escape: "When the king of Egypt was told that the people had fled, Pharaoh and his officials changed their minds about them and said, 'What have we done? We have let the Israelites go and have lost their services!'"
New Testament Teachings1.
Fleeing from Sin and Temptation: The New Testament frequently advises believers to flee from sin. In
1 Corinthians 6:18 , Paul instructs, "Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a man can commit is outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body."
2.
Fleeing from Idolatry: Paul also warns against idolatry in
1 Corinthians 10:14: "Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry." This command underscores the need to avoid anything that takes the place of God in one's life.
3.
Fleeing from the Love of Money: In
1 Timothy 6:10-11, Paul cautions against the love of money, stating, "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness."
Spiritual ImplicationsFleeing in the Bible is not merely a physical act but often carries spiritual significance. It represents a conscious decision to turn away from evil and seek refuge in God. The act of fleeing is frequently accompanied by divine guidance and protection, as seen in the examples of Lot, David, and the Israelites. Believers are encouraged to flee from sin and temptation, relying on God's strength and wisdom to guide their paths.
Divine Protection and RefugeThe Psalms often speak of God as a refuge and fortress for those who flee to Him.
Psalm 46:1 declares, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble." This assurance of divine protection is a recurring theme, encouraging believers to seek God's presence as their ultimate place of safety.
In summary, fleeing in the biblical sense involves both physical and spiritual dimensions, emphasizing the importance of turning away from danger and sin while seeking refuge in God. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that highlight the necessity of fleeing from evil and the assurance of God's protection for those who do.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Flee.
Greek
5437. phuge -- flight... phuge. 5438 . flight. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: phuge Phonetic
Spelling: (foog-ay') Short Definition: flight Definition: flight,
fleeing...5401. phobos -- panic flight, fear, the causing of fear, terror
... 5401 (from , "to flee, withdraw") -- (from Homer about 900 bc on) 5401 () meant ,
fleeing because feeling inadequate (without sufficient , )....
Strong's Hebrew
1281. bariach --fleeing... 1280, 1281. bariach. 1282 .
fleeing. Transliteration: bariach Phonetic
Spelling: (baw-ree'-akh) Short Definition:
fleeing. Word
...4499. menusah -- flight
... of manos Definition flight NASB Word Usage fugitives (1), though (1).fleeing, flight.
Or mnucah {men-oo-saw'}; feminine of manowc; retreat --fleeing, flight....
6207. araq -- to gnaw
...fleeing, sinew. A primitive root; to gnaw, ie (figuratively) eat (by hyberbole);
also (participle) a pain --fleeing, sinew. 6206, 6207. araq. 6208 ....
5074. nadad -- to retreat, flee, depart, stray, wander, flutter
... to retreat, flee, depart, stray, wander, flutter NASB Word Usage chased (1), chased
away (1), could (1), flapped (1), fled (6), flee (5),fleeing (1), fugitive...
4498. manos -- flight, place of escape or refuge
... escape, way to flee, flight, refuge. From nuwc; a retreat (literally or figuratively);
abstractly, afleeing -- X apace, escape, way to flee, flight, refuge....
5127. nus -- to flee, escape
... root Definition to flee, escape NASB Word Usage abated (1), drives (1), escape
(1), escaped (2), fled (78), flee (54), flee away (1),fleeing (5), flees (5...
1272. barach -- to go through, flee
... root Definition to go through, flee NASB Word Usage drives his away (1), drove him
away (1), fled (34), flee (11), flee away (1),fleeing (4), flees (2), gone...
Library
OfFleeing from Vain Hope and Pride
... THE FIRST BOOK. ADMONITIONS PROFITABLE FOR THE SPIRITUAL LIFE CHAPTER VII
Offleeing from vain hope and pride. Vain is the life of...
Their Real Grievance is not that Athanasius is a Coward, but that...
... hiding themselves from those who seek to destroy them, and accuse those who flee
from their persecutors, what will they do when they see Jacobfleeing from his...
Bunyan -- the Heavenly Footman
... saith he. Again, saith Paul, "I so run, not as uncertainly: so fight I,"
etc. But before I go any farther: 1.Fleeing. Observe, that...
On Certain Modern Writers and the Institution of the Family
... And in all this he is still essentiallyfleeing from the street in which he was
born; and of this flight he is always ready with his own explanation....
Praying Saints of the Old Testaments (Continued)
... said God. But Jonah, through fear or otherwise, declined to obey God, and
took passage on a ship for Tarshish,fleeing from God. He...
Hebrews ii. 16-17
... For when human nature wasfleeing from Him, andfleeing far away (for we "were
far off"" Ephesians 2:13 ), He pursued after and overtook us....
The Capture of Jericho and Ai
... They will come out after us, until we have drawn them away from the town; for they
will say, 'They arefleeing before us.' Then you shall rise up from where...
At the Suggestion Moreover of Our Brother Olympius, we are Pleased...
... out either on account of his discipline or for his confession of [the faith of]
the Catholic Church or for his defence of the truth, and,fleeing from danger...
The Acts of Philip.
... Philip, Bartholomew and Mariamme and his disciples, and Stachys being along with
him, all the people gave ear, and a great multitude of themfleeing from the...
Letter ccxxviii. (AD 428 or 429. )
... of Christ, without which men can neither become Christians nor live as such, assuredly
finds a greater reward of his love, than the man who,fleeing not for...
Thesaurus
Fleeing (38 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Fleeing (38 Occurrences).
... Where are you going?" She said,
"I am
fleeing from the face of my mistress Sarai." (WEB ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV).
...Man-slayer (20 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 4:42 for thefleeing thither of the man-slayer, who slayeth his neighbour
unknowingly, and he is not hating him heretofore, and he hath fled unto...
Smiting (76 Occurrences)
... Numbers 35:15 To sons of Israel, and to a sojourner, and to a settler in their midst,
are these six cities for a refuge, for thefleeing thither of any one...
Inadvertently (6 Occurrences)
... Joshua 20:3 for thefleeing thither of a man-slayer smiting life inadvertently,
without knowledge; and they have been to you for a refuge from the redeemer of...
Crooked (31 Occurrences)
... reference to the constellation round the North Pole, in Job 26:13, the Revised Version
(British and American) "the swift serpent," margin "fleeing"; and Isaiah...
Gin (10 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 24:18 And it hath come to pass, He who isfleeing from the noise of the fear
Doth fall into the snare, And he who is coming up from the midst of the...
Flee (187 Occurrences)
... Where are you going?" She said, "I amfleeing from the face of my mistress
Sarai." (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)....
Flees (19 Occurrences)
Fled (181 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 4:42 for thefleeing thither of the man-slayer, who slayeth his neighbour
unknowingly, and he is not hating him heretofore, and he hath fled unto...
Thither (119 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 4:42 That the slayer might flee thither, which should kill his neighbor
unawares, and hated him not in times past; and thatfleeing unto one of...
Resources
What does it mean to flee from temptation? | GotQuestions.orgWho was David in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Rachel in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgFleeing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus