Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terminology, the term "rear" is often used to describe the back part or hindmost position of a group, structure, or formation. This concept appears in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, encompassing both literal and metaphorical meanings.
1.
Military Context: In the Old Testament, the term "rear" frequently appears in military settings, describing the position of troops or the arrangement of a camp. For instance, during the Israelites' exodus from Egypt, the Lord provided protection for the rear of the Israelite camp. In
Exodus 14:19 , it is written, "Then the Angel of God, who had been traveling in front of the Israelite army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from before them and stood behind them." This passage highlights God's providential care and protection, ensuring that the Israelites were safeguarded from the pursuing Egyptian forces.
2.
Processions and Marches: The concept of the rear is also evident in the organization of processions or marches. In
Numbers 10:25 , the tribe of Dan is described as the rear guard of the Israelite camp during their wilderness journey: "Finally, the divisions of the camp of Dan set out, under their banner, with Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai in command." The tribe of Dan, positioned at the rear, played a crucial role in protecting the community from potential threats from behind.
3.
Symbolic and Spiritual Implications: The rear can also carry symbolic meanings, representing God's encompassing presence and protection.
Isaiah 52:12 states, "For you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the LORD will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard." This verse reassures the faithful that God not only leads His people but also guards their rear, providing comprehensive protection and guidance.
4.
Moral and Ethical Lessons: The concept of the rear can be applied metaphorically to moral and ethical teachings. In a spiritual sense, believers are encouraged to be vigilant and mindful of their actions, ensuring that their "rear" or past does not hinder their spiritual progress.
Philippians 3:13-14 echoes this sentiment: "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have laid hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus."
In summary, the term "rear" in the Bible encompasses a range of meanings, from literal descriptions of military and camp arrangements to profound spiritual truths about God's protection and the believer's journey. Through these various contexts, the Scriptures convey the importance of divine guidance and the assurance of God's presence in every aspect of life.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
adv.) Early; soon.
2. (n.) The back or hindmost part; that which is behind, or last in order; -- opposed to front.
3. (n.) Specifically, the part of an army or fleet which comes last, or is stationed behind the rest.
4. (a.) Being behind, or in the hindmost part; hindmost; as, the rear rank of a company.
5. (v. t.) To place in the rear; to secure the rear of.
6. (v. t.) To raise; to lift up; to cause to rise, become erect, etc.; to elevate; as, to rear a monolith.
7. (v. t.) To erect by building; to set up; to construct; as, to rear defenses or houses; to rear one government on the ruins of another.
8. (v. t.) To lift and take up.
9. (v. t.) To bring up to maturity, as young; to educate; to instruct; to foster; as, to rear offspring.
10. (v. t.) To breed and raise; as, to rear cattle.
11. (v. t.) To rouse; to stir up.
12. (v. i.) To rise up on the hind legs, as a horse; to become erect.
Greek
5044. teknotropheo -- torear children... to
rear children. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: teknotropheo Phonetic Spelling:
(tek-not-rof-eh'-o) Short Definition: I bring up children Definition: I
...397. anatrepho -- to nurse up, nourish
... to nurse up, nourish. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: anatrepho Phonetic Spelling:
(an-at-ref'-o) Short Definition: Irear, bring up Definition: Irear...
5142. trepho -- to make to grow, to nourish, feed
... to make to grow, to nourish, feed. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: trepho
Phonetic Spelling: (tref'-o) Short Definition: I feed,rear Definition: I feed...
461. anorthoo -- to set upright, set straight again
... straight again. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: anorthoo Phonetic Spelling:
(an-orth-o'-o) Short Definition: I make straight again,rear again, restore...
3693. opisthen -- behind, after
... From opis (regard; from optanomai) with enclitic of source; from therear (as a
secure aspect), ie At the back (adverb and preposition of place or time...
1453. egeiro -- to waken, to raise up
... or lying, from disease, from death; or figuratively, from obscurity, inactivity,
ruins, nonexistence) -- awake, lift (up), raise (again, up),rear up, (a-)rise...
2026. epoikodomeo -- to build upon
... build upon. From epi and oikodomeo; to build upon, ie (figuratively) torear up --
build thereon (thereupon, on, upon). see GREEK epi. see GREEK oikodomeo....
3735. oros -- a mountain
... Probably from an obsolete oro (to rise or "rear"; perhaps akin to airo; compare
ornis); a mountain (as lifting itself above the plain): -hill, mount(-ain)....
1625. ektrepho -- to bring up to maturity, to nourish
... bring up, nourish. From ek and trepho; torear up to maturity, ie (genitive case)
to cherish or train -- bring up, nourish. see GREEK ek. see GREEK trepho....
5041. teknogoneo -- to beget children
... Verb Transliteration: teknogoneo Phonetic Spelling: (tek-nog-on-eh'-o) Short Definition:
I bear children Definition: I bear children, beget,rear a family....
Strong's Hebrew
3411. yerekah -- flank, side, extreme parts, recesses... yerekah. 3412 . flank, side, extreme parts, recesses. Transliteration: yerekah
Phonetic Spelling: (yer-ay-kaw') Short Definition:
rear. Word Origin fem.
...2179. zinneb -- to cut off or smite the tail
... 2178, 2179. zinneb. 2180 . to cut off or smite the tail. Transliteration:
zinneb Phonetic Spelling: (zaw-nab') Short Definition:rear....
