Topical Bible: Overtook

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Topical Encyclopedia

The term "overtook" in the Bible often conveys the idea of catching up with or seizing someone or something, typically in the context of pursuit or divine intervention. This concept is frequently used in narratives where one party gains ground on another, often with significant consequences.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, "overtook" is commonly used in the context of military pursuits or divine retribution. One notable instance is found in the Book of Genesis, where Laban overtakes Jacob. After Jacob flees from Laban with his family and possessions, Laban pursues him and eventually catches up:

"So Laban overtook Jacob, who had pitched his tent in the hill country, and Laban and his brothers camped there as well." (Genesis 31:25)

This passage illustrates the tension and conflict between Jacob and Laban, highlighting themes of family strife and divine protection, as God warns Laban in a dream not to harm Jacob.

Another significant occurrence is in the Book of Exodus, during the pursuit of the Israelites by Pharaoh's army. As the Israelites flee Egypt, Pharaoh's forces catch up with them at the Red Sea:

"The Egyptians—all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, horsemen and troops—pursued and overtook them as they camped by the sea near Pi-hahiroth, opposite Baal-zephon." (Exodus 14:9)

This event sets the stage for one of the most dramatic acts of divine deliverance in the Bible, as God parts the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to escape and subsequently destroying the Egyptian army.

Prophetic and Poetic Contexts

In the prophetic and poetic books, "overtook" can symbolize the inevitability of divine judgment or blessing. In Deuteronomy, Moses warns the Israelites of the consequences of disobedience:

"All these curses will come upon you, pursuing and overtaking you until you are destroyed, because you did not obey the LORD your God and keep the commandments and statutes He gave you." (Deuteronomy 28:45)

This passage underscores the certainty of God's justice, emphasizing that disobedience will lead to unavoidable consequences.

Conversely, the blessings of obedience are also described in terms of pursuit and overtaking:

"All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you, if you will obey the voice of the LORD your God." (Deuteronomy 28:2)

Here, the imagery of overtaking is used to convey the abundance and certainty of God's favor for those who follow His commandments.

New Testament Considerations

While the specific term "overtook" is less frequently used in the New Testament, the concept remains relevant, particularly in the context of spiritual pursuit and the inevitability of God's plans. The New Testament emphasizes the pursuit of righteousness and the assurance of God's promises, echoing the Old Testament themes of divine intervention and fulfillment.

Overall, the term "overtook" in the Bible serves as a powerful metaphor for the certainty of God's actions, whether in judgment or blessing, and the unfolding of His divine plan throughout history.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

(imp.) of Overtake.

Strong's Hebrew

1692. dabaq -- to cling, cleave, keep close
... grip (1), follow closely (1), held fast (1), hold (2), hold fast (2), holding fast
(1), joined (2), joined together (1), overtake (1), overtook (5), pursued ...
/hebrew/1692.htm - 6k

5381. nasag -- to reach, overtake
... 1), find (1), insufficient (2), last until (2), limited (1), means* (1), obtain
(1), overtake (17), overtaken (2), overtakes (1), overtook (6), prospers (1 ...
/hebrew/5381.htm - 6k

4672. matsa -- to attain to, find
... 3), happen (1), happened (2), has (1), have (2), here (1), hit (1), invents (1),
left (2), located (2), meet (2), met (3), overtake (2), overtook (1), pleases ...
/hebrew/4672.htm - 6k

Library

What Vengeance Overtook those who on Account of the Oracle Raised ...
... Book II. Chapter LIV."What Vengeance overtook those who on Account of
the Oracle raised the Persecution. "But why need I longer ...
/.../the life of constantine/chapter liv what vengeance overtook those.htm

The Law.
... Now when I had got about half-way up, I looked behind me and saw one coming after
me swift as the wind; so he overtook me just about the place where the settle ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/v the law.htm

However, as we have Already Remarked, it Cannot but Distress us ...
... of the bygone year, it is abundantly plain of what they were intended to remind
men"of the deluge, no doubt, which in ancient times overtook human unbelief ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/to scapula/chapter iii however as we.htm

The Misfortunes which Overwhelmed the Jews after their Presumption ...
... other king than C??sar. [318]. 6. The same writer further records that after
this another calamity overtook them. He writes as follows ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter vi the misfortunes which overwhelmed.htm

Companions on Horseback
... Tuesday, 21."Between nine and ten we came to Hedgeford. In the afternoon one overtook
us whom we soon found more inclined to speak than to hear. ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/companions on horseback.htm

