In the context of the Bible, the concept of surviving often intertwines with themes of faith, perseverance, divine providence, and the human experience of enduring trials and tribulations. The Scriptures provide numerous accounts and teachings that illustrate the resilience of individuals and communities who, through faith and reliance on God, overcome adversity.

Old Testament Examples

1. Noah and the Flood: One of the earliest examples of survival is the account of Noah, who, by God's command, built an ark to survive the great flood that destroyed the earth. Genesis 7:23 states, "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 remained."

2. Joseph in Egypt: Joseph's journey from being sold into slavery by his brothers to becoming a powerful leader in Egypt is a testament to survival through faith and divine intervention. Despite numerous hardships, Joseph's trust in God enabled him to save not only himself but also his family and the nation of Egypt from famine (Genesis 50:20): "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 marked by God's provision and guidance. Despite their frequent disobedience, God provided manna, quail, and water, ensuring their survival until they reached the Promised Land (Exodus 16:35): "The Israelites ate manna forty years, until they came to a land that was settled; they ate manna until they reached the border of Canaan."

New Testament Teachings

1. Jesus' Teachings on Endurance: Jesus emphasized the importance of endurance in the face of persecution and trials. In Matthew 24:13 , He states, "But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved." This highlights the necessity of steadfast faith as a means of spiritual survival.

2. Paul's Hardships: The Apostle Paul frequently wrote about his own experiences of surviving trials through the strength provided by Christ. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-27, Paul recounts his sufferings, yet he remains steadfast, attributing his survival to God's grace and power (Philippians 4:13): "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."

3. The Early Church: The survival of the early Christian church amidst persecution is a powerful narrative of faith and divine support. Acts 8:1-4 describes how the church, despite being scattered due to persecution, continued to grow and spread the Gospel, demonstrating resilience and reliance on the Holy Spirit.

Theological Insights

Survival in the biblical sense often involves more than mere physical endurance; it encompasses spiritual perseverance and trust in God's sovereignty. The Bible teaches that survival is not solely dependent on human effort but is deeply rooted in faith and the assurance of God's presence and promises. Romans 8:28 reassures believers, "And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose."

Practical Application

For believers today, the biblical narratives of survival serve as encouragement to remain faithful amidst life's challenges. The Scriptures remind Christians that, like the saints of old, they are called to trust in God's provision and guidance, knowing that He is faithful to sustain them through all circumstances.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Survive.

2. (a.) Remaining alive; yet living or existing; as, surviving friends; surviving customs.

5275. hupoleipo -- a remnant
... Verb Transliteration: hupoleipo Phonetic Spelling: (hoop-ol-i'-po) Short Definition:
I leave behind Definition: I leave behind; pass: I am left surviving. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5275.htm - 6k2475. chaloph -- a passing away, vanishing
... destruction. From chalaph; properly, surviving; by implication (collectively) orphans --
X destruction. see HEBREW chalaph. 2474, 2475. chaloph. 2476 . ...
/hebrew/2475.htm - 6k

3498. yathar -- to remain over
... preserve (1), prosper you abundantly (1), remain (2), remainder (7), remained (2),
remaining (2), remains (3), reserved (2), rest (18), spare (1), surviving (2 ...
/hebrew/3498.htm - 6k

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

7611. sheerith -- rest, residue, remnant, remainder
... From sha'ar; a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion -- that had escaped,
be left, posterity, remain(-der), remnant, residue, rest. ...
/hebrew/7611.htm - 6k

The Providence Before us May be Farther Improved to Quicken us in ...
... 3. THE Providence before us may be farther improved to quicken us in the Duties
of Life, and especially in the Education of surviving Children. ...
/.../3 the providence before us.htm

The Christian Honoring God by his Dying Behavior.
... under bodily pains and sorrows."7. At leaving the world, to bear an honorable testimony
to religion."8 To give a solemn charge to surviving friends."9 ...
/.../chapter xxx the christian honoring.htm

