The concept of being "hunted" in the Bible often carries a metaphorical significance, reflecting the experiences of individuals who faced relentless pursuit, danger, or persecution. This theme is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating both physical and spiritual dimensions of being pursued.

Old Testament References

1. David and Saul: One of the most vivid examples of being hunted is found in the life of David. After being anointed as the future king of Israel, David became the target of King Saul's jealousy and wrath. Saul's relentless pursuit of David is depicted in several passages, such as 1 Samuel 23:14, "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 experience of being hunted by Saul is a testament to his reliance on God's protection and guidance.

2. Prophets and Persecution: The prophets of Israel often faced persecution and were metaphorically "hunted" for their messages. Elijah, for instance, was pursued by Queen Jezebel after defeating the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 19:1-3). This pursuit forced Elijah to flee into the wilderness, where he encountered God's provision and reassurance.

3. Enemies of Israel: The nation of Israel itself was often hunted by its enemies. The Psalms frequently express the anguish of being pursued by adversaries. Psalm 7:1-2 states, "O LORD my God, I take refuge in You; save me and deliver me from all my pursuers, or they will shred my soul like a lion and tear me to pieces with no one to rescue me."

New Testament References

1. Jesus Christ: In the New Testament, Jesus Himself was hunted by the religious leaders who sought to kill Him. From His birth, when King Herod sought to destroy Him (Matthew 2:13), to His ministry, where He faced constant opposition, Jesus experienced the reality of being pursued. John 11:53 notes, "So from that day on they plotted to kill Him."

2. The Apostles and Early Christians: The early church faced significant persecution, with believers being hunted for their faith. The Apostle Paul, once a hunter of Christians himself, later became the hunted as he spread the Gospel. Acts 9:23-25 describes one such instance: "After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him, but Saul learned of their plot. Day and night they watched the city gates in order to kill him. But his disciples took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall."

Spiritual Implications

The theme of being hunted extends beyond physical pursuit to spiritual warfare. Believers are often depicted as being pursued by spiritual adversaries. 1 Peter 5:8 warns, "Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." This imagery underscores the need for vigilance and reliance on God's strength.

Protection and Deliverance

Throughout Scripture, those who are hunted find refuge in God. The Psalms frequently highlight God's role as a protector and deliverer. Psalm 18:2 declares, "The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." This assurance of divine protection is a recurring theme, offering hope and comfort to those who face persecution or danger.

In summary, the concept of being hunted in the Bible serves as a powerful metaphor for the trials faced by God's people, both physically and spiritually. It highlights the reality of opposition and the steadfastness required to endure, while also emphasizing God's unwavering protection and deliverance.(imp. & p. p.) of Hunt.5344. Phelix -- "fortunate," Felix, a governor of Judea
... For example, he methodically hunted down the leaders of the Zealots to severely
punish them, as well as any Jewish group he considered "seditious" (Ac 21:38). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5344.htm - 7k4686. matsuwd -- net, prey
... tsood') Short Definition: castle. castle, defense, fortress, strong hold,
be hunted, net, snare, strong place Or (feminine) mtsuwdah ...
/hebrew/4686.htm - 5k

6679. tsud -- to hunt
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to hunt NASB Word Usage catches (1), hunt
(8), hunt down (2), hunted (2), hunted me down (1), hunts (2). ...
/hebrew/6679.htm - 6k

7852. satam -- to bear a grudge or cherish animosity against
... against NASB Word Usage bear a grudge against (1), bears a grudge against (1), bore
a grudge against (1), grudge against (3), harassed (1), hunted me down (1 ...
/hebrew/7852.htm - 6k

4686a. metsudah -- net, prey
... net, prey. Transliteration: metsudah Short Definition: snare. Word Origin from tsud
Definition net, prey NASB Word Usage hunted (1), net (1), snare (2). ...
/hebrew/4686a.htm - 5k

5080. nadach -- to impel, thrust, banish
... Word Usage banish (1), banished (3), banished one (3), bring down (1), dispersed
(1), drawn away (2), drive (3), driven (11), driven away (5), hunted (1), led ...
/hebrew/5080.htm - 6k

A Solemn Deprival
... Without Christ there is no peace. See that poor soul hunted by the dogs of hell.
It flies swift as the wind, but faster far do the hunters pursue. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/a solemn deprival.htm

The Hope of Future Bliss
... Had it not been for David's enemies, he would not have penned his Psalms; but when
hunted like a partridge on the mountains, when driven like the timid roe ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the hope of future bliss.htm

How to Keep the Heart
... I know not how it is, nor why it is," saith he; "I see these men hunted through
the earth; I turn the pages of history, and I find them hunted to their graves. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/how to keep the heart.htm

Introduction.
... He is "hunted like a partridge upon the mountains," a fugitive and half a freebooter,
taking service at foreign courts, and lurking on the frontiers with a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/i introduction.htm

The Exile --Continued.
... We may well believe that to the hunted exile, so long accustomed to a life of constant
alarms and hurried flight, the quiet of a settled home was very sweet ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/viii the exilecontinued.htm

Paul and Felix
... which he was; and that the Lord would destroy him with the brightness of his coming;
the man who had dressed the Christians in skins, and hunted them with dogs ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon xii paul and felix.htm

Sermon for the Second Sunday in Lent
... strife. And what shall the poor, wretched, comfortless man do, hunted
and assailed as he is, without way or means of escape? He ...
/.../xi sermon for the second.htm

The Bible and the French Revolution.
... made that men and demons could invent to turn the minds of the people from it; when
those who dared proclaim its sacred truths were hunted, betrayed, tortured ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /15 the bible and the.htm

The Bible and the French Revolution
... made that men and demons could invent to turn the minds of the people from it; when
those who dared proclaim its sacred truths were hunted, betrayed, tortured ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/chapter 15 the bible and.htm

The World Turned Upside Down
... our Saviour's sermon, notice once more, that we find in this world a race of persons
who have always been hated"a class of men who have been hunted like the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the world turned upside down.htm

Quarry (5 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A heap of game killed. 5. (n.) The object of the chase; the animal
hunted for; game; especially, the game hunted with hawks. ...
/q/quarry.htm - 8k

Hunted (9 Occurrences)
...Hunted (9 Occurrences). Genesis 27:33 Then Isaac trembled with exceeding great
trembling, and said, Who was he, then, that hunted venison and brought it to me? ...
/h/hunted.htm - 9k

Hunt (19 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To drive; to chase; -- with down, from, away, etc.; as, to hunt down a criminal;
he was hunted from the parish. ... (n.) A district of country hunted over. ...
/h/hunt.htm - 13k

Kerchiefs (2 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 13:21 Your kerchiefs also will I tear, and deliver my people out of your
hand, and they shall be no more in your hand to be hunted; and you shall know ...
/k/kerchiefs.htm - 7k

Nimrod (4 Occurrences)
... that they became a menace to life and property (Exodus 23:29 Leviticus 26:22);
therefore the king as benefactor and protector of his people hunted these wild ...
/n/nimrod.htm - 11k

Gnawed (2 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 50:17 Israel is a hunted sheep; the lions have driven him away: first,
the king of Assyria devoured him; and now at last Nebuchadnezzar king of ...
/g/gnawed.htm - 7k

Gathers (27 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 13:14 It will happen that like aa hunted gazelle, and like sheep that no
one gathers, they will each turn to their own people, and will each flee to ...
/g/gathers.htm - 14k

Game (11 Occurrences)
... last; plucky. 10. (a.) of or pertaining to such animals as are hunted for
game, or to the act or practice of hunting. 11. (n.) To ...
/g/game.htm - 10k

Whale (2 Occurrences)
... hundred feet long. Whales are hunted chiefly for their oil and baleen, or
whalebone. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. WHALE. hwal: (1 ...
/w/whale.htm - 13k

Fished (1 Occurrence)
... Lo, I am sending for many fishers, An affirmation of Jehovah, And they have fished
them, And after this I send for many hunters, And they have hunted them from ...
/f/fished.htm - 6k

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