How Moses Conquered Sihon and Og Kings of the Amorites, and ...
... in throwing of darts, or any thing else of that kind, and also having nothing but
light armor, which made them quick in the pursuit, they overtook their enemies ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 5 how moses conquered.htm

'As Sodom'
... Chaldeans were by the city round about) and they went by the way of the plain.8.
But the army of the Chaldeans pursued after the king, and overtook Zedekiah in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/as sodom.htm

The Advance of Xerxes into Greece.
... They overtook one of the guard-ships very soon, and, after a short conflict, they
succeeded in capturing it. ... The second vessel they also overtook and captured. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter viii the advance of.htm

Lorimer -- the Fall of Satan
... Perhaps, after all, there is as much truth as poetry in Milton's conception of the
rebellion, and of the fearful defeat that overtook its leader:". ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 8/lorimer the fall of.htm

The Conspiracy
... Egypt. If the heaviest penalty overtook us is it not a result worth achieving
at any cost? ... on. In a few paces, Nechutes overtook her. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxi the conspiracy.htm

Thesaurus

Overtook (35 Occurrences)
...Overtook (35 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians 10:10 And do not say evil things against
the Lord, as some of them did, and destruction overtook them. (BBE). ...
/o/overtook.htm - 17k

Chaldaean (9 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 25:5 But the Chaldaean army went after the king, and overtook him in the
lowlands of Jericho, and all his army went in flight from him in every ...
/c/chaldaean.htm - 9k

Plains (31 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 25:5 But the army of the Chaldeans pursued after the king, and overtook
him in the plains of Jericho; and all his army was scattered from him. ...
/p/plains.htm - 16k

Pursued (75 Occurrences)
... Genesis 31:23 He took his relatives with him, and pursued after him seven
days' journey. He overtook him in the mountain of Gilead. ...
/p/pursued.htm - 29k

Tidal (2 Occurrences)
... To all appearance he met with the fate which overtook Durmah-ilani-death at the
hands of his son, who "smote his head." Then came the Elamite, apparently ...
/t/tidal.htm - 11k

Archers (15 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS). 1 Samuel 31:3 The battle went sore against Saul, and the
archers overtook him; and he was greatly distressed by reason of the archers. ...
/a/archers.htm - 11k

Lowlands (25 Occurrences)
... (BBE). 2 Kings 25:5 But the Chaldaean army went after the king, and overtook him
in the lowlands of Jericho, and all his army went in flight from him in every ...
/l/lowlands.htm - 14k

Tents (284 Occurrences)
... Genesis 31:25 Now when Laban overtook him, Jacob had put up his tent in the
hill-country; and Laban and his brothers put up their tents in the hill-country ...
/t/tents.htm - 35k

Anguish (75 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 31:3 And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers overtook him;
and he was greatly distressed by reason of the archers. (See JPS). ...
/a/anguish.htm - 29k

Pursue (104 Occurrences)
... Exodus 14:9 The Egyptians pursued after them: all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh,
his horsemen, and his army; and overtook them encamping by the sea ...
/p/pursue.htm - 38k

Resources

Why are there contradictory accounts regarding the death of Saul in 1 and 2 Samuel? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the Zealots in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Has Israel's territory ever encompassed the promise in Joshua 1:4? | GotQuestions.org

Overtook: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Overtook (35 Occurrences)

1 Corinthians 10:10
And do not say evil things against the Lord, as some of them did, and destruction overtook them.
(BBE)

Genesis 31:23
He took his relatives with him, and pursued after him seven days' journey. He overtook him in the mountain of Gilead.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS)

Genesis 31:25
Then Laban overtook Jacob. Now Jacob had pitched his tent in the mount: and Laban with his brethren pitched in the mount of Gilead.
(KJV BBE WBS RSV NIV)

Genesis 44:6
He overtook them, and he spoke these words to them.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Genesis 48:7
And as for me, when I came from Paddan, death overtook Rachel on the way, when we were still some distance from Ephrath; and I put her to rest there on the road to Ephrath, which is Beth-lehem.
(BBE)

Exodus 14:9
The Egyptians pursued after them: all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen, and his army; and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baal Zephon.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Leviticus 16:1
And the Lord said to Moses, after the death of the two sons of Aaron when they took in strange fire before the Lord and death overtook them;
(BBE)

Numbers 26:10
And they went down into the open mouth of the earth, together with Korah, when death overtook him and all his band; at the time when two hundred and fifty men were burned in the fire, and they became a sign.
(BBE)

