In the context of the Bible, "chasing" can refer to both the physical act of pursuing someone or something and the metaphorical pursuit of spiritual or moral objectives. The concept of chasing is often used to illustrate the pursuit of righteousness, wisdom, or the divine, as well as the consequences of pursuing worldly desires.

1. Chasing as Pursuit of Righteousness and Wisdom

The Bible frequently encourages believers to pursue righteousness and wisdom with the same fervor as one might chase after a valuable prize. Proverbs 21:21 states, "He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor." This verse highlights the rewards of chasing after godly virtues, suggesting that such pursuits lead to a fulfilling and honorable life.

Similarly, Proverbs 4:7 emphasizes the importance of seeking wisdom: "Wisdom is supreme; therefore acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding." The act of chasing wisdom is portrayed as a noble and essential endeavor for a life aligned with God's will.

2. Chasing Worldly Desires

Conversely, the Bible warns against the pursuit of worldly desires, which can lead to spiritual ruin. Ecclesiastes 1:14 reflects on the futility of chasing after earthly pleasures: "I have seen all the works that are done under the sun, and indeed, all is vanity and a chasing after the wind." This metaphor of chasing the wind illustrates the emptiness and transience of worldly pursuits.

The New Testament also addresses this theme. In 1 John 2:15-17 , believers are cautioned against loving the world and its desires: "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. The world is passing away, along with its desires; but whoever does the will of God remains forever."

3. Chasing as Discipline

The concept of chasing is also used metaphorically to describe God's discipline of His people. Hebrews 12:6 states, "For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives." Here, the idea of chasing is linked to the loving correction and guidance that God provides to His children, akin to a father disciplining his son for his own good.

This theme is echoed in Proverbs 3:11-12 : "My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, and do not loathe His rebuke; for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights." The pursuit of discipline is thus seen as a necessary part of spiritual growth and maturity.

4. Chasing Enemies

In a more literal sense, the Bible recounts instances where individuals or armies chase their enemies as part of military engagements. For example, in 1 Samuel 17:52 , after David defeats Goliath, the Israelites pursue the Philistines: "Then the men of Israel and Judah charged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of the valley and to the gates of Ekron."

This act of chasing enemies is often depicted as a demonstration of God's deliverance and the fulfillment of His promises to His people. In Joshua 10:10 , God delivers the Amorites into the hands of Israel, and they chase them down: "And the LORD threw them into confusion before Israel, who defeated them in a great slaughter at Gibeon, and pursued them along the road to Beth-horon and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah."

In summary, the concept of chasing in the Bible encompasses both the pursuit of spiritual virtues and the consequences of pursuing worldly desires, as well as the discipline and deliverance provided by God.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Chase.

2. (n.) The art of ornamenting metal by means of chasing tools; also, a piece of ornamental work produced in this way.

1377. dioko -- to put to flight, pursue, by impl. to persecute
... 1377 () is used ("earnestly pursue") and ("zealously persecute, hunt down"). In
each case, 1377 () means ("chasing" after), desiring to overtake (apprehend). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1377.htm - 9k1814. 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

The Shunammite's Boy.
... away from the house down to the field where his father and the reapers were at work;
and he ran to and fro in the hot morning sun, sometimes chasing the bright ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/the shunammites boy.htm

Call to China and Voyage Hence
... John was a fine horseman, and found great sport in jumping on his horse and chasing
the people who had "cheated the gate" by not paying their toll. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/fagg/forty years in south china/ii call to china and.htm

Further Examples from the Old Testament in Favour of Fasting.
... mass in the sight of Israel; and the men of Israel went forth out of Mizpeh, and
pursued the aliens, and smote them unto Bethor,""the unfed (chasing) the fed ...
/.../chapter vii further examples from the.htm

Prayerful Remembrance.
... At evening time when dark'ning shades draw nigh And flickering rays of light go
chasing by, When all around glad nature sweetly sings And seems you hear the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/how to live a holy life/prayerful remembrance.htm

Introduction
... The glow of early dawn spreading and brightening; the clouds fringed with purple
and gold; the glowing shafts chasing the retreating darkness"this morning ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/brownlie/hymns of the apostolic church/introduction.htm

A Little Boy's Experience.
... day as a young lady was walking up the street, she saw a little boy running out
of a shoemaker's shop, and behind him was the old shoemaker chasing him with a ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/a little boys experience.htm

Hesiod; the Nine Muses; the Hesiodic Cosmogony; the Ancient ...
... And Love, who is most beauteous of the gods immortal,. Chasing care away from all
the gods and men,. Quells in breasts the mind and counsel sage. ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xxiii hesiod the nine muses.htm

Of the Expedition of Valens against the Goths and How He Paid the ...
... the barbarians' charge, turned tail and were slain one after another as they fled,
the Romans fleeing at full speed and the barbarians chasing them with all ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter xxxii of the expedition of.htm

And on the Day Following He Went Forth Still More Eagerly Bent on ...
... over to it and dwelt there. The reptiles, as though some one were chasing
them, immediately left the place. But he built up the ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/life of antony section 11.htm

M. Gaskell. The Dayspring from on High.
... 4 Still that ray shines on and brightens, Chasing mist and gloom away; Happy
they on whom it gathers With its full and perfect day! ...
/.../various/book of hymns for public and private devotion/104 8 & 7s m.htm

Chasing (12 Occurrences)
... n.) of Chase. 2. (n.) The art of ornamenting metal by means of chasing tools; also,
a piece of ornamental work produced in this way. ...Chasing (12 Occurrences). ...
/c/chasing.htm - 10k

Vanity (100 Occurrences)
... Ecclesiastes 1:14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun;
and behold, all is vanity and a chasing after wind. (WEB ...
/v/vanity.htm - 39k

Quietness (15 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS). Ecclesiastes 4:6 Better is a handful, with quietness,
than two handfuls with labor and chasing after wind. ...
/q/quietness.htm - 10k

Labored (35 Occurrences)
... 2:11 Then I looked at all the works that my hands had worked, and at the labor that
I had labored to do; and behold, all was vanity and a chasing after wind ...
/l/labored.htm - 17k

Rephaim (32 Occurrences)
... by a divine oracle, David led his army to Gibeon, and attacked the Philistines from
the south, inflicting on them another severe defeat, and chasing them with ...
/r/rephaim.htm - 21k

Plundered (44 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV NIV). 1 Samuel 17:53 The children of Israel returned from chasing after
the Philistines, and they plundered their camp. (WEB ASV WBS NAS RSV NIV). ...
/p/plundered.htm - 19k

Pillaged (4 Occurrences)
... Pillaged (4 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 17:53 And the children of Israel returned from
chasing after the Philistines, and they pillaged their camps. (DBY). ...
/p/pillaged.htm - 7k

Chaseth (2 Occurrences)

/c/chaseth.htm - 6k

Comb (3 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) A tool with teeth, used for chasing screws on work in a lathe;
a chaser. 7. (n.) The notched scale of a wire micrometer. ...
/c/comb.htm - 8k

Chasm (2 Occurrences)

/c/chasm.htm - 7k

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