Topical Bible: Pursuit

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Definition and Context
In the biblical context, "pursuit" often refers to the act of chasing or striving after something or someone with determination. This can be seen in both physical and spiritual dimensions, where individuals or groups pursue enemies, goals, righteousness, or God Himself. The concept of pursuit is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating both human endeavors and divine actions.

Old Testament Examples
1. Military Pursuit: One of the most common uses of pursuit in the Old Testament is in the context of warfare. For instance, in the book of Exodus, the Egyptians pursued the Israelites as they fled from slavery. "The Egyptians—all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, horsemen and troops—pursued and overtook them as they camped by the sea" (Exodus 14:9). This pursuit highlights the relentless nature of Pharaoh's army and sets the stage for God's miraculous deliverance of His people.

2. Pursuit of Righteousness: The pursuit of righteousness is a recurring theme in the wisdom literature. Proverbs 21:21 states, "He who pursues righteousness and loving devotion finds life, righteousness, and honor" . This verse underscores the blessings associated with diligently seeking a life that aligns with God's standards.

3. Divine Pursuit: God’s pursuit of His people is a profound theme in the Old Testament. The prophet Hosea illustrates God's relentless love and pursuit of Israel despite their unfaithfulness. Hosea 2:14-15 depicts God’s intention to allure and speak tenderly to His people, demonstrating His desire to restore and redeem them.

New Testament Examples
1. Pursuit of Peace and Holiness: In the New Testament, believers are encouraged to pursue peace and holiness. Hebrews 12:14 exhorts, "Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord" . This pursuit is essential for maintaining unity within the body of Christ and for personal sanctification.

2. Pursuit of God’s Kingdom: Jesus emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the pursuit of God’s kingdom. In Matthew 6:33, He instructs, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you" . This pursuit involves a commitment to placing God’s will above all earthly concerns.

3. Paul’s Example: The Apostle Paul frequently speaks of his own pursuit of Christ and the heavenly prize. In Philippians 3:12-14, he writes, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been perfected, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me... I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus" . Paul’s relentless pursuit serves as a model for believers to strive toward spiritual maturity and eternal rewards.

Theological Implications
The concept of pursuit in the Bible reveals the dynamic relationship between God and humanity. It illustrates human responsibility in seeking God and His righteousness, while also highlighting God’s active role in pursuing and drawing people to Himself. The biblical narrative portrays pursuit as a vital aspect of faith, where believers are called to actively engage in their spiritual journey, seeking to align their lives with God’s purposes and promises.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (n.) The act of following or going after; esp., a following with haste, either for sport or in hostility; chase; prosecution; as, the pursuit of game; the pursuit of an enemy.

2. (n.) A following with a view to reach, accomplish, or obtain; endeavor to attain to or gain; as, the pursuit of knowledge; the pursuit of happiness or pleasure.

3. (v. t.) Course of business or occupation; continued employment with a view to same end; as, mercantile pursuits; a literary pursuit.

4. (v. t.) Prosecution.

Greek

5385. philosophia -- the love or pursuit of wisdom
... the love or pursuit of wisdom. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
philosophia Phonetic Spelling: (fil-os-of-ee'-ah) Short Definition: love of wisdom ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5385.htm - 7k

1375. diogmos -- persecution
... of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: diogmos Phonetic Spelling:
(dee-ogue-mos') Short Definition: persecution Definition: chase, pursuit; persecution. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1375.htm - 7k

4197. poreia -- a journey
... a journey. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: poreia Phonetic Spelling:
(por-i'-ah) Short Definition: a journey, pursuit, undertaking Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4197.htm - 6k

973. biastes -- a violent man
... biastes Phonetic Spelling: (bee-as-tace') Short Definition: a forceful, violent
man Definition: a forceful, violent man; one who is eager in pursuit. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/973.htm - 6k

Strong's Hebrew

7291. radaph -- to pursue, chase, persecute
... persecutors (4), press (1), pursue (36), pursued (37), pursuer (1), pursuers (9),
pursues (9), pursuing (13), puts to flight (1), took up the pursuit (1), went ...
/hebrew/7291.htm - 6k

1245. baqash -- to seek
... consulted (1), demand (1), desire (1), eager (1), hold* (1), inquired (2), investigated
(1), look (3), looked (1), looking (3), plead (1), pursuit (1), request ...
/hebrew/1245.htm - 6k

1875. darash -- to resort to, seek
... A primitive root; properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit
or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship -- ask, X ...
/hebrew/1875.htm - 6k

1692. dabaq -- to cling, cleave, keep close
... A primitive root; properly, to impinge, ie Cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch
by pursuit -- abide fast, cleave (fast together), follow close (hard after ...
/hebrew/1692.htm - 6k

3318. yatsa -- to go or come out
... pluck (1), prematurely (1), proceed (4), proceeded (11), proceeds (1), produces
(3), projecting (3), promised* (1), publicly (2), pull (1), pursuit (1), put ...
/hebrew/3318.htm - 8k

