The concept of "departing" in the Bible encompasses various dimensions, including physical departure, spiritual departure, and metaphorical or symbolic departure. The term is used in different contexts throughout the Scriptures, often carrying significant theological implications.

Physical Departure

In the Bible, physical departure often refers to the act of leaving a place or moving from one location to another. This can be seen in the journeys of the patriarchs, such as Abraham, who departed from Ur of the Chaldeans in obedience to God's call (Genesis 12:1-4). Similarly, the Israelites' exodus from Egypt is a monumental event of departure, symbolizing liberation and divine deliverance (Exodus 12:31-42).

The New Testament also records instances of physical departure. For example, Jesus frequently departed from crowds to pray in solitude (Mark 1:35-37). The Apostle Paul embarked on several missionary journeys, departing from one city to another to spread the Gospel (Acts 13:4; 16:6-10).

Spiritual Departure

Spiritual departure in the Bible often refers to a turning away from God or His commandments. This is seen in the warnings against apostasy, where individuals or groups depart from the faith. In 1 Timothy 4:1, Paul warns, "Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons."

The Old Testament frequently addresses the spiritual departure of Israel, as the people turned away from God to worship idols (Judges 2:11-13). The prophets consistently called the nation to repentance and a return to the Lord (Jeremiah 3:12-14).

Metaphorical and Symbolic Departure

The concept of departing is also used metaphorically to describe death. In Philippians 1:23, Paul expresses his desire to "depart and be with Christ, which is far better." Here, departing signifies leaving the earthly life to enter into eternal communion with the Lord.

Additionally, departing can symbolize a separation from sin and a commitment to righteousness. In 2 Timothy 2:19, Paul writes, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity." This departure from sin is a call to holiness and sanctification.

Theological Implications

The theme of departing in the Bible underscores the transient nature of earthly life and the call to spiritual vigilance. Believers are encouraged to remain steadfast in their faith, avoiding spiritual departure and embracing the hope of eternal life. The physical departures recorded in Scripture often serve as acts of obedience and faith, while spiritual departures highlight the consequences of turning away from God.

In summary, the concept of departing in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing physical movement, spiritual fidelity, and the ultimate transition from this life to the next. Each instance of departure carries with it lessons of faith, obedience, and the enduring promise of God's presence.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Depart.867. aphixis -- arrival, ie by impl. departure
... departure NASB Word Usage departure (1). departing. From aphikneomai; properly,
arrival, ie (by implication) departure -- departing. see GREEK aphikneomai. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/867.htm - 6k

359. analusis -- a loosing, departure
... a loosing, departure. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: analusis Phonetic
Spelling: (an-al'-oo-sis) Short Definition: departing, departure from ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/359.htm - 6k

1831. exerchomai -- to go or come out of
... to go or come out of NASB Word Usage came (33), came forth (4), come (22), come
forth (3), comes (1), coming (7), departed (1), departing (1), descended* (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1831.htm - 10k

5562. choreo -- to make room, advance, hold
... Definition: I make room, go, receive Definition: (lit: I make room, hence) (a) I
have room for, receive, contain, (b) I make room for by departing, go, make ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5562.htm - 7k

1841. exodos -- a departure
... a departure, exodus. From ek and hodos; an exit, ie (figuratively) death -- decease,
departing. see GREEK ek. see GREEK hodos. (exodon) -- 2 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1841.htm - 6k

657. apotasso -- to set apart, take leave of
... Middle voice from apo and tasso; literally, to say adieu (by departing or dismissing);
figuratively, to renounce -- bid farewell, forsake, take leave, send away ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/657.htm - 6k

3327. metabaino -- to pass over, withdraw, depart
... Word Origin from meta and the same as basis Definition to pass over, withdraw, depart
NASB Word Usage depart (1), departed (1), departing (2), leave (2), left ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3327.htm - 7k

5253. nasag -- departing away, remove, take hold, turn away
... 5252, 5253. nasag. 5254 . departing away, remove, take hold, turn away.
Transliteration: nasag Phonetic Spelling: (naw-sag') Short Definition: away. ...
/hebrew/5253.htm - 5k

7369. racheq -- removing, departing
... 7368, 7369. racheq. 7370 . removing, departing. Transliteration: racheq
Phonetic Spelling: (raw-khake') Short Definition: far. Word ...
/hebrew/7369.htm - 6k

3249. yasur -- they that depart
... Word Origin the same as sur, qv. they that depart From cuwr; departing -- they that
depart. see HEBREW cuwr. 3248, 3249. yasur. 3250 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/3249.htm - 5k

