In biblical terms, a "sojourn" refers to a temporary stay or dwelling in a place that is not one's permanent home. The concept of sojourning is significant throughout the Bible, illustrating themes of faith, obedience, and reliance on God. The Hebrew word often translated as "sojourn" is "gûr," and in the New Testament, the Greek equivalent is "paroikeō."

Old Testament Sojourns

1. Abraham's Sojourn: Abraham is one of the most notable sojourners in the Bible. God called him to leave his homeland and journey to a land that He would show him. Genesis 12:1-2 records God's command: "Go forth from your country, your people, and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you." Abraham's life as a sojourner is marked by his faith and obedience to God's promises, as he lived in tents in the land of Canaan, which was promised to his descendants.

2. Jacob's Sojourn in Egypt: Jacob and his family sojourned in Egypt during a time of famine. This move was orchestrated by God to preserve the family line and fulfill His covenant promises. Genesis 47:4 states, "We have come to sojourn in the land, for there is no pasture for your servants’ flocks, because the famine is severe in Canaan. Now please let your servants settle in the land of Goshen."

3. Israel's Sojourn in the Wilderness: After the Exodus from Egypt, the Israelites sojourned in the wilderness for forty years. This period was a time of testing and reliance on God for provision and guidance. Deuteronomy 8:2 reflects on this time: "Remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments."

New Testament Sojourns

1. Jesus' Sojourn on Earth: Jesus Christ, though divine, sojourned on earth as a man. His life exemplified humility and obedience to the Father. John 1:14 declares, "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."

2. The Apostles and Early Christians: The apostles and early Christians often found themselves as sojourners, spreading the Gospel across different regions. Their journeys were marked by faith and perseverance in the face of persecution. Acts 8:4 notes, "Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went."

Theological Significance

The concept of sojourning in the Bible underscores the transient nature of earthly life and the believer's ultimate citizenship in heaven. Hebrews 11:13-16 speaks of the patriarchs: "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."

Believers are called to live as sojourners, recognizing that their true home is with God. 1 Peter 2:11 exhorts, "Beloved, I urge you as foreigners and exiles to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul."

Practical Implications

The biblical theme of sojourning encourages Christians to live with an eternal perspective, prioritizing spiritual growth and heavenly treasures over earthly possessions. It calls for a life of faith, trusting in God's promises and guidance, much like the patriarchs and early believers who walked before us.1481a. gur -- to sojourn
... 1), live (4), live as aliens (2), lives (1), reside (13), resided (1), resides
(3), sojourn (11), sojourned (9), sojourning (1), sojourns (13), stay (6 ...
/hebrew/1481a.htm - 5k

The Martyrdom of Saint Polycarp,
... The church of God that sojourns at Smyrna to the church of God that sojourns at
Philomelium, and to all those of the holy and Catholic Church who sojourn in ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/the martyrdom of saint polycarp.htm

What Produces Peace, and what Discord, Between the Heavenly and ...
... The heavenly city, or rather the part of it which sojourns on earth and lives by
faith, makes use of this peace only because it must, until this mortal ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 17 what produces peace and.htm

Whether it is Credible that the Men of the Primitive Age Abstained ...
... to Abraham, and after him down to that point of time until which it was needful
to mark by pedigree the course of the most glorious city, which sojourns as a ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 15 whether it is credible.htm

Introduction
... The Church of God which sojourns at Smyrna, to the Church of God sojourning in
Philomelium, [420] and to all the congregations [421] of the Holy and Catholic ...
/.../smyrna/the martyrdom of the holy polycarp/introduction.htm

The Letter of Saint Polycarp,
... Polycarp and the presbyters with him, to the church of God that sojourns at Philippi;
may mercy and peace be multiplied to you from God Almighty and Jesus ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/the letter of saint polycarp.htm

The Salutation. Praise of the Corinthians Before the Breaking ...
... The Church of God which sojourns at Rome, to the Church of God sojourning at Corinth,
to them that are called and sanctified by the will of God, through our ...
/.../chapter i the salutation praise of.htm

The Salutation. Praise of the Corinthians Before The
... The church of God which sojourns at Rome, to the church of God sojourning at Corinth,
to them that are called and sanctified by the will of God, through our ...
/.../keith/the epistles of clement/chapter i the salutation praise of.htm

Some Peculiarities of John's Gospel.
... those of Jerusalem) together, and ye would not." But from John we learn of earnest
and long continued work in the city of Jerusalem and Judea, sojourns of many ...
/.../some peculiarities of johns gospel.htm

But in the Meantime Let us Grant, in Submission to Your Ideas...
... and whether it flew to us of its own accord, or whether it was generated and brought
into existence with our bodies themselves; whether it sojourns with us ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/38 but in the meantime.htm

A Portrait once Effaced must be Restored from the Original. Thus ...
... for men missed seeing this before, and have turned their eyes no longer upward but
downward.8. Whence, naturally, willing to profit men, He sojourns here as man ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 14 a portrait once.htm

Sojourns (18 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Sojourns (18 Occurrences). Exodus 3:22 but every
woman shall ask of her neighbour, and of her that sojourneth ...
/s/sojourns.htm - 12k

Sojournings (8 Occurrences)

/s/sojournings.htm - 8k

Unintentionally (20 Occurrences)
... Joshua 20:9 These were the appointed cities for all the children of Israel, and
for the stranger who sojourns among them, that whoever kills any person ...
/u/unintentionally.htm - 12k

Resides (7 Occurrences)
... (See NAS NIV). Ezekiel 47:23 It shall happen, that in what tribe the stranger sojourns,
there you shall give him his inheritance, says the Lord Yahweh. ...
/r/resides.htm - 8k

Prior (6 Occurrences)
... Joshua 20:9 These were the appointed cities for all the children of Israel, and
for the stranger who sojourns among them, that whoever kills any person ...
/p/prior.htm - 8k

Accidentally (5 Occurrences)
... Joshua 20:9 These were the appointed cities for all the children of Israel, and
for the stranger who sojourns among them, that whoever kills any person ...
/a/accidentally.htm - 8k

Settles (4 Occurrences)
... (WEB NIV). Ezekiel 47:23 It shall happen, that in what tribe the stranger sojourns,
there you shall give him his inheritance, says the Lord Yahweh. (See NIV). ...
/s/settles.htm - 7k

Solace (2 Occurrences)

/s/solace.htm - 7k

Sojourner (81 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who sojourns. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
STRANGER AND SOJOURNER (IN THE APOCRYPHA AND THE NEW TESTAMENT). ...
/s/sojourner.htm - 48k

Survivor (18 Occurrences)
... Ezra 1:4 Whoever is left, in any place where he sojourns, let the men of his place
help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with animals ...
/s/survivor.htm - 12k

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