Topical Bible: Goodbye

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The term "goodbye" is not explicitly found in the Bible, as it is a modern English expression derived from the phrase "God be with ye." However, the concept of parting and farewell is present throughout the Scriptures, often accompanied by blessings, prayers, and expressions of hope for God's continued presence and guidance.

Biblical Farewells

1. Old Testament Examples:
· In the Old Testament, farewells often involved blessings and expressions of hope for God's protection. For instance, when Jacob left his family to flee from Esau, Isaac blessed him, saying, "May God Almighty bless you and make you fruitful and multiply you, that you may become a company of peoples" (Genesis 28:3). This blessing served as a farewell and a prayer for God's continued presence with Jacob.

2. New Testament Examples:
· The New Testament also contains instances of farewell, often accompanied by prayers and exhortations. In Acts 20:36-38, Paul bids farewell to the Ephesian elders with prayer and tears, knowing he would not see them again. "When he had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him" (Acts 20:36-37). This emotional parting highlights the deep bonds formed within the early Christian community and the reliance on God's guidance in their separation.

Expressions of God's Presence

The essence of "goodbye" as "God be with you" is deeply rooted in the biblical understanding of God's omnipresence and faithfulness. Throughout Scripture, believers are assured of God's constant presence, even in times of separation.

· The Great Commission: In Matthew 28:20, Jesus assures His disciples of His perpetual presence, saying, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" . This promise provides comfort and assurance to believers that, regardless of physical separation, Christ remains with them.

· The Benediction: The Aaronic blessing in Numbers 6:24-26 serves as a divine farewell, invoking God's presence and peace: "The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace" . This blessing is often used in Christian liturgies as a farewell, emphasizing God's continued care and presence.

Christian Fellowship and Parting

The early Christian community placed a strong emphasis on fellowship and mutual support, as seen in the frequent gatherings and communal living described in Acts. Parting from fellow believers was often marked by prayer and expressions of love, reflecting the unity and bond shared in Christ.

· Paul's Letters: The apostle Paul frequently concluded his epistles with farewells that included blessings and prayers for the recipients. For example, in 2 Corinthians 13:11, he writes, "Finally, brothers, rejoice! Aim for perfect harmony, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you" . These farewells served to strengthen the community and remind them of God's presence.

Conclusion

While the specific word "goodbye" does not appear in the Bible, the concept of parting with a blessing and the assurance of God's presence is a recurring theme. Biblical farewells often include prayers, blessings, and expressions of hope for God's continued guidance, reflecting the deep spiritual bonds within the community of faith.

Library

Brother Hugh
... Goodbye to beef, butter, and good red wheat; white corn, sad vegetables, cold water,
sackcloth take their place, with fasts on bread and water, and festivals ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter ii brother hugh.htm

Little Jennie's Sickness and Death
... I:said: "Ollie, let go of her hand, that is the Lord's doings." After I finished,
she kissed her father, mother, and sister and bade them goodbye; then called ...
/.../little jennies sickness and death.htm

Why Christ must Depart
... was at its height, when their friendship was now pledged indissolubly in the first
most solemn sacrament, the unexpected words come, "I must say goodbye; it is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/the ideal life/why christ must depart.htm

"Little Mother"
... She explained to Rob that he must guard the basket, and that they must
sit still. "Goodbye, dears. Say a prayer for sister, Rob. ...
/.../shaw/touching incidents and remarkable answers to prayer/little mother.htm

The Dying News Boy
... I cannot talk so loud. I can kinder see the angels holding out their hands for
me to come to that beautiful place called heaven. Goodbye, boys. ...
/.../shaw/touching incidents and remarkable answers to prayer/the dying news boy.htm

"I'll Never Steal Again --If Father Kills Me for It"
... "That's the little hymn, sir; Goodbye.". The gentleman went away, came
back again in less than two hours and climbed the ladder. ...
/.../ill never steal againif father.htm

Tarry Ye --Go Ye.
... These men stand gazing on that face, listening for His words. There is a
consciousness that the goodbye word is about to be spoken. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/tarry yego ye.htm

Letter ccx. To the Notables of Neoc??sarea.
... But do you bid goodbye to those wine-laden heads, bemuddled by the swelling fumes
that mount from their debauch, and from me who am wide awake and from fear of ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter ccx to the notables.htm

Made Known in the Breaking of Bread.
... as before and was recognized. And then at the last upon Olives' top came
the goodbye meeting and message. It is surely worthy of ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks about jesus/made known in the breaking.htm

A Notice of Aetius, Eunomius' Master in Heresy, and of Eunomius ...
... of the alphabet for boys to form syllables with, winning his bread with the money
these sold for.) Seeing all this in his father's life, he said goodbye to the ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 6 a notice of.htm

Thesaurus

Goodbye (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Goodbye (1 Occurrence). Acts 21:6 After saying goodbye
to each other, we went on board the ship, and they returned home again. (WEB). ...
/g/goodbye.htm - 6k

Good-by (8 Occurrences)
Good-by. Good, Good-by. Goodbye . ... (See NIV). Acts 21:6 After saying goodbye
to each other, we went on board the ship, and they returned home again. (See NIV ...
/g/good-by.htm - 8k

Good-bye (1 Occurrence)
Good-bye. Goodbye, Good-bye. Good-day . Noah Webster's Dictionary (n. / interj ...
WEY NAS). Goodbye, Good-bye. Good-day . Reference Bible.
/g/good-bye.htm - 6k

Aboard (10 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS RSV). Acts 21:6 After saying goodbye to each other, we went
on board the ship, and they returned home again. (See NIV). ...
/a/aboard.htm - 9k

Board (47 Occurrences)
... (Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Acts 21:6 After saying goodbye
to each other, we went on board the ship, and they returned home again. ...
/b/board.htm - 23k

Returned (328 Occurrences)
... Acts 21:6 After saying goodbye to each other, we went on board the ship, and they
returned home again. (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/r/returned.htm - 34k

Ship (122 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Acts 21:6 After saying goodbye to
each other, we went on board the ship, and they returned home again. ...
/s/ship.htm - 36k

Home (270 Occurrences)
... (WEY NIV). Acts 21:6 After saying goodbye to each other, we went on board the ship,
and they returned home again. (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). ...
/h/ - 36k