Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the concept of "retreat" can be understood both literally and spiritually. It involves withdrawing for the purpose of rest, reflection, or seeking divine guidance. Throughout Scripture, retreat is depicted as a necessary practice for renewal and communion with God.
Old Testament Instances1.
Moses on Mount Sinai: One of the most significant retreats in the Old Testament is Moses' time on Mount Sinai. Moses withdrew from the people to receive the Law from God.
Exodus 24:12 states, "Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Come up to Me on the mountain and stay here, so that I may give you the tablets of stone with the law and commandments I have written for their instruction.'" This retreat was pivotal for the establishment of the covenant between God and Israel.
2.
Elijah at Horeb: After his confrontation with the prophets of Baal, Elijah retreated to Mount Horeb. In
1 Kings 19:11-12 , God reveals Himself to Elijah not in the wind, earthquake, or fire, but in a gentle whisper. This retreat was a time of renewal and recommissioning for Elijah.
New Testament Examples1.
Jesus' Solitude: Jesus frequently withdrew to solitary places to pray and seek the Father’s guidance. In
Mark 1:35 , it is recorded, "Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and slipped out to a solitary place to pray." These retreats were essential for His ministry, providing strength and clarity.
2.
The Disciples' Rest: Jesus also encouraged His disciples to retreat for rest. In
Mark 6:31 , He said, "Come with Me privately to a solitary place, and let us rest for a while." This highlights the importance of physical and spiritual rest in the life of a believer.
Spiritual SignificanceRetreats in the Bible often serve as times of preparation, reflection, and transformation. They are moments when individuals draw closer to God, receive instruction, and gain strength for their mission. The practice of retreat underscores the necessity of stepping away from daily distractions to focus on spiritual growth and renewal.
Practical ApplicationFor contemporary believers, the concept of retreat can be applied through personal times of prayer, meditation, and study of Scripture. It can also involve participating in organized retreats or quiet days designed for spiritual reflection and renewal. The biblical model encourages believers to regularly seek solitude with God to deepen their relationship with Him and to gain insight and strength for their daily lives.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The act of retiring or withdrawing one's self, especially from what is dangerous or disagreeable.
2. (n.) The place to which anyone retires; a place or privacy or safety; a refuge; an asylum.
3. (n.) The retiring of an army or body of men from the face of an enemy, or from any ground occupied to a greater distance from the enemy, or from an advanced position.
4. (n.) The withdrawing of a ship or fleet from an enemy for the purpose of avoiding an engagement or escaping after defeat.
5. (n.) A signal given in the army or navy, by the beat of a drum or the sounding of trumpet or bugle, at sunset (when the roll is called), or for retiring from action.
6. (n.) A special season of solitude and silence to engage in religious exercises.
7. (n.) A period of several days of withdrawal from society to a religious house for exclusive occupation in the duties of devotion; as, to appoint or observe a retreat.
8. (v. i.) To make a retreat; to retire from any position or place; to withdraw; as, the defeated army retreated from the field.
Greek
5298. hupochoreo -- to go back, retire... Verb Transliteration: hupochoreo Phonetic Spelling: (hoop-okh-o-reh'-o) Short
Definition: I withdraw, retire Definition: I withdraw, retire, go back,
retreat.
...Strong's Hebrew
5074. nadad -- toretreat, flee, depart, stray, wander, flutter... nadad. 5075 . to
retreat, flee, depart, stray, wander, flutter. Transliteration:
nadad Phonetic Spelling: (naw-dad') Short Definition: fled. Word Origin a prim
...4869. misgab -- a secure height,retreat, stronghold
... 4868, 4869. misgab. 4870 . a secure height,retreat, stronghold. Transliteration:
misgab Phonetic Spelling: (mis-gawb') Short Definition: stronghold....
7725. shub -- to turn back, return
... which is made (1), restore (58), restored (17), restorer (2), restores (7), restoring
(1), restrain (2), restrained (2), retire (1),retreat (1), return (261...
4499. menusah -- flight
... fleeing, flight. Or mnucah {men-oo-saw'}; feminine of manowc;retreat -- fleeing,
flight. see HEBREW manowc. 4498, 4499. menusah or menusah. 4500 ....
7585. sheol -- underworld (place to which people descend at death)
... Or shol {sheh-ole'}; from sha'al; Hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean
retreat), including its accessories and inmates -- grave, hell, pit....
4498. manos -- flight, place of escape or refuge
... escape, way to flee, flight, refuge. From nuwc; aretreat (literally or figuratively);
abstractly, a fleeing -- X apace, escape, way to flee, flight, refuge....
