Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "fleeting" in the Bible often refers to the transient and temporary nature of life and worldly pursuits. This theme is prevalent throughout Scripture, emphasizing the brevity of human existence and the futility of placing ultimate value on earthly things.
Biblical References:1.
Psalm 39:4-5 · The psalmist David reflects on the brevity of life, asking God to remind him of his own mortality: "O LORD, make me know my end and the measure of my days, what it is; let me know how fleeting my life is. Behold, You have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before You. Truly, each man at his best exists as but a breath. Selah" . This passage underscores the ephemeral nature of human life, likening it to a mere breath.
2.
James 4:14 · The apostle James echoes this sentiment, warning against arrogance in making future plans: "You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" . Here, life is compared to a mist, highlighting its temporary and uncertain nature.
3.
Ecclesiastes 1:2 · The Preacher in Ecclesiastes famously declares, "Futility of futilities, says the Teacher, futility of futilities! Everything is futile!" . This verse introduces the book's exploration of the fleeting nature of human endeavors and the ultimate vanity of life without God.
4.
1 Peter 1:24-25 · Peter draws from Isaiah to contrast the fleeting nature of human life with the enduring word of God: "For, 'All flesh is like grass, and all its glory like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever.' And this is the word that was proclaimed to you" . This passage emphasizes the impermanence of human glory compared to the eternal nature of God's word.
Theological Implications:The fleeting nature of life serves as a reminder of human limitations and the need for reliance on God. It calls believers to focus on eternal values rather than temporary pleasures or achievements. The Scriptures encourage a perspective that prioritizes spiritual growth and the pursuit of God's kingdom over worldly success.
Practical Applications:1.
Prioritizing Eternal Values · Understanding the fleeting nature of life encourages Christians to invest in relationships, spiritual growth, and service to others, aligning their lives with God's eternal purposes.
2.
Humility and Dependence on God · Recognizing life's brevity fosters humility and a dependence on God for guidance and strength, acknowledging that human plans are subject to His will.
3.
Contentment and Gratitude · Embracing the transient nature of earthly possessions and achievements can lead to greater contentment and gratitude for the blessings God provides, focusing on the eternal inheritance promised to believers.
In summary, the biblical concept of "fleeting" serves as a powerful reminder of the temporary nature of life and the importance of living with an eternal perspective, grounded in faith and trust in God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Fleet.
2. (a.) Passing swiftly away; not durable; transient; transitory; as, the fleeting hours or moments.
Greek
166. aionios -- agelong, eternal... and therefore: practically eternal, unending; partaking of the character of that
which lasts for an age, as contrasted with that which is brief and
fleeting.
...4340. proskairos -- in season, ie temporary
... 4340 -- (an adjective, derived from 4314 , "motion towards, with" and 2540 , "a
season") -- properly, a limited time of opportunity;fleeting, temporary ("only...
3152. mataios -- vain, useless
... without purpose or ground") -- properly, (vain), without purpose; (figuratively)
without profit because without basis, iefleeting (transitory), ineffectual...
Strong's Hebrew
1892. hebel -- vapor, breath... root Definition vapor, breath NASB Word Usage breath (5), delusion (2), emptily
(1), emptiness (2),
fleeting (2), fraud (1), futile (1), futility (13), idols (7
...2465. cheled -- duration, world
... From an unused root apparently meaning to glide swiftly; life (as afleeting portion
of time); hence, the world (as transient) -- age, short time, world....
5086. nadaph -- to drive, drive asunder
... root Definition to drive, drive asunder NASB Word Usage drive away (1), driven
(2), driven away (2), drives away (1),fleeting (1), rout (1)....
Library
River and Rock
... or less noble or ignoble, which have this for their characteristic, that they are
directed to, stimulated by, and fed or starved on, thefleeting things of...
Dying Men and the Undying Word
... It is solemn to think of thefleeting series of men; it is still more striking to
bring them into connection with that everlasting Word which once they heard...
The Cry of the Mortal to the Undying
... This thought of thefleeting years, dashed and troubled by many a sin, and by the
righteous retribution of God, sent the Psalmist to his knees, and he found...
The Bitterness and Blessedness of the Brevity of Life
... even when most firmly established,'"for the man who is established in the Lord is
not vanity, but only the man who founds his being on thefleeting present....
The Death of Abraham
... There is nothing more miserable than to see a man, as his years go by, gripping
harder and tighter at this poor,fleeting world that is slipping away from him...
Of Meditating on the Future Life.
... That they may not long with too much eagerness afterfleeting and fading riches,
or rest in those which they already possess, he reduces them to want, or, at...
Why the Divine Invitation is Refused.
... possessions, forget ting the word, "Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required
of thee;" but far worse if a man in this short andfleeting earthly life...
Chapter xii.
... There are, then, these steps: the suggestion is made, as it were, by a serpent,
that is to say, by afleeting and rapid, ie a temporary, movement of bodies...
The Rash Builder
... By our transitory actions we are all rearing up a house for our souls in which we
have to dwell; building character from out of thefleeting acts of conduct...
I Began Then Diligently to Practise that for which I came to Rome....
... Of a truth such are base persons, and they go a whoring from Thee, loving these
fleeting mockeries of things temporal, and filthy lucre, which fouls the hand...
Thesaurus
Fleeting (9 Occurrences)... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Fleet. 2. (a.) Passing swiftly away; not durable; transient;
transitory; as, the
fleeting hours or moments.
...Fleeting (9 Occurrences).
...Vapor (6 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Wind; flatulence. 4. (n.) Something unsubstantial,fleeting, or transitory;
unreal fancy; vain imagination; idle talk; boasting....
Fleeth (54 Occurrences)
Fashion (24 Occurrences)
... renewing of your mind" (so the Revised Version (British and American)), paraphrased
by Sanday and Headlam, "Do not adopt the external andfleeting fashion of...
Transient (3 Occurrences)
... the sight or perception and then disappearing; of short duration; not permanent;
not lasting or durable; not stationary; passing;fleeting; brief; transitory...
Transitory (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Continuing only for a short time; not enduring;fleeting;
evanescent. Multi-Version Concordance Transitory (2 Occurrences)....
Shadow (72 Occurrences)
... and protection (of man, Genesis 19:8 Songs 2:3 Isaiah 16:3, etc.; of God, Psalm
36:7; Psalm 91:1 Isaiah 4:6, etc.); (2) of anythingfleeting or transient, as...
Shade (67 Occurrences)
... and protection (of man, Genesis 19:8 Songs 2:3 Isaiah 16:3, etc.; of God, Psalm
36:7; Psalm 91:1 Isaiah 4:6, etc.); (2) of anythingfleeting or transient, as...
Shadowing (3 Occurrences)
... and protection (of man, Genesis 19:8 Songs 2:3 Isaiah 16:3, etc.; of God, Psalm
36:7; Psalm 91:1 Isaiah 4:6, etc.); (2) of anythingfleeting or transient, as...
Treasures (77 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV). Proverbs 21:6 Getting treasures by
a lying tongue is afleeting vapor for those who seek death....
Resources
What does it mean that life is a vapor? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about time management? | GotQuestions.orgIs there a difference between joy and happiness? | GotQuestions.orgFleeting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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