The term "linger" in the biblical context often conveys the idea of delay, hesitation, or tarrying, sometimes with negative connotations of reluctance or procrastination. It appears in various narratives and teachings throughout the Scriptures, illustrating both human behavior and divine patience.

Old Testament References

One of the most notable instances of lingering occurs in the account of Lot and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. In Genesis 19:16 , it is recorded, "But when he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters, and led them safely out of the city, because of the LORD’s compassion for them." Here, Lot's hesitation, or lingering, almost cost him and his family their lives. This passage highlights the danger of lingering in the face of divine instruction and the mercy of God in delivering them despite their delay.

The concept of lingering is also evident in the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. Their repeated reluctance to fully trust and obey God resulted in a prolonged wandering period. This lingering in the wilderness serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of spiritual hesitation and disobedience.

New Testament Insights

In the New Testament, the idea of lingering is often contrasted with the urgency of the Gospel message. Jesus frequently emphasized the importance of immediate response to His call. In Luke 9:59-62 , Jesus addresses the cost of discipleship, saying, "Follow Me." But the man replied, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father." Jesus told him, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God." Another said, "I will follow You, Lord; but first let me bid farewell to my family." Then Jesus declared, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God." Here, Jesus warns against the spiritual peril of lingering in worldly attachments when called to follow Him.

The parable of the ten virgins in Matthew 25:1-13 further illustrates the consequences of lingering. The five foolish virgins, who failed to prepare adequately for the bridegroom's arrival, found themselves shut out of the wedding feast. Their lingering in preparation serves as a metaphor for spiritual unreadiness and the importance of vigilance in awaiting Christ's return.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, lingering can be seen as a manifestation of human weakness and a lack of faith. It often reflects a struggle between the desires of the flesh and the call of the Spirit. The Bible consistently encourages believers to act with decisiveness and faithfulness, avoiding the pitfalls of hesitation that can lead to missed opportunities for obedience and blessing.

The Scriptures also reveal God's patience and long-suffering nature, as He often allows time for repentance and change. However, the biblical narrative makes it clear that there is a limit to divine patience, and the time for decision is ultimately finite. Believers are thus urged to respond promptly to God's call, embracing His will without delay.

Practical Application

In practical terms, the concept of lingering challenges Christians to examine areas of their lives where they may be hesitating in obedience to God's commands. It calls for a proactive faith that seeks to align one's actions with divine purposes promptly. By recognizing the dangers of spiritual procrastination, believers are encouraged to cultivate a sense of urgency in their walk with God, ensuring that they are always ready to respond to His leading.1. (v.) To delay; to loiter; to remain or wait long; to be slow or reluctant in parting or moving; to be slow in deciding; to be in suspense; to hesitate.

2. (v. t.) To protract; to draw out.

3. (v. t.) To spend or pass in a lingering manner; -- with out; as, to linger out one's days on a sick bed.

691. argeo -- to be idle
... to be idle. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: argeo Phonetic Spelling:
(arg-eh'-o) Short Definition: I linger, delay, am idle Definition: I linger, delay ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/691.htm - 6k

5549. chronizo -- to spend or take time, delay
... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: chronizo Phonetic Spelling: (khron-id'-zo)
Short Definition: I delay, tarry Definition: I delay, tarry, linger, spend time ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5549.htm - 6k

3195. mello -- to be about to
... to. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: mello Phonetic Spelling: (mel'-lo) Short
Definition: I am about to Definition: I intend, am about to; I delay, linger. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3195.htm - 9k

5551. chronotribeo -- to spend time
... spend time. From a presumed compound of chronos and the base of tribos; to be a
time-wearer, ie To procrastinate (linger) -- spend time. see GREEK chronos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5551.htm - 6k

362. anameno -- to await
... 362 (from 303 , ", completing a ," which intensifies 3306 , "wait, remain") -- properly,
(linger, abide); wait with intensity and clarity about what is hoped ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/362.htm - 7k

4102. mahah -- to linger, tarry
... 4101, 4102. mahah. 4103 . to linger, tarry. Transliteration: mahah Phonetic
Spelling: (maw-hah') Short Definition: delay. ... delay, linger, stay selves, tarry. ...
/hebrew/4102.htm - 6k