268. achor -- the hind side, back part
... hind side, back part NASB Word Usage afterward (1), away (1), back (22), backs
(1), backward (7), behind (1), hereafter (1), hindquarters (1),rear (3),rear...
6119. aqeb -- heel, footprint, hind part
... Origin from an unused word Definition heel, footprint, hind part NASB Word Usage
footprints (1), footsteps (1), heel (4), heels (3), hoofs (1),rear guard (1...
314. acharon -- coming after or behind
... end (1), future* (1), last (23), last one (1), last ones (1), last time (1), later
(2), later things (1), latter (3), next (2), ones who (1),rear (1), west (1...
5490. soph -- an end
... end. Word Origin from suph Definition an end NASB Word Usage conclusion*
(1), end (3),rear (1). conclusion, end, hinder participle....
6965. qum -- to arise, stand up, stand
... dim, endure, X enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up
(again), make, X but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up),rear (up), remain...
310. achar -- the hind or following part
... followed* (24), following (35), following and followed (1), following* (5), follows*
(3), forsaking* (1), later (1), long* (1), pursuing (4),rear (3), since (3...
5324. natsab -- to take one's stand, stand
... literally or figuratively) -- appointed, deputy, erect, establish, X Huzzah (by
mistake for a proper name), lay, officer, pillar, present,rear up, set (over...
622. asaph -- to gather, remove
... drew (1), garner (1), gather (33), gathered (81), gathering (1), gathers (3), lose
(3), pick (1), put (1), put them all together (1), reaper (1),rear guard (5...
Library
The Essay which Brings up theRear in this Very Guilty Volume is...
... VII. The Essay which brings up therear in this very guilty volume is
from the? The Essay which brings up therear in this very...
But, we are Told, weRear no Temples to Them...
... Book VI. 3 But, we are told, werear no temples to them? But, we are told,
werear no temples to them, and do not worship their...
December the Thirty-First theRear-Guard
... DECEMBER The Thirty-first THEREAR-GUARD.... Why not "go before"? Because some
of my enemies are in therear; they attack me from behind....
Through the Red Sea
... The turmoil of Israel began to subside, growing fainter, ceasing among the ranks
nearest the sea, failing toward therear, dying away like a sigh up and down...
Caught Unawares
... meeting had been widely advertised, and a goodly number were in attendance; and
when John and his companions had taken their seats well to therear, there was...
'More than Conquerors through Him'
... besiegers to relieve Rabbath. Probably the Syrian allies had been before Medeba,
and suddenly appeared in Joab'srear. Their advance led...
The Priest of the World and King of Men
... Their first care was torear some poor copy of the Temple; and the usual difficulties
that attend reconstruction of any sort, and dog every movement that rests...
Faith and Courage.
... those among the thirty-two thousand who were fearful and afraid might go back to
their own homes, to their wives and their mothers; let them step to therear....
Things that Accompany Salvation
... in every case attended with divers graces and virtues which seemed to be like troops
and soldiers to guard it in the ran, about its flanks, and in therear....
The Vanguard and Rereward of the Church
... As for therear, it stretches far into the future; some portions are as yet uncreated;
the last of God's elect are not perhaps yet in existence....
Thesaurus
Rear (46 Occurrences)... 4. (a.) Being behind, or in the hindmost part; hindmost; as, the
rear rank of
a company. 5. (vt) To place in the
rear; to secure the
rear of.
...Rear-guard (4 Occurrences)
Rear-guard. Rearguard,Rear-guard. Rearing . Multi-Version
ConcordanceRear-guard (4 Occurrences). Numbers 10:25 And...
Rear-ward (3 Occurrences)
Rear-ward. Rearward,Rear-ward. Re-ascend . Multi-Version Concordance
Rear-ward (3 Occurrences). Numbers 10:25 And the...
Rearward (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The last troop; therear of an army; arear guard.
Also used figuratively. 2. (a. & adv.) At or toward therear. Int....
Rereward (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Joshua 6:9), the troops in therear of an army on
the march, therear-guard.... (n.) Therear guard of an army. Int....
Nourish (16 Occurrences)
... Giddel means "to bring up," "rear (children)" (Isaiah 1:2, margin "made great";
Isaiah 23:4 Daniel 1:5); "cause (a tree) to grow" (Isaiah 44:14)....
Back (5096 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) The part opposed to the front; the hinder orrear part of a thing; as,
the back of a book; the back of an army; the back of a chimney....
Jeb'usite (8 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 24:18 And Gad came that day to David, and said unto him: 'Go up,rear an
altar unto the LORD in the threshing-floor of Araunah the Jebusite.' (See RSV...
Journeyeth (9 Occurrences)
... Exodus 14:19 And the messenger of God, who is going before the camp of Israel,
journeyeth and goeth at theirrear; and the pillar of the cloud journeyeth from...
Train (17 Occurrences)
... a snare. 11. (v.) That which is drawn along in therear of, or after,
something; that which is in the hinder part orrear. 12. (v...
Resources
What does the Bible say about caregiving? | GotQuestions.orgIs it wrong for a Christian to have a dream catcher? | GotQuestions.orgWho were Lois and Eunice in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgRear: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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