The term "wentest" is an archaic form of the verb "went," which is the past tense of "go." While the word itself does not appear in modern translations of the Bible, it is reminiscent of the language found in older translations such as the King James Version. In the context of the Bible, "wentest" would be used to describe the action of going or traveling, often in relation to the journeys of biblical figures or the movement of God’s people.

Biblical Context and Usage

1. Patriarchal Journeys: The concept of "going" or "journeying" is significant in the narratives of the patriarchs. Abraham, for instance, is called by God to leave his homeland and go to a land that God would show him. Genesis 12:1 states, "The LORD said to Abram, 'Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.'" This command set the stage for the unfolding of God’s covenant with Abraham and his descendants.

2. Exodus and Wilderness Wanderings: The Israelites' exodus from Egypt and their subsequent wanderings in the wilderness are central themes in the Old Testament. The act of going, or "wentest," is a recurring motif as the Israelites follow God's guidance through the desert. Exodus 13:21 notes, "And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to guide their way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night."

3. Prophetic Missions: Prophets in the Bible often received divine instructions to go to specific places or people to deliver God’s messages. Jonah, for example, is commanded to go to Nineveh. Jonah 1:2 records, "Arise, go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before Me."

4. New Testament Journeys: The New Testament also emphasizes the theme of going, particularly in the context of the Great Commission. Jesus instructs His disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel. Matthew 28:19 states, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

Theological Implications

The act of going, as encapsulated in the term "wentest," often signifies obedience to God’s commands and the fulfillment of His purposes. It reflects a response to divine calling and an active participation in God’s redemptive plan. The journeys of biblical figures are not merely physical travels but are deeply spiritual endeavors that contribute to the unfolding of God’s covenantal promises.

Cultural and Historical Significance

In biblical times, journeys were fraught with challenges and uncertainties. The act of going required faith and trust in God’s provision and protection. The patriarchs, prophets, and apostles who "went" as directed by God often faced opposition, hardship, and danger, yet their obedience was instrumental in advancing God’s kingdom.

Conclusion

While the specific term "wentest" may not appear in contemporary Bible translations, its essence is captured in the numerous accounts of faithful individuals who responded to God’s call to go. These narratives continue to inspire believers to trust in God’s guidance and to participate in His mission in the world.

Youth and Age, and the Command for Both
... you will be wise to do. 'When thou wast young thou girdedst thyself, and wentest
whither thou wouldest. When thou shalt be old another ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture st john chaps xv to xxi/youth and age and the.htm

Psalm LXVIII.
... 2707]. 8. "O God, when Thou wentest forth before Thy people" (ver.7). His
going forth is perceived, when He appeareth in His works. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxviii.htm

Acts x. 44, 46
... And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended
with him, saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xxiv acts x 44.htm

The First Part
... when thou wentest out before thy people; when thou wentest through the wilderness;
the earth trembled and the heavens dropped at the presence of God," &c. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the first part .htm

Demonstration viii. --Of the Resurrection of the Dead.
... Thou hast gone astray; as water, thou shalt not abide, because thou wentest
up father's bed. Truly thou defilest my couch and wentest up. ...
/.../aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration viii of the resurrection of.htm

1 John v. 3-Jan
... feet unable to walk: but if they seemed good, before thou didst believe, thou didst
run indeed, but by running aside from the way thou wentest astray instead ...
/.../ten homilies on the epistle of john to the parthians/homily x 1 john v.htm

Heralds of the Morning
... The sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of Thine arrows they
went, and at the shining of Thy glittering spear." "Thou wentest forth for ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 17 heralds of the.htm

Heralds of the Morning.
... The sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of Thine arrows they
went, and at the shining of Thy glittering spear." "Thou wentest forth for ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /17 heralds of the morning.htm

Repentance unto Life
... it was so opposite to all their Jewish education, that we find them summoning Peter
before a council of Christians, and saving to him, "thou wentest in to men ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/repentance unto life.htm

Deborah's Song
... Lord, when thou wentest forth out of Seir, When thou marchedst out of the field
of Edom, The earth trembled, the heavens also dropped, Yea, the clouds dropped ...
/.../various/select masterpieces of biblical literature/iv deborahs song.htm

Wentest (16 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Wentest (16 Occurrences). Acts 11:3 Saying, Thou wentest
in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. (KJV ASV DBY WBS). ...
/w/wentest.htm - 11k

Uncovering (13 Occurrences)
... Habakkuk 3:13 Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, For the salvation
of thine anointed; Thou woundest the head out of the house of the wicked man ...
/u/uncovering.htm - 10k

Unstable (8 Occurrences)
... Genesis 49:4 Unstable as water, thou shalt not excel; because thou wentest up to
thy father's bed; then defiledst thou it: he went up to my couch. ...
/u/unstable.htm - 8k

Guide-posts (1 Occurrence)
... Jeremiah 31:21 Set thee up waymarks, make thee guide-posts; set thy heart toward
the highway, even the way by which thou wentest: turn again, O virgin of Israel ...
/g/guide-posts.htm - 6k

Woundest (1 Occurrence)
... Habakkuk 3:13 Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, For the salvation
of thine anointed; Thou woundest the head out of the house of the wicked man ...
/w/woundest.htm - 6k

Went (14716 Occurrences)

/w/went.htm - 6k

Woundedst (1 Occurrence)
... Habakkuk 3:13 Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation
with thine anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked ...
/w/woundedst.htm - 6k

Whithersoever (32 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 7:9 And I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all
thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto ...
/w/whithersoever.htm - 17k

Waymarks (1 Occurrence)
... Jeremiah 31:21 Set thee up waymarks, make thee high heaps: set thine heart toward
the highway, even the way which thou wentest: turn again, O virgin of Israel ...
/w/waymarks.htm - 6k

Way-marks (1 Occurrence)
... Jeremiah 31:21 Set thee up way-marks, make thee high heaps: set thy heart towards
the highway, even the way which thou wentest; turn again, O virgin of Israel ...
/w/way-marks.htm - 6k

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