Topical Encyclopedia
The term "sojourned" in the Bible refers to the act of dwelling temporarily in a place that is not one's permanent home. This concept is significant throughout the Scriptures, as it often highlights themes of faith, obedience, and reliance on God. The Hebrew word often translated as "sojourn" is "gur," which conveys the idea of living as a foreigner or stranger. In the New Testament, the Greek equivalent is "paroikeo," which carries a similar meaning.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are frequently described as sojourners. Their lives exemplify the transient nature of human existence and the call to trust in God's promises.
Genesis 12:10 states, "Now there was a famine in the land, and Abram went down to Egypt to live there for a while, because the famine was severe." Here, Abram (later Abraham) sojourns in Egypt due to a famine, illustrating his dependence on God's guidance and provision.
The Israelites' sojourn in Egypt is another pivotal event.
Genesis 47:4 records, "They also said to Pharaoh, 'We have come to live in the land for a while, because there is no pasture for your servants’ flocks, for the famine is severe in Canaan. So now, please let your servants settle in the land of Goshen.'" This period of sojourning eventually leads to their enslavement, setting the stage for the Exodus and God's deliverance.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of sojourning is used metaphorically to describe the Christian life. Believers are seen as temporary residents on earth, with their true citizenship in heaven.
1 Peter 2:11 exhorts, "Beloved, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul." This passage encourages Christians to live with an eternal perspective, recognizing their temporary status in this world.
Theological SignificanceThe theme of sojourning underscores the biblical narrative of faith and pilgrimage. It reflects the understanding that God's people are called to live in the world but not be of it, maintaining a distinct identity and purpose. The sojourner's journey is marked by trust in God's promises, even when the path is uncertain or challenging.
Throughout Scripture, sojourning serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness and the hope of a future home.
Hebrews 11:9-10 speaks of Abraham's faith: "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." This passage highlights the forward-looking faith of the patriarchs, who sojourned with the expectation of God's ultimate fulfillment of His promises.
In summary, the biblical concept of sojourning is rich with spiritual meaning, calling believers to live as temporary residents on earth, with their hearts set on their eternal home with God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Sojourn.
Strong's Hebrew
4033. magor -- a sojourning place, dwelling place, a sojourning... a sojourning place, dwelling place, a sojourning NASB Word Usage dwelling (1),
pilgrimage (1), sojourning (2), sojournings (2), where he
sojourned (1), where
...1481a. gur -- to sojourn
... dwell (3), dwells (1), habitation (1), live (4), live as aliens (2), lives (1),
reside (13), resided (1), resides (3), sojourn (11),sojourned (9), sojourning...
Library
Chapter xx
... 1. And Abraham journeyed from thence to the land of the South Country (Negeb)
and dwelt between Kadesh and Shur; he alsosojourned in Gerar....
The Illusiveness of Life.
... By faith hesojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling
in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise...
Of Humanity to Strangers.
... at that time, there being a famine, they were obliged to migrate to Egypt for the
sake of buying food there, where also for a time theysojourned; and these...
How the Gospels Cause the Other Books of Scripture Also to be...
... interpreted the mysteries they contained, did not convey such a promise as belongs
to our definition of the Gospel; but the Saviour, when Hesojourned with men...
And yet it is Perhaps Straining Too Far for those who do Believe...
... And yet it is perhaps straining too far for those who do believe that Godsojourned
here in life to object to the manner of His appearance [1986] , as wanting...
Chapter xxxvi
... For their property was too great to allow for them to dwell together, nor was the
land where theysojourned able to support them in view of their flocks....
From the Epistles of Alexander. I. An Epistle to the People of...
... This Clement, at any rate, did live up to the time of the Emperor Severus, and
sojourned in these parts, as he tells us himself in the first book of his...
The Publication of the Gospel
... The first verse is the same with the stated form of benediction which was used whenever
the ark of the Lord set forward while Israelsojourned in the...
Abraham's Faith
... SERMON XII. ABRAHAM'S FAITH. HEBREWS, xi.9, 10. "By faith Abrahamsojourned in the
land of promise as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac...
Of the Mission of the Holy Ghost Fifty Days after Christ's...
... "Thereafter, having confirmed the disciples, and havingsojourned with them forty
days, He ascended up into heaven, as these same persons were beholding Him....
Thesaurus
Sojourned (20 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Sojourn. Multi-Version Concordance
Sojourned (20 Occurrences). John 11:54 Jesus therefore
...Staying (39 Occurrences)
... Genesis 32:4 And he commanded them, saying: 'Thus shall ye say unto my lord Esau:
Thus saith thy servant Jacob: I havesojourned with Laban, and stayed until...
Sojourn (51 Occurrences)
... Acts 13:17 The God of this people Israel chose our fathers, and exalted the people
when theysojourned in the land of Egypt, and with a high arm led he them...
Gerar (10 Occurrences)
... town and district in the south border of Palestine, which was ruled over by a king
named Abimelech (Genesis 10:19; 20:1, 2). Abrahamsojourned here, and...
Exodus (2 Occurrences)
... In the LXX., the words are, "The sojourning of the children of Israel which they
sojourned in Egypt and in the land of Canaan was four hundred and thirty years...
Dwelt (307 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 11:9 By faith hesojourned as a stranger in the land of promise as a foreign
country, having dwelt in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of...
Zipporah (3 Occurrences)
... and Eliezer, when so far on the way with Moses toward Egypt, were sent back by him
to her own kinsfolk, the Midianites, with whom theysojourned till Moses...
Zarephath (4 Occurrences)
... Here Elijahsojourned with a poor widow during the "great famine," when the "heaven
was shut up three years and six months" (Luke 4:26; 1 Kings 17:10)....
Kirjath-arba (8 Occurrences)
... (DBY WBS YLT). Genesis 35:27 And Jacob came to Isaac his father to Mamre to
Kirjath-Arba, which is Hebron; where Abraham hadsojourned, and Isaac. (DBY)....
Kiriath-arba (9 Occurrences)
... (ASV BBE NAS). Genesis 35:27 And Jacob came unto Isaac his father to Mamre, to
Kiriath-arba (the same is Hebron), where Abraham and Isaacsojourned....
Resources
What does the Bible say about heritage? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is a sojourner in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Sarah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgSojourned: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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