Introductory Note to the First Epistle of Clement to the ...
... John, no doubt, was still surviving at Patmos or in Ephesus; but the Philippians,
whose intercourse with Rome is attested by the visit of Epaphroditus, looked ...
/.../introductory note to the first.htm

Of those who are Able to Profit Others by virtuous Example in ...
... Hence Moses says (Deuteronomy 25:5) that a surviving brother shall take to him the
wife of a brother who has died without children, and beget children to the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leo/writings of leo the great/chapter v of those who.htm

Of Hope and True Religion, and of Superstition.
... But they are called superstitious, not who wish their children to survive them,
for we all wish this; but either those who reverence the surviving memory of ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xxviii of hope and true.htm

Adonijah
... Chiliah, or Daniel, died we know not how, and then Adonijah, the fourth son,
the eldest of those surviving, followed in Absalom's footsteps. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/adonijah.htm

Accidental Causes of Corruption.
... of so-called various readings'; but which in reality, as has already been shewn,
are nothing else but a collection of mistakes,"the surviving tokens that ...
/.../chapter v accidental causes of.htm

General Review of the Question: Summary of the Evidence; and ...
... B and Cod. ' are the alone surviving Manuscript witnesses? . . . ... B and Cod. ' are
the two solitary surviving specimens,"Eusebius, the one historical witness. ...
/.../chapter xii general review of.htm

Tatian.
... his Diatessaron, 61. his encraty, 62. his Address to the Greeks, sole surviving
work, 62. Epiphanius describes him as from Mesopotamia, 62. ...
/.../clement/who is the rich man that shall be saved/tatian.htm

St. Gregory the Great.
... Thus stood the temples, triumphal arches, pillars, and statues before the eyes of
a young Roman noble, one out of the few patrician families still surviving. ...
/.../allies/the formation of christendom volume vi/chapter v st gregory the.htm

Surviving (8 Occurrences)
... n.) of Survive. 2. (a.) Remaining alive; yet living or existing; as, surviving friends;
surviving customs. Multi-Version Concordance Surviving (8 Occurrences). ...
/s/surviving.htm - 8k

Immortality (6 Occurrences)
... immaterial "soul" in the modern sense (the Egyptians, eg distinguished several parts,
the Ka, the Ba, etc., which survived death; often the surviving self is ...
/i/immortality.htm - 35k

Immortal (3 Occurrences)
... immaterial "soul" in the modern sense (the Egyptians, eg distinguished several parts,
the Ka, the Ba, etc., which survived death; often the surviving self is ...
/i/immortal.htm - 33k

Rimmon (22 Occurrences)
... 13), and where they maintained themselves for four months after the fearful battle
at Gibeah, in which they were almost exterminated, 600 only surviving out of ...
/r/rimmon.htm - 18k

Survives (6 Occurrences)

/s/survives.htm - 8k

Survivor (18 Occurrences)

/s/survivor.htm - 12k

Alphabet (2 Occurrences)
... Although the earliest surviving inscriptions must be a good deal later than the
separation between the Greek and Hebrew, the records in each are more like one ...
/a/alphabet.htm - 24k

Judah (802 Occurrences)
... Judah and his three surviving sons went down with Jacob into Egypt (Genesis 46:12;
Exodus 1:2). At the time of the Exodus, when we meet with the family of ...
/j/judah.htm - 101k

Jehoash (28 Occurrences)
... While yet an infant, he was saved from the general massacre of the family by his
aunt Jehosheba, and was apparently the only surviving descendant of Solomon (2 ...
/j/jehoash.htm - 32k

Levirate
... Latin levir, "a husband's brother," the name of an ancient custom ordained by Moses,
by which, when an Israelite died without issue, his surviving brother was ...
/l/levirate.htm - 7k

Surviving the end times - what do I need to know? | GotQuestions.org

How do I survive trying to raise a teenager? | GotQuestions.org

Who was the Pharaoh of the Exodus? | GotQuestions.org

Surviving: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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