Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, the term "pilgrim" refers to a person who is on a journey, often with spiritual significance, and is typically used to describe the life of believers as they navigate through the world toward their ultimate heavenly home. The concept of pilgrimage is deeply rooted in Scripture, symbolizing the transient nature of earthly life and the believer's pursuit of a closer relationship with God.
Old Testament ContextThe idea of pilgrimage is evident in the lives of the patriarchs, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who lived as sojourners in the land of Canaan.
Hebrews 11:9-10 highlights this aspect of their lives: "By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God."
The Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land is another significant pilgrimage, symbolizing the journey from bondage to freedom and from sin to salvation. This journey is commemorated in the Feast of Tabernacles, where the Israelites lived in temporary shelters to remember their ancestors' pilgrimage through the wilderness (
Leviticus 23:42-43).
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of pilgrimage is expanded to encompass the spiritual journey of all believers. The Apostle Peter addresses Christians as "foreigners and exiles" in this world, urging them to abstain from sinful desires (
1 Peter 2:11). This language underscores the temporary nature of earthly life and the call to live in a manner that reflects one's heavenly citizenship.
The Epistle to the Hebrews further elaborates on this theme, encouraging believers to view themselves as pilgrims seeking a better, heavenly country.
Hebrews 11:13-16 states, "All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. Those who say such things show that they are seeking a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them."
Spiritual SignificanceThe life of a pilgrim is marked by a sense of detachment from worldly possessions and a focus on spiritual growth and maturity. Pilgrims are called to live by faith, trusting in God's promises and looking forward to the fulfillment of His kingdom. This journey involves trials and challenges, but it is also characterized by hope and anticipation of the eternal inheritance reserved for believers.
The pilgrim's journey is not undertaken alone; it is a communal experience shared with fellow believers. The church, as the body of Christ, provides support, encouragement, and accountability as believers navigate their spiritual pilgrimage together.
Practical ImplicationsFor Christians today, embracing the identity of a pilgrim means living with an eternal perspective, prioritizing spiritual values over temporal concerns, and maintaining a steadfast commitment to following Christ. It involves a willingness to endure hardships and sacrifices for the sake of the gospel, with the assurance that the journey leads to a glorious destination prepared by God.
In summary, the biblical concept of a pilgrim serves as a powerful metaphor for the Christian life, emphasizing the transient nature of earthly existence and the ultimate goal of reaching the heavenly city, where believers will dwell with God forever.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A wayfarer; a wanderer; a traveler; a stranger.
2. (n.) One who travels far, or in strange lands, to visit some holy place or shrine as a devotee; as, a pilgrim to Loretto; Canterbury pilgrims. See Palmer.
3. (a.) of or pertaining to a pilgrim, or pilgrims; making pilgrimages.
4. (v. i.) To journey; to wander; to ramble.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PILGRIM; PILGRIMAGEpil'-grim, pil'-grimaj: "Pilgrim" in English Versions of the Bible for parepidemos (Hebrews 11:131 Peter 2:11). "Pilgrimage" for maghor (Genesis 47:9 (the Revised Version margin "sojournings");Psalm 119:54; and (the King James Version)Exodus 6:4 (the Revised Version (British and American) "sojournings")). Both the Hebrew (see GER) and Greek words contain the idea of foreign residence, but it is the residence and not travel that is implied. Consequently "pilgrim" is a poor translation, and "sojourner," "sojourning" should have been used throughout. In the New Testament passages heaven is thought of as the contrasted permanent dwelling-place, while the Old Testament usages seem to be without a contrast definitely in mind.
Greek
3927. parepidemos -- sojourning in a strange place...pilgrim, stranger. From para and the base of epidemeo; an alien alongside, ie A
resident foreigner --
pilgrim, stranger. see GREEK para. see GREEK epidemeo.
...Strong's Hebrew
2287. chagag -- to make a pilgrimage, keep apilgrim feast... 2286b, 2287. chagag. 2288 . to make a pilgrimage, keep a
pilgrim feast.
Transliteration: chagag Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-gag') Short Definition: celebrate.
...2282. chag -- a festival gathering, feast,pilgrim feast
... 2281, 2282. chag. 2283 . a festival gathering, feast,pilgrim feast.
