In the context of the Bible, the term "declined" can refer to a turning away or a movement away from a particular path, often in a spiritual or moral sense. This concept is frequently addressed in Scripture, where individuals or groups are depicted as declining from God's commandments, wisdom, or ways.

Old Testament Usage

The Hebrew Scriptures often use the concept of declining to describe Israel's spiritual and moral failures. In Deuteronomy 17:20, the king is instructed not to "turn aside" from God's commandments, which is a form of declining: "so that his heart will not be lifted up above his brothers and he will not turn aside from the commandment, to the right or to the left, so that he and his sons may reign many years over his kingdom in Israel" . Here, declining is associated with pride and disobedience, leading to negative consequences.

In 1 Kings 11:9, Solomon's heart is said to have declined from the Lord: "Now the LORD became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice" . Solomon's decline is marked by his idolatry and alliances with foreign nations, which led to the division of the kingdom.

Wisdom Literature

The Book of Proverbs frequently warns against declining from the path of wisdom. Proverbs 4:5-7 advises, "Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will guard you. Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding" . Declining from wisdom is equated with forgetting or turning away from the teachings that lead to life and protection.

Prophetic Writings

The prophets often called Israel to repentance, urging them to return from their decline. In Jeremiah 2:19, the prophet declares, "Your own wickedness will discipline you; your own apostasies will reprimand you. Consider then and realize how evil and bitter it is for you to forsake the LORD your God and to have no fear of Me," declares the Lord GOD of Hosts" . Here, declining from God is portrayed as a conscious choice that results in self-inflicted consequences.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of declining is often related to falling away from the faith or turning aside from the truth. In 2 Timothy 4:4, Paul warns, "So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths" . This decline is characterized by a rejection of sound doctrine in favor of false teachings.

The parable of the sower in Matthew 13:18-23 illustrates how some hearers of the Word decline in their faith due to various distractions and temptations. The seed that falls among thorns represents those who hear the Word but allow the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches to choke it, resulting in unfruitfulness.

Moral and Spiritual Implications

The biblical theme of decline serves as a warning against the dangers of turning away from God's commandments and wisdom. It emphasizes the importance of steadfastness in faith and obedience to God's Word. The Scriptures consistently call believers to examine their hearts and lives, ensuring they remain on the path of righteousness and do not decline into disobedience or apostasy.1. (imp. & p. p.) of Decline.

2. (a.) Declinate.

6437. panah -- to turn
... root Definition to turn NASB Word Usage approaches (1), clear (3), cleared (1),
cleared away (1), considered (1), dawn* (1), dawns (1), declined (1), declines ...
/hebrew/6437.htm - 6k

Whether Secret Abstinence Ought to be Made Known, Without Telling ...
... Whether secret abstinence ought to be made known, without telling a lie about it,
to those who ask, and whether what has once been declined may be taken in hand ...
/.../the conferences of john cassian/chapter xxi whether secret abstinence.htm

An Objection, that Abstinence Ought to be Concealed, but that ...
... Chapter XXII. An objection, that abstinence ought to be concealed, but that
things that have been declined should not be received. ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xxii an objection that.htm

Whether one Can Both be Living and Dead at the Same Time.
... nor inappropriately come to pass, though not by the intention of man, yet perhaps
with divine purpose, that this Latin word moritur cannot be declined by the ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 11 whether one can both.htm

Presbyterian Worship Outside of the Established Church of Scotland ...
... The United Presbyterian Synod, in a deliverance in which it declined to pronounce
judgment upon the introduction of instrumental music in Divine service ...
/.../johnston/presbyterian worship/chapter viii presbyterian worship outside.htm

The Ideal Man
... Moody which I happened to see, and it began with these words, "I have no ambition
to preach to ten thousand people, but to do the will of God;" and he declined ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/a life for a life/the ideal man.htm

The Mind which was in Christ Jesus. Rev. George Wood.
... It is a fact that Christ never demanded, yet never declined the worship of men during
His earthly sojourn. ... It was sometimes given, it was never declined. ...
/.../king/the wesleyan methodist pulpit in malvern/the mind which was in.htm

Knox and Queen Mary, 1561
... He was bidden to refuse her even the private performance of the rites of her faith,
but declined to go to that extremity; the question smouldered through five ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter xiv knox and queen.htm

To Certain Holy Hermits who had Been Invited to Rome by the Pope
... Father William Flete, whom Catherine had always persisted in admiring, despite his
failings, flatly declined to stir; so did his comrade, Brother Antonio. ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to certain holy hermits who.htm

The Life of David Hackston of Rathillet.
... Upon the 27, he was taken before the justiciary, where he declined the king's authority
as an usurper of the prerogative of the Son of God, whereby he had ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of david hackston.htm

Letter clxxv. To Count Magnenianus.
... But I have no wish to leave behind me a treatise on the Faith, or to write various
creeds, and so I have declined to send what you asked. ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter clxxv to count magnenianus.htm

Declined (11 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Declined (11 Occurrences). Acts 18:20 When they asked
him to stay with them a longer time, he declined; (WEB RSV NIV). ...
/d/declined.htm - 9k

Decline (10 Occurrences)
... sound morals. 4. (vi) To turn away; to shun; to refuse; -- the opposite of
accept or consent; as, he declined, upon principle. 5. (vt ...
/d/decline.htm - 12k

Night (3322 Occurrences)
... phrase "tarry all night" (Judges 19:6-9); the context shows that the day is regarded
as beginning in the morning; in the evening the day "declined," and until ...
/n/night.htm - 15k

Ahab (85 Occurrences)
... Naboth declined the offer. ... His body is taken to Samaria for burial. A great king
had died, and the kingdom declined rapidly after his death. ...
/a/ahab.htm - 52k

Period (43 Occurrences)
... He formally declined it (Judges 8:22, 23), but still set up a government at Ophrah
which the people looked upon as hereditary (Judges 9:2). He was succeeded by ...
/p/period.htm - 34k

Persecution (22 Occurrences)
... Gallio, for instance, the deputy of Achaia, declined to go into the charge brought
by the Jews at Corinth against Paul (Acts 18:14, 15, 16). ...
/p/persecution.htm - 47k

Tyre (59 Occurrences)
... All Phoenicia submitted to him without resistance, and Tyre was willing to admit
his suzerainty, but declined to receive him into the city. ...
/t/tyre.htm - 45k

Naaman (19 Occurrences)
... He at first haughtily resented the humiliation and declined the cure; but on the
remonstrance of his attendants he yielded and obtained cleansing. ...
/n/naaman.htm - 15k

Nero
... for they were covered with the hides of wild beasts and worried to death by dogs,
or nailed to crosses, or set fire to, and, when day declined, burned to serve ...
/n/nero.htm - 41k

Oppressors (31 Occurrences)
... words. (DBY). Psalms 119:157 Many are my persecutors and mine oppressors;
I have not declined from thy testimonies. (DBY). Psalms ...
/o/oppressors.htm - 15k

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