Definition and Context
Limping refers to walking with difficulty, typically due to injury or weakness in the leg or foot. In the biblical context, limping can be both a physical condition and a metaphorical expression, symbolizing spiritual struggle or moral wavering.

Biblical References

1. Jacob's Limp
One of the most notable instances of limping in the Bible is found in the account of Jacob. After wrestling with a divine being at Peniel, Jacob is left with a limp. Genesis 32:31 states, "The sun rose above him as he passed by Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip." This physical limp serves as a lasting reminder of Jacob's encounter with God and signifies a transformation in his character and relationship with the Almighty. It symbolizes both the struggle and the blessing that came from his perseverance and faith.

2. Elijah and the Prophets of Baal
In 1 Kings 18, the prophet Elijah confronts the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. During this event, Elijah challenges the people of Israel to choose between following the LORD or Baal. In 1 Kings 18:21 , Elijah asks, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him." The Hebrew word translated as "waver" can also mean "limp," suggesting indecision or spiritual instability. This metaphorical use of limping highlights the Israelites' divided loyalty and calls them to a decisive commitment to God.

3. Metaphorical Use in Scripture
Limping is often used metaphorically in Scripture to describe a lack of spiritual integrity or consistency. It can represent a divided heart or a failure to walk uprightly in the ways of the Lord. The imagery of limping serves as a powerful reminder of the need for steadfastness and faithfulness in one's spiritual journey.

Theological Implications

Limping, both physically and metaphorically, serves as a profound symbol in the biblical narrative. It illustrates the human condition of weakness and the need for divine intervention and strength. Jacob's limp is a testament to the transformative power of God's touch, while the metaphorical limping of the Israelites calls believers to examine their own spiritual walk and commitment to God.

In the broader theological context, limping can be seen as a call to rely on God's strength rather than one's own. It underscores the importance of humility, repentance, and the pursuit of holiness. The imagery of limping challenges believers to seek healing and wholeness through a deeper relationship with God, recognizing that true strength and stability come from Him alone.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Limp.5560. cholos -- lame, halt, maimed
... Speech: Adjective Transliteration: cholos Phonetic Spelling: (kho-los') Short
Definition: lame, deprived of a foot Definition: lame, deprived of a foot, limping ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5560.htm - 6k6761. tsela -- limping, stumbling
... 6760, 6761. tsela. 6762 . limping, stumbling. Transliteration: tsela
Phonetic Spelling: (tseh'-lah) Short Definition: fall. Word ...
/hebrew/6761.htm - 6k

6454. Paseach -- "limper," three Israelites
... NASB Word Usage Paseah (4). Paseah, Phaseah. From pacach; limping; Paseach, the
name of two Israelites -- Paseah, Phaseah. see HEBREW pacach. 6453, 6454. ...
/hebrew/6454.htm - 6k

6760. tsala -- to limp
... lah') Short Definition: lame. Word Origin a prim. root Definition to limp NASB
Word Usage lame (3), limping (1). halt. A primitive root ...
/hebrew/6760.htm - 6k

Whether the Act of Sin is from God?
... Consequently this defect is not reduced to God as its cause, but to the free-will:
even as the defect of limping is reduced to a crooked leg as its cause, but ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the act of sin.htm

The Feast of the Lord
... Will not they have to say: "Thou hast kept the good wine until now?" Oh, what a
change for her who has come limping along these many Sabbath days to the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the feast of the lord.htm

Introductory Note to Clement of Alexandria
... It was the chase and following-up of the adversary in his limping and cowardly retreat,
"the scattering of the rear of darkness." With Athenagoras, we touch ...
/.../athenagoras/a plea for the christians/introductory note to clement of.htm

Arria and Her Mother Sat with the Emperor. ...
... There the emperor, limping slightly, came to meet Vergilius, and there, also, were
the guests, seven in number: Appius and his mother, the Lady Lucia; Terentia ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 5 arria and her.htm

The Demons Sin among Mankind.
... This limping manufacturer of buckles and earrings, as is likely, deceived the
motherless child and orphan with these girlish ornaments. ...
/.../tatian/tatians address to the greeks/chapter viii the demons sin among.htm

Grace Flooding.
... crutching along, singed and burned with the flames of the same low passion that
the onlooking crowds know so well, struggling, limping, crutching along bodily ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/grace flooding.htm

The First Disciples: ii. Simon Peter
... somebody else. Why, even a dog that has had its leg mended, will bring
other limping dogs to the man that was kind to it. Whoever ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the first disciples ii simon.htm

Introductory;
... Truth should employ all her available resources, and in no limping way. [3100] In
our compendious rules of faith, however, she has it all her own way. ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter i introductory.htm

If You Will Open Your Minds' Eyes, and See the Real Truth Without ...
... invited to his table? that Vulcan, limping on one foot, wrought as a smith
in the island of Lemnos? that ??sculapius was transfixed ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/24 if you will open.htm

The Evil of Lust Does not Take Away the Good of Marriage.
... Suppose him to attain to some good object by limping after it, then, on the one
hand, the attainment itself is not evil because of the evil of the man's ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 8 vii the evil of.htm

Limping (2 Occurrences)
...Limping (2 Occurrences). ... (See NAS RSV NIV). 1 Kings 18:21 And Elijah came near unto
all the people, and said, How long go ye limping between the two sides? ...
/l/limping.htm - 7k

Halt (12 Occurrences)
... refreshment. 6. (a.) Halting or stopping in walking; lame. 7. (n.) The
act of limping; lameness. 8. (v.) To walk lamely; to limp. ...
/h/halt.htm - 12k

Opinion (91 Occurrences)
... memorable appeal of Elijah, "How long halt ye between two opinions?" 1 Kings
18:21, the American Standard Revised Version "How long go ye limping between the ...
/o/opinion.htm - 34k

Lame (35 Occurrences)
... man. 3. (superl.) Hence, hobbling; limping; inefficient; imperfect. 4.
(vt) To make lame. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. LAME. ...
/l/lame.htm - 21k

Limped (2 Occurrences)

/l/limped.htm - 7k

Limp (9 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To halt; to walk lamely. Also used figuratively. 2. (n.) A halt; the act
of limping. 3. (n.) A scraper for removing poor ore or refuse from the sieve. ...
/l/limp.htm - 9k

Limpness (1 Occurrence)

/l/limpness.htm - 6k

Paseah (4 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia PASEAH. pa-se'-a, pas'-ea (paceach "limping"):
(1) A son of Eshton, descendant of Judah (1 Chronicles 4:12). ...
/p/paseah.htm - 8k

Games (2 Occurrences)
... of the Israelites round the golden calf (Exodus 32:19); the dance of the maidens
of Shiloh at an annual feast (Judges 21:19); the leaping or limping of the ...
/g/games.htm - 40k

Elijah (104 Occurrences)
... implied the folly of their thinking that the allegiance of a people could successfully
be divided between two deities: "How long go ye limping between the two ...
/e/elijah.htm - 71k

Limping: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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