The concept of survival is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, often illustrating God's providence, protection, and the resilience of His people. The term "survived" and its implications can be seen in various narratives, where individuals or groups endure trials, tribulations, and divine judgments, emerging with their faith and purpose intact.

Old Testament Examples

1. Noah and the Flood: One of the earliest and most significant accounts of survival is the account of Noah and the Flood. In Genesis 7:23 , it is written, "Every living thing on the face of the earth was destroyed—man and livestock, crawling creatures and birds of the air; they were blotted out from the earth, and only Noah and those with him in the ark survived." This narrative underscores God's judgment on a sinful world and His mercy in preserving Noah and his family due to Noah's righteousness.

2. Joseph in Egypt: Joseph's life is a testament to survival through adversity. Sold into slavery by his brothers, falsely accused, and imprisoned, Joseph ultimately rises to power in Egypt. His survival and success are attributed to God's favor and providence. In Genesis 50:20 , Joseph reassures his brothers, saying, "As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people."

3. The Israelites in the Wilderness: The survival of the Israelites during their 40-year journey in the wilderness is a powerful example of God's provision. Despite their frequent disobedience, God sustains them with manna, quail, and water. Deuteronomy 8:4 highlights this divine care: "Your clothing did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years."

New Testament Examples

1. The Early Church: The survival of the early Christian church amidst persecution is a testament to the power of faith and the Holy Spirit. In Acts 8:1 , following the martyrdom of Stephen, "On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria." Despite this, the church not only survived but thrived, spreading the Gospel far and wide.

2. Paul's Shipwreck: The Apostle Paul's survival of a shipwreck on his way to Rome is a dramatic account of divine intervention. In Acts 27:44 , it is recorded, "The rest were to follow on planks and various parts of the ship. In this way everyone was brought safely to land." This event illustrates God's protection over Paul and his mission.

Theological Implications

Survival in the biblical context often signifies more than mere physical endurance; it reflects spiritual perseverance and the fulfillment of God's promises. The narratives of survival serve as reminders of God's sovereignty and faithfulness. They encourage believers to trust in God's plan, even in the face of overwhelming odds, and to remain steadfast in their faith.

Spiritual Survival

The Bible also addresses the concept of spiritual survival, emphasizing the importance of enduring in faith. In James 1:12 , it is written, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." This verse highlights the eternal reward for those who survive spiritual trials through steadfast faith.

In summary, the theme of survival in the Bible encompasses both physical and spiritual dimensions, demonstrating God's unwavering support for His people and the ultimate triumph of faith over adversity.(imp. & p. p.) of Survive.5146. Noach -- "rest," patriarch who survived the flood
... 5145, 5146. Noach. 5147 . "rest," patriarch who survived the flood.
Transliteration: Noach Phonetic Spelling: (no'-akh) Short Definition: Noah. ...
/hebrew/5146.htm - 6k

8300. sarid -- a survivor
... Word Origin from sarad Definition a survivor NASB Word Usage left (1), remains
(1), remnant (2), survived (1), survivor (13), survivors (8), who survived (2). ...
/hebrew/8300.htm - 6k

2421a. chayah -- to live
... saved (1), saved our lives (1), saving (1), spare (3), spared (2), stay alive (1),
surely live (9), surely recover (2), survival (1), survive (2), survived (1 ...
/hebrew/2421a.htm - 6k

3117. yom -- day
... once (2), period (3), perpetually* (2), present (1), recently (1), reigns (1), ripe*
(1), short-lived* (1), so long* (1), some time (1), survived* (2), time (45 ...
/hebrew/3117.htm - 7k

310. achar -- the hind or following part
... 5), follows* (3), forsaking* (1), later (1), long* (1), pursuing (4), rear (3),
since (3), since* (4), subsequent (2), succeeded (1), survived* (2), then (1 ...
/hebrew/310.htm - 6k

748. arak -- to be long
... lengthen (3), lengthened (1), lingered (2), live (2), long (5), long* (3), makes
him slow (1), prolong (8), prolonged (4), prolongs (1), stick (1), survived* (2 ...
/hebrew/748.htm - 6k

