The term "outrun" in the context of the Bible is most notably associated with the account of the prophet Elijah in the Old Testament. This event is recorded in 1 Kings 18:46, where Elijah, empowered by the Spirit of the LORD, outruns King Ahab's chariot to Jezreel. The passage reads: "And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah, and he girded up his loins and ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel" (1 Kings 18:46).

Context and Significance

The event occurs after the dramatic confrontation on Mount Carmel, where Elijah challenges the prophets of Baal and Asherah, leading to a decisive demonstration of God's power. Following the victory, Elijah prays for rain to end the severe drought afflicting Israel. When the rain begins, Elijah's supernatural ability to outrun Ahab's chariot signifies God's empowerment and favor upon him.

This act of outrunning is symbolic of divine strength and the urgency of God's mission. Elijah's physical feat underscores the spiritual authority and the prophetic mantle he carries. It also serves as a testament to the power of God working through His chosen servants, enabling them to accomplish tasks beyond natural human ability.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, Elijah's outrunning of Ahab's chariot can be seen as a metaphor for the believer's journey. Just as Elijah was empowered by the Spirit of the LORD, Christians are called to rely on the Holy Spirit for strength and guidance in their spiritual walk. The narrative encourages believers to trust in God's provision and timing, knowing that He equips those He calls to fulfill His purposes.

Furthermore, the act of girding up one's loins, as Elijah did, is a biblical expression denoting readiness and preparation for action. It reflects the believer's call to be prepared and vigilant, ready to respond to God's call with swiftness and dedication.

Historical and Cultural Context

In the ancient Near Eastern context, running ahead of a chariot was an extraordinary feat, as chariots were the fastest means of transportation. Elijah's ability to do so highlights the miraculous nature of the event. The cultural practice of girding up one's loins involved tucking the long garments into a belt to allow for greater mobility, a practical action that also carries spiritual connotations of readiness and resolve.

Related Biblical Themes

The theme of divine empowerment is prevalent throughout Scripture. Similar instances of God enabling His servants include Samson's feats of strength (Judges 14-16) and David's victories in battle (1 Samuel 17). These accounts collectively emphasize the principle that God equips His people to accomplish His will, often in ways that defy human limitations.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul echoes this theme in Philippians 4:13, stating, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" . This verse encapsulates the believer's reliance on divine strength to overcome challenges and fulfill God's calling.

Conclusion

The account of Elijah outrunning Ahab's chariot remains a powerful illustration of God's supernatural intervention and the readiness required of His servants. It serves as a reminder of the spiritual empowerment available to believers and the importance of being prepared to act swiftly in obedience to God's direction.1. (p. p.) of Outrun.

2. (v. t.) To exceed, or leave behind, in running; to run faster than; to outstrip; to go beyond.

4390. protrecho -- to run forward, ie run in advance
... to run forward, ie run in advance. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: protrecho
Phonetic Spelling: (prot-rekh'-o) Short Definition: I outrun Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4390.htm - 6k

The Resurrection Morning
... So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came
first to the sepulchre. ... Again the former had outrun his friend. ...
/.../the resurrection morning.htm

The Blessings of Noah Upon Shem and Japheth. (Gen. Ix. 18-27. )
... in Genesis concerning the moral depravity of Sodom and Gomorrah, which, in the
development of the sinful germ inherent in the race, had outrun all others, and ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the blessings of noah upon.htm

Sacrifice.
... from the balcony! But our prayers often outrun themselves in the utterance
and Jeremiah's too carried with it its denial. My people ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/3 sacrifice.htm

The Parables
... farther; that as God governs the world of matter so He may govern the world of spirits,
and that human helpfulness and clemency will not outrun the graces of ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 4 12 13-oct the parables.htm

Peter Alone with Jesus
... to the grave, when the feet made heavy by a heavy conscience were distanced by the
light step of happy love, and 'the other disciple did outrun Peter.' The ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/peter alone with jesus.htm

'Sober Certainty'
... God's mercies often come suddenly, and with a rush and a completeness that outrun
our expectations and our power of immediate comprehension. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/sober certainty.htm

Draw Me, we Will Run after Thee to the Odor of Thine Ointments.
... corruption that has there entered. We will even outrun this odor to reach
Thee, the centre of our bliss. This excellent perfume gives ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/3 draw me we will.htm

Original Preface.
... Christian Reader,"The holy and learned author of this little book, having outrun
his years, hastened to a maturity before the ordinary season, insomuch that ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/original preface.htm

Advice for the Direction of Holy Zeal.
... That good man of the house whom our Saviour describes in the Gospel, knew well that
hot and violent servants are wont to outrun their master's intention, for ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xv advice for the.htm

Why Man is Destitute of Natural Weapons and Covering
... For if man had had such power as to be able to outrun the horse in swiftness, and
to have a foot that, from its solidity, could not be worn out, but was ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/vii why man is destitute.htm

Outrun (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (pp) of Outrun. 2. (vt) To exceed ... go beyond.
Multi-Version Concordance Outrun (1 Occurrence). John 20 ...
/o/outrun.htm - 6k

Outroads

/o/outroads.htm - 6k

Outset (1 Occurrence)

/o/outset.htm - 6k

Outstrip (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (vt) To advance beyond; to leave behind; to outrun.
Multi-Version Concordance Outstrip (1 Occurrence). ...
/o/outstrip.htm - 6k

Asahel (17 Occurrences)
... near Gibeon, Asahel pursued Abner. Abner knew that he could outright Asahel,
though he could not outrun him. He also knew that the ...
/a/asahel.htm - 16k

Antelope (2 Occurrences)
... According to Gesenius the word is derived from the verb ta'ah, "to outrun,"
which would be appropriate for this or any antelope. ...
/a/antelope.htm - 11k

Sepulchre (57 Occurrences)
... sepulchre. (KJV). John 20:4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple
did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. (KJV). ...
/s/sepulchre.htm - 25k

Ostrich (9 Occurrences)
... outside the nest. The second was due to a well-known fact that, given a straight
course, the ostrich could outrun a horse. The birds ...
/o/ostrich.htm - 18k

Run (147 Occurrences)
... John 20:4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter,
and came first to the sepulchre. (Root in KJV BBE YLT NAS NIV). ...
/r/run.htm - 43k

Outran (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp.) of Outrun. Multi-Version Concordance Outran
(3 Occurrences). John 20:4 They both ran together. The ...
/o/outran.htm - 7k

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Outrun: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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