Topical Encyclopedia
The term "nowhere" does not appear explicitly in the Bible; however, the concept can be explored through various biblical narratives and themes that convey a sense of desolation, absence, or lack of direction. In Scripture, the idea of being in a place of "nowhere" often symbolizes spiritual barrenness, wandering, or a state of being lost without divine guidance.
Wilderness and DesolationThe wilderness is a recurring motif in the Bible that can be associated with the concept of "nowhere." It is often depicted as a place of testing, isolation, and divine encounter. For instance, the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years as a result of their disobedience and lack of faith (
Numbers 14:33-34). This period of wandering can be seen as a time of being "nowhere," as they were without a permanent home and were reliant on God's provision and guidance.
Similarly, the prophet Elijah fled to the wilderness to escape the wrath of Jezebel, finding himself in a place of desolation and despair (
1 Kings 19:3-4). Yet, it was in this "nowhere" that God provided for him and spoke to him in a still, small voice (
1 Kings 19:11-12).
Spiritual LostnessThe parable of the Prodigal Son (
Luke 15:11-32) illustrates the concept of being spiritually "nowhere." The younger son, after squandering his inheritance, finds himself in a distant country, destitute and longing for sustenance. His physical location in a foreign land mirrors his spiritual state of being lost and disconnected from his father. It is only when he recognizes his condition and returns home that he is restored.
Absence of GodThe psalmist often expresses feelings of being in a place of "nowhere" when experiencing the absence of God's presence. In
Psalm 13:1 , David cries out, "How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?" This sense of divine absence can feel like being in a spiritual "nowhere," where one is yearning for the reassurance of God's presence and guidance.
Hope and RestorationDespite the bleakness associated with "nowhere," the Bible consistently offers hope and the promise of restoration. In
Isaiah 43:19 , God declares, "Behold, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert." This assurance highlights God's ability to transform desolate places into spaces of renewal and life.
In conclusion, while the term "nowhere" is not directly mentioned in the Bible, its thematic presence is evident in the experiences of wilderness, spiritual lostness, and the absence of God. These narratives underscore the human condition of searching for meaning and direction, ultimately pointing to the hope and restoration found in a relationship with God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
adv.) Not anywhere; not in any place or state; as, the book is nowhere to be found.
Greek
4226. pou -- where?... Word Origin interrog. adverb from the same as posos Definition where? NASB Word
Usage
nowhere* (2), place (1), what (1), where (44). where, whither.
...3756. ou, ouk, ouch -- not, no
... 1), neither (2), neither* (3), never (6), never* (17), no (147), no* (22), none
(4), none* (3), nor (3), nothing (8), nothing* (13),nowhere* (2), number (1...
Strong's Hebrew
3808. lo -- not... 1), never* (25), no (525), no been nor (1), no to nor (1), no* (30), none (28),
none* (19), nor (401), nor* (5), nothing (35), nothing* (27),
nowhere* (1), or
...575. an -- where? whither?
... whither? NASB Word Usage any place (1), anywhere (1), how (14),nowhere* (1), where
(22), wherever (1). any no whither, now, where, whithersoever....
Library
PelagiusNowhere Admits the Need of Divine Help for Will and...
... A Treatise on the grace of christ, and on original sin, Chapter 37 [XXXIV.]"Pelagius
Nowhere Admits the Need of Divine Help for Will and Action....
Pelagius and CoelestiusNowhere Really Acknowledge Grace.
... A Treatise on the grace of christ, and on original sin, Chapter 31
[XXX.]"Pelagius and CoelestiusNowhere Really Acknowledge Grace....
ThatNowhere Bodily, is Everywhere Ghostly; and How Our Outer Man...
... HERE BEGINNETH THE EIGHT AND SIXTIETH CHAPTER Thatnowhere bodily, is everywhere
ghostly; and how our outer man calleth the word of this book nought....
How that a Man's Affection is Marvelously Changed in Ghostly...
... HERE BEGINNETH THE NINE AND SIXTIETH CHAPTER How that a man's affection is marvelously
changed in ghostly feeling of this nought, when it isnowhere wrought....
What Then? You Say; do You Declare that These Gods ExistNowhere...
... Book IV. 9 What then? you say; do you declare that these gods existnowhere
in the world? What then? you say; do you declare that...
The Truth is to be FoundNowhere Else but in the Catholic Church...
... Against Heresies: Book III Chapter IV."The truth is to be foundnowhere else but
in the Catholic Church, the sole depository of apostolical doctrine....
How it was Brought About that the Greeks Speak of Three Hypostases...
... Three Hypostases, the Latins of Three Persons. ScriptureNowhere Speaks of
Three Persons in One God. 7. For the sake, then, of speaking...
One Has Succeeded in Finding Definite Truth, when He Believes...
... Thus I shall benowhere, and still be encountering [1977] (that challenge), "Seek,
and ye shall find," precisely as if I had no resting-place; [1978] as if...
The Judges Said: we Know that a Light Shines through the Whole...
... waning or eclipse, as there existed no body which might produce shadow by its
opposition or intervention; and consequently one must say thatnowhere was there...
"Not to be Ministered Unto, but to Minister"
... And so in the quiet of our prayers we give ourselves, not to be ministered unto,
but to minister. {6}Nowhere in the world is it more true that we are members...
Thesaurus
Nowhere (16 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) Not anywhere; not in any place or state; as,
the book is
nowhere to be found.
...Nowhere (16 Occurrences).
...Sirach
... first cause of sin. Butnowhere in Sirach is the doctrine of original sin
taught. (4) Predestination. Notwithstanding the prominence...
Qir-hareseth
... city of the sun." Cheyne, however, points out (EB, under the word): (1) that this
explanation was unknown to the ancients; (2) that"kir" isnowhere suposed to...
Qirhareseth
... city of the sun." Cheyne, however, points out (EB, under the word): (1) that this
explanation was unknown to the ancients; (2) that"kir" isnowhere suposed to...
Kirhareseth (2 Occurrences)
... city of the sun." Cheyne, however, points out (EB, under the word): (1) that this
explanation was unknown to the ancients; (2) that"kir" isnowhere suposed to...
Kir-hareseth (3 Occurrences)
... city of the sun." Cheyne, however, points out (EB, under the word): (1) that this
explanation was unknown to the ancients; (2) that"kir" isnowhere suposed to...
Kir-heres (3 Occurrences)
... city of the sun." Cheyne, however, points out (EB, under the word): (1) that this
explanation was unknown to the ancients; (2) that"kir" isnowhere suposed to...
Kirheres (3 Occurrences)
... city of the sun." Cheyne, however, points out (EB, under the word): (1) that this
explanation was unknown to the ancients; (2) that"kir" isnowhere suposed to...
Lists (6 Occurrences)
... Ezra 2:62 They made search for their record among the lists of families, but their
names werenowhere to be seen; so they were looked on as unclean and no...
Divorce (18 Occurrences)
... We need then looknowhere but to Matthew 19 for the Scripture doctrine of divorce....
Nowhere is this more evident than in the matter of divorce....
Resources
What does it mean that Jesus had nowhere to lay His head? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about confession of sin to a priest? | GotQuestions.orgWas Saint Peter the first pope? | GotQuestions.orgNowhere: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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