Definition and Usage:
The term "forestall" generally means to prevent or hinder by taking action ahead of time. In a biblical context, it often refers to actions taken to preempt or avert certain events or outcomes. The concept of forestalling can be seen in various narratives and teachings throughout the Bible, where individuals or God Himself takes steps to prevent certain occurrences.

Biblical References and Examples:

1. Divine Intervention:
God often forestalls events to fulfill His divine purposes. For instance, in the account of Joseph, God forestalls the famine's devastating effects by elevating Joseph to a position of power in Egypt, allowing him to prepare and store food. This preemptive action ensures the survival of many, including the Israelites (Genesis 41:33-36).

2. Human Actions:
In the Book of Esther, Mordecai and Esther forestall the annihilation of the Jewish people by taking strategic actions. Mordecai uncovers a plot against the king and later advises Esther to intercede with King Xerxes, which ultimately leads to the deliverance of the Jews (Esther 4:13-16).

3. Warnings and Prophecies:
The Bible contains numerous instances where prophets are sent to forestall impending judgment by calling people to repentance. Jonah's mission to Nineveh is a prime example. God sends Jonah to warn the city of its impending destruction, and the people’s repentance forestalls the judgment (Jonah 3:4-10).

4. Jesus’ Teachings:
Jesus often taught His disciples to be vigilant and prepared, effectively forestalling spiritual complacency. In the parable of the ten virgins, Jesus emphasizes the importance of readiness, as the wise virgins forestall being shut out by keeping their lamps filled with oil (Matthew 25:1-13).

5. Apostolic Guidance:
The Apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently advises believers to forestall sin and temptation by living in accordance with the Spirit. In Ephesians 6:11, Paul instructs believers to "put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes," highlighting the proactive measures needed to prevent spiritual downfall.

Theological Implications:

The concept of forestalling in the Bible underscores the importance of wisdom, foresight, and obedience to God's will. It reflects the belief that while God is sovereign, He often works through human agency to accomplish His purposes. Believers are encouraged to be proactive in their faith, taking steps to align with God's plans and avert negative outcomes. This proactive stance is seen as a demonstration of faith and trust in God's providence and guidance.1. (v. t.) To take beforehand, or in advance; to anticipate.

2. (v. t.) To take possession of, in advance of some one or something else, to the exclusion or detriment of the latter; to get ahead of; to preoccupy; also, to exclude, hinder, or prevent, by prior occupation, or by measures taken in advance.

3. (v. t.) To deprive; -- with of.

4. (v. t.) To obstruct or stop up, as a way; to stop the passage of on highway; to intercept on the road, as goods on the way to market.

4399. prophthano -- to anticipate
... anticipate. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: prophthano Phonetic Spelling:
(prof-than'-o) Short Definition: I anticipate Definition: I anticipate, forestall ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4399.htm - 6k6923. qadam -- to come or be in front, meet
... NASB Word Usage anticipate (1), before (2), come (2), come to meet (1), come before
(3), comes before (1), confront (3), confronted (4), forestall (1), given (1 ...
/hebrew/6923.htm - 6k

How the Slothful and the Hasty are to be Admonished.
... former are to be persuaded not to lose, by putting it off, the good they have to
do; but the latter are to be admonished lest, while they forestall the time of ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter xv how the slothful.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... Hanun determined to forestall the war which he believed to be inevitable, and, in
alliance with the Aramaeans, to crush the rising power of David. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

Letter xxx (Circa AD 1132) to Henry, Bishop of Winchester
... I do not fear but that you will receive the humble return that I make, since you
have been so kind as to forestall me by your affection and the honour that you ...
/.../some letters of saint bernard abbot of clairvaux/letter xxx circa a d 1132.htm

Dignity and Service
... Their present place might well lead them to expect pre-eminence in the kingdom,
but their trick was mean, as being an underhand attempt to forestall Peter, the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/dignity and service.htm

Letter xvi. --The Operations of Grace.
... Wait patiently in silence and resignation, as the holy king, David, said, "Like
a servant waits with her eyes fixed on her mistress to forestall and accomplish ...
/.../abandonment to divine providence/letter xvi the operations of grace.htm

On the Feast of the Epiphany, I.
... Why dost thou attempt to change the unchangeable order of things ordained, and to
forestall others in their crime? The death of Christ belongs not to thy time. ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon xxxi on the feast.htm

Council Held at Sardica.
... Perhaps the calumnies of the Arians have already reached you, and they have endeavoured
thus to forestall the council, and make you believe their groundless ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of theodoret/chapter vi council held at sardica.htm

A Time to Flee and a Time to Stay.
... Yet did they not desire to avoid the time of death when it arrived; for their concern
was neither to shrink from it when it came, nor to forestall the sentence ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/17 a time to flee.htm

Epistle Lxxv. To Gennadius, Patrician, and Exarch Throughout ...
... But when, God granting it, you forestall future victories, not by carnal provision,
but rather by prayers, it becomes a matter of astonishment how your glory ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle lxxv to gennadius patrician.htm

On the Feast of the Nativity, iv.
... But because in unhappy rashness he trusted the envious deceiver, and agreeing to
his presumptuous counsels, preferred to forestall rather than to win the ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon xxiv on the feast.htm

Forestall (2 Occurrences)
... way to market. Multi-Version Concordance Forestall (2 Occurrences). 1
Thessalonians 4:15 For this we declare to you on the Lord's ...
/f/forestall.htm - 7k

Forestalled (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Forestall. Multi-Version Concordance
Forestalled (1 Occurrence). Psalms 119:148 Mine eyes ...
/f/forestalled.htm - 6k

Disappoint (2 Occurrences)
... Version wherever "disappoint" is used with an object: Job 5:12, "frustrateth"; Psalm
17:13, "confront him," the Revised Version, margin "forestall"; Judith 16:6 ...
/d/disappoint.htm - 8k

Previously (44 Occurrences)
... declare to you on the Lord's own authority--that we who are alive and continue on
earth until the Coming of the Lord, shall certainly not forestall those who ...
/p/previously.htm - 20k

Stall (7 Occurrences)
... 11. (vt) To plunge into mire or snow so as not to be able to get on; to set; to
fix; as, to stall a cart. 12. (vt) To forestall; to anticipate. Having. 13. ...
/s/stall.htm - 11k

Continue (144 Occurrences)
... declare to you on the Lord's own authority--that we who are alive and continue on
earth until the Coming of the Lord, shall certainly not forestall those who ...
/c/continue.htm - 36k

Declare (346 Occurrences)
... declare to you on the Lord's own authority--that we who are alive and continue on
earth until the Coming of the Lord, shall certainly not forestall those who ...
/d/declare.htm - 37k

Forest (67 Occurrences)

/f/forest.htm - 37k

Passed (329 Occurrences)
... declare to you on the Lord's own authority--that we who are alive and continue on
earth until the Coming of the Lord, shall certainly not forestall those who ...
/p/passed.htm - 34k

Forestalling (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Forestall. Multi-Version
Concordance Forestalling (1 Occurrence). Colossians 4:5 in ...
/f/forestalling.htm - 6k

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