309. achar -- to remain behind, tarry
... root Definition to remain behind, tarry NASB Word Usage delay (11), delayed (1),
late (2), linger (1), stay up late (1), stayed (1), tarry (1). ...
/hebrew/309.htm - 6k

The Third Day He Rose Again from the Dead. The Glory of Christ's ...
... It seems superfluous, therefore, to linger in collecting testimonies; yet we will
cite some few, remitting those who desire to drink more largely to the well ...
/.../29 the third day he.htm

Opening Thoughts.
... The echoes of His voice"words of unearthly sweetness"still linger around it; and
have for eighteen hundred years served to cheer and encourage many a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/i opening thoughts.htm

The Disciples' Return.
... with the name and words and features of the departed. But they dare not linger.
As the disciples of this great and good Master, they ...
/.../macduff/memories of bethany/xxiii the disciples return.htm

Letter cxxxviii. To Riparius.
... from Palestine. Most of them, that is, for some still linger at Joppa including
one of their chief leaders. The date is ad417. That ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxxviii to riparius.htm

How Valuable to the Perfect is the Forgetfulness of Sin.
... And certainly unless he at once withdraws himself from contact with her, and if
he allows himself to linger the very least in impure talk, even if he refuses ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter ix how valuable to.htm

Light in the Wood
... Of closer walk with GOD well sought and found,. While others linger more on lower
earthly ground. ... That they have only need to linger and rejoice. ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/cccxc light in the wood.htm

Are You Ready?
... Are you ready? are you ready? Do not linger longer, come to-day. 2 ... alone.
3 Oh, how fatal 'tis to linger! Art thou ready"ready now? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/226 are you ready 8s.htm

The Great Denial
... CHAPTER III. THE GREAT DENIAL. To the ecclesiastical trial of our Lord there is
a side-piece, over which we must linger before proceeding to the civil trial. ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter iii the great denial.htm

When travelling lately through the Simplon
... offered shelter. There was no time for delay, he must betake himself to
instant flight. To linger might be to perish. Do you not ...
/.../the cities of refuge or the name of jesus/i when travelling lately through.htm

The Retreat from Scythia.
... They would, accordingly, draw as near to the Amazons as was safe, and linger there,
gazing upon them, as if under the influence of some sort of fascination. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter ix the retreat from.htm

Linger (7 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To spend or pass in a lingering manner; -- with out; as, to linger out one's
days on a sick bed. Multi-Version Concordance Linger (7 Occurrences). ...
/l/linger.htm - 8k

Lines (42 Occurrences)

/l/lines.htm - 19k

Lingered (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Linger. Multi-Version Concordance
Lingered (5 Occurrences). Genesis 19:16 But he lingered ...
/l/lingered.htm - 7k

Lag (1 Occurrence)
... 8. (n.) See Graylag. 9. (vi) To walk or more slowly; to stay or fall behind;
to linger or loiter. 10. (vt) To cause to lag; to slacken. 11. ...
/l/lag.htm - 7k

Gerizim (4 Occurrences)
... The Samaritans (qv), a small but united body, still linger here, and keep up their
ancient ceremonial worship. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. GERIZIM, MOUNT. ...
/g/gerizim.htm - 14k

Greed (19 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:3 In covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words: whose sentence
now from of old doesn't linger, and their destruction will not slumber. ...
/g/greed.htm - 12k

Inflameth (1 Occurrence)
... Isaiah 5:11 Woe unto them that, rising early in the morning, run after strong drink;
that linger till twilight, till wine inflameth them! (DBY WBS YLT). ...
/i/inflameth.htm - 6k

Enrogel (4 Occurrences)
... surface on the mountain slope opposite, an ascent to the village of Silwan, is known
as es Zechweleh, a word in which there certainly appears to linger an echo ...
/e/enrogel.htm - 15k

En-rogel (4 Occurrences)
... surface on the mountain slope opposite, an ascent to the village of Silwan, is known
as es Zechweleh, a word in which there certainly appears to linger an echo ...
/e/en-rogel.htm - 15k

Exploit (4 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:3 In covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words: whose sentence
now from of old doesn't linger, and their destruction will not slumber. ...
/e/exploit.htm - 8k

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