The term "withdraweth" is an archaic form of the verb "withdraw," which means to remove oneself or retreat from a situation, place, or relationship. In the context of the Bible, "withdraweth" often refers to God's actions, human behavior, or spiritual conditions where there is a pulling back or distancing.

Divine Withdrawal

In Scripture, God sometimes withdraws His presence or favor as a response to sin or disobedience. This withdrawal serves as a form of judgment or discipline, intended to lead individuals or nations to repentance. For example, in Hosea 5:6, the prophet declares, "They will go with their flocks and herds to seek the LORD, but they will not find Him; He has withdrawn Himself from them." This passage illustrates how God's withdrawal is a consequence of Israel's unfaithfulness.

Human Withdrawal

Humans also withdraw from God, often due to sin, fear, or rebellion. In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve withdrew from God’s presence after their disobedience (Genesis 3:8). This act of hiding signifies a spiritual withdrawal, highlighting the separation that sin causes between humanity and God.

The Psalms frequently express a longing for God not to withdraw His presence. Psalm 51:11 pleads, "Cast me not away from Your presence; take not Your Holy Spirit from me." This reflects the psalmist's understanding of the dire consequences of divine withdrawal and the deep desire for restored fellowship with God.

Spiritual and Moral Withdrawal

The Bible also addresses the concept of withdrawing from evil or unrighteousness. In 2 Timothy 3:5, Paul advises Timothy to avoid those who have "a form of godliness but deny its power. Turn away from such as these." This instruction to withdraw from false teachers and immoral influences underscores the importance of maintaining spiritual purity and integrity.

Community and Fellowship

Withdrawal can also pertain to community dynamics within the body of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 5:11, Paul instructs the church to "not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. With such a man do not even eat." This form of withdrawal serves as a corrective measure, aiming to bring about repentance and restoration.

Conclusion

The concept of "withdraweth" in the Bible encompasses both divine and human actions, reflecting the complex dynamics of relationship, obedience, and holiness. Whether it is God withdrawing His presence as a form of judgment or individuals withdrawing from sin to pursue righteousness, the term underscores the importance of maintaining a close and faithful relationship with the Lord.

Shall I not My God be Praising?
... flow. As a father ne'er withdraweth From his child his love away, Though
he often evil doeth, And from wisdom's paths doth stray. ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/shall i not my god.htm

Of Inordinate Affections
... desires. And therefore, when he withdraweth himself from these, he is
often sad, and easily angered too if any oppose his will. ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter vi of inordinate affections.htm

Of the Obedience of one in Lowly Subjection after the Example of ...
... "My Son, he who striveth to withdraw himself from obedience, withdraweth himself
also from grace, and he who seeketh private advantages, loseth those which are ...
/.../kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xiii of the obedience.htm

Of the Love of Solitude and Silence
... worldly distraction. To him who withdraweth himself from his acquaintance
and friends God with his holy angels will draw nigh. It ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xx of the love.htm

John Chapter xiv. 10-14.
... 1. Give close attention, and try to understand, beloved; for while it is we who
speak it is He Himself who never withdraweth His presence from us who is our ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate lxxi john chapter xiv.htm

The Power and Works of Christ are Proved from the Scriptures.
... We are counted by him as triflers; he withdraweth himself from our ways, as from
filthiness; he commendeth greatly the latter end of the just, and boasteth ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xlv the power and works.htm

Of the Passion of Jesus Christ; that it was Foretold.
... [689] We are counted by him as triflers, [690] he withdraweth himself from our ways
as from filthiness; he commendeth greatly [691] the latter end of the just ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xvi of the passion of.htm

John Chapter xiv. 25-27.
... the Father. And what is it He leaveth with us, when ascending from us,
save His own presence, which He never withdraweth? For He ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate lxxvii john chapter xiv.htm

John xii. 34
... perisheth" ( c. vi.27 ); and after having said great things of Himself, that He
came down from Heaven, that He giveth eternal life, He again withdraweth Himself ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lxviii john xii 34.htm

The Life of Mr. Patrick Hamilton.
... that he who hath one of them hath all, and he that lacketh one lacketh all.8. That
God is the cause of sin, in this sense, that he withdraweth his grace from ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr patrick.htm

Withdraweth (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Withdraweth (3 Occurrences). Job 9:13 +God withdraweth
not his anger; the proud helpers stoop under him: (DBY). ...
/w/withdraweth.htm - 7k

Withdrawing (3 Occurrences)

/w/withdrawing.htm - 7k

Withdrawest (4 Occurrences)

/w/withdrawest.htm - 7k

Exalts (13 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV NIV). Job 36:7 He withdraweth not His eyes from the righteous; but
with kings upon the throne He setteth them for ever, and they are exalted. ...
/e/exalts.htm - 9k

Setteth (116 Occurrences)
... (See JPS ASV DBY). Job 36:7 He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: But
with kings upon the throne He setteth them for ever, and they are exalted. ...
/s/setteth.htm - 35k

Establish (133 Occurrences)
... Job 36:7 He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings are they
on the throne; yea, he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted. ...
/e/establish.htm - 39k

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