Numbers 26:61
Death overtook Nadab and Abihu when they made an offering of strange fire before the Lord.
(BBE)

Numbers 27:3
Death overtook our father in the waste land; he was not among those who were banded together with Korah against the Lord; but death came to him in his sin; and he had no sons.
(BBE)

Judges 1:6
But Adoni-zedek went in flight; and they went after him and overtook him, and had his thumbs and his great toes cut off.
(BBE)

Judges 2:10
And in time death overtook all that generation; and another generation came after them, having no knowledge of the Lord or of the things which he had done for Israel.
(BBE)

Judges 18:22
When they were a good way from the house of Micah, the men who were in the houses near to Micah's house were gathered together, and overtook the children of Dan.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Judges 20:42
Therefore they turned their backs before the men of Israel unto the way of the wilderness; but the battle overtook them; and them which came out of the cities they destroyed in the midst of them.
(KJV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV)

Judges 20:43
They inclosed the Benjamites round about, and chased them, and trod them down at their resting-place, as far as over against Gibeah toward the sunrising.
(See JPS)

Judges 20:45
They turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon: and they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men, and followed hard after them to Gidom, and struck of them two thousand men.
(See NAS)

1 Samuel 4:18
And at these words about the ark of God, Eli, falling back off his seat by the side of the doorway into the town, came down on the earth so that his neck was broken and death overtook him, for he was an old man and of great weight. He had been judging Israel for forty years.
(BBE)

1 Samuel 31:2
And the Philistines overtook Saul and his sons; and they put to death Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul.
(BBE NAS RSV)

1 Samuel 31:3
The battle went sore against Saul, and the archers overtook him; and he was greatly distressed by reason of the archers.
(WEB JPS ASV NIV)

1 Samuel 31:6
So death overtook Saul and his three sons and his servant on the same day.
(BBE)

2 Samuel 1:6
And the young man said, I came by chance to Mount Gilboa, and I saw Saul supporting himself on his spear; and the war-carriages and horsemen overtook him.
(BBE)

2 Samuel 3:26
And when Joab had come out from David, he sent men after Abner, and they overtook him at the water-spring of Sirah, and made him come back with them: but David had no knowledge of it.
(BBE)

2 Samuel 18:23
Whatever may come of it, he said, I will go. Then he said to him, Go. So Ahimaaz went running by the lowland road and overtook the Cushite.
(BBE)

2 Kings 25:5
But the army of the Chaldeans pursued after the king, and overtook him in the plains of Jericho; and all his army was scattered from him.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

1 Chronicles 10:2
The Philistines followed hard after Saul and after his sons; and the Philistines killed Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Malchishua, the sons of Saul.
(See RSV)

1 Chronicles 10:3
The battle went sore against Saul, and the archers overtook him; and he was distressed by reason of the archers.
(WEB JPS ASV NAS NIV)

1 Chronicles 10:6
So death overtook Saul and his three sons; all his family came to an end together.
(BBE)

Job 31:29
If I was glad at the trouble of my hater, and gave cries of joy when evil overtook him;
(BBE RSV)

Psalms 18:37
I pursued mine enemies, and overtook them; and I turned not again till they were consumed.
(DBY NAS RSV NIV)

Song of Songs 5:7
The keepers who go about the town overtook me; they gave me blows and wounds; the keepers of the walls took away my veil from me.
(BBE)

Jeremiah 2:3
Israel was holy to the Lord, the first-fruits of his increase: all who made attacks on him were judged as wrongdoers, evil came on them, says the Lord.
(See NIV)

Jeremiah 39:5
But the army of the Chaldeans pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath; and he gave judgment on him.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 52:8
But the army of the Chaldeans pursued after the king, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho; and all his army was scattered from him.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Lamentations 1:3
Judah is gone into captivity because of affliction, and because of great servitude; she dwells among the nations, she finds no rest: all her persecutors overtook her within the straits.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS)

Hosea 13:1
When the words of my law came from Ephraim, he was lifted up in Israel; but when he did evil through the Baal, death overtook him.
(BBE)

Subtopics

Overtook

Related Terms

Trace (7 Occurrences)

King (25505 Occurrences)

Overturned (41 Occurrences)

Upset (9 Occurrences)

Subvert (4 Occurrences)

Restored (77 Occurrences)

Overtook (35 Occurrences)

Overwhelm (18 Occurrences)