Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Context In the biblical context, "visiting" often refers to the act of going to see someone, typically with the intention of offering support, comfort, or fellowship. It can also imply God's intervention or attention to His people, either in blessing or judgment. The concept of visiting is deeply rooted in the principles of hospitality, compassion, and community that are central to biblical teachings. Old Testament References Visiting in the Old Testament is frequently associated with God's direct involvement in the lives of individuals and nations. For instance, in Genesis 21:1, the Lord "visited Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what He had promised." This visitation resulted in the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham and Sarah, highlighting God's faithfulness and the miraculous birth of Isaac. In Exodus 20:5, God warns of visiting "the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me," illustrating the concept of divine judgment. This visitation is a reminder of the consequences of sin and the importance of obedience to God's commandments. New Testament References The New Testament expands on the theme of visiting through the teachings and actions of Jesus Christ and the early church. In Matthew 25:36, Jesus speaks of visiting the sick and imprisoned as acts of righteousness, saying, "I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me." This passage underscores the importance of compassion and service to others as expressions of faith. James 1:27 further emphasizes the significance of visiting, stating, "Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." Here, visiting is linked to the practice of true religion, characterized by care for the vulnerable and a commitment to personal holiness. Theological Implications Visiting, as depicted in the Bible, is an expression of God's love and care, both through His direct actions and through the actions of His people. It reflects the call to live in community, bearing one another's burdens and extending grace and mercy. The act of visiting is a tangible demonstration of the Gospel, as believers are called to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world. Practical Applications In practical terms, visiting can take many forms, from personal visits to those in need, to participating in community outreach and mission work. It involves being present, offering support, and sharing the love of Christ with others. Believers are encouraged to be intentional in their visiting, seeking opportunities to serve and uplift those around them, following the example set by Jesus and the early church. Conclusion While the Bible does not provide a comprehensive manual on visiting, the principles and examples found within its pages offer a clear guide for believers. Visiting is an integral part of living out one's faith, reflecting the heart of God and the teachings of Scripture. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Visit.Greek 1984. episkope -- a visiting, an overseeing ... a visiting, an overseeing. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: episkope Phonetic Spelling: (ep-is-kop-ay') Short Definition: visitation of judgment ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1984.htm - 7k 1927. epidemeo -- to be at home 3939. paroikeo -- to dwell near, ie reside as a foreigner Strong's Hebrew 6485. paqad -- to attend to, visit, muster, appoint... 1), supervisors (1), surely take care (3), take care (1), take notice (1), took a census (1), took note (1), untouched* (1), visit (7), visited (6), visiting (4 ... /hebrew/6485.htm - 7k Library On visiting the Sick Ep. xxviii. In visiting the Mountain Cities which Border on ... Visiting Relatives in the East Of visiting Provinces. Jesus Living at Nazareth and visiting Jerusalem in his Twelfth ... Preface to Book ii. In the Homes of the People On the Death of the Rev. Mr. George Whitefield 1877-1879. "They Helped Every one his Neighbour" --Miss Child, a ... The Second Commandment Thesaurus Visiting (10 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance Visiting (10 Occurrences). ... Then visiting town after town he everywhere made known the Good News until he reached Caesarea. (WEY). ... /v/visiting.htm - 10k Re-visiting (1 Occurrence) Visit (97 Occurrences) Unpunished (24 Occurrences) Forgiving (11 Occurrences) Rebellion (51 Occurrences) Clearing (11 Occurrences) Steadfast (194 Occurrences) Jealous (43 Occurrences) Fourth (87 Occurrences) Resources Letter from the President of Got Questions Ministries | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of a kippah / yarmulke? | GotQuestions.org Should a church be seeker sensitive? | GotQuestions.org Visiting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Visiting (10 Occurrences)Luke 24:18 Acts 8:40 Acts 17:21 Acts 18:23 Exodus 20:5 Exodus 32:34 Exodus 34:7 Numbers 14:18 Deuteronomy 5:9 Jeremiah 27:22 Subtopics Related Terms |