Topical Encyclopedia
The term "prevailed" in the Bible often signifies overcoming, gaining victory, or demonstrating strength and endurance in various contexts. It is used to describe both physical and spiritual triumphs, reflecting the overarching theme of God's sovereignty and the ultimate victory of His purposes.
Old Testament UsageIn the Old Testament, "prevailed" is frequently used to describe military victories and the overcoming of adversaries. For instance, in the account of the battle between the Israelites and the Amalekites, as long as Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed (
Exodus 17:11). This narrative underscores the importance of divine intervention and support in achieving victory.
The term is also used in the context of personal struggles and divine encounters. In
Genesis 32:28, Jacob wrestles with a divine being and is told, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed" . This passage highlights the transformative power of perseverance and faith in God's promises.
New Testament UsageIn the New Testament, "prevailed" often relates to the spread of the Gospel and the triumph of the early church despite persecution and opposition.
Acts 19:20 states, "So the word of the Lord powerfully continued to spread and prevail" . This reflects the unstoppable nature of God's Word and its ability to overcome barriers and transform lives.
The concept of prevailing is also evident in the spiritual realm, where believers are called to overcome sin and temptation through the power of Christ. In
Revelation 5:5, Jesus is described as the Lion of the tribe of Judah who has prevailed to open the scroll and its seven seals, signifying His ultimate authority and victory over sin and death.
Theological ImplicationsTheologically, the concept of prevailing is deeply connected to the themes of divine sovereignty, human responsibility, and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom. It emphasizes that while human effort and perseverance are important, true victory is achieved through reliance on God's power and grace.
In the life of a believer, prevailing is often associated with spiritual warfare, where Christians are called to stand firm in their faith and resist the forces of evil.
Ephesians 6:13 encourages believers to "take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand" .
ConclusionThe biblical concept of prevailing serves as a reminder of the strength and victory that come through faith in God. Whether in personal struggles, spiritual battles, or the advancement of the Gospel, the assurance of God's prevailing power provides hope and encouragement to believers throughout the ages.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Prevail.
Greek
3849. parabiazomai -- to force against (nature)... successful). Word Origin from para and biazo Definition to force against
(nature) NASB Word Usage
prevailed (1), urged (1). constrain.
...Strong's Hebrew
2388. chazaq -- to be or grow firm or strong, strengthen... stronger (1), maintain (1), make (1), make an effort (1), making himself strong
(1), overcome (1), persuaded (1), post a strong (1),
prevailed (4),
prevailed...5810. azaz -- to be strong
... root Definition to be strong NASB Word Usage became fixed (1), brazen (1), displays
a bold (1), mighty (1), prevail (2),prevailed (1),prevailed* (1), show...
1396. gabar -- to be strong, mighty
... 1395, 1396. gabar. 1397 . to be strong, mighty. Transliteration: gabar Phonetic
Spelling: (gaw-bar') Short Definition:prevailed. Word Origin a prim....
7186. qasheh -- hard, severe
... From qashah; severe (in various applications) -- churlish, cruel, grievous,
hard((-hearted), thing), heavy, + impudent, obstinate,prevailed, rough(-ly), sore...
3027. yad -- hand
... 1), ordination* (1), part (1), parts (2), paw (2), place (4), pledged* (1), possess*
(1), possession (4), power (44), prepared (1),prevailed* (1), reached* (1...
7287a. radah -- to have dominion, rule, dominate
... root Definition to have dominion, rule, dominate NASB Word Usage dominated (1),
had dominion (1), have dominion (1),prevailed (1), rule (12), ruled (4...
3201. yakol -- to be able, have power
... 47), could (41), endure (3), had your way (1), incapable* (1), may (1), overcome
(3), overpower (2), overpowered (1), prevail (8),prevailed (6), succeed (1...
8304. Serayah -- "Yah persists," the name of a number of Isr.
... Seraiah. Or Srayahuw {ser-aw-yaw'-hoo}; from sarah and Yahh; Jah hasprevailed;
Serajah, the name of nine Israelites -- Seraiah. see HEBREW sarah....
