Topical Bible: Strove

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Topical Encyclopedia

The term "strove" is derived from the past tense of "strive," which means to make great efforts to achieve or obtain something, or to struggle or fight vigorously. In the context of the Bible, "strove" often refers to conflicts, disputes, or earnest efforts in both physical and spiritual realms.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, "strove" is frequently used to describe conflicts between individuals or groups. One notable instance is found in Genesis 26:20, where the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac's herdsmen over water rights: "But the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen and said, 'The water is ours.' So he named the well Esek, because they contended with him" . Here, the term illustrates a physical and territorial dispute.

Another significant usage is in Exodus 2:13, where Moses intervenes in a conflict: "The next day he went out and saw two Hebrews fighting, and he asked the one in the wrong, 'Why are you striking your fellow Hebrew?'" . This passage highlights Moses' early sense of justice and foreshadows his future role as a leader and mediator.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, "strove" can also refer to spiritual or doctrinal struggles. In Luke 13:24, Jesus uses the term in a metaphorical sense: "Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able" . Here, "strive" emphasizes the earnest effort required to live a life of faith and obedience, suggesting that entering the Kingdom of God requires dedication and perseverance.

Theological Implications

The concept of striving in the Bible often carries a dual implication of human effort and divine assistance. While individuals are called to strive in their faith, it is understood within the broader context of God's sovereignty and grace. The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, frequently speaks of striving in the context of spiritual warfare and the Christian life. For instance, in Romans 15:30, he urges believers to "strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf" , indicating the communal and prayerful aspect of striving in the faith.

Moral and Ethical Dimensions

From a moral and ethical standpoint, the act of striving is seen as a necessary component of the Christian life. It involves not only personal growth and sanctification but also the pursuit of justice and peace in the community. The Bible encourages believers to strive for holiness (Hebrews 12:14) and to contend earnestly for the faith (Jude 1:3), underscoring the active and ongoing nature of the Christian journey.

Conclusion

In summary, the term "strove" in the Bible encompasses a range of meanings from physical disputes to spiritual endeavors. It reflects the human condition of conflict and the call to pursue righteousness with diligence and faithfulness.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

1. (imp.) of Strive.

2. (p. p.) of Strive.

3. (v.) imp. of Strive.

Library

Look not Upon Me Because I am Dark-Colored, Because the Sun Hath ...
... CHAPTER I. 5. Look not upon me because I am dark-colored, because the sun hath tanned
me; my mother's children strove against me; they made me keeper in the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/guyon/song of songs of solomon/5 look not upon me.htm

The First Apostle of Peace at any Price
... And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac's herdmen, saying, The water is ours:
and he called the name of the well Esek; because they strove with him. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the first apostle of peace.htm

Although, Even if There Went Before no Testimonies Concerning ...
... Thus while they were faithful even unto death for the truth, strove not by returning
evil, but by enduring, overcame not by killing, but by dying; thus was the ...
/.../augustine/concerning faith of things not seen /10 although even if there.htm

Ezekiel xiii. 22
... the hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by promising
him life." Where the way of life was broad, they strove to make it narrow ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/arnold/the christian life/lecture xx ezekiel xiii 22.htm

The Churches of the East
... Chief among these stands the Church of the Eastern Empire where the Patriarch of
Constantinople strove to make himself at least the equal of the Bishop of Rome ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter xvii the churches of.htm

For all the Good Performed by Thee,
... And mocked Thee on that woful day; In vain they strove against Thee, Lord". ... But vain
they strove against Thee, Lord". Give Thou to them their due reward. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns of the greek church/for all the good performed.htm

The Vain Machinations of the Arians and Melitians against St. ...
... [1180] As they possessed great freedom of speech and influence with the emperor,
they strove for the recall of Arius, with whom they were on terms of concord ...
/.../chapter xxii the vain machinations of.htm

The Leper. Mt 8:23
... Awhile I would have passed for well,. And strove my spots to hide; Till it broke
out incurable,. ... Till hope and patience ceased? The more I strove myself to cure, ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 82 the leper mt.htm

A Contest of Hospitality.
... father from his sons, and also we trust that he will share with us our house and
our living." While we said this, and that chief man of the city strove to take ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xxxv a contest of hospitality.htm

For Thy Dear Saints, O Lord
... Alt. For thy dear saints, O Lord,. Who strove in thee to live,. Who followed thee,
obeyed, adored,. ... For thy dear saints, O Lord,. Who strove in thee to die,. ...
/.../holy days st simon and.htm

Thesaurus

Strove (25 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Strove (25 Occurrences). John 6:52 The Jews therefore
strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? ...
/s/strove.htm - 14k

Quarreled (8 Occurrences)
... Israelite woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the children of Israel;
and the son of the Israelite woman and a man of Israel strove together in ...
/q/quarreled.htm - 8k

Korah's (4 Occurrences)
... These are that Dathan and Abiram, the elect of the congregation, who strove against
Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against ...
/k/korah's.htm - 7k

