Jump to: ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, the term "fugitive" refers to an individual who is on the run, often due to having committed a crime or being pursued by adversaries. The concept of a fugitive is woven throughout the Scriptures, illustrating themes of sin, justice, mercy, and divine intervention.Cain as the First Fugitive The first mention of a fugitive in the Bible is found in the account of Cain, the son of Adam and Eve. After Cain murdered his brother Abel, God pronounced a curse upon him. Genesis 4:12-14 states, "When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth." Cain responded, "My punishment is more than I can bear. Today You are driving me from the land, and I will be hidden from Your presence; I will be a restless wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me." Here, Cain becomes a fugitive, condemned to wander the earth as a consequence of his sin. David as a Fugitive David, before becoming king, also experienced life as a fugitive. Pursued by King Saul, who was envious of David's favor with God and the people, David fled for his life. This period of David's life is marked by his reliance on God's protection and guidance. In 1 Samuel 23:14 , it is recorded, "David stayed in the wilderness strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not deliver David into his hands." David's time as a fugitive is a testament to God's providence and the testing of faith. The Cities of Refuge The Mosaic Law provided for cities of refuge, which served as a sanctuary for those who had accidentally committed manslaughter. These cities allowed the fugitive to escape the avenger of blood until a fair trial could be conducted. Numbers 35:11-12 instructs, "Select some towns to be your cities of refuge, to which a person who has killed someone accidentally may flee. They will be places of refuge from the avenger, so that anyone accused of murder may not die before they stand trial before the assembly." This provision underscores the balance between justice and mercy in God's law. Prophetic and Symbolic Uses The theme of being a fugitive is also used prophetically and symbolically in the Bible. The prophet Jeremiah, for example, speaks of the people of Moab becoming fugitives as a result of divine judgment (Jeremiah 48:45-46). This imagery serves as a warning of the consequences of sin and rebellion against God. Spiritual Implications Spiritually, the concept of a fugitive can be seen as a metaphor for the human condition in sin. Just as a fugitive is separated from their home and community, sin separates individuals from God. However, through Christ, believers find refuge and reconciliation. Hebrews 6:18 speaks of the hope set before us, "so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be strongly encouraged." In summary, the biblical portrayal of fugitives encompasses both literal and spiritual dimensions, highlighting the consequences of sin, the pursuit of justice, and the hope of redemption through divine grace. Easton's Bible Dictionary Genesis 4:12, 14, a rover or wanderer (Hebrews n'a); Judges 12:4, a refugee, one who has escaped (Hebrews palit); 2 Kings 25:11, a deserter, one who has fallen away to the enemy (Hebrews nophel); Ezek. 17:21, one who has broken away in flight (Hebrews mibrah); Isaiah 15:5; 43:14, a breaker away, a fugitive (Hebrews beriah), one who flees away. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (a.) Fleeing from pursuit, danger, restraint, etc., escaping, from service, duty etc.; as, a fugitive solder; a fugitive slave; a fugitive debtor.2. (a.) Not fixed; not durable; liable to disappear or fall away; volatile; uncertain; evanescent; liable to fade; -- applied to material and immaterial things; as, fugitive colors; a fugitive idea. 3. (n.) One who flees from pursuit, danger, restraint, service, duty, etc.; a deserter; as, a fugitive from justice. 4. (n.) Something hard to be caught or detained. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia FUGITIVEfu'-ji-tiv (paliT, from palaT, "to escape"; na`, from nua`, "to waver"; nophel, from naphal, "to fall"; bariach, beriach and mibhrach, from barach, "to flee"): Greek 5436. Phugelos -- Phygelus, one who deserted Paul ... Phygelus. Probably from pheugo; fugitive; Phygellus, an apostate Christian -- Phygellus. see GREEK pheugo. (phugelos) -- 1 Occurrence. 5435, 5436. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5436.htm - 6k Strong's Hebrew 4015. mibrach -- fugitive... mibrach. 4016 . fugitive. Transliteration: mibrach Phonetic Spelling: (mib-rawkh') Short Definition: fugitive. ... fugitive From barach; a refugee -- fugitive. ... /hebrew/4015.htm - 5k 5211. nis -- fugitive 6412a. palit -- escaped one, fugitive 6412. paliyt -- escaped one, fugitive 5112. nod -- wandering (of aimless fugitive) 6412b. palet -- escaped one, fugitive 5128. nua -- to quiver, wave, waver, tremble, totter 1280. beriach -- a bar 714. Ard -- a descendant of Benjamin 5897. Irad -- descendant of Cain Library The Songs of the Fugitive. Admission of the Fugitive Goths into the Roman Territories, which ... While Licinius Pursued with his Army, the Fugitive Tyrant ... "Free. " The Cities of Refuge The Grasp that Brings Peace Buying a Slave Girl The King's Highway Opened and Cleared Letter xxiii (Circa AD 1130) to the Same Letter xi (Circa AD 1120) the Abbot of Saint Nicasius at Rheims Thesaurus Fugitive (12 Occurrences)... 17:21, one who has broken away in flight (Hebrews mibrah); Isaiah 15:5; 43:14, a breaker away, a fugitive (Hebrews beriah), one who flees away. ... /f/fugitive.htm - 11k Vagabond (4 Occurrences) Cain (18 Occurrences) Fugitives (21 Occurrences) Vagrant (2 Occurrences) Wanderer (10 Occurrences) Restless (6 Occurrences) Bariah (1 Occurrence) Agee (1 Occurrence) Nicanor (1 Occurrence) Resources What/where was the land of Nod in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Onesimus in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Why wasn't Cain's punishment death (Genesis 4:14)? | GotQuestions.org Fugitive: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Fugitive (12 Occurrences)Genesis 4:12 Genesis 4:14 Genesis 14:13 2 Kings 9:15 Proverbs 28:17 Isaiah 10:31 Isaiah 16:3 Isaiah 21:14 Jeremiah 48:19 Ezekiel 24:26 Ezekiel 24:27 Ezekiel 33:22 Subtopics Related Terms Eglath-sheli-shijah (1 Occurrence) Misrephothmaim (2 Occurrences) Misrephoth-maim (2 Occurrences) Helkath-hazzurim (1 Occurrence) |
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