Transliteration: chag Phonetic Spelling: (khag) Short Definition: feast....
Library
ThePilgrim
... BIBLE STORIES AND RELIGIOUS CLASSICS THEPILGRIM.... No lion can him fright; He'll
with a giant fight; But he will have a right To be aPilgrim....
The Parable of thePilgrim
... A Little Book of Eternal Wisdom THE PARABLE OF THEPILGRIM. A certain man
had a great desire to go to Jerusalem. Not knowing the...
Pilgrim Song.
...PILGRIM SONG.PILGRIM SONG. 7,6,7,6,6,8,8,6.... Strength for warfare will be given,.
And glory won ere long. ThePilgrim's path of trial. We do not fear to view;...
Pilgrim Song
...Pilgrim Song. Gerhard Ter Steegen Deuteronomy 31:8. On, O beloved children,.... Lo,
we can tread rejoicing. The narrowpilgrim road; We know the voice that calls us...
Pilgrim Song
...Pilgrim Song. Gerhard Ter Steegen Psalm 136:16.... Each hour nearer home! Thepilgrim
days speed onward,. And soon the last will come. All hail! O golden city!...
ThePilgrim Fathers.
... 16. THEPILGRIM FATHERS. [Illustration: Chapter header.] The English Reformers,
while renouncing the doctrines of Romanism, had retained many of its forms....
The Charge of thePilgrim Priests
... EZRA THE CHARGE OF THEPILGRIM PRIESTS. 'Watch ye, and keep them, until ye weigh
them ... at Jerusalem, in the chambers of the house of the Lord.'"Ezra 8:29....
ThePilgrim's Progress
... BIBLE STORIES AND RELIGIOUS CLASSICS THEPILGRIM'S PROGRESS.... Thepilgrim they laid
in a large upper chamber, whose window opened toward the sunrising....
ThePilgrim's Progress
... THEPILGRIM'S PROGRESS. FROM THIS WORLD TO THAT WHICH IS TO COME. THE SECOND PART....
THE AUTHOR'S WAY OF SENDING FORTH HIS SECOND PART OF THEPILGRIM....
ThePilgrim' Song.
... III. CONFLICT. Hymn 42 ThePilgrim' song. John Newton 6,6,8,6. ThePilgrim'
song. From Egypt lately freed. By the Redeemer's grace;...
Thesaurus
Pilgrim... 2. (n.) One who travels far, or in strange lands, to visit some holy place or shrine
as a devotee; as, a
pilgrim to Loretto; Canterbury pilgrims. See Palmer.
...Pilgrimage (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The journey of apilgrim; a long journey; especially,
a journey to a shrine or other sacred place....PILGRIM; PILGRIMAGE....
Degrees (18 Occurrences)
... repetition], and by their epigrammatic style...More than half of them are cheerful,
and all of them hopeful." They are sometimes called "Pilgrim Songs." Four...
Songs (100 Occurrences)
... (4) The most probable view is that the hymns were sung bypilgrim bands on
their way to the three great festivals of the Jewish year....
Machpelah (6 Occurrences)
... Thus the BordeauxPilgrim (333 AD) mentions a square enclosure built of stones of
great beauty in which Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were buried with their wives....
Wares (23 Occurrences)
... in Vanity-Fair) was, that these Pilgrims set very light by all their Wares; they
cared not so much as to look upon them" (Bunyan, ThePilgrim's Progress)....
Field (390 Occurrences)
... of the Fuller" at the Northeast corner, and the name "fuller" survived in connection
with the North wall to the 7th century, as thepilgrim Arculf mentions a...
Fuller's (4 Occurrences)
... of the Fuller" at the Northeast corner, and the name "fuller" survived in connection
with the North wall to the 7th century, as thepilgrim Arculf mentions a...
Palmerworm (2 Occurrences)
... The English word may denote either a caterpillar (as rendered by the LXX.), which
wanders like a palmer orpilgrim, or which travels like pilgrims in bands...
Pilfering (2 Occurrences)
Resources
What is the Feast of Tabernacles / Booths / Sukkot? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is hadephobia? | GotQuestions.orgWhat should be the focus of Christians on Thanksgiving? | GotQuestions.orgPilgrim: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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