6601b. pathah -- to be simple
... simple NASB Word Usage allure (1), became...enticed (1), deceive (2), deceived
(5), entice (9), enticed (1), entices (1), persuaded (1),prevailed (2), seduces...
Library
How DavidPrevailed.
... XXXIV. HOW DAVIDPREVAILED. "So Davidprevailed over the Philistine!""1 Samuel
17:50.... Davidprevailed over the Philistine with very simple weapons, but....
Since Custom and Ancient Tradition havePrevailed that the Bishop...
... Canon VII. Since custom and ancient tradition haveprevailed that the Bishop
of ??lia i.? Since custom and ancient tradition have...
How the People that were in the Fortress werePrevailed on by the...
... CHAPTER 9. How The People That Were In The Fortress WerePrevailed On By The Words
Of Eleazar, Two Women And Five Children Only Excepted And All Submitted To...
How the Dust of that PlacePrevailed against Fire. [After 642 AD ]
... BOOK III CHAP. X. How the dust of that placeprevailed against fire. [After
642 AD]. ABOUT the same time, another traveller, a Briton...
Rom. v. 12
... He enquires whence death came in, and how itprevailed.... For it had borne that
death whereof all partake, whichprevailed and lorded over us....
Psalm CXLI.
... 9. "They shall hear My Words, for they haveprevailed." My Words haveprevailed
over their words. They have spoken clever things, I true things....
Hymns for the Feast of the Epiphany. Hymn i. To Thee be Praise...
... He comes that winnows the wheat from the tares.". 11. The Lightgiver hasprevailed
and marked a mystery, by the degrees he ascended:"Lo!...
The Tetrapolitan Confession.
... a hostile and uncompromising attitude towards Zwinglianism, Calvinism, and the later
theology of Melanchthon, it would probably haveprevailed throughout the...
Gen. xxxi. 11
... one adversary, all others who might oppose him,"as he is expressly assured in
ver.29: "Thou hast wrestled with God and with men, and hastprevailed." Can God...
Order of the New Testament Books.
... II. Another orderprevailed in the Latin Church, viz., the Gospels, the Acts,
the Epistles of Paul, the Catholic Epistles, and the Apocalypse....
Thesaurus
Prevailed (46 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Prevailed (46 Occurrences).
... Their voices and the voices
of the chief priests
prevailed. (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS RSV NIV).
...Overpowered (12 Occurrences)
... Acts 19:16 The man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overpowered them,
andprevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and...
Wrestled (6 Occurrences)
... Wrestled (6 Occurrences). Genesis 30:8 Rachel said, "With mighty wrestlings have
I wrestled with my sister, and haveprevailed." She named him Naphtali....
Prevail (50 Occurrences)
... 3. (vi) To persuade or induce; -- with on, upon, or with; as, Iprevailed on him
to wait.... Their voices and the voices of the chief priestsprevailed....
Jesus (10891 Occurrences)
... In the period between the Old Testament and the New Testament such sentiments so
greatlyprevailed that Schurer has compiled, from the apocryphal literature, a...
Waters (386 Occurrences)
... NIV). Genesis 7:18 The watersprevailed, and increased greatly on the earth;
and the ship floated on the surface of the waters. (WEB...
Pressed (65 Occurrences)
... Judges 1:35 But the Amorites were resolved to dwell in Harheres, in Aijalon, and
in Shaalbim; yet the hand of the house of Josephprevailed, so that they...
Overruled (2 Occurrences)
... Overruled (2 Occurrences). 2 Samuel 24:4 Notwithstanding, the king's word
prevailed against Joab, and against the captains of the army....
Lowered (14 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV NIV). Exodus 17:11 It happened, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel
prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalekprevailed. (See RSV NIV)....
Winning (3 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Exodus 17:11 It happened, when Moses held up his hand, that Israelprevailed;
and when he let down his hand, Amalekprevailed. (See NIV)....
Resources
Who was Joshua in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWere the Founding Fathers of the United States Christians? | GotQuestions.orgThe closed canon'what are the implications? | GotQuestions.orgPrevailed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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