Topical Encyclopedia
In the biblical context, "pursuers" often refers to individuals or groups who chase or seek to capture others, typically with hostile intent. The concept of pursuit is prevalent throughout the Scriptures, illustrating both physical and spiritual dimensions of conflict and deliverance.
Old Testament Instances1.
Pharaoh's Army: One of the most notable instances of pursuers in the Bible is the Egyptian army led by Pharaoh, who pursued the Israelites after their exodus from Egypt. In
Exodus 14:9 , it is recorded, "The Egyptians—all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, horsemen, and troops—pursued and overtook the Israelites as they camped by the sea near Pi Hahiroth, opposite Baal Zephon." This pursuit culminated in the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, where the Israelites were delivered, and the Egyptian pursuers were drowned.
2.
David and Saul: King Saul's relentless pursuit of David is another significant narrative. Saul, driven by jealousy and fear of losing his throne, sought to kill David. In
1 Samuel 23:25 , it states, "When Saul and his men went to search for him, David was told about it, and he went down to the rock and stayed in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard of this, he pursued David in the wilderness of Maon." Despite Saul's efforts, God protected David, demonstrating divine intervention and the futility of pursuing God's anointed.
3.
Enemies of Israel: Throughout the Old Testament, the Israelites faced numerous enemies who pursued them. In
Deuteronomy 28:25 , a warning is given: "The LORD will cause you to be defeated before your enemies. You will march out against them in one direction but flee from them in seven, and you will become a thing of horror to all the kingdoms of the earth." This passage highlights the consequences of disobedience to God, resulting in being pursued by enemies.
New Testament Insights1.
Spiritual Pursuit: The New Testament shifts the focus from physical to spiritual pursuit. Believers are often warned about spiritual adversaries. In
1 Peter 5:8 , it is written, "Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." Here, the pursuit is not by human enemies but by spiritual forces seeking to lead believers astray.
2.
Paul's Persecution: The Apostle Paul, before his conversion, was a pursuer of Christians.
Acts 9:1 describes, "Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out threats of murder against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest." Paul's transformation from a pursuer to a proponent of the faith illustrates the power of God's grace and redemption.
3.
Perseverance in Faith: Believers are encouraged to endure and remain steadfast despite being pursued by trials and tribulations. In
Philippians 3:12 , Paul writes, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." The pursuit here is one of spiritual growth and maturity, contrasting the hostile pursuit by enemies.
Theological ImplicationsThe theme of pursuit in the Bible underscores the reality of conflict between good and evil, the faithfulness of God in delivering His people, and the call for believers to remain vigilant against spiritual adversaries. Pursuers, whether physical or spiritual, serve as a reminder of the ongoing battle faced by the faithful and the ultimate victory assured through divine intervention and perseverance in faith.
Strong's Hebrew
7291. radaph -- to pursue, chase, persecute... follows (1), hunts (1), passed (1), persecute (6), persecuted (5), persecutors
(4), press (1), pursue (36), pursued (37), pursuer (1),
pursuers (9), pursues (9
...Library
Polycarp is Found by hisPursuers.
... Chapter VII."Polycarp is found by hispursuers. Hispursuers then, along
with horsemen, and taking the youth with them, went forth...
A Path in the Sea
... The weary day's march, which must have seemed as suicidal to the Israelites as it
did to theirpursuers, had ended in bringing them into a position where, as...
Hid in Light
... tabernacle,' or tent; as an Arab chief might do a fugitive who had eaten of his
salt, secreting him in the recesses of his tent whilst thepursuers scoured the...
Athanasius under Julian and his Successors; Fourth and Fifth...
... course to be reversed. Presently they met that of thepursuers, who suspecting
nothing asked for news of Athanasius. He is not far...
Providence
... You remember the old story of Mohammed flying from hispursuers. He enters a cave,
and a sparrow chirps at the entrance, and flies away as thepursuers pass....
He Restoreth My Soul.
... Like other prodigals, thesepursuers of earthly phantoms take leave of their Father's
house of comfort and plenty, they give up virtue, innocence, honesty...
Polycarp is Betrayed by a Servant.
... And when those who sought for him were at hand, he departed to another
dwelling, whither hispursuers immediately came after him....
But Maximian, who Knew the Outrageous Temper of Galerius...
... was aware of his danger, and allowed his soldiers to disperse themselves, and to
plunder and destroy far and wide, that, if there were anypursuers, they might...
The Battle of the Beanfield. 2 Samuel, xxiii, 11, 12.
... great victory! There are yet great victories to be won when we turn on
ourpursuers. Don't be carried away by bad example. We go...
A Staircase of Three Steps
... arching over the fugitive, like the wings of some great bird, and just as he has
fled thither with eager feet and is safely hidden from hispursuers there, so...
Thesaurus
Pursuers (19 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Pursuers (19 Occurrences). Joshua 2:7 And the
men have pursued after them the way of the Jordan, by the
...Pursuer (4 Occurrences)
... way. The people who fled to the wilderness turned back on thepursuers.
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Psalms...
Finding (57 Occurrences)
... Joshua 2:22 They went, and came to the mountain, and stayed there three
days, until thepursuers had returned. Thepursuers sought...
Pursues (15 Occurrences)
Abode (112 Occurrences)
... Joshua 2:22 And they went, and came unto the mountain, and abode there three days,
until thepursuers were returned: and thepursuers sought them throughout...
Afterwards (143 Occurrences)
... Joshua 2:7 And the men have pursued after them the way of the Jordan, by the fords,
and the gate they have shut afterwards, when thepursuers have gone out...
Delight (213 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 30:9 She said to them, "Go to the mountain, lest thepursuers find you;
and hide yourselves there three days, until thepursuers have returned....
Hide (135 Occurrences)
... Joshua 2:16 She said to them, "Go to the mountain, lest thepursuers find you; and
hide yourselves there three days, until thepursuers have returned....
Pursue (104 Occurrences)
... days! (YLT). Psalms 31:15 In Thy hand 'are' my times, Deliver me from the
hand of my enemies, And from mypursuers. (Root in YLT NIV)....
Sought (199 Occurrences)
... Joshua 2:22 They went, and came to the mountain, and stayed there three
days, until thepursuers had returned. Thepursuers sought...
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