In the biblical narrative, the concept of "crossing" often signifies a transition or passage from one state or place to another, frequently under divine guidance or intervention. This theme is prevalent in several key events throughout Scripture, symbolizing both physical and spiritual journeys.

Crossing the Red Sea

One of the most significant crossings in the Bible is the Israelites' passage through the Red Sea, as recorded in the Book of Exodus. This event marks the deliverance of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. Under the leadership of Moses, the Israelites found themselves trapped between Pharaoh's advancing army and the sea. In response to Moses' faith and obedience, God miraculously parted the waters, allowing the Israelites to cross on dry ground. Exodus 14:21-22 states, "Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left." This crossing is a powerful demonstration of God's sovereignty and faithfulness, serving as a pivotal moment in Israel's history and a foreshadowing of spiritual deliverance.

Crossing the Jordan River

Another significant crossing occurs when the Israelites enter the Promised Land. After wandering in the wilderness for forty years, the new generation of Israelites, led by Joshua, crosses the Jordan River. This event is recorded in Joshua 3-4. As the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant step into the river, the waters are miraculously halted, allowing the people to cross on dry ground. Joshua 3:17 describes, "The priests carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firmly on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel crossed over on dry ground, until the entire nation had completed the crossing." This crossing signifies the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham and the beginning of a new chapter in Israel's history.

Crossing as a Metaphor

Beyond physical crossings, the Bible uses the concept metaphorically to describe spiritual transitions. In the New Testament, Jesus speaks of crossing from death to life through faith in Him. John 5:24 states, "Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life." This spiritual crossing emphasizes the transformative power of faith and the new life available through Christ.

Crossing in Christian Life

For believers, the theme of crossing can also represent personal spiritual journeys and milestones. It may symbolize moments of decision, transformation, or entering into new phases of faith and obedience. Just as the Israelites experienced God's guidance and provision in their crossings, Christians are encouraged to trust in God's leading through life's transitions.

In summary, the theme of crossing in the Bible encompasses both literal and metaphorical transitions, highlighting God's faithfulness, the fulfillment of His promises, and the transformative journey of faith.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Cross.

2. (n.) The act by which anything is crossed; as, the crossing of the ocean.

3. (n.) The act of making the sign of the cross.

4. (n.) The act of interbreeding; a mixing of breeds.

5. (v. t.) Intersection, as of two paths or roads.

6. (n.) A place where anything (as a stream) is crossed; a paved walk across a street.

7. (v. t.) Contradiction; thwarting; obstruction.

952. bebelos -- permitted to be trodden, by impl. unhallowed
... 952 (an adjective, derived from , "go" and , "a threshold to enter a building") --
properly, , entry -- literally, "crossing a threshold" which because of. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/952.htm - 7k

1276. diaperao -- to cross over
... Word Origin from dia and a derivation of peran Definition to cross over NASB
Word Usage cross over (1), crossed over (4), crossing over (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1276.htm - 6k

5674a. abar -- to pass over, through, or by, pass on
... 3), continue (2), continued (13), continued through (1), contrary (2), cross (29),
cross over (31), crossed (31), crossed over (17), crossing (5), crossing ...
/hebrew/5674a.htm - 7k

7919b. sakal -- to lay crosswise
... to lay crosswise. Transliteration: sakal Short Definition: crossing. Word Origin
a prim. root Definition to lay crosswise NASB Word Usage crossing (1). ...
/hebrew/7919b.htm - 5k

4569. ma'abar -- a ford, pass, passing
... Or feminine mapabarah {mah-ab-aw-raw'}; from abar; a crossing-place (of a river,
a ford; of a mountain, a pass); abstractly, a transit, ie (figuratively ...
/hebrew/4569.htm - 5k

5679. abarah -- ford
... ferry, plain. From abar; a crossing-place -- ferry, plain (from the margin). see
HEBREW abar. 5678, 5679. abarah. 5680 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/5679.htm - 6k

A Difficult Crossing
... Chapter 13. Wesley in Scotland Again; Methodist's Wealth; "No Law for
Methodists"; Exhausting Days; Whitefield A Difficult Crossing. ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/a difficult crossing.htm

Crossing the River
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First CCCLXXXVI CROSSING THE RIVER. In some lone
walk through sunburnt fields, By sandy path and dusty road,. ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/ccclxxxvi crossing the river.htm