7604. shaar -- to remain, be left over
... 1), leaves (1), left (73), left behind (2), remain (10), remained (11), remains
(6), remnant (2), reserved (1), rest (2), survive (1), survived (4), surviving ...
/hebrew/7604.htm - 6k

Concerning the Great Confessors who Survived.
... The ECCLESIASTICAL HistorY, of salaminius hermias sozomenus. Book I.
Chapter X."Concerning the Great Confessors who survived. ...
/.../chapter x concerning the great confessors.htm

The Distinguished Ecclesiastics of Our Day, and which of them ...
... Book VII. Chapter XXXII."The Distinguished Ecclesiastics of our Day, and which
of them survived until the Destruction of the Churches. ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xxxii the distinguished ecclesiastics of.htm

That the Original Language in Use among Men was that which was ...
... of tongues, and the city of the godless was called Confusion or Babylon, there was
still the house of Heber in which the primitive language of the race survived ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 11 that the original language.htm

The Literature
... Little of this has survived, the most significant work being the Odes of Solomon. ...
Practically no Jewish Christian literature has survived. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/richardson/early christian fathers/the literature.htm

Final Settlement of the Church by St. John
... John the Divine was the only one of the Apostolic body who long survived that
event. [Sidenote: St. Peter began to found the Church, St. ...
/.../a key to the knowledge of church history/chapter iv final settlement of.htm

Formation and History of the New Testament Canon.
... 3. First in order is the apostolic age, extending to about AD100, especially
the first half of it when many of the apostles still survived. ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxvii formation and history.htm

Brave Encouragements
... The two brave leaders, Zerubbabel and Joshua, still survived, and kept alive their
own zeal; but the mass of the people were more concerned about their ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/brave encouragements.htm

Concerning the Martyrdom of Symeon the Son of Clopas, Bishop of ...
... The same historian mentions others also, of the family of one of the reputed brothers
of the Saviour, named Judas, as having survived until this same reign ...
/.../unknown/the decretals/concerning the martyrdom of symeon.htm

But Origen Also, You Will Tell Us, in Composing his Work Called ...
... If the captain wishes to see how many of them have survived after an action, he
sends a man to make inquiry; and he makes his own mark, a (th) (theta), for ...
/.../36 but origen also you.htm

The Early Training of a Race.
... period. How far has this racial characteristic survived? ... stoning. How far has
this characteristic survived to the glory of the Jewish race? ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study xi the early training.htm

Survived (15 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Survive. Multi-Version Concordance
Survived (15 Occurrences). Genesis 14:10 Now the valley ...
/s/survived.htm - 10k

Patriarchs (6 Occurrences)
... individuals and that no links have been omitted in the genealogy, readers of the
Septuagint noticed that according to its data Methuselah survived the flood ...
/p/patriarchs.htm - 37k

Antediluvian
... individuals and that no links have been omitted in the genealogy, readers of the
Septuagint noticed that according to its data Methuselah survived the flood ...
/a/antediluvian.htm - 35k

Latin (2 Occurrences)
... 2. Multiplicity of Latin Translations in the 4th Century: Of the earliest
translators of the Bible into Latin no record has survived. ...
/l/latin.htm - 28k

Amos (12 Occurrences)
... RV He prophesied in the days of Uzziah, king of Judah, and was contemporary with
Isaiah and Hosea (Amos 1:1; 7:14, 15; Zechariah 14:5), who survived him a few ...
/a/amos.htm - 44k

Family (438 Occurrences)
... hardship alone. It cannot but be that much of the primitive conjugal love
survived the fall. 4. Polygamy: According to the record ...
/f/family.htm - 87k

Languages (36 Occurrences)
... Of the three cases of the noun only the accusative -am has survived in a few adverbial
forms, such as 'omnam, "truly." The dual has entirely disappeared from ...
/l/languages.htm - 49k

Survives (6 Occurrences)

/s/survives.htm - 8k

Survive (20 Occurrences)

/s/survive.htm - 12k

Version
... 2. Multiplicity of Latin Translations in the 4th Century: Of the earliest
translators of the Bible into Latin no record has survived. ...
/v/version.htm - 37k

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