6691. Tsophar -- one of Job's friends
... Zophar. From tsaphar; departing; Tsophar, a friend of Job -- Zophar. see HEBREW
tsaphar. 6690, 6691. Tsophar or Tsophar. 6692 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6691.htm - 6k

3318. yatsa -- to go or come out
... come forward (1), comes (17), comes forth (4), coming (12), coming forth (2), defamed*
(1), defames* (1), depart (3), departed (12), departing (1), departs (1 ...
/hebrew/3318.htm - 8k

The Love of the Departing Christ
... THE LOVE OF THE DEPARTING CHRIST. '... When Jesus knew that His hour was
come that He should depart out of this world unto the Father ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the love of the departing.htm

The Departing Christ and the Coming Spirit
... THE DEPARTING CHRIST AND THE COMING SPIRIT. 'Nevertheless I tell you the
truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I ...
/.../the departing christ and the.htm

Concerning the Departing, the Ancient Canonical Law is Still to be ...
... Canon XIII. Concerning the departing, the ancient canonical law is still
to be maintained? Concerning the departing, the ancient ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon xiii concerning the departing.htm

Our Forefathers have Handed Down to us the Tradition, That, after ...
... Being on the eve therefore of departing from one another, they first mutually agreed
upon a standard of their future preaching, lest haply, when separated ...
/.../2 our forefathers have handed.htm

Whether this Sacrament Ought to be Conferred on those who are in ...
... Objection 2: Further, this is the sacrament of those who are departing this life,
just as Baptism is the sacrament of those who are entering this life. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether this sacrament ought to 3.htm

Whether the Parts to be Anointed are Suitably Assigned?
... Objection 2: Further, purity of mind is not less necessary to those who are
departing this life than to those who are entering therein. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the parts to be.htm

Letter cxi. (November, AD 409. )
... things upon us because of our sins. For we have sinned and committed iniquity,
departing from Thee. In all things have we trespassed ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter cxi november a d 409.htm

When Therefore the Faithful Mother of a Faithful Son Departed ...
... For wheresoever the flesh of the departed may lie or not lie, the spirit requires
rest and must get it: for the spirit in its departing from thence took with ...
/.../augustine/on care to be had for the dead /7 when therefore the faithful.htm

"Nunc Dimittis"
... We shall note, this morning, first, that every believer may be assured of departing
in peace; but that, secondly, some believers feel a special readiness to ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/nunc dimittis.htm

The Mystery
... That he might, if it were possible by any means to do so, overwhelm the woman, who,
when her offspring was possessed of power, was departing to a station in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the mystery 2.htm

Departing (20 Occurrences)
... (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Depart. Multi-Version Concordance Departing (20 Occurrences).
Matthew 12:9 Departing thence He went to their synagogue, (WEY NAS). ...
/d/departing.htm - 12k

Department (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) Act of departing; departure. 2. (n.)
A part, portion, or subdivision. 3. (n.) A distinct course ...
/d/department.htm - 7k

Parting (27 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Part. 2. (v.) Serving to part; dividing; separating. 3. (v.) Given
when departing; as, a parting shot; a parting salute. 4. (v.) Departing. ...
/p/parting.htm - 15k

Departeth (14 Occurrences)

/d/departeth.htm - 10k

Played (50 Occurrences)
... their stock, and their staff declareth unto them; for the spirit of whoredom hath
caused them to err, and they have played the harlot, 'departing' from under ...
/p/played.htm - 23k

Play (61 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Psalms 73:27 For, lo, they that are far from thee shall perish: Thou hast
destroyed all them that play the harlot, 'departing' from thee. (ASV). ...
/p/play.htm - 28k

Unwilling (30 Occurrences)
... her. (See NAS). Mark 9:30 Departing thence they passed through Galilee, and
He was unwilling that any one should know it; (WEY). Luke ...
/u/unwilling.htm - 14k

Upharsin (1 Occurrence)
... made. We see, therefore, no good reason for departing from the interpretation
that the Book of Daniel gives as the true one. As ...
/u/upharsin.htm - 11k

Outwent (1 Occurrence)
... Mark 6:33 And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither
out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him. ...
/o/outwent.htm - 6k

Outgoing (10 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) The extreme limit; the place of ending. 5. (a.) Going out; departing;
as, the outgoing administration; an outgoing steamer. Int. ...
/o/outgoing.htm - 10k

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