The term "lingered" in the Bible often conveys a sense of delay or hesitation, sometimes with significant consequences. It is used to describe moments when individuals or groups hesitate to act promptly, often in situations where immediate action is necessary. This entry explores the biblical context and implications of lingering, drawing from key scriptural passages.

Lot's Hesitation in Sodom

One of the most notable instances of lingering occurs in the account of Lot in the city of Sodom. In Genesis 19, two angels arrive in Sodom to rescue Lot and his family from impending destruction. Despite the urgency of the situation, Lot hesitates. 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 lingering reflects a reluctance to leave behind his life in Sodom, despite the clear warning of divine judgment. This hesitation underscores the human tendency to cling to the familiar, even when it is detrimental.

Spiritual Implications

Lingering can have spiritual implications, particularly in the context of obedience to God's commands. The hesitation to act on divine instructions can lead to missed opportunities and spiritual stagnation. In the case of Lot, his delay almost cost him and his family their lives. This serves as a cautionary tale for believers to respond promptly to God's guidance and to trust in His plans, even when they require leaving behind comfort and familiarity.

Procrastination and Indecision

The concept of lingering is closely related to procrastination and indecision, which are addressed in various biblical teachings. Proverbs 6:9-11 warns against the dangers of slothfulness: "How long will you lie there, O sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit." This passage highlights the consequences of delaying necessary action, urging believers to be diligent and proactive.

Moral and Ethical Decisions

Lingering can also occur in the realm of moral and ethical decisions. In moments of moral crisis, hesitation can lead to compromise or failure to uphold righteousness. The Bible encourages believers to stand firm and act decisively in accordance with God's will. James 4:17 states, "Therefore, whoever knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin." This verse emphasizes the importance of immediate action in fulfilling one's moral and ethical responsibilities.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of lingering serves as a reminder of the importance of prompt obedience and decisive action in the life of faith. Whether in the context of divine commands, moral decisions, or daily responsibilities, believers are called to act without hesitation, trusting in God's wisdom and timing.(imp. & p. p.) of Linger.748. arak -- to be long
... root Definition to be long NASB Word Usage continue (1), delay (1), endure* (1),
endures (1), lengthen (3), lengthened (1), lingered (2), live (2), long (5 ...
/hebrew/748.htm - 6k

Epistle xv. To George, Presbyter.
... But, after I had learnt that you had lingered so long on your journey owing to the
winter season, I confess that I was sorry that you had been sent away so soon ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xv to george presbyter.htm

Calvary
... The victim usually lingered a whole day, sometimes two or three days, still retaining
consciousness; while the burning of the wounds in the hands and feet, the ...
/.../stalker/the trial and death of jesus christ/chapter xii calvary.htm

The Transfiguration
... They spoke of His decease, and their word seems to have lingered in the narrative
as strangely appropriate to one of the speakers; it is Christ's "exodus." [7]. ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 9 2-8 the transfiguration.htm

The Procession of Amen
... He forgot the mission that urged him to the temple and, permitting the shifting,
restless crowd to surround him, he lingered, thinking. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter iv the procession of.htm

"Jesus Says So. "
... Sarah lingered many weeks after this. Her mind was full of peace; as she lay on
her sick bed, no shade of fear passed over her, all was sunshine within. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/jesus says so/jesus says so.htm

'They Also Serve who Only Stand and Wait'
... associated with himself in the special honours in the Messianic Kingdom"he had to
see him slain, first of the Apostles, while he himself lingered here long ...
/.../they also serve who only.htm

Jesus Comforting his Friends.
... Jesus lingered at some distance from the house, perhaps not caring to enter among
those who in the conventional way were mourning with the family. ...
/.../miller/personal friendships of jesus/chapter xi jesus comforting his.htm

The Swift Destroyer
... And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his
wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the swift destroyer.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1792 to the Close of ...
... soon after; but whether for want of skill in their management, or patronage from
the people, or more probably from both of these causes, they lingered for a ...
/.../chapter 1 from the close.htm

The Betrayal
... First, concentrate your thoughts upon Jesus, the betrayed one; and when ye have
lingered awhile there, solemnly gaze into the villanous countenance of Judas ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 9 1863/the betrayal.htm

Lingered (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Lingered (5 Occurrences). ... Genesis 43:10 For except we had
lingered, surely now we had returned this second time. (KJV JPS ASV DBY YLT). ...
/l/lingered.htm - 7k

Linger (7 Occurrences)

/l/linger.htm - 8k

Og (22 Occurrences)
... 13:12, 30). The memory of this great conquest lingered all through the national
history (Psalm 135:11; Psalm 136:20). On the conquest ...
/o/og.htm - 17k

Lingerest (1 Occurrence)

/l/lingerest.htm - 6k

Grabbed (8 Occurrences)
... Genesis 19:16 But he lingered; and the men grabbed his hand, his wife's hand, and
his two daughters' hands, Yahweh being merciful to him; and they took him out ...
/g/grabbed.htm - 8k

Grasped (11 Occurrences)
... Genesis 19:16 But he lingered; and the men grabbed his hand, his wife's hand, and
his two daughters' hands, Yahweh being merciful to him; and they took him out ...
/g/grasped.htm - 9k

Wife's (21 Occurrences)
... Genesis 19:16 But he lingered; and the men grabbed his hand, his wife's hand, and
his two daughters' hands, Yahweh being merciful to him; and they took him out ...
/w/wife's.htm - 12k

Twice (44 Occurrences)
... (KJV JPS BBE WBS YLT NAS). Genesis 43:10 For had we not lingered, we should
now certainly have returned already twice. (DBY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/t/twice.htm - 19k

Magic (12 Occurrences)
... From the first the witch is here only a bystander. The practice of magic lingered
among the people till after the Captivity, when they gradually abandoned it. ...
/m/magic.htm - 29k

Safely (83 Occurrences)
... Genesis 19:16 But he lingered; and the men grabbed his hand, his wife's hand, and
his two daughters' hands, Yahweh being merciful to him; and they took him out ...
/s/safely.htm - 31k

What is a glory cloud? Is a glory cloud biblical? | GotQuestions.org

What is antitheism? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Theodore of Mopsuestia? | GotQuestions.org

Lingered: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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