Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical contexts, the term "passers" generally refers to those who pass by a particular location or event, often as witnesses or observers. This term can be found in various passages throughout the Bible, where it is used to describe individuals who encounter significant events or places, sometimes with implications of judgment or reflection.
Old Testament ReferencesOne notable instance of "passers" is found in the book of Lamentations. In
Lamentations 1:12 , Jerusalem is personified and cries out, "Is it nothing to you, all you who pass by? Look and see if there is any pain like my pain, which was inflicted on me, which the LORD brought on me in the day of His fierce anger." Here, the "passers" are those who witness the desolation and suffering of Jerusalem following its destruction. The verse invites these passers to consider the magnitude of the city's suffering, serving as a call to recognize the consequences of sin and divine judgment.
In the prophetic literature, the term is also used to describe those who witness the downfall of nations. For example, in
Jeremiah 18:16 , it is written, "Their land will become desolate, a perpetual object of scorn; all who pass by will be appalled and shake their heads." This passage highlights the reaction of passers to the devastation brought upon a nation due to its disobedience to God. The imagery of passers shaking their heads underscores the severity of the judgment and serves as a warning to others.
New Testament ContextWhile the specific term "passers" is less frequently used in the New Testament, the concept of individuals passing by and witnessing significant events is present. For instance, during the crucifixion of Jesus,
Matthew 27:39 states, "And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads." Here, the passers are those who witness the crucifixion and mock Jesus, fulfilling the prophecy of
Psalm 22:7, which speaks of being scorned and despised by those who see Him.
Theological ImplicationsThe role of passers in the biblical narrative often serves as a reminder of the human tendency to observe without understanding or to judge without compassion. In the Old Testament, passers are frequently depicted as those who witness the consequences of sin and divine judgment, serving as a warning to others. In the New Testament, the passers at the crucifixion highlight the fulfillment of prophecy and the rejection of Christ by the world.
From a theological perspective, the concept of passers challenges believers to reflect on their own responses to the suffering and judgment they witness. It calls for a deeper understanding of God's justice and mercy, encouraging a response of compassion and repentance rather than indifference or scorn.
Strong's Hebrew
5674a. abar -- to pass over, through, or by, pass on... 29), passed (48), passed along (1), passed away (2), passed beyond (1), passed over
(9), passed through (6), passed throughout (1), passer-by (2),
passers-by (1
...5863. Iyye Haabarim -- a place on the E. border of Moab, also a...
... From the plural of iy and the plural of the active participle of abar with the article
interposed; ruins of thepassers; Ije-ha-Abarim, a place near Palestine...
Library
Of what Kind we are to Reckon the Rest (Requies), and End (Finis)...
... the scar, that from thence he might learn that there had been a wound; or wished
to see the window, that through the window he might see thepassers-by: all...
Psalm CXXIX.
... any work in the field, or in the vineyard, or in harvest, or anything of the sort;
it was not lawful to pass by without a blessing....Who are thepassers by?...
My Dream Message
... And many a time since have I looked out upon thepassers-by or listened to their
merriment, and have said to myself, "I would not exchange places with you; for...
Hebrews xi. 13-16
... our shameful deeds, nor permitting others to do so, but lying exposed to public
shame, to the ridicule, the numberless jests of spectators andpassers-by....
Death of Jesus.
... this inscription. The numerouspassers-by who read it were offended. The
priests... of humanity. Thepassers-by insulted him. He heard...
Acts of Paul and Thecla.
... And he went along the road to Lystra, and stood waiting for him, and kept looking
at thepassers by according to the description of Titus....
Acknowledgment of Her Excellence and Wisdom.
... resemble fountains of the purest water; for they allure by their beauty
passers-by to drink of them, even though these should not be thirsty....
The Resurrection
... Death has become like a tyrant who has been completely conquered by the legitimate
monarch; bound hand and foot thepassers-by sneer at him, hitting him and...
He Restoreth My Soul.
... of God and Heaven." Then Pleasure, with dimpled cheeks and laughing eyes, and words
that sound like music to the ears, hurries out to greet thepassers-by, and...
The City of the "Elegant Gate"[*]
... I have seen a man dying on the pavement on a street, almost as densely thronged
as Broadway, New York, and no one of thepassers-by, or of the inhabitants of...
Thesaurus
Passers-by (9 Occurrences)Passers-by.
Passers,
Passers-by. Passes . Multi-Version Concordance
Passers-by (9 Occurrences). Matthew 27:39 And the
passers-by reviled Him.
...Passers (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version ConcordancePassers (3 Occurrences).... It is no longer good for anything
but to be thrown away and trodden on by thepassers by. (WEY)....
Shook (33 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Shook (33 Occurrences). Matthew 27:39 And the
passers-by reviled Him.... (See NIV). Mark 15:29 And all thepassers-by reviled Him....
Yesterday (13 Occurrences)
... 2:8 And yesterday My people for an enemy doth raise himself up, From the outer garment
the honourable ornament ye strip off, From the confidentpassers by, Ye...
Leprosy (51 Occurrences)
... his own virtual death. He had further to warnpassers-by to keep away from
him, by calling out, `Unclean! unclean!' nor could he...
Longer (373 Occurrences)
... saltness? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown away and trodden
on by thepassers by. (WEY DBY NAS RSV NIV). Matthew...
Thrown (126 Occurrences)
... its saltness? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown away and
trodden on by thepassers by. (WEY NAS RSV NIV). Matthew...
Tasteless (4 Occurrences)
... regain its saltness? It is no longer good for anything but to be thrown
away and trodden on by thepassers by. (WEY NAS). Mark 9:50...
Roughly (8 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV). Proverbs 26:10 A master roughly worketh every
one: he both hireth the fool and hirethpassers-by. (DBY)....
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