Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "flees" often refers to the act of escaping or running away from danger, temptation, or sin. This concept is prevalent throughout the Scriptures, illustrating both physical and spiritual flight.
Old Testament Instances1.
Jacob Flees from Laban: In
Genesis 31, Jacob flees from his uncle Laban after God instructs him to return to his homeland. Jacob's flight is a response to the growing tension and hostility between him and Laban.
Genesis 31:20-21 states, "And Jacob deceived Laban the Aramean by not telling him that he was running away. So he fled with all his possessions, crossed the Euphrates, and headed for the hill country of Gilead."
2.
David Flees from Saul: David's flight from King Saul is a significant narrative in 1 Samuel. Saul's jealousy and intent to kill David force him to flee for his life. In
1 Samuel 19:10 , it is recorded, "Saul tried to pin David to the wall with his spear, but David eluded him, ran away, and escaped that night."
3.
Lot Flees Sodom: In
Genesis 19, Lot and his family flee the city of Sodom before its destruction. The angels urge Lot to escape to avoid the impending judgment.
Genesis 19:17 says, "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!'"
New Testament Teachings1.
Fleeing from Sin and Temptation: The New Testament frequently uses the concept of fleeing in a spiritual sense, urging believers to escape from sin and temptation. In
1 Corinthians 6:18 , Paul advises, "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, urging believers to flee from it. In
1 Corinthians 10:14 , he writes, "Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry."
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. By craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness."
Symbolic and Spiritual ImplicationsThe act of fleeing in the Bible often symbolizes a decisive break from sin and a movement towards righteousness and obedience to God. It underscores the urgency and seriousness with which believers are to treat sin and temptation. The Bible encourages believers to actively avoid situations that may lead to sin, emphasizing the importance of vigilance and spiritual discipline.
Practical ApplicationFor Christians, the concept of fleeing is a call to action. It is a reminder to be proactive in avoiding sin and to seek refuge in God's guidance and strength. The act of fleeing is not merely about physical escape but involves a conscious decision to turn away from anything that hinders one's relationship with God.
Greek
5343. pheugo -- to flee... Word Origin a prim. verb Definition to flee NASB Word Usage escape (2), escaped
(2), fled (5), fled away (2), flee (13),
flees (2), ran away (3).
...Strong's Hebrew
5127. nus -- to flee, escape... 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), fugitive (2
...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
On the Arrival of Gregory at Alexandria, Tended by a Military...
... Book II. Chapter XI."On the Arrival of Gregory at Alexandria, tended by
a Military Escort, Athanasiusflees. After these things...
Eunomius Separates from Eudoxius; a Disturbance is Raised at...
... Chapter XIII."Eunomius separates from Eudoxius; a Disturbance is raised at Alexandria
by Eudoxius, and Athanasiusflees into Voluntary Exile again, but in...
Letter xxxvi (Circa AD 1131) to the Same Hildebert, who had not...
... Innocent, in sooth,flees from the face of Leo, as saith the prophet: The lion hath
roared; who will not fear (Amos 3:8). Heflees according to the bidding of...
To Sister Eugenia, Her Niece at the Convent of Saint Agnes of...
... beneath the feet of her affections. Sheflees all causes that may incline
her to vice or hinder her perfection. So she annuls her self...
God's Love Magnified in Christ's Death.
... death, representing Himself under the figure of the good Shepherd who gives his
life for the sheep, He contrasts Himself with the hireling, whoflees when he...
The Catholic Faith Concerning Law, Grace, and Free Will.
... but the Spirit giveth life." [3240] He, then, who lawfully uses the law learns therein
evil and good, and, not trusting in his own strength,flees to grace, by...
Packing Most in Least.
... Itflees like a hunted hare before a pack of hounds.... The darknessflees like a whipped
cur, tail tightly curled down and in, before the real thing of light....
John Chapter viii. 31-36
... Himself he carries with him wherever heflees. An evil conscienceflees not
from itself; it has no place to go to; it follows itself....
The Man About whom the Apostle is Here Treating, do Far as He Is...
... (2 Corinthians 3:6.) He, therefore, who lawfully uses the law, learns in it evil
and good; and, not confiding in his own strength, heflees to grace, by the...
The Ecclesiastical History of Scholasticus
... the Nicene Creed. Chapter XI.--On the Arrival of Gregory at Alexandria,
tended by a Military Escort, Athanasiusflees. Chapter XII...
Thesaurus
Flees (19 Occurrences)...Flees (19 Occurrences). John 10:12 He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who
doesn't own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and
flees.
...Fugitive (12 Occurrences)
... 17:21, one who has broken away in flight (Hebrews mibrah); Isaiah 15:5; 43:14,
a breaker away, a fugitive (Hebrews beriah), one whoflees away....
Flee (187 Occurrences)
... John 10:13 The hired handflees because he is a hired hand, and doesn't care
for the sheep. (Root in WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)....
Hired (49 Occurrences)
... John 10:12 He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who doesn't own the
sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, andflees....
Doesn't (300 Occurrences)
... (WEB). John 10:12 He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who doesn't own
the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, andflees....
Fleeing (38 Occurrences)
Snare (69 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 24:18 It will happen that he whoflees from the noise of the fear will fall
into the pit; and he who comes up out of the midst of the pit will be taken...
Jotham (26 Occurrences)
... to assert his claim, Jotham delivers from the summit of Gerizim his famous fable
(Judges 9:7-15), applies it to the situation in hand, and thenflees for his...
Leaves (55 Occurrences)
... (WEY BBE NAS NIV). John 10:12 He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who
doesn't own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, andflees....
Grasshopper (12 Occurrences)
... (WEB RSV NIV). Nahum 3:16 You have increased your merchants more than the stars
of the skies. The grasshopper strips, andflees away. (WEB)....
Resources
Was Jesus a refugee? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about seeking/granting asylum? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a mime? Does the Bible say anything about miming? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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