Fray
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Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "fray" is not directly used in most modern translations, including the Berean Standard Bible . However, the concept of a fray, understood as a conflict, battle, or skirmish, is prevalent throughout the biblical narrative. The Bible often addresses themes of conflict, both physical and spiritual, and provides guidance on how believers are to engage in and understand these struggles.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament is replete with accounts of physical battles and conflicts as the Israelites sought to establish themselves in the Promised Land. One notable example is the battle of Jericho, where the Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, followed God's instructions to bring down the walls of the city (Joshua 6). This event underscores the belief that God fights for His people and that victory in physical frays is often attributed to divine intervention.

Another significant instance is the battle between David and Goliath (1 Samuel 17). This account highlights the theme of faith and reliance on God in the face of overwhelming odds. David's victory over Goliath is not just a physical triumph but also a spiritual one, demonstrating that God empowers those who trust in Him.

Spiritual Warfare

The New Testament shifts the focus from physical battles to spiritual warfare. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, writes about the armor of God, emphasizing that the struggle is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:10-18). This passage encourages believers to equip themselves with truth, righteousness, faith, and the Word of God to stand firm in spiritual frays.

In 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 , Paul further elaborates on this theme: "For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. The weapons of our warfare are not the weapons of the world. Instead, they have divine power to demolish strongholds." This underscores the belief that spiritual battles require divine assistance and the use of spiritual tools rather than physical might.

Jesus and Conflict

Jesus Christ's ministry also involved various forms of conflict, though not in the traditional sense of physical battles. His teachings often challenged the religious authorities of the time, leading to numerous confrontations. In Matthew 10:34 , Jesus states, "Do not assume that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." This metaphorical sword represents the division that His message would cause, as it calls individuals to make a decisive choice regarding their faith.

Christian Conduct in Conflict

The Bible provides guidance on how Christians should conduct themselves in the midst of conflict. Romans 12:18 advises, "If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone." This verse encourages believers to seek peace and reconciliation whenever possible, reflecting the character of Christ.

Moreover, in Matthew 5:9 , Jesus pronounces a blessing on peacemakers: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." This beatitude highlights the value placed on those who actively seek to resolve conflicts and promote peace.

In summary, while the term "fray" may not appear explicitly in the Bible, the concept of conflict is a significant theme throughout Scripture. Whether in physical battles or spiritual warfare, the Bible provides insights and instructions for believers on how to navigate these challenges with faith and integrity.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) Fight, or (v.) To become ragged at the ends.

2. (v. t.) To frighten; to terrify; to alarm.

3. (v. t.) To bear the expense of; to defray.

4. (v. t.) To rub; to wear off, or wear into shreds, by rubbing; to fret, as cloth; as, a deer is said to fray her head.

5. (v. i.) To rub.

6. (v. i.) To wear out or into shreds, or to suffer injury by rubbing, as when the threads of the warp or of the woof wear off so that the cross threads are loose; to ravel; as, the cloth frays badly.

7. (n.) A fret or chafe, as in cloth; a place injured by rubbing.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
FRAY

fra (haradh, "to make afraid," "cause to tremble": the King James Version of Deuteronomy 28:26 Jeremiah 7:33 Zechariah 1:21; the Revised Version (British and American) "frighten," "terrify").

See WAR.

Greek
3750. osphresis -- the sense of smell, smelling
... the sense of smell, smelling. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: osphresis
Phonetic Spelling: (os'-fray-sis) Short Definition: the sense of smell ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3750.htm - 6k

2480. ischuo -- to be strong, have power
... meton: I prevail. Cognate: 2480 -- properly, embodied strength that "gets
into the fray" (action), ie the resistance. For the believer ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2480.htm - 9k

Strong's Hebrew
2729. charad -- to tremble, be terrified
... be make afraid, be careful, discomfit, fray away, quake, tremble. A primitive
root; to shudder with terror; hence, to fear; also ...
/hebrew/2729.htm - 6k
Library

The Knight of God
... But if I must be a knight of God, it were better to gain my knighthood by fight
and fray, and the honour and the glory would be greater." But the Lord said to ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bevan/three friends of god/chapter lii the knight of.htm

Introduction
... the supervision of the Saint, who introduced many changes; when completed the original
was handed to Father Jerome Gracian and to the Dominican, Fray Diego de ...
/.../teresa/the interior castle or the mansions/introduction.htm