4583. maon -- dwelling, habitation
... maw-een'}; from the same as ownah; an abode, of God (the Tabernacle or the Temple),
men (their home) or animals (their lair); hence, aretreat (asylum) -- den...
5472. sug -- to move away, backslide
... A primitive root; properly, to flinch, ie (by implication) to go back, literally
(toretreat) or figuratively (to apostatize) -- backslider, drive, go back...
5253. nasag -- departing away, remove, take hold, turn away
... departing away, remove, take hold, turn away A primitive root; toretreat -- departing
away, remove, take (hold), turn away. 5252, 5253. nasag. 5254 ....
7734. sug -- turn back
... Word Origin the same as sug, qv. turn back A primitive root; toretreat --
turn back. 7733, 7734. sug. 7735 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
Cii theRetreat
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First CII THERETREAT. Happy those early days,
when I Shined in my Angel-infancy! Before I understood this place....
Retreat. LM
... 384Retreat. LM.... From every stormy wind that blows, From every swelling tide of woes,
There is a calm, a sureretreat;" 'Tis found before the mercy-seat....
Retreat. LM
... 386Retreat. LM. Psalm 104:34. (794) My God, is any hour so sweet From blush
of morn to evening star, As that which calls me to thy...
Retreat. LM
... 385Retreat. LM. Design of Prayer. (796) Prayer is appointed to convey The
blessings God designs to give: Long as they live should...
ARetreat, or a Rout?
... TALK TWENTY-FOUR. ARETREAT, OR A ROUT? Armies often suffer defeat, but
there is a great difference in the way they take defeat....
A CoolRetreat.
... Homily IV. Chapter X."A CoolRetreat. And a certain one amongst
them"a rich man, and possessing a garden of evergreen plants...
(Written During HerRetreat Before Receiving the Habit. ) January...
... LETTERS TO SISTER MARY OF THE SACRED HEART II (Written during herretreat
before receiving the habit.) January 8, 1889. (Written...
(During HerRetreat Before Profession) September 4, 1890
... LETTERS TO SISTER MARY OF THE SACRED HEART IV (During herretreat before
profession) September 4, 1890. (During herretreat before...
Simon'sRetreat.
... Book III. Chapter XLIX."Simon'sRetreat. Then the people in indignation
cast Simon from the court, and drove him forth from the...
(Written During HerRetreat Before Profession. )
... LETTERS TO MOTHER AGNES OF JESUS IV (Written during herretreat before profession.).
(Written during herretreat before profession.) September, 1890....
Thesaurus
Retreat (10 Occurrences)... A period of several days of withdrawal from society to a religious house for exclusive
occupation in the duties of devotion; as, to appoint or observe a
retreat...Retire (6 Occurrences)
... 4. (vi) To go back or return; to draw back or away; to keep aloof; to withdraw or
retreat, as from observation; to go into privacy; as, to retire to his home...
Draw (212 Occurrences)
... in racing, to get in front; to obtain the lead or increase it; to draw back, to
retreat; to draw level, to move up even (with another); to come up to or...
Battle (282 Occurrences)
... from them. A glance at the map shows that this means that Joshua had succeeded
in cutting their line ofretreat to Jerusalem. He...
Bethhoron (12 Occurrences)
... from them. A glance at the map shows that this means that Joshua had succeeded
in cutting their line ofretreat to Jerusalem. He...
Beth-horon (12 Occurrences)
... from them. A glance at the map shows that this means that Joshua had succeeded
in cutting their line ofretreat to Jerusalem. He...
Nineveh (23 Occurrences)
... the days of the Greek historian Herodotus, BC 400, it had become a thing of the
past; and when Xenophon the historian passed the place in the "Retreat of the...
Nest (22 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) A snug, comfortable, or cozy residence or situation; aretreat, or place
of habitual resort; hence, those who occupy a nest, frequent a haunt, or are...
Jerusalem (782 Occurrences)
... The desolation of the city and the land was completed by theretreat of the principal
Jews into Egypt (Jeremiah 40-44), and by the final carrying captive into...
Withdraw (52 Occurrences)
... 3. (vi) To retire; toretreat; to quit a company or place; to go away; as, he withdrew
from the company. Multi-Version Concordance Withdraw (52 Occurrences)....
Resources
Who is the king of the North in Daniel 11? | GotQuestions.orgWho is the king of the South in Daniel 11? | GotQuestions.orgSummary of the Book of Jonah - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.orgRetreat: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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