Of Elijah and Elisha Crossing the Jordan.
... Sixth Book. 27. Of Elijah and Elisha Crossing the Jordan. Another point
which we must not fail to notice is that when Elijah was ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/27 of elijah and elisha.htm

The Story of Israel Crossing Jordan under Joshua is Typical of ...
... Sixth Book. 26. The Story of Israel Crossing Jordan Under Joshua is Typical
of Christian Things, and is Written for Our Instruction. ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/26 the story of israel.htm

Crossing the River Jordan
... THE OLD TESTAMENT CROSSING THE RIVER JORDAN. ... And he and all the Israelites came
to the Jordan and spent the night there before crossing. ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/crossing the river jordan.htm

The Crossing of the Jordan
... CHAPTER TWO THE CROSSING OF THE JORDAN. THE CROSSING OF THE JORDAN Just
how did you feel at the time you were sanctified? I have ...
/.../berry/adventures in the land of canaan/chapter two the crossing of.htm

Troubles of Lingering at the Crossing
... CHAPTER FOUR TROUBLES OF LINGERING AT THE CROSSING. TROUBLES OF LINGERING
AT THE CROSSING Some time ago I consecrated to God for ...
/.../berry/adventures in the land of canaan/chapter four troubles of lingering.htm

Crossing the Hellespont.
... CHAPTER V. CROSSING THE HELLESPONT. BC480 ... On the dismission of the council, orders
were given to commence the crossing of the bridge the next day at sunrise. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter v crossing the hellespont.htm

Of the Lord's Crossing the Lake on that Occasion on which He Slept ...
... Chapter XXIV."Of the Lord's Crossing the Lake on that Occasion on Which He Slept
in the Vessel, and of the Casting Out of Those Devils Whom He Suffered to Go ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter xxiv of the lords crossing.htm

Leaves College. Goes to Alexandria, Ky. An Adventure in Ohio. A ...
... An Adventure in Ohio. A Baby not Baptized. Peril in Crossing the River. Opens His
School. ... A Baby not Baptized. Peril in Crossing the River. Opens His School. ...
/.../chapter ix leaves college goes.htm

Crossing (26 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Cross. 2. (n.) The act by which anything is crossed; as,
the crossing of the ocean. ... Multi-Version Concordance Crossing (26 Occurrences). ...
/c/crossing.htm - 14k

Crossing-places (3 Occurrences)
Crossing-places. Crossing, Crossing-places. Crossings . Multi-Version
Concordance Crossing-places (3 Occurrences). Judges ...
/c/crossing-places.htm - 7k

River-crossing (1 Occurrence)
River-crossing. Riverbed, River-crossing. River-grass . Multi-Version
Concordance River-crossing (1 Occurrence). Joshua ...
/r/river-crossing.htm - 6k

Gilgal (39 Occurrences)
... (2.) The place in "the plains of Jericho," "in the east border of Jericho," where
the Israelites first encamped after crossing the Jordan (Joshua 4:19, 20). ...
/g/gilgal.htm - 27k

Pihahiroth (4 Occurrences)
... If any one of the places mentioned in connection with the crossing of the Red Sea
could be located approximately, all the others could, also, be similarly ...
/p/pihahiroth.htm - 10k

Pi-hahiroth (4 Occurrences)
... If any one of the places mentioned in connection with the crossing of the Red Sea
could be located approximately, all the others could, also, be similarly ...
/p/pi-hahiroth.htm - 10k

Network (19 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) A coalition of various organizations; a fabric of threads, cords, or wires
crossing at certain intervals, and knotted or secured at the crossings, thus ...
/n/network.htm - 14k

Elim (5 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Trees, (Exodus 15:27; Numbers 33:9), the name of the second
station where the Israelites encamped after crossing the Red Sea. ...
/e/elim.htm - 9k

Abel-shittim (1 Occurrence)
... For many weeks before crossing the Jordan, Israel was encamped in the vicinity
of the Jordan valley, North of the Dead Sea, East of the river. ...
/a/abel-shittim.htm - 10k

Abelshittim (1 Occurrence)
... For many weeks before crossing the Jordan, Israel was encamped in the vicinity
of the Jordan valley, North of the Dead Sea, East of the river. ...
/a/abelshittim.htm - 10k

What was the significance of the Jordan crossing? | GotQuestions.org

Did the Israelites in the book of Exodus cross the Red Sea or the Reed Sea? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of Shittim in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Crossing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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