In the biblical context, the term "pilgrim" refers to a person who is on a journey, often with spiritual significance, and is typically used to describe the life of believers as they navigate through the world toward their ultimate heavenly home. The concept of pilgrimage is deeply rooted in Scripture, symbolizing the transient nature of earthly life and the believer's pursuit of a closer relationship with God.

Old Testament Context

The idea of pilgrimage is evident in the lives of the patriarchs, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who lived as sojourners in the land of Canaan. Hebrews 11:9-10 highlights this aspect of their lives: "By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God."

The Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Promised Land is another significant pilgrimage, symbolizing the journey from bondage to freedom and from sin to salvation. This journey is commemorated in the Feast of Tabernacles, where the Israelites lived in temporary shelters to remember their ancestors' pilgrimage through the wilderness (Leviticus 23:42-43).

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of pilgrimage is expanded to encompass the spiritual journey of all believers. The Apostle Peter addresses Christians as "foreigners and exiles" in this world, urging them to abstain from sinful desires (1 Peter 2:11). This language underscores the temporary nature of earthly life and the call to live in a manner that reflects one's heavenly citizenship.

The Epistle to the Hebrews further elaborates on this theme, encouraging believers to view themselves as pilgrims seeking a better, heavenly country. Hebrews 11:13-16 states, "All these people died in faith, without having received the things they were promised. However, they saw them and welcomed them from afar. And they acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. Those who say such things show that they are seeking a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them."

Spiritual Significance

The life of a pilgrim is marked by a sense of detachment from worldly possessions and a focus on spiritual growth and maturity. Pilgrims are called to live by faith, trusting in God's promises and looking forward to the fulfillment of His kingdom. This journey involves trials and challenges, but it is also characterized by hope and anticipation of the eternal inheritance reserved for believers.

The pilgrim's journey is not undertaken alone; it is a communal experience shared with fellow believers. The church, as the body of Christ, provides support, encouragement, and accountability as believers navigate their spiritual pilgrimage together.

Practical Implications

For Christians today, embracing the identity of a pilgrim means living with an eternal perspective, prioritizing spiritual values over temporal concerns, and maintaining a steadfast commitment to following Christ. It involves a willingness to endure hardships and sacrifices for the sake of the gospel, with the assurance that the journey leads to a glorious destination prepared by God.

In summary, the biblical concept of a pilgrim serves as a powerful metaphor for the Christian life, emphasizing the transient nature of earthly existence and the ultimate goal of reaching the heavenly city, where believers will dwell with God forever.1. (n.) A wayfarer; a wanderer; a traveler; a stranger.

2. (n.) One who travels far, or in strange lands, to visit some holy place or shrine as a devotee; as, a pilgrim to Loretto; Canterbury pilgrims. See Palmer.

3. (a.) of or pertaining to a pilgrim, or pilgrims; making pilgrimages.

4. (v. i.) To journey; to wander; to ramble.

PILGRIM; PILGRIMAGE

pil'-grim, pil'-grimaj: "Pilgrim" in English Versions of the Bible for parepidemos (Hebrews 11:13 1 Peter 2:11). "Pilgrimage" for maghor (Genesis 47:9 (the Revised Version margin "sojournings"); Psalm 119:54; and (the King James Version) Exodus 6:4 (the Revised Version (British and American) "sojournings")). Both the Hebrew (see GER) and Greek words contain the idea of foreign residence, but it is the residence and not travel that is implied. Consequently "pilgrim" is a poor translation, and "sojourner," "sojourning" should have been used throughout. In the New Testament passages heaven is thought of as the contrasted permanent dwelling-place, while the Old Testament usages seem to be without a contrast definitely in mind.

3927. parepidemos -- sojourning in a strange place
... pilgrim, stranger. From para and the base of epidemeo; an alien alongside, ie A
resident foreigner -- pilgrim, stranger. see GREEK para. see GREEK epidemeo. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3927.htm - 7k2287. chagag -- to make a pilgrimage, keep a pilgrim feast
... 2286b, 2287. chagag. 2288 . to make a pilgrimage, keep a pilgrim feast.
Transliteration: chagag Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-gag') Short Definition: celebrate. ...
/hebrew/2287.htm - 6k

2282. chag -- a festival gathering, feast, pilgrim feast
... 2281, 2282. chag. 2283 . a festival gathering, feast, pilgrim feast.
Transliteration: chag Phonetic Spelling: (khag) Short Definition: feast. ...
/hebrew/2282.htm - 6k

The Pilgrim
... BIBLE STORIES AND RELIGIOUS CLASSICS THE PILGRIM. ... No lion can him fright; He'll
with a giant fight; But he will have a right To be a Pilgrim. ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the pilgrim.htm

