In the biblical context, fugitives are individuals who flee from danger, persecution, or justice. The concept of being a fugitive is woven throughout the Scriptures, often highlighting themes of divine justice, mercy, and the human condition.

Old Testament

The notion of fugitives is first introduced in the early chapters of Genesis. After Cain murders Abel, he becomes a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth. God declares to Cain, "You will be a restless wanderer on the earth" (Genesis 4:12). Despite his sin, God shows mercy by placing a mark on Cain to protect him from being killed by others (Genesis 4:15).

The cities of refuge, established under Mosaic Law, provide another significant example. These cities were designated places where individuals who had accidentally killed someone could flee to escape the avenger of blood until they stood trial (Numbers 35:11-15). This provision underscores the balance between justice and mercy, allowing for due process and protection for those who unintentionally caused harm.

David, before becoming king, was a fugitive as he fled from King Saul. Despite being anointed by Samuel, David spent years on the run, hiding in caves and foreign lands. His time as a fugitive is detailed in 1 Samuel, where he often sought God's guidance and protection. In Psalm 57, written during his flight from Saul, David cries out, "Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in You my soul takes refuge" (Psalm 57:1).

New Testament

In the New Testament, the theme of fugitives is less prominent but still present. The Apostle Paul, for instance, experienced periods of flight due to persecution. In Acts 9:23-25, Paul escapes from Damascus by being lowered in a basket through an opening in the city wall, highlighting the early church's struggles and the need for believers to sometimes flee from danger.

The concept of spiritual fugitives is also evident. Humanity, in its sinful state, is depicted as estranged from God, akin to fugitives. The parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) illustrates this spiritual flight and the subsequent return to the Father, emphasizing repentance and reconciliation.

Theological Implications

Fugitives in the Bible often symbolize the broader human experience of sin, exile, and the search for redemption. The narratives of fugitives reflect the tension between justice and mercy, illustrating God's provision and protection even in times of distress. They also serve as a reminder of the ultimate refuge found in God, who offers forgiveness and restoration to those who seek Him.

Throughout Scripture, the accounts of fugitives reveal God's sovereignty and faithfulness, demonstrating that even in flight, His purposes prevail. The biblical portrayal of fugitives encourages believers to trust in God's justice and mercy, knowing that He is a refuge for the oppressed and a shelter in times of trouble.4499. menusah -- flight
... menusah or menusah. 4500 . flight. Transliteration: menusah or menusah Phonetic
Spelling: (men-oo-saw') Short Definition: fugitives. Word Origin fem. ...
/hebrew/4499.htm - 6k

6412a. palit -- escaped one, fugitive
... 6412, 6412a. palit. 6412b . escaped one, fugitive. Transliteration: palit
Short Definition: fugitives. Word Origin from palat Definition ...
/hebrew/6412a.htm - 5k

6413. peletah -- an escape
... Origin from palat Definition an escape NASB Word Usage deliverance (2), escape
(7), escaped (2), escaped remnant (3), escapes (1), fugitives (1), survivors (5 ...
/hebrew/6413.htm - 6k

5074. nadad -- to retreat, flee, depart, stray, wander, flutter
... stray, wander, flutter NASB Word Usage chased (1), chased away (1), could (1), flapped
(1), fled (6), flee (5), fleeing (1), fugitive (2), fugitives (1), shake ...
/hebrew/5074.htm - 6k

5127. nus -- to flee, escape
... Word Usage abated (1), drives (1), escape (1), escaped (2), fled (78), flee (54),
flee away (1), fleeing (5), flees (5), fugitive (2), fugitives (2), indeed ...
/hebrew/5127.htm - 6k

6412b. palet -- escaped one, fugitive
... Word Origin from palat Definition escaped one, fugitive NASB Word Usage fugitives
(1), refugees (2), survivors (1), who have escaped (1). 6412a, 6412b. ...
/hebrew/6412b.htm - 5k

1281. bariach -- fleeing
... fleeing. Word Origin adjective from barach Definition fleeing NASB Word
Usage fleeing (2), fugitives (2). crooked, noble, piercing. ...
/hebrew/1281.htm - 6k

