Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Context: In biblical terms, "delay" refers to the act of postponing or deferring an action or event. It can be seen as a test of faith, patience, and obedience to God's timing. Delays in the Bible often serve a divine purpose, teaching believers to trust in God's perfect plan and timing. Biblical Instances of Delay: 1. Abraham and Sarah: One of the most notable examples of delay is the promise of a son to Abraham and Sarah. Despite God's promise, they experienced a long delay before the birth of Isaac. This period tested their faith and patience. Genesis 21:1-2 states, "Now the LORD attended to Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised. So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised him." 2. The Israelites in the Wilderness: The Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land was marked by a significant delay. What could have been a relatively short journey turned into forty years of wandering due to their disobedience and lack of faith. Numbers 14:33-34 explains, "Your children will be shepherds in the wilderness for forty years, and they will suffer for your unfaithfulness, until the last of your bodies lies in the wilderness." 3. The Coming of the Messiah: The anticipation of the Messiah was a long-awaited hope for the people of Israel. Prophecies about the coming Savior were given centuries before Jesus' birth. Galatians 4:4 reflects on this divine timing: "But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law." 4. The Return of Christ: The New Testament speaks of the delay in Christ's return, urging believers to remain vigilant and faithful. 2 Peter 3:9 addresses this delay: "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." Theological Implications: · Testing of Faith: Delays often serve as a test of faith, challenging believers to trust in God's promises despite apparent setbacks. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see." · Divine Timing: God's timing is perfect, and delays are part of His sovereign plan. Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven." · Patience and Endurance: Delays cultivate patience and endurance in believers. James 1:3-4 encourages, "Because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." Practical Applications: · Trust in God's Plan: Believers are encouraged to trust in God's plan and timing, even when faced with delays. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." · Active Waiting: While waiting, believers are called to remain active in their faith, serving God and others. Psalm 27:14 exhorts, "Wait patiently for the LORD; be strong and courageous. Wait patiently for the LORD!" · Prayer and Reflection: Delays provide an opportunity for prayer and reflection, seeking God's guidance and wisdom. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) A putting off or deferring; procrastination; lingering inactivity; stop; detention; hindrance.2. (n.) To put off; to defer; to procrastinate; to prolong the time of or before. 3. (n.) To retard; to stop, detain, or hinder, for a time; to retard the motion, or time of arrival, of; as, the mail is delayed by a heavy fall of snow. 4. (n.) To allay; to temper. 5. (v. i.) To move slowly; to stop for a time; to linger; to tarry. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia DELAYde-la': The noun "delay" (Acts 25:17, "I made no delay"; the King James Version "without any delay") means "procrastination." The verb "to delay" (Exodus 22:29; 'achar) involves the idea "to stop for a time," the people being admonished not to discontinue a custom. The Pil. perfect of bush (Exodus 32:1), "Moses delayed to come," expresses not only the fact that he tarried, but also the disappointment on the part of the people, being under the impression that he possibly was put to shame and had failed in his mission, which also better explains the consequent action of the people. "To delay" (chronizo) is used transitively in Matthew 24:48 (the Revised Version (British and American) "My lord tarrieth") and in Luke 12:45. The meaning here is "to prolong," "to defer." Greek 5549. chronizo -- to spend or take time, delay ... to spend or take time, delay. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: chronizo Phonetic Spelling: (khron-id'-zo) Short Definition: I delay, tarry Definition: I ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5549.htm - 6k 311. anabole -- delay 311a. anabole -- delay 3635. okneo -- to shrink (from doing), to hesitate (to do) 1019. braduno -- to retard, to be slow 691. argeo -- to be idle 3195. mello -- to be about to 5550. chronos -- time 5035. tachu -- quickly 1907. epecho -- to hold fast, to hold toward, to stop Strong's Hebrew 4102. mahah -- to linger, tarry... to linger, tarry. Transliteration: mahah Phonetic Spelling: (maw-hah') Short Definition: delay. Word Origin a prim. ... delay, linger, stay selves, tarry. ... /hebrew/4102.htm - 6k 309. achar -- to remain behind, tarry 6101. atsel -- to be sluggish 5975. amad -- to take one's stand, stand 4900. mashak -- to draw, drag 954. bosh -- to be ashamed 989. betel -- to cease 748. arak -- to be long 3176. yachal -- to wait, await 3186. yachar -- tarry longer Library Song 13. The Danger of Delay. Song 13. The Danger of Delay. Of the Advantage of the Delay which Results from the Struggle ... Advantage of the Delay. To Make up for Our Delay in This, we Bring under Your Notice ... The Awakened Sinner Urged to Immediate Consideration and Cautioned ... Clii. Report of the (Bishops) of the East to the Emperor, Giving ... Meditations Directing a Christian How to Apply to Himself, Without ... Prayer and Faith Spiritual Dryness. Thesaurus Delay (47 Occurrences)... 4. (n.) To allay; to temper. 5. (vi) To move slowly; to stop for a time; to linger; to tarry. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. DELAY. ... /d/delay.htm - 21k Delayed (18 Occurrences) Respite (8 Occurrences) Defer (7 Occurrences) Tarry (62 Occurrences) Dally Linger (7 Occurrences) Ready (451 Occurrences) Deliverer (29 Occurrences) Needy (83 Occurrences) Resources What does it mean that today is the day of salvation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about procrastination? | GotQuestions.org Is Jesus coming soon? | GotQuestions.org Delay: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Delay (47 Occurrences)Matthew 5:25 Matthew 24:48 Matthew 25:16 Mark 1:30 Mark 11:3 Luke 1:21 Luke 12:45 Luke 18:7 Luke 24:33 John 13:32 Acts 9:38 Acts 16:33 Acts 22:16 Acts 24:4 Acts 25:17 1 Corinthians 4:19 1 Timothy 3:15 Hebrews 10:37 2 Peter 3:9 Revelation 6:10 Revelation 10:6 Revelation 10:7 Genesis 24:56 Genesis 34:19 Genesis 45:9 Exodus 12:39 Exodus 22:29 Deuteronomy 7:10 Deuteronomy 23:21 Judges 5:28 Judges 18:9 1 Samuel 20:38 2 Kings 9:3 Psalms 40:17 Psalms 70:5 Psalms 119:60 Psalms 127:2 Ecclesiastes 5:4 Ecclesiastes 8:3 Isaiah 46:13 Isaiah 48:9 Jeremiah 4:6 Ezekiel 12:25 Daniel 9:19 Hosea 13:13 Micah 5:7 Habakkuk 2:3 Subtopics Related Terms |