Library

The Pursuit of God
The Pursuit of God. <. The Pursuit of God AW Tozer. Produced by Free
Elf, Colin Bell, and the Online Distributed Proofreading ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tozer/the pursuit of god/

The Master's Profession --The Disciple's Pursuit
... The Master's Profession"The Disciple's Pursuit. A Sermon (No.977). Delivered
on Thursday Evening, April 21st, 1870 by. CH SPURGEON,. ...
/.../the masters professionthe disciples pursuit.htm

The Pursuit of Human Glory, we Maintain, is Forbidden not Only by ...
... Chapter XXIV. The pursuit of human glory, we maintain, is forbidden not
only by the teaching of? The pursuit of human glory, we ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxiv the pursuit of.htm

The Pursuit
... CHAPTER II THE PURSUIT. Meanwhile, there was a hubbub in Vienna. ... Even Kimberker cried
the pursuit. "Fear God!" he said. "For this is no common mishap!". ...
/.../greater things the story of saint stanislaus kostka /chapter ii the pursuit.htm

The Pursuit of God
The Pursuit of God. <. ... Title Page. The Pursuit of God. "Then shall
we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tozer/the pursuit of god/title page.htm

The Adventures of Achamoth Outside the Pleroma the Mission of ...
... Chapter XIV."The Adventures of Achamoth Outside the Pleroma The Mission of Christ
in Pursuit of Her. Her Longing for Christ. Horos' Hostility to Her. ...
/.../tertullian/against the valentinians/chapter xiv the adventures of achamoth.htm

Of Learning Philosophy, and what Great Qualifications are ...
... Of the False Wisdom of Philosophers. Chap. XXV."Of Learning Philosophy, and
What Great Qualifications are Necessary for Its Pursuit. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xxv of learning philosophy and.htm

Of those who are Able to Profit Others by virtuous Example in ...
... OF GREGORY THE GREAT BISHOP OF ROME, Chapter V. Of those who are able to profit
others by virtuous example in supreme rule, but fly from it in pursuit of their ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leo/writings of leo the great/chapter v of those who.htm

Of False Wisdom.
... Philosophy is the love or pursuit of wisdom. ... If it is the pursuit of wisdom,
not even thus is philosophy identical with wisdom. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xxx of false wisdom.htm

Whether Daring Ensues from Hope?
... Now every movement of the appetitive power is reducible to one either of
pursuit or of avoidance. Again, pursuit or avoidance is ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether daring ensues from hope.htm

Thesaurus

Pursuit (35 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of following or going after; esp., a following with haste, either
for sport or in hostility; chase; prosecution; as, the pursuit of game; the ...
/p/pursuit.htm - 17k

Eager (43 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Excited by desire in the pursuit of any object; ardent to pursue, perform,
or obtain; keenly desirous; hotly longing; earnest; zealous; impetuous ...
/e/eager.htm - 18k

Scribes (85 Occurrences)
... study of the Law. Rabbi Gamaliel II emphatically advised the pursuit of a
business in addition to the pursuit of the Law. It is well ...
/s/scribes.htm - 49k

Quest (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of seeking, or looking after anything; attempt to find or obtain;
search; pursuit; as, to rove in quest of game, of a lost child, of property ...
/q/quest.htm - 7k

Fugitive (12 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Fleeing from pursuit, danger, restraint, etc., escaping, from service, duty
etc.; as, a fugitive solder; a fugitive slave; a fugitive debtor. ...
/f/fugitive.htm - 11k

Earnest (33 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Sincere; purposeful; ardent in the pursuit of an object; eager to obtain
or do; zealous with sincerity; with hearty endeavor; heartfelt; fervent; hearty ...
/e/earnest.htm - 20k

Aner (3 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A boy. (1.) A Canaanitish chief who joined his forces
with those of Abraham in pursuit of Chedorlaomer (Genesis 14:13, 24). ...
/a/aner.htm - 8k

Ammah (2 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A cubit, the name of a hill which Joab and Abishai reached
as the sun went down, when they were in pursuit of Abner (2 Samuel 2:24). ...
/a/ammah.htm - 8k

Steady (10 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Constant in feeling, purpose, or pursuit; not fickle, changeable, or wavering;
not easily moved or persuaded to alter a purpose; resolute; as, a man ...
/s/steady.htm - 9k

Suit (15 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of following or pursuing, as game;
pursuit. 2. (n.) The act of suing; the process by which ...
/s/suit.htm - 12k

Resources

Is the United States a Christian nation? | GotQuestions.org

Does God pursue us? | GotQuestions.org

Is being holy even possible, since only God is holy? | GotQuestions.org

Pursuit: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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

Concordance

Pursuit (35 Occurrences)

Mark 4:19
but worldly cares and the deceitfulness of wealth and the excessive pursuit of other objects come in and stifle the Message, and it becomes unfruitful.
(WEY)

Luke 12:31
But make His Kingdom the object of your pursuit, and these things shall be given you in addition.
(WEY)

Luke 17:23
And they will say to you, 'See there!' 'See here!' Do not start off and go in pursuit.
(WEY)

Romans 9:30
To what conclusion does this bring us? Why, that the Gentiles, who were not in pursuit of righteousness, have overtaken it--a righteousness, however, which arises from faith;
(WEY)

Romans 9:31
while the descendants of Israel, who were in pursuit of a Law that could give righteousness, have not arrived at one.
(WEY)

Romans 11:7
How then does the matter stand? It stands thus. That which Israel are in earnest pursuit of, they have not obtained; but God's chosen servants have obtained it, and the rest have become hardened.
(WEY)

1 Corinthians 10:6
And in this they became a warning to us, to teach us not to be eager, as they were eager, in pursuit of what is evil.
(WEY)

1 Corinthians 14:1
Be eager in your pursuit of this Love, and be earnestly ambitious for spiritual gifts, but let it be chiefly so in order that you may prophesy.
(WEY)

1 Peter 3:11
Let him turn from evil, and do good; Let him inquire for peace and go in pursuit of it.
(WEY)

Jude 1:7
So also Sodom and Gomorrah--and the neighboring towns in the same manner--having been guilty of gross fornication and having gone astray in pursuit of unnatural vice, are now before us as a specimen of the fire of the Ages in the punishment which they are undergoing.
(WEY)

Revelation 12:13
And when the Dragon saw that he was hurled down to the earth, he went in pursuit of the woman who had given birth to the male child.
(WEY)

Genesis 14:14
And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued as far as Dan.
(See NAS RSV NIV)

Exodus 14:23
And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them into the midst of the sea, all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.
(See NAS)

Joshua 8:17
And there was not a man left in Ai or Beth-el, that went not out after Israel; and they left the city open, and pursued after Israel.
(See NIV)

Judges 4:22
And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him: 'Come, and I will show thee the man whom thou seekest.' And he came unto her; and, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the tent-pin was in his temples.
(See NIV)

Judges 8:4
And Gideon came to the Jordan, and passed over, he, and the three hundred men that were with him, faint, yet pursuing.
(See NIV)

1 Samuel 14:22
and all the men of Israel, who are hiding themselves in the hill-country of Ephraim, have heard that the Philistines have fled, and they pursue -- even they -- after them in battle.
(See NIV)

1 Samuel 23:13
Then David and his men, who were about six hundred, arose and departed out of Keilah, and went wherever they could go. It was told Saul that David was escaped from Keilah; and he gave up going there.
(See NAS)

1 Samuel 23:25
And Saul and his men went to seek him. And they told David; wherefore he came down to the rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon.
(See NIV)

1 Samuel 23:28
So Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines; therefore they called that place Sela-hammahlekoth.
(See NIV)

1 Samuel 30:10
But David pursued, he and four hundred men; for two hundred stayed behind, who were so faint that they could not go over the brook Besor.
(See RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 2:23
However he refused to turn aside. Therefore Abner with the back end of the spear struck him in the body, so that the spear came out behind him; and he fell down there, and died in the same place. It happened, that as many as came to the place where Asahel fell down and died stood still.
(See NIV)

2 Samuel 2:26
Then Abner called to Joab, and said, "Shall the sword devour forever? Don't you know that it will be bitterness in the latter end? How long shall it be then, before you bid the people return from following their brothers?"
(See RSV)

2 Samuel 2:27
Joab said, "As God lives, if you had not spoken, surely then in the morning the people would have gone away, and not each followed his brother."
(See RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 2:30
Joab returned from following Abner: and when he had gathered all the people together, there lacked of David's servants nineteen men and Asahel.
(See RSV)

2 Samuel 17:1
Moreover Ahithophel said unto Absalom: 'Let me now choose out twelve thousand men, and I will arise and pursue after David this night;
(See NIV)

1 Kings 20:20
And they slew every one his man; and the Arameans fled, and Israel pursued them; and Ben-hadad the king of Aram escaped on a horse with horsemen.
(See NIV)

Proverbs 21:6
He who gets stores of wealth by a false tongue, is going after what is only breath, and searching for death.
(See NAS)

Ecclesiastes 1:14
I have seen all the works that are done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and pursuit of the wind.
(DBY)

Ecclesiastes 2:11
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that it had cost me to do them; and behold, all was vanity and pursuit of the wind, and there was no profit under the sun.
(DBY)

Ecclesiastes 2:17
And I hated life; for the work that is wrought under the sun was grievous unto me; for all is vanity and pursuit of the wind.
(DBY)

Ecclesiastes 4:4
And I saw all labour, and all success of work, that it is man's jealousy of his neighbour. This also is vanity and pursuit of the wind.
(DBY)

Ecclesiastes 4:6
Better is a handful with quietness, than both hands full with labour and pursuit of the wind.
(DBY)

Ecclesiastes 6:9
Better is the seeing of the eyes than the wandering of the desire: this also is vanity and pursuit of the wind.
(DBY)

Hosea 5:11
Ephraim is oppressed, he is crushed in judgment; Because he is intent in his pursuit of idols.
(WEB)

Subtopics

Pursuit

Related Terms

Agriculture

Pursuit (35 Occurrences)

Josephus

Gad (78 Occurrences)

Withers (20 Occurrences)

Wise (422 Occurrences)