Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of survival in the Bible often relates to enduring trials, overcoming adversity, and the preservation of life through divine intervention. The theme of survival is woven throughout the Scriptures, illustrating both physical and spiritual endurance.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, survival is frequently depicted in the narratives of the patriarchs and the nation of Israel. Noah and his family are prime examples of survival through divine intervention. In
Genesis 6-9, God instructs Noah to build an ark to survive the impending flood.
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 survived."
The account of Joseph also highlights survival through God's providence. Sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph rises to power in Egypt and ultimately saves his family from famine.
Genesis 50:20 reflects Joseph's understanding of God's hand in his survival: "As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people."
Survival of the IsraelitesThe survival of the Israelites is a recurring theme, particularly during their exodus from Egypt and their subsequent wanderings in the wilderness. Despite numerous challenges, including threats from hostile nations and internal dissent, the Israelites survive through God's guidance and provision. In
Exodus 14:29-30 , the Israelites' survival is attributed to divine deliverance: "But the Israelites had walked through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left. That day the LORD saved Israel from the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the shore."
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, survival takes on a spiritual dimension, emphasizing perseverance in faith amidst persecution and trials. Jesus Christ speaks of spiritual survival in
Matthew 24:13 , "But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved." This verse underscores the importance of enduring faith as a means of spiritual survival.
The Apostle Paul frequently addresses the theme of survival in his epistles, often in the context of enduring hardships for the sake of the Gospel. In
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 , Paul 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." Here, Paul emphasizes the resilience and survival of believers through God's sustaining power.
Eternal SurvivalThe ultimate survival, according to Christian doctrine, is eternal life through Jesus Christ.
John 3:16 encapsulates this promise: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." This verse highlights the belief that faith in Christ ensures survival beyond physical death, offering eternal life with God.
ConclusionThe Bible presents survival as both a physical and spiritual journey, marked by divine intervention, faith, and perseverance. From the preservation of Noah's family to the spiritual endurance encouraged by Jesus and the apostles, survival is a testament to God's faithfulness and the resilience of those who trust in Him.
Strong's Hebrew
5975. amad -- to take one's stand, stand... 15), station (1), stationed (8), stay (8), stayed (2), staying (1), stood (110),
stood firm (1), stood still (11), stop (3), stopped (9),
survives (1), take a
...Library
Thirsting for God
... The longing for 'the living God' belongs to all men. Thwarted, stifled, it still
survives.... Filled to the full, it stillsurvives unsatiated and expectant....
Accidental Causes of Corruption.
... place. As to Greek MSS., the errorsurvives only in B at the present day,
the preserver of an Alexandrian error. Sec. 3. St. Luke...
Quietism and Calvinism
... least of its baser nature. The Calvinism thatsurvives in the world today
is a thing refined, rarefied. The baser sort of Calvinism...
Herod
... But even fear quickly dies in a callous heart, and only curiositysurvives. Herod
is soon glad to see Jesus, and hopes that He may work a miracle....
Accidental Causes of Corruption.
... meizon"of which reading at this day D is the sole representative: (2) os dedoke . . .
. meizon"whichsurvives only in AX: (3) o dedoke . . . ....
Commentaries of Origen. Introduction.
... He speaks of those who had preceded him in this activity; and though but little
survives of the labours of these earlier expositors, we know that the work of...
Conversion
... Swain family. After two years of teaching she was married from her aunt's
home to a worthy man who stillsurvives her. Before Ann's...
Watkinson -- the Transfigured Sackcloth
... passing shadow of mortality. Now, this disposition to place an interdict on
disagreeable and painful things stillsurvives. Men of all...
Case, 50-61
... used. The employment of the accusative became more frequent after the classical
period, and alonesurvives in the modern language....
The Adventures of Saint Anthony of Italy.
... knights have felt, Who for these maidens' sakes have lost their lives; Yet, though
on many knights he hath death dealt, This most inhuman giant stillsurvives....
Thesaurus
Survives (6 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Survives (6 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians 3:14 If any man's
work remains which he built on it, he will receive a reward. (See RSV NIV).
...Immortal (3 Occurrences)
... man, after bodily death. It is the assertion of the fact that death does
not end all. The soulsurvives. This is commonly what is...
Immortality (6 Occurrences)
... man, after bodily death. It is the assertion of the fact that death does
not end all. The soulsurvives. This is commonly what is...
Survived (15 Occurrences)
Surviving (8 Occurrences)
Writing (194 Occurrences)
... head or antlers, or any characteristic part, served the simple purpose of record
just as well as the whole object, and this method of recordsurvives in a...
Ziz (1 Occurrence)
... At any rate, an echo of the ancient namesurvives here: possibly the actual ascent
was the present steep pass from En-gedi to the plateau above....
Zoheleth (1 Occurrence)
... The stone has disappeared, but it is thought that an echo of the namesurvives in
ez-Zechweleh, the name of a rocky outcrop in the village of Siloam....
Zemarite (2 Occurrences)
... The name probablysurvives in that of Sumra, a village on the seacoast between
Tripolis and Ruwad, about 1 1/2 miles North of Nahr el-Kebir....
Lycaonia (2 Occurrences)
... Of the language of Lycaonia. (see LYSTRA) nothingsurvives except some personal
and place names, which are discussed in Kretschmar's Einleitung in die Gesch....
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