Topical Encyclopedia The concept of "await" in the Bible often involves themes of patience, expectation, and hope, as believers are called to wait upon the Lord and His promises. This waiting is not passive but is characterized by active faith and trust in God's timing and sovereignty.Old Testament Context In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "wait" is qavah, which conveys a sense of hope and expectation. One of the most well-known verses is Isaiah 40:31: "But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint." . Here, waiting on the Lord is associated with renewal and strength, suggesting that those who await God's timing will be empowered and sustained. The Psalms frequently speak of waiting on God as an act of trust and reliance. Psalm 27:14 encourages believers: "Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!" . This verse highlights the courage and strength required to wait on God's perfect timing, emphasizing that waiting is an active, faith-filled endeavor. New Testament Context In the New Testament, the Greek word apekdechomai is often used to describe waiting with eager anticipation. Romans 8:23-25 speaks of believers eagerly awaiting the redemption of their bodies: "And not only this, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he can already see? But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently." . This passage underscores the eschatological hope that Christians hold, as they await the fulfillment of God's promises in the return of Christ and the ultimate redemption. The early church was characterized by a sense of expectancy for the return of Jesus Christ. In 1 Thessalonians 1:9-10, Paul commends the Thessalonians for their faith, noting that they "wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath." . This waiting is marked by a living hope and a readiness for Christ's return. Theological Implications The act of awaiting in the biblical sense is deeply tied to faith and trust in God's character and promises. It requires believers to surrender their own timelines and desires, submitting to God's perfect will. This waiting is not without purpose; it is a time of preparation, growth, and deepening of one's relationship with God. Throughout Scripture, waiting is often linked with prayer and seeking God's guidance. In Lamentations 3:25-26, it is written: "The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him. It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD." . This passage suggests that waiting is intertwined with seeking God and His salvation, reinforcing the idea that waiting is an active, faith-driven pursuit. Practical Application For believers today, the call to await God's timing and promises remains relevant. In a world that often values immediacy and instant gratification, the biblical principle of waiting challenges Christians to cultivate patience and trust in God's perfect plan. Whether awaiting answers to prayer, guidance for life's decisions, or the ultimate hope of Christ's return, believers are encouraged to wait with expectancy, grounded in the assurance of God's faithfulness and love. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (v. t.) To watch for; to look out for.2. (v. t.) To wait on, serve, or attend. 3. (v. t.) To wait for; to stay for; to expect. See Expect. 4. (v. t.) To be in store for; to be ready or in waiting for; as, a glorious reward awaits the good. 5. (v. i.) To watch. 6. (v. i.) To wait (on or upon). 7. (v. i.) To wait; to stay in waiting. 8. (n.) A waiting for; ambush; watch; watching; heed. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia AWAITa-wat': Only in Acts 9:24 the King James Version, in its now obsolete sense as a noun, "ambush": "their laying await was known of Saul." the Revised Version (British and American) "their plot." Greek 4328. prosdokao -- to await, expect ... to await, expect. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: prosdokao Phonetic Spelling: (pros-dok-ah'-o) Short Definition: I expect, await Definition: I expect ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4328.htm - 7k 362. anameno -- to await 553. apekdechomai -- to await eagerly 1551. ekdechomai -- to take or receive, by impl. to await, expect 5278. hupomeno -- to stay behind, to await, endure 4327. prosdechomai -- to receive to oneself 3306. meno -- to stay, abide, remain 4037. perimeno -- to wait for 4692. speudo -- to hasten, urge on 606. apokeimai -- to be laid away, be laid up in store Strong's Hebrew 2442. chakah -- to wait, await... 2441, 2442. chakah. 2443 . to wait, await. Transliteration: chakah Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-kaw') Short Definition: wait. Word Origin a prim. ... /hebrew/2442.htm - 6k 3176. yachal -- to wait, await 6822. tsaphah -- to look out or about, spy, keep watch Library Of those who are Ignorant of this Mystery; and that their ... Letter Lii. From Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrus, to Leo. (See Vol. Iii ... Nor Let this Promise Seem to You Contrary to the Natural Structure ... Acts I Fourth Sunday after Trinity Redemption of the Creatures. The Fifteenth Chapter: the Grace of Devotion is Acquired through ... Samech. Letter cxxxix. To the Alexandrians. Whether the Brightness of the Heavenly Bodies Will be Increased at ... Whether the Form of the Consecration of the Bread Accomplishes Its ... Thesaurus Await (12 Occurrences)... 8. (n.) A waiting for; ambush; watch; watching; heed. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. AWAIT. ... Multi-Version Concordance Await (12 Occurrences). ... /a/await.htm - 10k Abide (162 Occurrences) Wait (223 Occurrences) Laying (87 Occurrences) Zechariah (55 Occurrences) Look (1874 Occurrences) Tribulations (11 Occurrences) Tend (24 Occurrences) Remain (933 Occurrences) Expect (20 Occurrences) Resources Should a Christian be a prepper or in any way involved with doomsday prepping? | GotQuestions.orgWhat happens after death? | GotQuestions.org How can we store up treasures in heaven? | GotQuestions.org Await: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Await (12 Occurrences)Acts 1:4 Acts 9:24 Acts 20:23 Romans 3:19 Galatians 5:5 Philippians 3:20 1 Thessalonians 1:10 Hebrews 9:28 Isaiah 24:17 Isaiah 60:9 Jeremiah 48:43 Hosea 9:8 Subtopics Related Terms |
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