Of Fugitives.
... LIV."Of Fugitives. The souls of those that are lost deservedly of themselves
separate themselves. Begotten of him, they again ...
/.../commodianus/the instructions of commodianus/liv of fugitives.htm

Matt. Ii. 2
... with boldness, and have stood against so great a people, and against a king's madness,
the angel sends us out of the city as runaways and fugitives?" But none ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily viii matt ii 2.htm

The Road to Pella
... that way to Jerusalem. There was no moon to show him whether there were
any recent marks of fugitives fleeing that way. He did not ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the city of delight/chapter xxiv the road to.htm

After This, Wishing to Prove that There is no Difference Between ...
... that there is no difference between Jews and Christians, and those animals previously
enumerated by him, he asserts that the Jews were "fugitives from Egypt ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxxi after this wishing.htm

A Path in the Sea
... This passage begins at the point where the fierce charge of the Egyptian chariots
and cavalry on the straggling masses of the fugitives is inexplicably arrested ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/a path in the sea.htm

The End
... Now the rest of the people that were left in the city, and the fugitives that fell
away to the king of Babylon, with the remnant of the multitude, did Nebuzar ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the end.htm

The Battle of Salamis.
... Urges a new council."The council convened again."Themistocles rebuked."Themistocles's
arguments for remaining at Salamis."Fugitives at Salamis."Views ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter xi the battle of.htm

Acts IX
... a large portion of the population, the exasperation of the Pharisees knew no bounds,
and Saul, with characteristic ardor, started in pursuit of the fugitives. ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts ix.htm

How John Tyrannized Over the Rest; and what Mischiefs the Zealots ...
... But as soon as these fugitives saw the horsemen that pursued them just upon their
backs, and before they came to a close fight, they ran together to a certain ...
/.../chapter 7 how john tyrannized.htm

Grace Triumphant
... Not content with carrying his hateful inquisition into the homes of the Christians
in Jerusalem, he will follow the fugitives to Damascus. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/grace triumphant.htm

Fugitives (21 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Fugitives (21 Occurrences). ... He has given his sons as fugitives,
and his daughters into captivity, to Sihon king of the Amorites. ...
/f/fugitives.htm - 13k

Noble (61 Occurrences)
... King James Version "have brought down all their nobles," the Revised Version (British
and American) has "I will bring down all of them as fugitives," margin "or ...
/n/noble.htm - 27k

Nobleman (5 Occurrences)
... King James Version "have brought down all their nobles," the Revised Version (British
and American) has "I will bring down all of them as fugitives," margin "or ...
/n/nobleman.htm - 12k

Nobles (71 Occurrences)
... King James Version "have brought down all their nobles," the Revised Version (British
and American) has "I will bring down all of them as fugitives," margin "or ...
/n/nobles.htm - 33k

Fugitive (12 Occurrences)
... (WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV). Isaiah 21:14 They brought water to him who was thirsty.
The inhabitants of the land of Tema met the fugitives with their bread. ...
/f/fugitive.htm - 11k

Gileadites (5 Occurrences)
... gathered together all the men of Gilead, and fought with Ephraim; and the men of
Gilead struck Ephraim, because they said, "You are fugitives of Ephraim, you ...
/g/gileadites.htm - 8k

Ephraimites (7 Occurrences)
... together all the men of Gilead, and fought with Ephraim: and the men of Gilead smote
Ephraim, because they said, Ye Gileadites are fugitives of Ephraim among ...
/e/ephraimites.htm - 8k

Makkedah (8 Occurrences)
... energetic commander marched all night with his full strength, fell upon the allies
at Gibeon, slew them with a great slaughter, chased the fugitives down the ...
/m/makkedah.htm - 12k

Dispersion (4 Occurrences)
... A host of fugitives, including Jeremiah and his friend Baruch, accordingly set out
thither, and settled at Migdol and Tahpanhes and Noph (Memphis), and in the ...
/d/dispersion.htm - 44k

E'phraim (146 Occurrences)
... 12:4 Then Jephthah gathered all the men of Gilead and fought with E'phraim; and
the men of Gilead smote E'phraim, because they said, "You are fugitives of E ...
/e/e'phraim.htm - 35k

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