Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, the concept of "leaving" encompasses a range of meanings, from physical departure to spiritual and relational separation. The act of leaving is often portrayed as a significant moment that can lead to transformation, growth, or consequence, depending on the circumstances and the individuals involved.Leaving Family and Home One of the most notable instances of leaving in the Bible is found in Genesis 12:1, where God commands Abram to leave his country, his people, and his father's household to go to a land that God would show him. This act of obedience marks the beginning of God's covenant relationship with Abram, later Abraham, and sets the stage for the unfolding of God's promises to him and his descendants. The Berean Standard Bible states: "Then the LORD said to Abram, 'Leave your country, your kindred, and your father’s household, and go to the land I will show you.'" The theme of leaving one's family is also evident in the teachings of Jesus. In Matthew 19:29 , Jesus emphasizes the cost of discipleship, stating, "And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for My sake will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life." Here, leaving is associated with prioritizing one's commitment to Christ above all earthly ties. Leaving Sin and Old Ways The Bible frequently calls believers to leave behind sinful behaviors and old ways of life. In Ephesians 4:22-24 , Paul exhorts the believers to "put off your former way of life, your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." This passage highlights the transformative process of leaving behind the old self and embracing a new identity in Christ. Similarly, in 2 Corinthians 5:17 , Paul declares, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come!" This verse underscores the radical change that occurs when one leaves behind the past and enters into a new life through faith in Jesus. Leaving as a Test of Faith The act of leaving can also serve as a test of faith and trust in God. The account of Ruth is a poignant example. Ruth chooses to leave her homeland of Moab to accompany her mother-in-law Naomi to Bethlehem, declaring in Ruth 1:16 , "Do not urge me to leave you or to turn from following you. For where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people, and your God will be my God." Ruth's decision to leave her familiar surroundings and embrace a new faith and people demonstrates her loyalty and trust in God's providence. Leaving as a Consequence Conversely, leaving can also be a consequence of disobedience or sin. In the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32), the younger son demands his inheritance and leaves his father's house to pursue a life of indulgence. His departure leads to a period of hardship and realization, ultimately bringing him back to his father in repentance. This account illustrates the potential consequences of leaving God's path but also highlights the possibility of redemption and return. Leaving in Eschatological Context In eschatological terms, leaving can refer to the separation of believers from the world at the return of Christ. In 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 , Paul describes the event: "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise. After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord." This passage speaks to the ultimate leaving, where believers are gathered to be with the Lord forever. Throughout Scripture, the concept of leaving is multifaceted, encompassing physical, spiritual, and relational dimensions. Whether as a call to obedience, a step of faith, a departure from sin, or a consequence of choices, leaving is a significant theme that reflects the dynamic relationship between God and His people. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Leave.2. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Leave. Greek 2641. kataleipo -- to leave, leave behind ... Word Origin from kata and leipo Definition to leave, leave behind NASB Word Usage forsaking (1), kept (1), leave (4), leaves behind (1), leaving (3), leaving ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2641.htm - 7k 1820. exaporeo -- to be utterly at a loss, be in despair 2719. katesthio -- to eat up 5005. talaiporos -- distressed, miserable 642. aporphanizo -- to be bereaved 630. apoluo -- to set free, release 853. aphanizo -- to make unseen, ie destroy 3954. parresia -- freedom of speech, confidence 646. apostasia -- defection, revolt 1316. diachorizo -- to separate entirely Strong's Hebrew 5800a. azab -- to leave, forsake, loose... 1), forsook (16), free (5), full* (1), give...vent (1), ignores (1), leave (26), leave them undone (1), leave your behind (1), leaves (2), leaving (1), left (22 ... /hebrew/5800a.htm - 6k 3498. yathar -- to remain over Library On Leaving the House of God. Of the Quality of the Soul after Leaving the Body, and of the ... February the Seventh Leaving Its Mark And Leaving Jesus Within the Pr??torium, Pilate Went Out to the ... Pilate Therefore, Leaving Jesus Within the Pr??torium, Went Out to ... Pilate Therefore, Leaving Christ Alone, Went Outside, and Says to ... Leaving Home And Leaving all These Reflections, I Considered and Turned in ... Womanhood Self-Evident, and not to be Concealed by Just Leaving ... "Three Years Ago, Sulpitius, at which Time, Leaving this ... Thesaurus Leaving (80 Occurrences)... n.) of Leave. Multi-Version Concordance Leaving (80 Occurrences). ... Matthew 9:32 And as they were leaving His presence a dumb demoniac was brought to Him. (WEY). ... /l/leaving.htm - 29k Behind (188 Occurrences) Crowd (166 Occurrences) Leave (341 Occurrences) Widow (71 Occurrences) Terah (12 Occurrences) Refining (8 Occurrences) Refiner (10 Occurrences) Dismiss (15 Occurrences) Afterwards (143 Occurrences) Resources What does the Bible say about parents leaving an inheritance for their children? | GotQuestions.orgWhy should I not leave Christianity? | GotQuestions.org How do you balance leave and cleave with honoring your parents? | GotQuestions.org Leaving: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Leaving (80 Occurrences)Matthew 4:13 Matthew 9:32 Matthew 11:7 Matthew 12:14 Matthew 14:22 Matthew 15:21 Matthew 18:12 Matthew 20:29 Matthew 21:17 Matthew 22:22 Matthew 22:25 Matthew 26:44 Mark 1:18 Mark 1:20 Mark 1:29 Mark 1:35 Mark 4:36 Mark 6:1 Mark 6:34 Mark 6:45 Mark 7:8 Mark 8:13 Mark 10:46 Mark 12:20 Mark 12:21 Mark 13:1 Mark 13:34 Mark 14:52 Luke 4:42 Luke 5:11 Luke 9:33 Luke 10:30 Luke 10:40 Luke 11:42 Luke 20:28 Luke 20:31 Luke 23:49 John 4:28 John 16:28 Acts 6:2 Acts 13:42 Acts 21:3 Acts 21:8 Acts 23:32 Acts 28:10 Acts 28:25 Romans 1:27 Galatians 1:6 Hebrews 2:8 Hebrews 6:1 1 Peter 2:21 Genesis 44:12 Genesis 45:24 Exodus 13:4 Exodus 23:5 Exodus 23:11 Numbers 21:35 Deuteronomy 2:14 Deuteronomy 3:3 Joshua 5:4 Joshua 8:22 2 Samuel 14:7 2 Samuel 15:24 1 Kings 15:17 2 Kings 7:7 2 Kings 8:6 2 Kings 10:11 2 Chronicles 16:1 2 Chronicles 24:25 Ezra 9:8 Ezra 9:14 Job 22:6 Job 41:30 Psalms 19:5 Isaiah 17:6 Jeremiah 44:7 Ezekiel 39:28 Daniel 2:35 Joel 1:7 Zephaniah 2:13 Subtopics Related Terms |