The Parable of the Pilgrim
... A Little Book of Eternal Wisdom THE PARABLE OF THE PILGRIM. A certain man
had a great desire to go to Jerusalem. Not knowing the ...
/.../suso/a little book of eternal wisdom/the parable of the pilgrim.htm

Pilgrim Song.
... PILGRIM SONG. PILGRIM SONG. 7,6,7,6,6,8,8,6. ... Strength for warfare will be given,.
And glory won ere long. The Pilgrim's path of trial. We do not fear to view; ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/borthwick/hymns from the land of luther/pilgrim song.htm

Pilgrim Song
... Pilgrim Song. Gerhard Ter Steegen Deuteronomy 31:8. On, O beloved children,. ... Lo,
we can tread rejoicing. The narrow pilgrim road; We know the voice that calls us ...
/.../bevan/hymns of ter steegen suso and others/pilgrim song.htm

Pilgrim Song
... Pilgrim Song. Gerhard Ter Steegen Psalm 136:16. ... Each hour nearer home! The pilgrim
days speed onward,. And soon the last will come. All hail! O golden city! ...
/.../bevan/hymns of ter steegen suso and others/pilgrim song 2.htm

The Pilgrim Fathers.
... 16. THE PILGRIM FATHERS. [Illustration: Chapter header.] The English Reformers,
while renouncing the doctrines of Romanism, had retained many of its forms. ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /16 the pilgrim fathers.htm

The Charge of the Pilgrim Priests
... EZRA THE CHARGE OF THE PILGRIM PRIESTS. 'Watch ye, and keep them, until ye weigh
them ... at Jerusalem, in the chambers of the house of the Lord.'"Ezra 8:29. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the charge of the pilgrim.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... BIBLE STORIES AND RELIGIOUS CLASSICS THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS. ... The pilgrim they laid
in a large upper chamber, whose window opened toward the sunrising. ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the pilgrims progress.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... THE PILGRIM'S PROGRESS. FROM THIS WORLD TO THAT WHICH IS TO COME. THE SECOND PART. ...
THE AUTHOR'S WAY OF SENDING FORTH HIS SECOND PART OF THE PILGRIM. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the pilgrims progress.htm

The Pilgrim' Song.
... III. CONFLICT. Hymn 42 The Pilgrim' song. John Newton 6,6,8,6. The Pilgrim'
song. From Egypt lately freed. By the Redeemer's grace; ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 42 the pilgrim song.htm

Pilgrim
... 2. (n.) One who travels far, or in strange lands, to visit some holy place or shrine
as a devotee; as, a pilgrim to Loretto; Canterbury pilgrims. See Palmer. ...
/p/pilgrim.htm - 7k

Pilgrimage (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The journey of a pilgrim; a long journey; especially,
a journey to a shrine or other sacred place. ...PILGRIM; PILGRIMAGE. ...
/p/pilgrimage.htm - 8k

Degrees (18 Occurrences)
... repetition], and by their epigrammatic style...More than half of them are cheerful,
and all of them hopeful." They are sometimes called "Pilgrim Songs." Four ...
/d/degrees.htm - 14k

Songs (100 Occurrences)
... (4) The most probable view is that the hymns were sung by pilgrim bands on
their way to the three great festivals of the Jewish year. ...
/s/songs.htm - 62k

Machpelah (6 Occurrences)
... Thus the Bordeaux Pilgrim (333 AD) mentions a square enclosure built of stones of
great beauty in which Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were buried with their wives. ...
/m/machpelah.htm - 19k

Wares (23 Occurrences)
... in Vanity-Fair) was, that these Pilgrims set very light by all their Wares; they
cared not so much as to look upon them" (Bunyan, The Pilgrim's Progress). ...
/w/wares.htm - 15k

Field (390 Occurrences)
... of the Fuller" at the Northeast corner, and the name "fuller" survived in connection
with the North wall to the 7th century, as the pilgrim Arculf mentions a ...
/f/field.htm - 44k

Fuller's (4 Occurrences)
... of the Fuller" at the Northeast corner, and the name "fuller" survived in connection
with the North wall to the 7th century, as the pilgrim Arculf mentions a ...
/f/fuller's.htm - 11k

Palmerworm (2 Occurrences)
... The English word may denote either a caterpillar (as rendered by the LXX.), which
wanders like a palmer or pilgrim, or which travels like pilgrims in bands ...
/p/palmerworm.htm - 8k

Pilfering (2 Occurrences)

/p/pilfering.htm - 7k

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