Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of survival is deeply embedded in the biblical narrative, reflecting both physical endurance and spiritual perseverance. In the Scriptures, survival often signifies God's providence and the resilience of His people amidst trials and tribulations.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, survival is frequently associated with God's deliverance and protection. The account of Noah and the Ark (Genesis 6-9) is a prime example, where Noah and his family survive the great flood due to their obedience to God.
Genesis 7:23 states, "Every living thing on the face of the earth was destroyed—man and livestock, crawling creatures and birds of the air; they were blotted out from the earth, and only Noah and those with him in the ark remained."
The Israelites' survival in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt is another significant instance. Despite the harsh conditions, God provided manna and quail for sustenance (Exodus 16) and water from a rock (
Exodus 17:6). Their survival was a testament to God's faithfulness and provision.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, survival takes on a spiritual dimension, emphasizing perseverance in faith. Jesus speaks to this in
Matthew 24:13 , "But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved." Here, survival is linked to enduring faith amidst persecution and trials.
The Apostle Paul frequently addresses the theme of spiritual survival. In
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 , he writes, "We are hard pressed on all sides, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed." Paul's words highlight the resilience of believers who, despite facing severe hardships, survive through the strength and grace of God.
Theological ImplicationsSurvival in the biblical sense is not merely about physical endurance but is deeply connected to faith and reliance on God. It underscores the belief that God is sovereign and His purposes prevail, even in the face of adversity. The survival of God's people is often depicted as a result of divine intervention and covenant faithfulness.
Practical ApplicationFor believers, the biblical theme of survival encourages trust in God's provision and faithfulness. It serves as a reminder that, while trials and tribulations are inevitable, reliance on God ensures spiritual endurance. The accounts of survival in the Bible inspire believers to remain steadfast in their faith, trusting that God will sustain them through life's challenges.
Related Scriptures·
Psalm 91:7 : "Though a thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, no harm will come near you."
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Isaiah 43:2 : "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, and the flames will not set you ablaze."
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James 1:12 : "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him."
The biblical narrative of survival is a testament to God's enduring presence and the resilience of faith, offering hope and encouragement to believers throughout the ages.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To live beyond the life or existence of; to live longer than; to outlive; to outlast; as, to survive a person or an event.
2. (v. i.) To remain alive; to continue to live.
Greek
4035. perileipomai -- to be left remaining... perileipomai Phonetic Spelling: (per-ee-li'-po) Short Definition: I leave behind
Definition: I leave behind; pass: I am left behind, remain,
survive.
...2225. zoogoneo -- to preserve alive
... Word Origin from the same as zoon and ginomai Definition to preserve alive NASB
Word Usage gives life (1), preserve (1),survive (1). live, preserve....
5275. hupoleipo -- a remnant
... be left. From hupotrecho and leipo; to leave under (behind), ie (passively) to remain
(survive) -- be left. see GREEK hupotrecho. see GREEK leipo....
4800. suzao -- to live with
... live with. From sun and zao; to continue to live in common with, ie Co-survive
(literally or figuratively) -- live with. see GREEK sun. see GREEK zao....
Strong's Hebrew
2421a. chayah -- to live... 1), saved (1), saved our lives (1), saving (1), spare (3), spared (2), stay alive
(1), surely live (9), surely recover (2), survival (1),
survive (2), survived
...8277. sarad -- to escape
... remain. A primitive root; properly, to puncture (compare sered), ie (figuratively
through the idea of slipping out) to escape orsurvive -- remain....
7604. shaar -- to remain, be left over
... as a remnant (1), leaves (1), left (73), left behind (2), remain (10), remained
(11), remains (6), remnant (2), reserved (1), rest (2),survive (1), survived (4...
Library
Works of Rufinus. I. Original Works which StillSurvive.
... Works of Rufinus. I. Original Works which stillSurvive. 1. A Commentary
on the Benedictions of the 12 Patriarchs. This short work...
The Influence of Dionysius in Religious History
... Four works of the Areopagitesurvive.... These stillsurvive, and may be found
in the collected edition of the works of the Areopagite....
Of the great Harlot, or Mystic Babylon, with the same Seven-headed...
... ten-horned state (the only state in which it is prophetically contemplated by John)
first commenced with the harlot or adulteress, will notsurvive her, nor...
The Book of God
... Often the survival of the fittest is just a survival of those fittest to
survive, and not the survival of those who ought tosurvive....
Herein is Declared what Befell the Sons of Eli, the Ark, and the...
... So the ark came, and the sons of the high priest with it, having received a charge
from their father, that if they pretended tosurvive the taking of the ark...
While, Then, this is the Case, and it Cannot but be that Only one...
... For this one thinks that they both are immortal, andsurvive the end of our earthly
life; that one believes that they do notsurvive, but perish with the...
Of Hope and True Religion, and of Superstition.
... For they who spent whole days in prayers and sacrifices, that their children
mightsurvive [874] them, were called superstitious....
Extracts for Study, with Lesson Talk
... This influence is to endure to the end of time. What more of the present is
tosurvive? Perhaps... daring. What else is tosurvive the age?...
Entangled in the Land
... is so precarious that it is a wonder that any infant survives; and infant spiritual
life is so full of weaknesses and diseases that none wouldsurvive were it...
Causes of Corruption Chiefly Intentional.
... the word pneu'mati from the copies of Luke 2:40; and lo, at the end of 1,500 years,
four corrected' copies, two Versions, one Greek Father,survive to bear...
Thesaurus
Survive (20 Occurrences)... 1. (vt) To live beyond the life or existence of; to live longer than; to outlive;
to outlast; as, to
survive a person or an event.
...Survive (20 Occurrences).
...Survived (15 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofSurvive. Multi-Version Concordance
Survived (15 Occurrences). Genesis 14:10 Now the valley...
Pastoral
... But they agree perfectly with his liberation after his first Roman imprisonment.
"As there is then no historical evidence that Paul did notsurvive the year 64...
Unquenchable (5 Occurrences)
... Even in the view of Edward White, the wickedsurvive the period of judgment to which
these terms relate. See PUNISHMENT, EVERLASTING. James Orr....
Godhead (5 Occurrences)
... formed with the suffix "-head" or "-hood", most of which formerly occurred in both
forms almost indifferently, though the majority of themsurvive only, or...
Widow (71 Occurrences)
... bereave. 5. (vt) To endow with a widow's right. 6. (vt) To become, orsurvive
as, the widow of. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. WIDOW....
Firstborn (119 Occurrences)
... Menephtah is probably the Pharaoh whose first-born was slain. His son did
not succeed orsurvive his father, but died early. The...
First-born (110 Occurrences)
... Menephtah is probably the Pharaoh whose first-born was slain. His son did
not succeed orsurvive his father, but died early. The...
Remnant (157 Occurrences)
... has a special significance in the prophecies of Isaiah, as denoting "a holy seed,"
or spiritual kernel, of the nation which shouldsurvive impending judgment...
Righteousness (442 Occurrences)
... feeling in the beginning. If a social group was tosurvive it must lay upon
its individual members the heaviest exactions. Back of the...
Resources
How do I survive trying to raise a teenager? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I spiritually survive a severe physical trauma? | GotQuestions.orgHow can a church survive/recover when a pastor leaves? | GotQuestions.orgSurvive: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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