Topical Encyclopedia
The term "whithersoever" is an archaic English word that appears in various translations of the Bible, including the King James Version (KJV). It is used to convey the idea of "wherever" or "to whatever place." In the context of Scripture, "whithersoever" often emphasizes the totality of a journey or the completeness of a command, reflecting the comprehensive nature of God's guidance or the commitment of His followers.
Biblical Usage:1.
Divine Guidance and Sovereignty: The term is frequently used to describe the all-encompassing guidance of God over His creation and His people. In the Berean Standard Bible, the equivalent expressions capture the essence of God's omnipresence and His ability to lead His people wherever He wills. For instance, in the context of God's promise to Joshua, the idea is conveyed that God will be with him wherever he goes: "Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go" (
Joshua 1:9).
2.
Commitment to Follow Christ: The concept of "whithersoever" is also significant in the New Testament, particularly in the context of discipleship. Jesus calls His followers to a life of complete devotion, willing to follow Him wherever He leads. In
Matthew 8:19, a scribe approaches Jesus and declares, "Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go" . This statement reflects the depth of commitment expected of Christ's disciples, emphasizing the readiness to embrace the unknown for the sake of following Him.
3.
The Nature of Faith: The use of "whithersoever" underscores the nature of faith as a journey into the unknown, trusting in God's provision and direction. This is exemplified in the life of Abraham, who obeyed God's call to leave his homeland without knowing his destination.
Hebrews 11:8 states, "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going."
4.
Symbolism in Prophetic Visions: In prophetic literature, "whithersoever" can describe the movement of divine beings or symbols, illustrating the boundless reach of God's power and presence. In Ezekiel's vision of the cherubim, the creatures move in perfect harmony with the Spirit: "Wherever the Spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they moved" (
Ezekiel 1:12). This imagery highlights the perfect obedience and alignment with God's will.
Theological Implications:The use of "whithersoever" in Scripture carries profound theological implications. It speaks to the omnipresence and omnipotence of God, who is not confined by geographical or temporal boundaries. It also challenges believers to a life of faith and obedience, trusting in God's guidance even when the path is unclear. The term encapsulates the essence of a life surrendered to divine direction, reflecting a heart willing to follow God wherever He leads.
In summary, "whithersoever" serves as a powerful reminder of the comprehensive nature of God's call and the totality of commitment required from His followers. It is a call to trust, obedience, and unwavering faith in the journey of life with God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
adv.) To whatever place; to what place soever; wheresoever; as, I will go whithersoever you lead.
Greek
3757. hou -- where (adv. of place)... Word Origin gen. of hos, Definition where (adv. of place) NASB Word Usage there
(1), where (21), wherever* (1), which (1). wherein,
whithersoever.
...Strong's Hebrew
575. an -- where? whither?... whither? NASB Word Usage any place (1), anywhere (1), how (14), nowhere* (1), where
(22), wherever (1). any no whither, now, where,
whithersoever.
...4725. maqom -- a standing place, place
... where* (1), wherever (1), wherever* (2). country, home, open, place, room,
space,whithersoever. Or maqom {maw-kome'}; also (feminine...
Library
Following "Whithersoever"
... FOLLOWING "WHITHERSOEVER". One day as Jesus was passing along the highway, a man
said to him, "I will follow theewhithersoever thou goest" (Luke 9:57)....
Of the Person who Said to the Lord, "I Will Follow Thee...
... Chapter XXIII."Of the Person Who Said to the Lord, "I Will Follow TheeWhithersoever
Thou Goest;" And of the Other Things Connected Therewith, and of the...
The Wills of Men are So Much in the Power of God, that He Can Turn...
... A Treatise on grace and free will, Chapter 41 [XX.]"The Wills of Men are So Much
in the Power of God, that He Can Turn ThemWhithersoever It Pleases Him....
God Operates on Men's Hearts to Incline their WillsWhithersoever...
... A Treatise on grace and free will, Chapter 43."God Operates on Men's Hearts
to Incline Their WillsWhithersoever He Pleases. From...
On the Words of the Gospel, Luke ix. 57, Etc. , Where the Case of...
... 57, etc., where the case of the three persons is treated of, of whom one said,
"I will follow theewhithersoever thou goest," and was disallowed: another did...
Here Some one Will Say, this is Now not to Write of virginity...
... More easily do follow the Lamb, although notwhithersoever He shall have gone, yet
so far as they shall have had power, married persons who are humble, than...
Is the Spirit of the Lord Straitened?
...Whithersoever the fire comes, it changes all things into its own substance....
Whithersoever the fire comes, there all bonds and fetters are melted and consumed....
Christ Repressing Rash Discipleship
... 'And a certain scribe came, and said unto Him, Master, I will follow Theewhithersoever
Thou goest.20.... I will follow Theewhithersoever Thou goest.'. II....
But, Lo, that Lamb Goeth by a virgin Road...
... Do ye, therefore, do ye go after Him, His virgins; do ye thither also go after Him,
in that on this one accountwhithersoever He shall have gone, ye follow Him...
Christ, by Preserving his Flesh Incorrupt in virginity, Draws to...
... virgins. These are they who follow the Lambwhithersoever He goeth;" [2524]
showing that the Lord is leader of the choir of virgins....
Thesaurus
Whithersoever (32 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (adv.) To whatever place; to what place soever; wheresoever;
as, I will go
whithersoever you lead.
...Whithersoever (32 Occurrences).
...Preserved (27 Occurrences)
... And the LORD preserved Davidwhithersoever he went. (KJV DBY WBS).... And the
LORD preserved Davidwhithersoever he went. (KJV DBY WBS)....
Saveth (36 Occurrences)
... 8:6 and David putteth garrisons in Aram of Damascus, and Aram is to David for a
servant, bearing a present; and Jehovah saveth Davidwhithersoever he hath gone...
Goest (79 Occurrences)
... Goest (79 Occurrences). Matthew 8:19 And a certain scribe came, and said unto him,
Master, I will follow theewhithersoever thou goest. (KJV ASV WBS)....
Wentest (16 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 7:9 And I was with theewhithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all
thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto...
Presents (38 Occurrences)
... And Jehovah gave victory to Davidwhithersoever he went. (See JPS).... And Jehovah
gave victory to Davidwhithersoever he went. (See JPS)....
Aramean (17 Occurrences)
... And the LORD gave victory to Davidwhithersoever he went. (Root in JPS NAS NIV)....
And the LORD gave victory to Davidwhithersoever he went. (Root in JPS NAS NIV)....
Successful (16 Occurrences)
... the law, which Moses My servant commanded thee; turn not from it to the right hand
or to the left, that thou mayest have good successwhithersoever thou goest....
Whither (151 Occurrences)
... also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet
are they turned about with a very small helm,whithersoever the governor...
Everywhere (53 Occurrences)
... And the LORD gave victory to Davidwhithersoever he went. (See NIV).... And the
LORD gave victory to Davidwhithersoever he went. (See NIV)....
Resources
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