Bestead
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The term "bestead" is an archaic English word that appears in some older translations of the Bible, such as the King James Version. It is derived from the Old English "bestead," meaning to be situated or placed in a particular condition or circumstance, often implying being in a state of distress or difficulty. In the context of Scripture, "bestead" is used to describe a condition of hardship or oppression.

In the Berean Standard Bible , the term "bestead" is not used, as modern translations often opt for more contemporary language to convey the same meaning. However, understanding the concept of being "bestead" can provide insight into the experiences of individuals and nations described in the Bible who faced adversity and divine judgment.

Biblical Context

The concept of being "bestead" is closely associated with the themes of divine judgment and human suffering. In the prophetic literature of the Old Testament, the condition of being "bestead" often reflects the consequences of turning away from God and the resulting hardships that come upon individuals or nations.

For example, in Isaiah 8:21 (KJV), the term is used to describe the distress of the people: "And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward." In this passage, the people of Israel are depicted as being in a state of severe distress and hunger due to their disobedience and lack of faith in God. The Berean Standard Bible translates this passage with more contemporary language: "They will roam the land, dejected and hungry. When they are famished, they will become enraged and, looking upward, will curse their king and their God."

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, the condition of being "bestead" serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of remaining faithful to God. The hardships faced by the people of Israel, as described in the prophetic books, are often portrayed as a direct result of their rebellion against God's commandments and their failure to trust in His provision and protection.

The concept also underscores the justice of God, who allows His people to experience the natural consequences of their actions as a means of correction and eventual restoration. Despite the severity of their circumstances, the prophetic messages often include a call to repentance and a promise of hope for those who turn back to God.

Practical Application

For believers today, the notion of being "bestead" can serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of straying from God's path. It encourages self-examination and a commitment to living in accordance with God's will, trusting in His guidance even in times of difficulty. The experiences of those who were "bestead" in the Bible remind Christians of the importance of faithfulness and the assurance that God is ever-present, ready to restore and bless those who seek Him with a sincere heart.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The rendering in Isaiah 8:21, where alone it occurs, of a Hebrew word meaning to oppress, or be in circumstances of hardship.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (imp. & p. p.) of Bestead.

2. (v. t.) To put in a certain situation or condition; to circumstance; to place.

3. (v. t.) To put in peril; to beset.

4. (v. t.) To serve; to assist; to profit; to avail.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
BESTEAD

be-sted' (niqsheh, "caught in a snare," "entrapped"; as Judah hard pressed in their own land by the Assyrians (Isaiah 8:21 the King James Version)): Found only here. Old English word steden meaning "place," hence, "set," "beset"; usually with "ill," "sorely bested." In the Revised Version (British and American) rendered "sore distressed."

Library

Stephen's vision
... vision swept into his soul, as on a mighty wave, the fact, overwhelming if it had
not been so transcendently strengthening to the sorely bestead prisoner, that ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/stephens vision.htm

Acts ii. 22
... [155] It shows that death itself in holding Him had pangs as in travail, and was
sore bestead: [156] whereas, by pains, or, travail-pangs, of death, the Old ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily vi acts ii 22.htm

The Baptism of Jesus: Its Higher Meaning.
... as the Bath-Qol,' or Daughter-Voice,' of which we read in Rabbinic writings, as
bringing heaven's testimony or decision to perplexed or hardly bestead Rabbis. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xii the baptism of.htm

Funeral Oration on the Great S. Basil, Bishop of C??sarea in ...
... or partisans, nor was it his part to fight, or rend the body of the Church, which
was from other reasons the subject of attack, and hardly bestead, from the ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xliii funeral oration on.htm

Thesaurus
Bestead (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (imp. & pp) of Bestead. 2. (vt) To put in a certain situation or condition; to
circumstance; to place. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BESTEAD. ...
/b/bestead.htm - 7k

Bestiality

/b/bestiality.htm - 6k

Deborah (10 Occurrences)
... the nation's cause. And the nation was sore bestead because it had become
faithless to the Lord and chosen new gods. Out of the ...
/d/deborah.htm - 14k

Fret (9 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 8:21 And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall
come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves ...
/f/fret.htm - 13k

Hardly (26 Occurrences)
... hardly let us go," qashah, literally, "hardened to let us go," the Revised Version
margin "hardened himself against letting us go"; "hardly bestead" (Isaiah 8 ...
/h/hardly.htm - 23k

Best (252 Occurrences)

/b/best.htm - 36k

Hard-pressed (4 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 8:21 And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall
come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves ...
/h/hard-pressed.htm - 7k

Hunger (52 Occurrences)
... "Hard bestead and hungry" in Isaiah 8:21 means bested (that is, placed) in a condition
of hardship, "sore distressed," the American Standard Revised Version. ...
/h/hunger.htm - 25k

Harddiness
... hardly let us go," qashah, literally, "hardened to let us go," the Revised Version
margin "hardened himself against letting us go"; "hardly bestead" (Isaiah 8 ...
/h/harddiness.htm - 14k

Hardiness
... hardly let us go," qashah, literally, "hardened to let us go," the Revised Version
margin "hardened himself against letting us go"; "hardly bestead" (Isaiah 8 ...
/h/hardiness.htm - 15k

Resources
Bestead: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Bestead (1 Occurrence)

Isaiah 8:21
And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry: and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward.
(KJV JPS)

Subtopics

Bestead

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