The term "befalleth" is an archaic English word that means "happens to" or "occurs to." It is often used in the context of events or circumstances that come upon a person, whether by divine providence, natural occurrence, or human action. In the Bible, the concept of events befalling individuals or nations is frequently associated with God's sovereign will and the unfolding of His divine plan.

Biblical Usage and Context

The word "befalleth" is not commonly found in modern translations of the Bible, but the concept is prevalent throughout Scripture. It is often used to describe the unfolding of events in accordance with God's will, whether they are blessings or judgments.

Divine Providence

In the biblical narrative, events that befall individuals or nations are often seen as part of God's providential plan. For example, in the account of Joseph, what befalls him—being sold into slavery by his brothers, rising to power in Egypt, and ultimately saving his family from famine—is understood as God's providential care and purpose. Joseph himself acknowledges this in Genesis 50:20 : "As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people."

Judgment and Consequences

The Bible also speaks of calamities and judgments that befall people as a result of sin and disobedience. In Deuteronomy 28, Moses outlines the blessings and curses that will befall the Israelites depending on their obedience to God's commandments. Verses 15-16 state: "But if you do not obey the LORD your God by carefully following all His commandments and statutes I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: You will be cursed in the city and cursed in the country."

Human Responsibility

While the Bible emphasizes God's sovereignty, it also affirms human responsibility. The events that befall individuals can be a result of their own choices. Proverbs 22:8 warns, "He who sows injustice will reap disaster, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed." This highlights the principle of sowing and reaping, where the consequences of one's actions befall them in due time.

Trust in God's Sovereignty

For believers, the events that befall them are ultimately under God's control, and they are encouraged to trust in His wisdom and goodness. Romans 8:28 reassures Christians: "And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose." This verse underscores the belief that whatever befalls a believer is within the scope of God's redemptive plan.

Conclusion

The concept of "befalleth" in the Bible serves as a reminder of God's active role in the world and in the lives of individuals. Whether through blessings, trials, or judgments, what befalls people is intricately woven into the divine tapestry of God's sovereign will and purpose.4745. miqreh -- accident, chance, fortune
... From qarah; something met with, ie An accident or fortune -- something befallen,
befalleth, chance, event, hap(-peneth). see HEBREW qarah. 4744, 4745. ...
/hebrew/4745.htm - 6k

That, Namely, Befalleth them which in Undisciplined Younger Widows ...
... Section 26. That, namely, befalleth them which in undisciplined younger widows?
26. That, namely, befalleth them which in undisciplined ...
/.../augustine/of the work of monks /section 26 that namely befalleth.htm

The Lapse of Time.
... Thus does the world really cast off men's souls, and recognizing only their bodies,
it makes it appear as if "that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon i the lapse of.htm

The victory of Life (Preached at the Chapel Royal. )
... from their sadness. With him, 'that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth
beasts; as one dieth, so dieth the other. Yea, they ...
/.../kingsley/the water of life and other sermons/sermon iii the victory of.htm

The Image of the Earthly and the Heavenly
... For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts: as the one dieth, so
dieth the other: yea, they have all one breath: so that a man has no pre ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon x the image of.htm

Of the Work of Monks.
... This question I should briefly solve, if I should say? Section 26. That, namely,
befalleth them which in undisciplined younger widows? Section 27. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/of the work of monks /

Since These Things are So, Because it were Too Long to Treat ...
... for that we are men and among men do live, and I confess that I am not yet in the
number of them whom compensative sins embarrass not, it oft befalleth me in ...
/.../augustine/against lying/section 35 since these things.htm

That by virtue of this Word Sin is not Only Destroyed, but Also ...
... that is betwixt thee and thy God with a sharp dart of longing love, and loathe for
to think on aught under God, and go not thence for anything that befalleth. ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the twelfth chapter.htm

How a Man Shall Know when his Thought is no Sin; and if it be Sin ...
... And this befalleth when thou or any of them that I speak of wilfully draw upon thee
the remembrance of any man or woman living in this life, or of any bodily ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the tenth chapter.htm

A Short Conceit of the Work of this Book, Treated by Question.
... thee. And smite upon that thick cloud of unknowing with a sharp dart of
longing love; and go not thence for thing that befalleth. ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the sixth chapter.htm

That Without Imperfect Meekness Coming Before, it is Impossible ...
... And because I would by this knowing make thee more meek. For ofttimes it befalleth
that lacking of knowing is cause of much pride as me thinketh. ...
/.../anonymous/the cloud of unknowing/here beginneth the fourteenth chapter.htm

Befalleth (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Befalleth (3 Occurrences). Exodus 1:10 come, let
us deal wisely with them, lest they multiply, and it come ...
/b/befalleth.htm - 7k

Preeminence (5 Occurrences)
... Ecclesiastes 3:19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even
one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they ...
/p/preeminence.htm - 8k

Pre-eminence (6 Occurrences)
... Ecclesiastes 3:19 For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even
one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they ...
/p/pre-eminence.htm - 8k

Befallen (20 Occurrences)

/b/befallen.htm - 13k

Befalls (6 Occurrences)

/b/befalls.htm - 7k

Befall (25 Occurrences)
... Exodus 1:10 come, let us deal wisely with them, lest they multiply, and it come
to pass, that, when there befalleth us any war, they also join themselves unto ...
/b/befall.htm - 13k

Chance (78 Occurrences)
... "One event happeneth to them all" (Ecclesiastes 2:14, 15); "that which befalleth
the sons of men" ("sons of men are a chance," the English Revised Version ...
/c/chance.htm - 37k

Hate (177 Occurrences)
... Exodus 1:10 come, let us deal wisely with them, lest they multiply, and it come
to pass, that, when there befalleth us any war, they also join themselves unto ...
/h/hate.htm - 39k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus