Definition and Meaning:
Hesitation refers to the act of pausing or delaying action due to uncertainty, fear, or indecision. In the biblical context, hesitation often reflects a lack of faith or trust in God's promises or commands.

Biblical Instances of Hesitation:

1. Lot's Wife (Genesis 19:16):
One of the most notable instances of hesitation in the Bible is the account of Lot's wife. As God prepared to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, He commanded Lot and his family to flee without looking back. Genesis 19:16 states, "But when he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and two daughters, and led them safely out of the city, because of the LORD’s compassion for them." Lot's hesitation required divine intervention to ensure his family's escape. Later, Lot's wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt, symbolizing the peril of hesitating and longing for a sinful past.

2. Moses at the Burning Bush (Exodus 3-4):
When God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses hesitated, expressing doubt about his ability to fulfill God's command. In Exodus 4:10 , Moses said, "Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since You have spoken to Your servant; for I am slow of speech and tongue." Despite his hesitation, God provided Aaron as a spokesperson, demonstrating His provision and patience.

3. Gideon's Fleeces (Judges 6:36-40):
Gideon hesitated to trust God's promise of victory over the Midianites. He asked for signs involving a fleece to confirm God's will. Judges 6:39 records Gideon's request: "Then Gideon said to God, 'Do not be angry with me, but let me speak once more. Please allow me one more test with the fleece.'" Gideon's hesitation highlights human frailty and the need for reassurance, yet God graciously accommodated his requests.

4. Peter Walking on Water (Matthew 14:28-31):
Peter's initial faith allowed him to walk on water toward Jesus. However, when he saw the wind, he hesitated and began to sink. Matthew 14:31 recounts, "Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. 'You of little faith,' He said, 'why did you doubt?'" Peter's hesitation serves as a lesson on the importance of maintaining faith amidst life's storms.

Theological Implications:

Hesitation in the Bible often reveals a struggle between faith and doubt. It underscores the human tendency to rely on sight rather than faith, as seen in 2 Corinthians 5:7 , "For we walk by faith, not by sight." Hesitation can lead to missed opportunities to witness God's power and faithfulness. However, God's responses to human hesitation demonstrate His patience and willingness to strengthen and guide those who seek Him.

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to trust in God's promises and act in faith without hesitation. James 1:6 advises, "But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." Christians are called to cultivate a steadfast faith, relying on God's Word and the Holy Spirit to overcome doubt and hesitation in their spiritual journey.(imp. & p. p.) of Hesitate.4102. mahah -- to linger, tarry
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to linger, tarry NASB Word Usage delay (2),
delayed (2), delaying (1), hesitated (1), tarries (1), wait (2). ...
/hebrew/4102.htm - 6k

A New Pretender
... "I did not understand.". She hesitated and closed her lips. ... He hesitated and reddened.
An old subterfuge occurred to him at a desperate minute. ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter xiii a new pretender.htm

Early Training.
... forbidden lake. They hesitated some time, but at last walked slowly down
the hillside to the lake. Again they hesitated. Finally ...
/.../byrum/the value of a praying mother/chapter iii early training.htm

Acts XII
... Agrippa may have hesitated when he found his hands stained with the blood of an
apostle; but when the people applauded, he hesitated no longer. ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xii.htm

The Illusion of the Sealed Letters; Object in Detailing These ...
... These contrivances, however, I hesitated to narrate [258] in this book, perceiving
the danger lest, perchance, any knavish person, taking occasion (from my ...
/.../hippolytus/the refutation of all heresies/chapter xxxiv the illusion of the.htm

In the Homes of the People
... remarked pleasantly. 'I would have thought you needed rest after your heavy
Sunday.' The Adjutant smiled, and hesitated. The gentleman ...
/.../carpenter/the angel adjutant of twice born men/ix in the homes of.htm

"He Hardened his Heart"
... In treating with the issue he had fretted and fumed, promised and retracted, temporized
with the Hebrew mystic or stormed at him, hesitated and resolved, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxx he hardened his.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... I hesitated not a moment to take his advice, knowing full well that, as my books
had been taken possession of, I could do no more in that direction. ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 51.htm

G. Jesus Before Pilate. Ch. 23:1-25
... of his convictions; he declared Jesus to be innocent, but fearing to offend the
rulers and the crowds whom they had won to their will, he hesitated to release ...
/.../erdman/the gospel of luke an exposition/g jesus before pilate ch.htm

Canaan
... it, and I have brought it, with the permission of the taskmaster." She stopped,
and putting her hand into the folds of her habit on her breast, hesitated as if ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xii canaan.htm

Meanwhile, Angela Sovrani was Detained in Her Studio by the ...
... He is a bold and passionate person; I rather like such characters,"and I really
am afraid"afraid"" here she hesitated, then resumed, "He loves me for the ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xi meanwhile angela sovrani was.htm

Hesitated (2 Occurrences)
...Hesitated (2 Occurrences). Romans 4:20 and hesitated not at the promise of God through
unbelief; but found strength in faith, giving glory to God; (DBY). ...
/h/hesitated.htm - 7k

Hesitate (4 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To stop or pause respecting decision or action; to be in suspense or
uncertainty as to a determination; as, he hesitated whether to accept the offer ...
/h/hesitate.htm - 7k

Zalmunna (9 Occurrences)
... that he owed to the dead. His son, apparently only a boy, hesitated, and
he did the deed himself. WR Smith (Lectures on the Religion ...
/z/zalmunna.htm - 13k

Zebah (9 Occurrences)
... that he owed to the dead. His son, apparently only a boy, hesitated, and
he did the deed himself. WR Smith (Lectures on the Religion ...
/z/zebah.htm - 13k

Hesitation (2 Occurrences)

/h/hesitation.htm - 7k

Strength (517 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Romans 4:20 and hesitated not at the promise of God through unbelief;
but found strength in faith, giving glory to God; (DBY YLT NIV). ...
/s/strength.htm - 38k

Discomfiture (6 Occurrences)
... of the Second. It is mainly if not entirely on this ground that Jerome,
Calvin and others hesitated to receive it. It is noteworthy ...
/d/discomfiture.htm - 101k

Second (2060 Occurrences)
... of the Second. It is mainly if not entirely on this ground that Jerome,
Calvin and others hesitated to receive it. It is noteworthy ...
/s/second.htm - 96k

Empire (8 Occurrences)
... it as "by the jealousy of the Jews." Nothing is more easily refuted, for had it
been the jealousy of the Jews Clement would not have hesitated one moment to ...
/e/empire.htm - 80k

Peter (181 Occurrences)
... of the Second. It is mainly if not entirely on this ground that Jerome,
Calvin and others hesitated to receive it. It is noteworthy ...
/p/peter.htm - 101k

What is the whole counsel of God? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to “remember Lot's wife” in Luke 17:32? | GotQuestions.org

Why was Lot's wife turned into a pillar of salt? | GotQuestions.org

Hesitated: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus