Definition and Context:
The term "ranging" in the biblical context generally refers to the act of moving or traveling over a particular area, often with the purpose of exploration, surveillance, or seeking something. It can imply a sense of wandering or searching, sometimes with a military connotation. In the Bible, ranging is often associated with the activities of soldiers, scouts, or individuals seeking something specific.

Biblical References:

1. 1 Samuel 30:16 :
"And when he had brought him down, there they were, spread out over all the land, eating, drinking, and celebrating because of all the great plunder they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from the land of Judah."
· In this passage, the Amalekites are described as having spread out over the land, which can be understood as a form of ranging. They had raided and plundered, moving through territories to gather spoils.

2. 1 Chronicles 12:8 :
"Some Gadites defected to David at his stronghold in the wilderness. They were brave warriors, ready for battle and able to handle the shield and spear. Their faces were the faces of lions, and they were as swift as gazelles in the mountains."
· The Gadites are depicted as warriors who were adept at ranging, moving swiftly and effectively through difficult terrain. Their ability to range over the mountains made them valuable allies to David.

3. 2 Samuel 5:18 :
"Now the Philistines had come and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim."
· The Philistines' movement into the Valley of Rephaim can be seen as a strategic ranging, positioning themselves for battle against Israel. This movement was part of their military strategy to confront David.

Theological Implications:

· Divine Guidance and Protection:
Ranging in the Bible often occurs under the providence and guidance of God. For instance, when David and his men ranged through the wilderness, they were frequently under divine protection and guidance, as seen in various accounts of his military campaigns and escapes from Saul.

· Moral and Ethical Considerations:
The act of ranging can also carry moral implications, depending on the intent and actions of those involved. Ranging for the purpose of plunder, as seen with the Amalekites, is depicted negatively, while ranging for protection or in service to God's anointed, as with David's men, is portrayed positively.

· Symbolism of Spiritual Journey:
Ranging can symbolize the spiritual journey of believers, who are often described as sojourners or pilgrims in the world. This metaphorical ranging involves seeking God's will, exploring the depths of faith, and navigating the challenges of life with divine assistance.

Historical and Cultural Context:

· Military Strategy:
In ancient times, ranging was a crucial aspect of military strategy. Armies would send out scouts or small groups to range ahead, gather intelligence, and secure advantageous positions. This practice is evident in the biblical narratives of Israel's battles and conquests.

· Nomadic Lifestyle:
The concept of ranging also reflects the nomadic lifestyle of many ancient Near Eastern peoples, including the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings. This lifestyle required constant movement and adaptation to new environments, relying on God's provision and guidance.

Conclusion:
While the Bible does not frequently use the term "ranging," the concept is woven throughout the narratives of exploration, military strategy, and spiritual journey. It highlights themes of divine guidance, moral choices, and the dynamic nature of faith and life in the biblical world.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Range.

How the Books were Written.
... "For the New Testament,...we have manuscripts more or less complete, written in
uncial or capital letters, and ranging from the fourth to the tenth century; of ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter xii how the books.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1832 to the Beginning ...
... upon the remaining five bishops, who accordingly had each four conferences and a
fraction to attend every year, besides the duty of ranging through their ...
/.../chapter 12 from the close.htm

His Conversion
... We are told that, as he was ranging through strange cities in pursuit of his victims,
he was exceedingly mad against them; and, as he was setting out to ...
/.../stalker/the life of st paul/chapter iii his conversion.htm

What is Meant by the Appellation "Angels?"
... elevating themselves with the intensity of the Divine unswerving love, and receiving
the primal illuminations without earthly stain, and ranging themselves to ...
/.../dionysius/on the heavenly hierarchy/caput iv what is meant.htm

The Second Word
... for the past, still less to a cowardly shrinking from a deserved punishment, but
to a definite act of the man's will, repudiating sin, and ranging himself on ...
//christianbookshelf.org/beibitz/gloria crucis/iii the second word.htm

Patriotic Hymns.
... The ethnic anthologies growing out of love of country are a mingled literature of
filial and religious piety, ranging from war-like paeans to lyric prayers. ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter ix patriotic hymns.htm

The Upbringing of Jewish Children
... After that the fond eye of the Hebrew parent seems to watch the child as it is clinging
to its mother"as it were, ranging itself by her"whence the fifth ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 7 the upbringing of.htm

The People among whom we Labour.
... There is among them all the variety of station which might be expected in a community
composed of millions, ranging from princes, wealthy landholders, and ...
/.../chapter xxviii the people among.htm

The Outlaw
... So I'm aff and away to the muirs, mither, to hunt the deer, Ranging far frae frowning
faces, and the douce folk here; Crawling up through burn and bracken ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/the outlaw.htm

Ninth Tractate. On the Good, or the One.
... Come thus to soul " which brings all to unity, making, moulding, shaping, ranging
to order " there is a temptation to say "Soul is the bestower of unity ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/plotinus/the six enneads/ninth tractate on the good.htm

Ranging (1 Occurrence)
... n.) of Range. Multi-Version Concordance Ranging (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 28:15 As
a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people. ...
/r/ranging.htm - 6k

Ranges (5 Occurrences)

/r/ranges.htm - 9k

Ostrich (9 Occurrences)
... comparisons from. 1. Physical Peculiarities: They attained a height ranging
from 6 to 8 ft., and weighed from 200 to 300 lbs. The head ...
/o/ostrich.htm - 18k

Language (112 Occurrences)
... that is, before the days of Mohammed, are in substantially the same dialect as that
of the Koran, for it appears that Bedouin tribes ranging within the limits ...
/l/language.htm - 101k

Graecia
... will be well for us to limit Greece to the territory lying roughly below 40 degrees,
and extending almost to 36 degrees North latitude, and ranging between 17 ...
/g/graecia.htm - 21k

Growling (4 Occurrences)
... his soul. (See NAS RSV). Proverbs 28:15 A growling lion, and a ranging bear,
'Is' the wicked ruler over a poor people. (YLT). Isaiah ...
/g/growling.htm - 7k

Ravenous (11 Occurrences)
... sword. (See NIV). Proverbs 28:15 As a roaring lion, and a ranging
bear,'so is a wicked ruler over a poor people. (See JPS). Isaiah ...
/r/ravenous.htm - 9k

Range (9 Occurrences)
... to range" is "to set in a line" (Judith 2:16; 2 Maccabees 12:20, diatasso) or "to
move in a line" or, simply, "to roam," whence "a ranging bear" (Proverbs 28:15 ...
/r/range.htm - 13k

Exploration
... 1. (n.) The act of exploring, penetrating, or ranging over for purposes of discovery,
especially of geographical discovery; examination; as, the exploration of ...
/e/exploration.htm - 38k

Melody (55 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A rhythmical succession of single tones, ranging for the most part within
a given key, and so related together as to form a musical whole, having the ...
/m/melody.htm - 24k

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