In the biblical context, the concept of "chases" often refers to the pursuit or driving away of enemies, as well as the spiritual pursuit of righteousness and God’s will. The term is used both literally and metaphorically throughout the Scriptures, illustrating various aspects of God's interaction with humanity and the moral responsibilities of believers.

Old Testament Usage

1. Military Pursuit: The idea of chasing is frequently associated with military action, where God empowers His people to pursue and defeat their enemies. In Leviticus 26:7-8, God promises Israel that if they obey His commandments, "You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you. Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you." This passage highlights the divine assistance granted to Israel in their military endeavors, emphasizing the power of obedience to God.

2. Divine Judgment: Chasing is also used to describe God's judgment upon the disobedient. 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." Here, the act of being chased is a consequence of turning away from God's commandments.

3. Metaphorical Pursuit: The Psalms often use the imagery of being chased to describe the trials faced by the righteous. In Psalm 23:6, David expresses confidence in God's goodness and mercy, saying, "Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." The Hebrew word for "follow" can also be translated as "pursue," indicating a relentless pursuit of God's blessings upon the faithful.

New Testament Usage

1. Spiritual Pursuit: In the New Testament, the concept of chasing is more often related to the pursuit of spiritual goals. In 1 Timothy 6:11, Paul exhorts Timothy, "But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness." Here, the pursuit is not of enemies but of virtues that align with a godly life.

2. Perseverance in Faith: The Apostle Paul frequently uses athletic metaphors to describe the Christian life as a race or pursuit. In Philippians 3:12-14, he 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. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus." This passage emphasizes the active and ongoing pursuit of spiritual maturity and the ultimate prize of eternal life with Christ.

Theological Implications

The concept of chases in the Bible underscores the dynamic relationship between God and His people. It reflects the reality of spiritual warfare, the consequences of disobedience, and the call to pursue a life of holiness and devotion. Believers are encouraged to actively chase after God's will, trusting in His provision and protection, while also being aware of the spiritual forces that may seek to chase them away from their faith.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

The Word Made Flesh.
... world. As the sun chases away darkness, so Jesus, the light of the mind
and soul, chases away error, ignorance and superstition. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the word made flesh.htm

Found by Jesus, and Finding Jesus
... that very day his transgressions and iniquities are blotted out, even as the thick
clouds are driven from the sky when God's strong wind chases them away. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 40 1894/found by jesus and finding.htm

That we Should Seek the Verdict of Our Conscience in Every ...
... And certainly the good things we have talked about above will flee him who chases
such vanities, and he will merely bring disgrace on himself. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/albert/on cleaving to god/chapter 14 that we should.htm

If Thou Wilt be Well with God, and have Grace to Rule Thy Life...
... It wounds in love and fulfils charity. It chases the devil, and puts out
dread. It opens heaven, and makes a contemplative man. ...
/.../chapter ix if thou wilt.htm

The Vast Difference in Morals Between the Christians and their ...
... eunuchs and the once-married (while they themselves live like fishes; [829] for
these gulp down whatever falls in their way, and the stronger chases the weaker ...
/.../athenagoras/a plea for the christians/chapter xxxiv the vast difference in.htm

The Light of the World.
... It is easy for us to understand that he is the Sun that chases ignorance, the clouds
of doubt and the darkness of despair away, and who fills the soul with the ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the light of the world.htm

The Thief Gained the Faith which Gained Him, and Brought Him up ...
... The spoiler gets himself mischief by it: the heretic brings ruin on himself thereby.
He that chases the light from his pupils blinds himself. ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn iv the thief gained.htm

The Life of Faith Longing for Home.
... In the shining of Thy smile; For Thy love's all-quickening ray. Chases night and
pain away,. That my heart grows light the while; Heavenly joys in Thee are mine ...
/.../lyra germanica second series the christian life/the life of faith longing.htm

Diversity of Grace.
... like a dream. One cloud chases another like imaginations in the brain of
the sleeper, some sorrowful, others consoling. The soul ...
/.../de caussade/abandonment to divine providence/section ii diversity of grace.htm

If any one Supposes that this Want of Mutual Harmony Between his ...
... kinsmen; suppose he welcomes iniquity, plays the man only against his parents, is
bold only in absurdities, fixes his hopes on emptiness, chases prudence and ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter xviii if any one.htm

Chases (5 Occurrences)
...Chases (5 Occurrences). Proverbs 12:11 He who tills his land shall have plenty of
bread, but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding. (WEB NIV). ...
/c/chases.htm - 7k

Fantasies (4 Occurrences)
... (WEB NIV). Proverbs 12:11 He who tills his land shall have plenty of bread, but
he who chases fantasies is void of understanding. (WEB NIV). ...
/f/fantasies.htm - 7k

Chased (21 Occurrences)

/c/chased.htm - 13k

Feeds (14 Occurrences)
... NAS RSV NIV). Hosea 12:1 Ephraim feeds on wind, and chases the east wind.
He continually multiplies lies and desolation. They make ...
/f/feeds.htm - 10k

Tills (2 Occurrences)
... Tills (2 Occurrences). Proverbs 12:11 He who tills his land shall have plenty of
bread, but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding. (WEB NAS RSV). ...
/t/tills.htm - 6k

Multiplies (8 Occurrences)
... him? (WEB NAS RSV NIV). Hosea 12:1 Ephraim feeds on wind, and chases the
east wind. He continually multiplies lies and desolation. ...
/m/multiplies.htm - 8k

Pursuer (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) One who pursues or chases; one who follows in
haste, with a view to overtake. 2. (n.) A plaintiff; a prosecutor. ...
/p/pursuer.htm - 7k

Bargain (7 Occurrences)
... it (See RSV). Hosea 12:1 Ephraim feeds on wind, and chases the east wind.
He continually multiplies lies and desolation. They make ...
/b/bargain.htm - 9k

Chaseth (2 Occurrences)

/c/chaseth.htm - 6k

Plenty (43 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Proverbs 12:11 He who tills his land shall
have plenty of bread, but he who chases fantasies is void of understanding. ...
/p/plenty.htm - 18k

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