The concept of "strayed" in the Bible often refers to the act of wandering away from the path of righteousness and truth, both physically and spiritually. This term is frequently used to describe the actions of individuals or groups who have deviated from God's commandments and teachings.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the idea of straying is often associated with the Israelites' repeated departure from God's laws and their inclination towards idolatry. The prophets frequently admonished the people for straying from the covenant established with God. For instance, in Isaiah 53:6 , it is written, "We all like sheep have gone astray, each one has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid upon Him the iniquity of us all." This verse metaphorically compares the people to sheep that have wandered away from their shepherd, highlighting the tendency of humans to deviate from divine guidance.

The book of Hosea also addresses the theme of straying, as the prophet Hosea is commanded to marry Gomer, a woman who is unfaithful, symbolizing Israel's unfaithfulness to God. Hosea 4:12 states, "My people consult their wooden idols, and their divining rods inform them. For a spirit of prostitution leads them astray; they are unfaithful to their God."

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of straying is further developed with a focus on the spiritual implications of turning away from the teachings of Jesus Christ. The parable of the lost sheep, found in Matthew 18:12-14 and Luke 15:3-7, illustrates God's concern for those who have strayed. In Matthew 18:12 , Jesus says, "What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that is straying?" This parable emphasizes God's relentless pursuit of those who have wandered from the faith, underscoring His desire for their return.

The epistles also address the issue of straying. James 5:19-20 encourages believers to help those who have strayed from the truth: "My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, consider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins." This passage highlights the responsibility of the Christian community to guide and restore those who have deviated from the path of righteousness.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, straying is often seen as a result of human sinfulness and the influence of worldly temptations. It reflects the inherent weakness of human nature and the constant need for divine grace and guidance. The Bible consistently calls believers to remain vigilant and steadfast in their faith, resisting the allure of sin and the tendency to stray.

The concept of straying also underscores the importance of repentance and reconciliation with God. The biblical narrative reveals that while humans may stray, God's mercy and forgiveness are always available to those who seek to return to Him. This theme is central to the message of redemption found throughout Scripture, offering hope and restoration to those who have wandered from the truth.(imp. & p. p.) of Stray.5074. nadad -- to retreat, flee, depart, stray, wander, flutter
... chased (1), chased away (1), could (1), flapped (1), fled (6), flee (5), fleeing
(1), fugitive (2), fugitives (1), shake (1), shrink (1), strayed (1), thrust ...
/hebrew/5074.htm - 6k

Lord, I have Strayed Afar
... FAITH AND PENITENCE V Lord, I have strayed afar. 6,6,6,6,8,8. Lord, I have strayed
afar. And I can find no rest; Above, no guiding star,. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the russian church/v lord i have strayed.htm

So Then in Respect of the Three Points of Our Seal Error Has ...
... THE DEMONSTRATION OF THE APOSTOLIC PREACHING Chapter 100 So then in respect
of the three points of our seal error has strayed widely? ...
/.../the demonstration of the apostolic preaching/chapter 100 so then in.htm

Of Internal Acts
... As Isaiah saith, "Return to your heart" (Isaiah 46:8); for we have strayed from
our heart by sin, and it is our heart only that God requires, "My son give me ...
/.../guyon/a short and easy method of prayer/chapter xxii of internal acts.htm

Whether, by Penance, Man is Restored to his Former Dignity?
... down," observes: "It is not said that she cannot rise up, but that the virgin of
Israel shall not rise; because the sheep that has once strayed, although the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether by penance man is.htm

Refutation of the Jews
... "For all we," it goes on, "have strayed like sheep, man has strayed from his path,
and the Lord has given Him up for our sins; and He Himself did not open His ...
/.../athanasius/on the incarnation of the word/chapter 6 refutation of the.htm

"I Lead in the Way of Righteousness, in the Midst of the Paths of ...
... Lord, on Thee my help is laid; Thou art true, but I have strayed; ". Left Thee
with a froward will,. Strayed from One who loves me still. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/waring/hymns and meditations/i lead in the way.htm

O, Touch My Heart, and Bring to Mind
... Teach me to walk in fear. III. For I have strayed, and Thou hast sought,. And I
have strayed again; O, may the wanderer Thou hast brought. Within Thy fold remain ...
//christianbookshelf.org/brownlie/hymns from the east/o touch my heart and.htm

O, Touch My Heart, and Bring to Mind
... Teach me to walk in fear. For I have strayed, and Thou hast sought,. And I have
strayed again; O, may the wanderer Thou hast brought,. Within the fold remain. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the russian church/xiv o touch my heart.htm

But Will not those Narratives, Especially when they are Understood ...
... by its great benevolence, undertaken to convert (as the Scripture mystically terms
them) the "lost sheep of the house of Israel," which had strayed down from ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xvii but will not.htm

The Three Parables of the Gospel: of the Recovery of the Lost - of ...
... Yet which among us would not, even from the common motives of ownership, leave the
ninety-and-nine, and go after it, all the more that it has strayed into the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xvii the three parables.htm

Strayed (9 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Strayed (9 Occurrences). ... Psalms 44:18 Our heart has not
turned back, neither have our steps strayed from your path, (WEB NIV). ...
/s/strayed.htm - 9k

Stray (12 Occurrences)
... rectitude; to err. 4. (vt) To cause to stray. 5. (vi) Having gone astray;
strayed; wandering; as, a stray horse or sheep. 6. (n.) Any ...
/s/stray.htm - 10k

Kish (18 Occurrences)
... All that is recorded of him is that he sent his son Saul in search of his
asses that had strayed, and that he was buried in Zelah. ...
/k/kish.htm - 15k

Deviated (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Deviated (1 Occurrence). Psalms 44:18 Our heart has not
turned back, neither have our steps strayed from your path, (See NAS). ...
/d/deviated.htm - 6k

Shoulders (38 Occurrences)
... took bread and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder,
and the child, and sent her away; and she departed, and strayed in the ...
/s/shoulders.htm - 18k

Strayeth (1 Occurrence)

/s/strayeth.htm - 6k

Saul (371 Occurrences)
... in 1 Samuel 8-10. His father's she-asses had strayed, and Saul was sent
with a servant to seek for them. Leaving his home at Gibeah ...
/s/saul.htm - 76k

Shepherd (76 Occurrences)
... Here he watched them all day, taking care that none of the sheep strayed, and if
any for a time eluded his watch and wandered away from the rest, seeking ...
/s/shepherd.htm - 42k

Bethsaida (7 Occurrences)
... close together. The names of many ancient places have been lost, and others
have strayed from their original localities. The absence ...
/b/bethsaida.htm - 19k

Step (41 Occurrences)
... Psalms 44:18 Our heart has not turned back, neither have our steps strayed from
your path, (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). ...
/s/step.htm - 19k

Why are all of our righteous acts considered filthy rags? | GotQuestions.org

Is the Catholic Church the mother church? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of sheep in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Strayed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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