In the context of the Bible, the term "overtakes" often refers to the act of catching up with or coming upon someone or something, usually with a sense of urgency or divine intervention. This concept can be seen in various narratives and teachings throughout the Scriptures, where it is used both literally and metaphorically.

Old Testament References

1. Pursuit and Divine Intervention: One of the most notable instances of overtaking occurs in the account of the Exodus. In Exodus 14:9 , the Egyptians pursued the Israelites as they fled from Egypt: "The Egyptians—all Pharaoh’s horses and chariots, horsemen, and troops—pursued and overtook them as they camped by the sea near Pi Hahiroth, opposite Baal Zephon." Here, the overtaking is literal, as the Egyptians catch up with the Israelites. However, the narrative continues to show God's intervention, as He ultimately delivers the Israelites by parting the Red Sea.

2. Prophetic Warnings: In Deuteronomy 28, the concept of overtaking is used in the context of blessings and curses. Deuteronomy 28:2 states, "And all these blessings will come upon you and overtake you, if you will obey the voice of the LORD your God." Conversely, in Deuteronomy 28:15 , it warns, "But if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God... all these curses will come upon you and overtake you." Here, overtaking is used metaphorically to describe the inevitable consequences of obedience or disobedience to God's commandments.

3. Pursuit in Warfare: In 1 Samuel 30:8 , David inquires of the Lord whether he should pursue a raiding party that had attacked Ziklag: "And David inquired of the LORD, 'Shall I pursue this raiding party? Will I overtake them?' 'Pursue them,' He answered. 'For you will surely overtake them and rescue the captives.'" This passage highlights the theme of divine guidance and assurance in the pursuit of justice and recovery.

New Testament References

1. Spiritual Vigilance: In the New Testament, the concept of overtaking is often used in a spiritual sense. In 1 Thessalonians 5:4 , Paul writes, "But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief." Here, the term is used metaphorically to describe the suddenness of the Day of the Lord and the need for believers to remain vigilant and prepared.

2. Restoration and Correction: Galatians 6:1 uses the term in the context of spiritual restoration: "Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted." The idea of being "caught" or "overtaken" in a trespass suggests a sudden or unexpected fall into sin, emphasizing the need for gentle correction and self-awareness among believers.

Theological Implications

The concept of overtaking in the Bible often carries with it the idea of inevitability and divine orchestration. Whether it is the blessings and curses that overtake the Israelites based on their obedience, or the suddenness of the Lord's return, the term underscores the certainty of God's promises and the importance of living in accordance with His will. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of human actions and the ever-present need for divine guidance and intervention.5381. nasag -- to reach, overtake
... 1), caught (1), find (1), insufficient (2), last until (2), limited (1), means*
(1), obtain (1), overtake (17), overtaken (2), overtakes (1), overtook (6 ...
/hebrew/5381.htm - 6k

A Psalm of Remembrance
... He sows and he reaps, he ploughs, and the furrows team with plenty; the sower
overtakes the reaper, and the reaper overtakes the sower. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/a psalm of remembrance.htm

Philippians i. 11-Aug
... Evening overtakes him, night overtakes him, but the season of rest is
to him a time of trouble of anguish, of pain, of anxiety. ...
/.../homily ii philippians i 11-aug.htm

Genesis xxvii. 38
... It is a hard trial; but yet, no trial overtakes us but such as is common to man:
and here, as in all other cases, God will, with the trial, also make a way for ...
/.../arnold/the christian life/lecture xviii genesis xxvii 38.htm

Let the Authors of Sedition Submit Themselves.
... at My reproofs; therefore I too will laugh at your destruction; yea, I will rejoice
when ruin cometh upon you, and when sudden confusion overtakes you, when ...
/.../chapter lvii let the authors of.htm

And Cause Persecution.
... we must surely die; and there is nothing new, but all things continue the same in
this administration of things; and if satiety overtakes those who enjoy even ...
/.../justin/the first apology of justin/chapter lvii and cause persecution.htm

Made Known in the Breaking of Bread.
... something that clearly puzzled them. A Stranger, unrecognized, overtakes
them and joins in their conversation. He asks, "What is ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks about jesus/made known in the breaking.htm

Let the Authors of Sedition Submit Themselves.
... at my reproofs; therefore I too will laugh at your destruction; yea, I will rejoice
when ruin cometh upon you, and when sudden confusion overtakes you, when ...
/.../keith/the epistles of clement/chapter lvii let the authors of.htm

The Ark of the House of Obed-Edom
... The first step was to bring the ark. And so he passed with a joyful company to Kirjath.
But again swift death overtakes Uzzah with his irreverent hand. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the ark of the house.htm

How Titus Exhibited all Sorts of Shows at Cesarea Philippi. ...
... and had barbarously slain them for wicked actions do not escape the Divine anger,
nor is justice too weak to punish offenders, but in time overtakes those that ...
/.../chapter 2 how titus exhibited.htm

The Love of the Holy Spirit in Us.
... that He shall pour out the Spirit of prayer and supplication." In the first passage,
the metaphor is borrowed from the hail-storm which overtakes the traveler ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxi the love of the.htm

Overtakes (16 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Overtakes (16 Occurrences). John 12:35 Jesus,
therefore, said to them, 'Yet a little time is the light ...
/o/overtakes.htm - 11k

Calamity (108 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Proverbs 1:26 I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity
overtakes you; (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/c/calamity.htm - 37k

Disaster (131 Occurrences)
... on blow. (See NIV). Proverbs 1:26 I also will laugh at your disaster. I will
mock when calamity overtakes you; (WEB NIV). Proverbs 1 ...
/d/disaster.htm - 36k

Underworld (87 Occurrences)
... Genesis 42:38 And he said, I will not let my son go down with you; for his brother
is dead and he is all I have: if evil overtakes him on the journey, then ...
/u/underworld.htm - 31k

Overtaker (1 Occurrence)

/o/overtaker.htm - 6k

Overtakest (1 Occurrence)

/o/overtakest.htm - 6k

Laugh (23 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 1:26 I also will laugh at your disaster. I will mock when calamity
overtakes you; (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/l/laugh.htm - 13k

Grey (11 Occurrences)
... Genesis 42:38 And he said, I will not let my son go down with you; for his brother
is dead and he is all I have: if evil overtakes him on the journey, then ...
/g/grey.htm - 9k

Fate (138 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Numbers 16:29 If these men have the common death of men, or if the natural
fate of all men overtakes them, then the Lord has not sent me. (BBE NAS RSV). ...
/f/fate.htm - 37k

Foes (95 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 21:12 either three years of famine; or three months to be consumed
before your foes, while the sword of your enemies overtakes you; or else three ...
/f/foes.htm - 30k

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