The term "shrank" is the past tense of "shrink," which means to become smaller in size or to withdraw. While the specific word "shrank" does not appear in the Berean Standard Bible , the concept of shrinking or withdrawing can be found in various biblical narratives and teachings. This entry explores the thematic elements related to shrinking or withdrawing in the context of faith, fear, and divine judgment.

Faith and Fear

In the Bible, the idea of shrinking back is often associated with a lack of faith or fear. Hebrews 10:38-39 states, "But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in him. But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls." This passage emphasizes the importance of steadfast faith and the consequences of retreating from one's commitment to God. The righteous are called to live by faith, and shrinking back is equated with destruction, highlighting the gravity of maintaining one's trust in God.

Divine Judgment

The concept of shrinking or withdrawing can also be seen in the context of divine judgment. In the Old Testament, the Israelites often faced consequences when they withdrew from God's commandments. For example, in the book of Judges, the Israelites repeatedly turned away from God, leading to periods of oppression by surrounding nations. Each time they "shrank" from their covenant with God, they experienced His judgment until they repented and returned to Him.

Courage and Boldness

Conversely, the Bible encourages believers to be bold and courageous, standing firm in their faith. In Joshua 1:9 , God commands Joshua, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." This call to courage is a direct counter to the idea of shrinking back, urging believers to trust in God's presence and power.

New Testament Encouragement

The New Testament continues this theme of encouragement against shrinking back. In 2 Timothy 1:7 , Paul writes, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-discipline." This verse reassures believers that God equips them with the strength needed to face challenges without retreating in fear.

Conclusion

While the specific term "shrank" is not used in the Bible, the concept is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating the tension between faith and fear, obedience and disobedience, courage and retreat. Believers are called to stand firm in their faith, trusting in God's promises and presence, and to resist the temptation to shrink back in the face of adversity.1. (v.) imp. of Shrink.

2. (imp.) of Shrink.

5384. nasheh -- a vein (or nerve) in the thigh
... which shrank. From nashah, in the sense of failure; rheumatic or crippled (from
the incident to Jacob) -- which shrank. see HEBREW nashah. 5383, 5384. ...
/hebrew/5384.htm - 6k

Whether There was Contrariety of Wills in Christ?
... For in His Divine will He wished for death, from which He shrank in His
human will, hence Athanasius says [*De Incarnat. et Cont. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether there was contrariety of.htm

Resignation
... He shrank from the rude scenes that opened before him,"from the mocker's sneer and
the ruler's scourge; from the glare of impatient revenge, and the weeping ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapin/the crown of thorns/resignation.htm

And Now Let us Proceed to Explain the Reasons for which this ...
... 2. Nay, they shrank not from giving the name of gods to the very conceptions of
their own minds, and the speech by which those conceptions are expressed ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter xiii and now let.htm

The Anvil of Experience.
... He shrank in spirit over and over again as the expected experiences approached.
He shrank back as none other ever has, for He was ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks about jesus/the anvil of experience.htm

The Shadow of Death
... life of Jesus. At that time Jesus saw pressed to his lips the "cup" from
the bitterness of which his whole soul shrank. It was not ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/viii the shadow of death.htm

Knox in Scotland: Lethington: Mary of Guise: 1555-1556
... There was to come a moment, we shall see, when even Knox shrank from the consequences
of a theory ("a murderous syllogism," writes one of his recent biographers ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter vii knox in scotland .htm

Relations with Nestorius and to Nestorianism.
... While he was driven to contemplate the doctrines of Cyril in their most dangerous
exaggeration, he shrank from seeing how the Nestorian counter statement might ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/iii relations with nestorius and to.htm

In the Outer Court
... His humanity shrank from the hour of abandonment, when to all appearance He would
be deserted even by God, when all would see Him stricken, smitten of God, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 68 in the outer.htm

A vision of the Last Day
... But the flood of light that streamed forth from within was so dazzlingly bright,
so transcendently white and pure, that the Soul shrank back as from a two ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/a vision of the last.htm

This is the Chief Passage which those who were Sent from the East ...
... He therefore shrank, I presume, from the word Seeing as a suspicious term, and says
that it is better, when the question turns upon the nature of the Deity ...
/.../18 this is the chief.htm

Shrank (4 Occurrences)
... 2. (imp.) of Shrink. Multi-Version Concordance Shrank (4 Occurrences). ... Acts 20:27
For I shrank not from declaring unto you the whole counsel of God. (ASV). ...
/s/shrank.htm - 7k

Shows (42 Occurrences)

/s/shows.htm - 17k

Entreaties (6 Occurrences)
... crying aloud and weeping as He pleaded with Him who was able to bring Him in safety
out of death, and He was delivered from the terror from which He shrank. ...
/e/entreaties.htm - 8k

Homes (43 Occurrences)
... Acts 20:20 and that I never shrank from declaring to you anything that was profitable,
or from teaching you in public and in your homes, (WEY). ...
/h/homes.htm - 18k

Pleaded (21 Occurrences)
... crying aloud and weeping as He pleaded with Him who was able to bring Him in safety
out of death, and He was delivered from the terror from which He shrank. ...
/p/pleaded.htm - 12k

Safety (72 Occurrences)
... crying aloud and weeping as He pleaded with Him who was able to bring Him in safety
out of death, and He was delivered from the terror from which He shrank. ...
/s/safety.htm - 28k

Shred (1 Occurrence)

/s/shred.htm - 7k

Terror (137 Occurrences)
... crying aloud and weeping as He pleaded with Him who was able to bring Him in safety
out of death, and He was delivered from the terror from which He shrank. ...
/t/terror.htm - 37k

Syria (73 Occurrences)
... Taurus. Under the Seleucids, Syria was regarded as coextensive with their
kingdom, and the name shrank with its dimensions. Strabo ...
/s/syria.htm - 60k

Aloud (141 Occurrences)
... crying aloud and weeping as He pleaded with Him who was able to bring Him in safety
out of death, and He was delivered from the terror from which He shrank. ...
/a/aloud.htm - 34k

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