The term "prevails" in the biblical context often signifies overcoming, triumphing, or gaining victory over an adversary or challenge. It is a concept that appears in various narratives and teachings throughout the Scriptures, illustrating the power and sovereignty of God, the strength of faith, and the ultimate victory of good over evil.

Old Testament References

1. Genesis 32:28 · In the account of Jacob wrestling with the angel, the term "prevails" is significant. The angel tells Jacob, "Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with men and have prevailed." This passage highlights the transformative power of perseverance and divine blessing, as Jacob's prevailing leads to a new identity and destiny.

2. Exodus 17:11 · During the battle against the Amalekites, Moses' hands are held up, and as long as his hands are raised, Israel prevails. "As long as Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed; but when he lowered them, Amalek prevailed." This account underscores the importance of divine support and intercession in achieving victory.

3. Proverbs 21:30 · The wisdom literature of the Old Testament also speaks to the concept of prevailing. "No wisdom, no understanding, and no counsel can prevail against the LORD." This verse emphasizes the futility of human efforts against the divine will, affirming God's ultimate authority and power.

New Testament References

1. Matthew 16:18 · Jesus speaks to Peter about the church's enduring strength: "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it." This promise assures believers of the church's resilience and victory over the forces of evil, grounded in Christ's authority.

2. John 1:5 · The Gospel of John introduces the theme of light prevailing over darkness: "The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not prevailed against it." This metaphorical language conveys the triumph of Christ, the Light of the World, over sin and spiritual darkness.

3. Revelation 5:5 · In the apocalyptic vision, the Lion of the tribe of Judah prevails to open the scroll: "Then one of the elders said to me, 'Do not weep! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and its seven seals.'" This imagery reflects Christ's victory and authority to execute God's redemptive plan.

Theological Implications

The concept of prevailing is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, reflecting the overarching theme of God's sovereignty and the ultimate triumph of His purposes. It reassures believers of the certainty of God's promises and the power of faith in overcoming trials. The notion that God's will prevails over human plans and adversities is a cornerstone of biblical teaching, offering hope and encouragement to the faithful.

Practical Application

For believers, the idea of prevailing serves as a call to steadfastness and trust in God's power and promises. It encourages Christians to rely on divine strength in the face of challenges and to remain faithful, knowing that victory is assured through Christ. The assurance that God's purposes will ultimately prevail provides a foundation for enduring faith and perseverance in the Christian life.5399. nesheph -- twilight
... From nashaph; properly, a breeze, ie (by implication) dusk (when the evening breeze
prevails) -- dark, dawning of the day (morning), night, twilight. ...
/hebrew/5399.htm - 6k

Moreover, I Shall Exhibit in Discourse the Ill-Fortune that Most ...
... Chapter VI. Moreover, I shall exhibit in discourse the ill-fortune that
most of all prevails among men.? Moreover, I shall exhibit ...
/.../a metaphrase of the book of ecclesiastes/chapter vi moreover i shall.htm

Gratian Elects Theodosius of Spain to Reign with Him, Arianism ...
... Book VII. Chapter II."Gratian elects Theodosius of Spain to reign with him, Arianism
prevails throughout the Eastern Churches except that of Jerusalem. ...
/.../chapter ii gratian elects theodosius of.htm

System of the Arithmeticians; Predictions through Calculations ...
... For when one number is uneven, but the other even, the uneven number, if
it is larger, prevails. But again, when there is an even ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xiv system of the arithmeticians.htm

Verse the Twenty-First
... We must now consider whether the essence and adjacency of each (if I may employ
such a word) are of equal power; or whether the one prevails over the other ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/verse the twenty-first.htm

Attributes of Selfishness.
... this detestable one. Where the love of knowledge prevails, we have the
scholar, the philosopher, the man of learning. This is one ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xvii attributes of selfishness.htm

General Introduction.
... In speech, [8764] by which prayer is enunciated, in spirit, by which alone it prevails,
even John had taught his disciples to pray, [8765] but all John's ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on prayer/chapter i general introduction.htm

Seeing and Blind
... I wish to speak about this now, and to ask you to consider". I. The extent
to which it prevails. II. ... I. The extent to which it prevails. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/seeing and blind.htm

But, Says My Opponent, You are Insulting us Without Reason...
... For you do what you see to be done, not that which you are assured should be done,
inasmuch [4911] as with you a custom without reason prevails, more than a ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/30 but says my opponent.htm

Summary of Foregoing. Cessation of Pagan Oracles, &C. ...
... mighty, even God the Word; and condemn those who are being worsted and done away
by Him.3. For as, when the sun is come, darkness no longer prevails, but if ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 55 summary of foregoing.htm

Comparison Between the False Church and the True.
... There is falsehood wherever the pure doctrine of Christ is not in vigour. 2. This
falsehood prevails under the Papacy. Hence the Papacy is not a Church. ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 2 comparison between the.htm

Prevails (6 Occurrences)
...Prevails (6 Occurrences). ... Ecclesiastes 4:12 If a man prevails against one who is
alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. ...
/p/prevails.htm - 8k

Abi (2 Occurrences)
... The question is raised whether the same rule prevails when the second word is
a name or a designation of Deity as prevails in other cases. ...
/a/abi.htm - 12k

Prevail (50 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To be in force; to have effect, power, or influence; to be predominant;
to have currency or prevalence; to obtain; as, the practice prevails this day. ...
/p/prevail.htm - 22k

Volition
... Yet God's counsel, His will in its completeness, ever prevails, and man, in resisting
it, deprives himself of the good it seeks to confer upon him. ...
/v/volition.htm - 11k

Winds (35 Occurrences)
... 17:10; 19:12), and is sometimes mentioned as simply denoting a strong wind (Job
27:21; Isaiah 27:8). This wind prevails in Palestine from February to June, as ...
/w/winds.htm - 18k

Foreskin (12 Occurrences)
... Among the Arabs and all Mohammedans the custom of circumcision prevails from
pre-Islamic times, for it is nowhere ordered in the Koran, and the appellation ...
/f/foreskin.htm - 14k

Threefold (2 Occurrences)
... Threefold (2 Occurrences). Ecclesiastes 4:12 If a man prevails against one who is
alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. ...
/t/threefold.htm - 7k

Talmud
... is the name of a rabbi. Yet a great deal of ignorance on this subject
still prevails in many circles. Many are afraid to inform ...
/t/talmud.htm - 37k

Era
... 3. (n.) A period of time in which a new order of things prevails; a signal stage
of history; an epoch. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ERA. ...
/e/era.htm - 10k

Eye (145 Occurrences)
... The custom of painting the eyes is alluded to in 2 Kings 9:30, RV; Jeremiah 4:30;
Ezek. 23:40, a custom which still prevails extensively among Eastern women. ...
/e/eye.htm - 54k

What is nihilism? | GotQuestions.org

Who was John Calvin? | GotQuestions.org

Is it possible to sell your soul to the devil? | GotQuestions.org

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