Nem'uel (3 Occurrences)
... These are that Dathan and Abiram, the elect of the congregation, who strove against
Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against ...
/n/nem'uel.htm - 7k

Nemuel (3 Occurrences)
... These are that Dathan and Abiram, who were called of the congregation, who strove
against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove...
/n/nemuel.htm - 8k

Famous (20 Occurrences)
... This is that Dathan and Abiram, which were famous in the congregation, who strove
against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove...
/f/famous.htm - 12k

Rebelled (61 Occurrences)
... These are that Dathan and Abiram, who were called of the congregation, who strove
against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove...
/r/rebelled.htm - 25k

Eli'ab (19 Occurrences)
... These are that Dathan and Abiram, the elect of the congregation, who strove against
Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against ...
/e/eli'ab.htm - 11k

Eliab (20 Occurrences)
... These are that Dathan and Abiram, who were called of the congregation, who strove
against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove...
/e/eliab.htm - 15k

Dathan (8 Occurrences)
... These are that Dathan and Abiram, who were called of the congregation, who strove
against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove...
/d/dathan.htm - 10k

Resources

What is the Septuagint? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about strife? | GotQuestions.org

What is IFCA International? | GotQuestions.org

Strove: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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

Concordance

Strove (25 Occurrences)

John 6:52
The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat?
(KJV ASV)

Acts 7:26
And the next day he shewed himself unto them as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?
(KJV ASV)

Acts 23:9
And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.
(KJV ASV)

Acts 26:11
And punishing them oftentimes in all the synagogues, I strove to make them blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto foreign cities.
(ASV)

Genesis 26:20
And the herdmen of Gerar did strive with Isaac's herdmen, saying, The water is ours: and he called the name of the well Esek; because they strove with him.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

Genesis 26:21
And they digged another well, and strove for that also: and he called the name of it Sitnah.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY)

Genesis 26:22
And he removed from thence, and digged another well; and for that they strove not: and he called the name of it Rehoboth; and he said, For now the LORD hath made room for us, and we shall be fruitful in the land.
(KJV JPS ASV)

Genesis 31:36
And Jacob was wroth, and chode with Laban: and Jacob answered and said to Laban, What is my trespass? what is my sin, that thou hast hotly pursued after me?
(See JPS)

Exodus 2:13
And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow?
(KJV WBS)

Exodus 17:2
Wherefore the people stove with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why strive ye with me? Wherefore do ye tempt Jehovah?
(See JPS)

Leviticus 24:10
The son of an Israelite woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the children of Israel; and the son of the Israelite woman and a man of Israel strove together in the camp.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

Numbers 20:3
The people strove with Moses, and spoke, saying, "We wish that we had died when our brothers died before Yahweh!
(WEB JPS ASV)

Numbers 20:13
These are the waters of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with Yahweh, and he was sanctified in them.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS)

Numbers 26:9
The sons of Eliab: Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. These are that Dathan and Abiram, who were called of the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against Yahweh,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS)

Deuteronomy 33:8
Of Levi he said, "Your Thummim and your Urim are with your godly one, whom you proved at Massah, with whom you strove at the waters of Meribah;
(WEB)

2 Samuel 14:6
And thy handmaid had two sons, and they two strove together in the field, and there was none to part them, but the one smote the other, and slew him.
(KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

Psalms 55:18
He hath redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that was against me; For they were many that strove with me.
(See JPS ASV)

Psalms 59:17
Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing praises: For God is my high tower, the God of my mercy. Psalm 60 For the Chief Musician; 'set to' Shushan Eduth. Michtam of David, to teach; and when he strove with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, and Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the Valley of Salt twelve thousand.
(ASV)

Psalms 60:1
{To the chief Musician. On Shushan. Testimony. Michtam of David; to teach: when he strove with the Syrians of Mesopotamia, and the Syrians of Zobah, and Joab returned, and smote the Edomites in the valley of salt, twelve thousand.} O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased: restore us again.
(DBY WBS RSV)

Psalms 119:158
I beheld the treacherous, and was grieved, Because they observe not thy word.
(See JPS)

Isaiah 41:11
Behold, all they that are incensed against thee shall be put to shame and confounded: they that strive with thee shall be as nothing, and shall perish.
(See JPS)

Jeremiah 50:24
I have laid a snare for thee, and thou art also taken, O Babylon, and thou wast not aware; thou art found, and also caught, because thou hast striven against the LORD.
(See RSV)

Daniel 7:2
Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.
(KJV WBS)

Hosea 12:3
In the womb he took his brother by the heel; and in his manhood he had power with God:
(See JPS RSV)

Hosea 12:4
yea, he had power over the angel, and prevailed; he wept, and made supplication unto him: he found him at Beth-el, and there he spake with us,
(See JPS RSV)

Subtopics

Strove

Related Terms

Awe-struck (9 Occurrences)

Survivors (49 Occurrences)

Survivor (18 Occurrences)

Coins (13 Occurrences)

Conquered (20 Occurrences)

Murderer (17 Occurrences)

Pierced (63 Occurrences)

Conspired (32 Occurrences)

Chased (21 Occurrences)