In the context of the Bible, the term "chased" often refers to the act of pursuing or driving away, typically in a military or spiritual sense. The concept of being chased is frequently associated with the experiences of the Israelites and other biblical figures who faced adversaries or divine discipline.

Old Testament References

1. Exodus and the Israelites: One of the most notable instances of being chased occurs during the Exodus, when Pharaoh's army pursued the Israelites as they fled Egypt. In Exodus 14:9 , it is recorded, "The Egyptians—all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, horsemen, and troops—pursued and overtook them as they camped by the sea near Pi Hahiroth, opposite Baal Zephon." This pursuit led to the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to escape.

2. David and Saul: King David experienced being chased by King Saul, who sought to kill him out of jealousy and fear of losing his throne. In 1 Samuel 23:25 , it is noted, "Saul and his men went to search for him, but David was told about it and went down to the rock and stayed in the wilderness of Maon. When Saul heard this, he pursued David in the wilderness of Maon."

3. Enemies of Israel: Throughout the Old Testament, the Israelites often faced enemies who chased them in battle. In Deuteronomy 28:25 , as part of the curses for disobedience, it is stated, "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."

New Testament Context

While the New Testament does not frequently use the term "chased" in a literal sense, the concept can be seen in the spiritual realm. Believers are often encouraged to flee from sin and pursue righteousness, which can be seen as a form of being chased by the temptations of the world.

1. Spiritual Warfare: The Apostle Paul speaks of the spiritual battles Christians face, urging them to "flee from sexual immorality" (1 Corinthians 6:18) and to "pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace" (2 Timothy 2:22). This pursuit of holiness can be seen as a metaphorical chase, where believers are to actively avoid sin and seek godliness.

2. Persecution: Early Christians often faced persecution, being chased from their homes and communities for their faith. In Matthew 10:23 , Jesus advises His disciples, "When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes."

Theological Implications

The theme of being chased in the Bible often highlights the tension between divine protection and human vulnerability. It underscores the need for reliance on God for deliverance and guidance. The experiences of being pursued by enemies or fleeing from sin serve as reminders of the spiritual journey believers undertake, emphasizing the importance of faith, obedience, and perseverance in the face of adversity.(imp. & p. p.) of Chase.5074. nadad -- to retreat, flee, depart, stray, wander, flutter
... root Definition to retreat, flee, depart, stray, wander, flutter NASB Word Usage
chased (1), chased away (1), could (1), flapped (1), fled (6), flee (5 ...
/hebrew/5074.htm - 6k

1814. dalaq -- to burn, hotly pursue
... root Definition to burn, hotly pursue NASB Word Usage burning (1), chased (1), chasing
(1), fiery shafts (1), hotly pursue (1), hotly pursued (1), inflame (1 ...
/hebrew/1814.htm - 6k

7291. radaph -- to pursue, chase, persecute
... root Definition to pursue, chase, persecute NASB Word Usage chase (6), chased (5),
chases (1), follow (3), follow* (1), follows (1), hunts (1), passed (1 ...
/hebrew/7291.htm - 6k

First Part of the Book.
... Of such, S. Gregory tells a tale in his dialogues: That once on a time the holy
Bishop Fortunatus, chased the fiend out of a man in one evening; and the fiend ...
/.../the form of perfect living and other prose treatises/first part of the book.htm

The Bible and the French Revolution.
... As they ventured to meet by night on mountainside or lonely moor, they were chased
by dragoons, and dragged away to life-long slavery in the galleys. ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /15 the bible and the.htm

The Bible and the French Revolution
... As they ventured to meet by night on mountainside or lonely moor, they were chased
by dragoons and dragged away to lifelong slavery in the galleys. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 15 the bible and.htm

Choked Channels.
... but I am not very much of a christian, sir." The smile that started to come to my
face at the odd frankness of his remark was completely chased away by the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on power/choked channels.htm

A Strain of Sodom.
... The night. 55 Had brought repose: alternate [1224] dawn had chased. The night, and
Sodom with her shameful law. Makes uproar at the doors. Lot, suppliant wise,. ...
/.../fathers of the third century tertullian appendix/2 a strain of sodom.htm

Hymns of Wales.
... Through the centuries, while chased and hunted by their conquerors among the Cambrian
hills, but clinging to their independent faith, or even when paralyzed ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter xi hymns of wales.htm

The Adventure of the Three Sons of Saint George.
... With grateful words and tears, which chased each other down her cheeks of lily white,
she told them that she was the daughter of a Duke, whose castle was hard ...
/.../the seven champions of christendom/chapter fourteen the adventure of.htm

And Lead us not into Temptation.
... must bear, even though each one were alone by himself, so that every hour that we
are in this vile life where we are attacked on all sides, chased and hunted ...
//christianbookshelf.org/luther/the large catechism/and lead us not into.htm

Humdrum
... Some little children followed us, but before we could get a single idea
clearly into their heads a man came and chased them away. ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter iii humdrum.htm

The Kingdom of all Israel.
... The Philistines overran the country, and chased Saul even to the mountain fastnesses
of Gilboa, where the miserable man, deserted by God, tried to learn his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vi the kingdom of.htm

Chased (21 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Chase. Multi-Version Concordance
Chased (21 Occurrences). Acts 26:11 In all the synagogues ...
/c/chased.htm - 13k

Quarries (4 Occurrences)
... found in Job 41:25, "consternation," the King James Version "breakings." In Joshua
7:5 Shebarim is the point to which the Israelites were chased after their ...
/q/quarries.htm - 11k

Misrephothmaim (2 Occurrences)
... miz-re-foth-ma'-im (misrephoth mayim; Septuagint Maseron, Masereth Memphomaim):
A place to which Joshua chased the various tribes, which were confederated ...
/m/misrephothmaim.htm - 9k

Misrephoth-maim (2 Occurrences)
... miz-re-foth-ma'-im (misrephoth mayim; Septuagint Maseron, Masereth Memphomaim):
A place to which Joshua chased the various tribes, which were confederated ...
/m/misrephoth-maim.htm - 9k

Makkedah (8 Occurrences)
... That energetic commander marched all night with his full strength, fell upon the
allies at Gibeon, slew them with a great slaughter, chased the fugitives down ...
/m/makkedah.htm - 12k

Partridge (2 Occurrences)
... In 1 Samuel 26:20 "David alludes to the mode of chase practised now, as of old,
when the partridge, continuously chased, was at length, when fatigued, knocked ...
/p/partridge.htm - 13k

Banished (19 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Job 18:18 He shall be driven from light into darkness, and chased out
of the world. ... Yes, he shall be chased away like a vision of the night. ...
/b/banished.htm - 12k

Shebarim (1 Occurrence)
... sheb'-a-rim, she-ba'-rim (ha-shebharim; sunetripsan): After the repulse of the first
attack on their city the men of Ai chased the Israelites "even unto ...
/s/shebarim.htm - 7k

Defeated (88 Occurrences)
... Joshua 10:10 Yahweh confused them before Israel, and he killed them with a great
slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them by the way of the ascent of Beth Horon ...
/d/defeated.htm - 32k

Smote (281 Occurrences)
... Joshua 7:5 And the men of Ai smote of them about thirty and six men: for they chased
them from before the gate even unto Shebarim, and smote them in the going ...
/s/smote.htm - 39k

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