Definition and Usage:
The term "tarrying" in the Bible generally refers to the act of waiting, lingering, or delaying. It is often used in the context of waiting for divine guidance, the fulfillment of God's promises, or the coming of the Holy Spirit. Tarrying can imply a period of spiritual preparation, reflection, or anticipation.

Biblical Instances:

1. Old Testament Context:
· In the Old Testament, tarrying is often associated with waiting for God's timing or intervention. For example, in Genesis 19:16, Lot "tarried" when the angels urged him to leave Sodom, indicating a delay in response to divine instruction.
· Another instance is found in Exodus 24:18, where Moses "tarried" on Mount Sinai for forty days and nights, receiving the Law from God. This period of tarrying was crucial for the establishment of the covenant between God and Israel.

2. New Testament Context:
· In the New Testament, tarrying takes on a significant role in the context of the early church. In Luke 24:49, Jesus instructs His disciples to "tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are clothed with power from on high." This command emphasizes the importance of waiting for the Holy Spirit before embarking on their mission.
· Acts 1:4-5 further illustrates this concept, where the disciples are told to wait in Jerusalem for the "promise of the Father," which refers to the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

Spiritual Significance:
Tarrying is often seen as a time of spiritual readiness and obedience. It reflects a posture of faith and trust in God's timing and purposes. The act of tarrying can be a test of patience and faithfulness, as believers are called to wait upon the Lord with expectation and hope.

Practical Application:
In the life of a believer, tarrying can be understood as a period of prayer, meditation, and seeking God's will. It is a time to prepare one's heart and mind for the work that God intends to do. Tarrying encourages believers to be attentive to the leading of the Holy Spirit and to remain steadfast in their faith, even when answers or directions are not immediately apparent.

Related Concepts:
· Waiting on the Lord: Closely related to tarrying, this concept involves trusting in God's timing and provision. Scriptures such as Isaiah 40:31, "But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength," highlight the blessings that come from waiting on God.
· Patience and Perseverance: Tarrying often requires patience and perseverance, virtues that are highly valued in the Christian faith. James 1:4 encourages believers to "let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Conclusion:
While the Bible does not always provide immediate answers or solutions, the act of tarrying teaches believers to rely on God's wisdom and timing. It is a reminder that spiritual growth and understanding often come through periods of waiting and reflection.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Tarry.

Prophecies Fulfilled
... No one, however, then noticed than an apparent delay in the accomplishment of
the vision"a tarrying time"is presented in the same prophecy. ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 22 prophecies fulfilled.htm

Prophecies Fulfilled.
... No one, however, then noticed that an apparent delay in the accomplishment of
the vision"a tarrying time"is presented in the same prophecy. ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /22 prophecies fulfilled.htm

Think that You Cannot Fail to Understand this Too...
... And our Lord Jesus Christ, making no tarrying, [1776] in the space of one year
[1777] restored multitudes of the sick to health, and gave back the dead to the ...
/.../the acts of the disputation with the heresiarch manes/34 i think that you.htm

'They Also Serve who Only Stand and Wait'
... Often, no doubt, his brethren thought him 'but an idler in the land,' but
at last his 'tarrying' was vindicated. Now, dear brethren! ...
/.../they also serve who only.htm

Pleading
... "But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: Thou art my help
and my deliverer; O Lord, make no tarrying.""Psalm 70:5. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/pleading.htm

The Olivet Message.
... But His can. And His may be yours for the tarrying and the taking. ... A constant going
to do His will; a continual tarrying to find out His will. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on power/the olivet message.htm

Daily Fellowship with God
... waiting upon God Himself. Begin each day by tarrying before God, and letting
Him touch you. Take time to meet God. 2. To this end ...
/.../murray/the deeper christian life/i daily fellowship with god.htm

Pray to Thy Father which is in Secret or Alone with God.
... attractive light. If we listen carefully, we soon notice what the chief
thing is He has to tell us of our tarrying there. Three ...
/.../murray/lord teach us to pray/pray to thy father which.htm

A Strain of Sodom.
... But God, forewatching all things, at fix'd time. Doth judge the unjust; with patience
tarrying. The hour when crime's ripe age"not any force. ...
/.../fathers of the third century tertullian appendix/2 a strain of sodom.htm

What Doest Thou Here?
... mountain of Horeb was not the place in which God expected to find such a servant
as Elijah, and that there should be no indefinite tarrying, no lingering ...
//christianbookshelf.org/percival/sermons at rugby/vi what doest thou here.htm

Tarrying (9 Occurrences)
... & vb. n.) of Tarry. Multi-Version Concordance Tarrying (9 Occurrences). Matthew
25:5 Now the bridegroom tarrying, they all grew heavy and slept. (DBY YLT). ...
/t/tarrying.htm - 8k

Tarry (62 Occurrences)
... (See JPS ASV RSV). Psalms 40:17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon
me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God. ...
/t/tarry.htm - 25k

Tarshish (24 Occurrences)

/t/tarshish.htm - 17k

Nodded (2 Occurrences)
... (imp. & pp) of Nod. Multi-Version Concordance Nodded (2 Occurrences). Matthew
25:5 And the bridegroom tarrying, they all nodded and were sleeping, (YLT). ...
/n/nodded.htm - 7k

Grew (133 Occurrences)
... out, "Master, save me." (WEY). Matthew 25:5 Now the bridegroom tarrying,
they all grew heavy and slept. (DBY). Mark 4:7 Others fell ...
/g/grew.htm - 34k

Wondering (22 Occurrences)
... wondering, (YLT). Luke 1:21 And the people were waiting for Zacharias, and wondering
at his tarrying in the sanctuary, (YLT NAS NIV). Luke 2 ...
/w/wondering.htm - 12k

Thinketh (17 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Psalms 40:17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou
art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God. (KJV ASV DBY WBS). ...
/t/thinketh.htm - 11k

Babbling (5 Occurrences)
... bab'-ling siach; the Revised Version (British and American) COMPLAINING): The
consequence of tarrying long at the wine (Proverbs 23:29 the King James Version ...
/b/babbling.htm - 8k

Sleeping (69 Occurrences)
... went away. (BBE YLT NAS RSV NIV). Matthew 25:5 And the bridegroom tarrying,
they all nodded and were sleeping, (YLT). Matthew 26:40 ...
/s/sleeping.htm - 27k

Tarrying: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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