Vesalius the Anatomist {9}
... of the prince's bed; and in the afternoon there entered, with a procession likewise,
a shrine containing the bones of a holy anchorite, one Fray Diego, "whose ...
/.../kingsley/historical lectures and essays/vesalius the anatomist 9.htm

Good Earnests of Great Success
... prevail against you. Only may the King himself lead us onward to the fray,
and we shall not fear the result. Having thus looked ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 14 1868/good earnests of great success.htm

The Christian's Book
... It has been attacked and denounced and seemingly demolished only in the end to lead
its critics captive and to come forth from the fray stronger than ever. ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study vi the christians book.htm

Footnotes
... i.-pp.307-19. {12} In justice to poor Doctor Olivarez, it must be said that, while
he allows all force to the intercession of the Virgin and of Fray Diego, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/historical lectures and essays/footnotes.htm

Morning Hymn
... And when the sun rose in the sky He halted on his shrivelled thigh: His natural
might had ebbed away, Vanquished in that tremendous fray. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/ii morning hymn.htm

Christ Lag in Todesbanden. Christ was Laid in Death's Strong Bands ...
... Hallelujah! 4. Strange and dreadful was the fray, When Death and Life contended;
But 'twas Life that won the day, And Death's dark sway was ended. ...
/.../bacon/the hymns of martin luther/ix christ lag in todesbanden.htm

The Soul Winner
... We should regard the Christian church not as an association for mutual admiration
and comfort, but as an army with banners, marching to the fray to achieve ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the soul winner.htm

War! War! War!
... I speak now, after a spiritual manner, to the church of Christ. I say,
"Let us mingle in the fray; let us have something to do. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/war war war.htm

Thesaurus
Fray (4 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To rub; to wear off, or wear into shreds, by rubbing; to fret, as cloth;
as, a deer is said to fray her head. 5. (vi) To rub. ...FRAY. ...
/f/fray.htm - 8k

Fowls (61 Occurrences)
... (KJV DBY WBS). Deuteronomy 28:26 And thy carcass shall be meat unto all fowls of
the air, and unto the beasts of the earth, and no man shall fray them away. ...
/f/fowls.htm - 25k

Fowl (73 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 28:26 And thy carcass shall be meat unto all fowls of the air, and
unto the beasts of the earth, and no man shall fray them away. ...
/f/fowl.htm - 36k

Onslaught (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) An attack; an onset; a furious or murderous assault.
2. (n.) A bloody fray or battle. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/o/onslaught.htm - 7k

Fret (9 Occurrences)
... water. 6. (vt) To tease; to irritate; to vex. 7. (vi) To be worn away; to
chafe; to fray; as, a wristband frets on the edges. 8. (vi ...
/f/fret.htm - 13k

Fraudulently (2 Occurrences)

/f/fraudulently.htm - 7k

Freckled (1 Occurrence)

/f/freckled.htm - 7k

Carcases (24 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 7:33 And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the
heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray them away. ...
/c/carcases.htm - 14k

Homicide (1 Occurrence)
... Killing a thief who broke in during the night was not accounted murder (Exodus
22:2). Unintentional killing of the pregnant woman in a fray was punished ...
/h/homicide.htm - 10k

Carcass (30 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 28:26 And thy carcass shall be meat unto all fowls of the air, and
unto the beasts of the earth, and no man shall fray them away. ...
/c/carcass.htm - 18k

Resources
When can music be considered 'Christian music'? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Gamaliel in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Fray: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Fray (4 Occurrences)

Deuteronomy 28:26
And thy carcass shall be meat unto all fowls of the air, and unto the beasts of the earth, and no man shall fray them away.
(KJV)

Job 39:21
He paws in the valley, and rejoices in his strength. He goes out to meet the armed men.
(See NIV)

Jeremiah 7:33
And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray them away.
(KJV)

Zechariah 1:21
Then said I, What come these to do? And he spake, saying, These are the horns which have scattered Judah, so that no man did lift up his head: but these are come to fray them, to cast out the horns of the Gentiles, which lifted up their horn over the land of Judah to scatter it.
(KJV)

Subtopics

Fray

Related Terms

Spot (42 Occurrences)

Leper (34 Occurrences)

Leprosy (51 Occurrences)

Fray (4 Occurrences)

Tetter (1 Occurrence)

Groweth (29 Occurrences)

Darkish (1 Occurrence)

Spotted (9 Occurrences)

Free (454 Occurrences)

Weak (102 Occurrences)

Fraudulently
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