In the context of the Bible, the term "vagabond" is often associated with a state of wandering, restlessness, and lack of a permanent home or place of belonging. This concept is introduced early in the Scriptures and carries significant theological and moral implications.

Biblical References:

1. Cain as a Vagabond:
The first and most notable mention of a vagabond in the Bible is found in the account of Cain. After Cain murdered his brother Abel, God pronounced a curse upon him. In Genesis 4:12 , God declares, "When you till the ground, it will no longer yield its produce for you. You will be a restless wanderer on the earth." The term "restless wanderer" is often translated as "vagabond," indicating Cain's punishment of perpetual wandering and alienation from settled life and community.

2. Spiritual Implications:
The state of being a vagabond in the Bible is not merely physical but also spiritual. It signifies a separation from God and His blessings. Cain's punishment reflects the consequences of sin, leading to a life of instability and disconnection from God's presence. This condition serves as a warning against disobedience and the resulting estrangement from divine favor.

3. Symbolism of Wandering:
Throughout the Scriptures, the idea of wandering is symbolic of spiritual aimlessness and lack of direction. In the Old Testament, the Israelites' 40 years of wandering in the wilderness (Numbers 14:33) can be seen as a period of testing and purification, contrasting with the negative connotation of a vagabond's purposeless drift.

4. New Testament Perspective:
While the New Testament does not explicitly use the term "vagabond," the concept is echoed in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. For instance, in the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), the younger son's departure from his father's house and subsequent life of wandering and destitution illustrate the spiritual consequences of turning away from God. His eventual return and reconciliation highlight the hope of redemption and restoration.

5. Moral and Ethical Lessons:
The biblical portrayal of a vagabond serves as a moral lesson on the importance of obedience, community, and relationship with God. It underscores the dangers of sin leading to a life of isolation and instability. The Scriptures encourage believers to seek God's guidance and remain steadfast in faith to avoid the pitfalls of spiritual wandering.

In summary, the concept of a vagabond in the Bible is rich with meaning, illustrating the physical and spiritual consequences of sin and disobedience. It serves as a powerful reminder of the need for repentance, reconciliation, and a steadfast relationship with God to find true rest and belonging.From Lat. vagabundus, "a wanderer," "a fugitive;" not used opprobriously (Genesis 4:12, R.V., "wanderer;" Psalm 109:10; Acts 19:13, R.V., "strolling"). 1. (n.) A wanderer with no fixed dwelling, and usually without the means of honest livelihood; a vagrant; a tramp.

2. (a.) Moving from place to place without a settled habitation; wandering.

3. (a.) Floating about without any certain direction; driven to and fro.

4. (a.) Being a vagabond; strolling and idle or vicious.

5. (v. i.) To play the vagabond; to wander like a vagabond; to stroll.

VAGABOND

vag'-a-bond (nudh, "to wander"): The word is used in the curse pronounced on Cain (Genesis 4:12, 14). the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes in each case "wanderer," but in Psalm 109:10 it retains "vagabonds." "Vagabond Jews" (perierchomai; the Revised Version (British and American) "strolling Jews") were persons who traveled about as professional exorcists (Acts 19:13).

213. alazon -- vagabond, hence an impostor, boaster
... vagabond, hence an impostor, boaster. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
alazon Phonetic Spelling: (al-ad-zone') Short Definition: a boaster ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/213.htm - 7k

790. astateo -- to be unsettled, ie homeless
... Phonetic Spelling: (as-tat-eh'-o) Short Definition: I am unsettled, have no fixed
abode Definition: I am unsettled, have no fixed abode, lead a vagabond life. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/790.htm - 6k

212. alazoneia -- boastfulness
... 212 (a feminine noun derived from , "wandering, roaming") -- properly, a vagabond
("quack"), making empty boasts about having "cures" to rid people of all ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/212.htm - 7k

4022. perierchomai -- to go about
... go about. From peri and erchomai (including its alternate); to come all around,
ie Stroll, vacillate, veer -- fetch a compass, vagabond, wandering about. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4022.htm - 6k

5128. nua -- to quiver, wave, waver, tremble, totter
... to (go) up and down, be gone away, (be) move(-able, -d), be promoted, reel, remove,
scatter, set, shake, sift, stagger, to and fro, be vagabond, wag, (make ...
/hebrew/5128.htm - 6k

1980. halak -- to go, come, walk
... surely go (2), swept (1), take (6), taking (2), throng (1), took (1), took for us
to come (1), travel (3), traveled (1), travelers* (1), vagabond (1), vanished ...
/hebrew/1980.htm - 8k

5110. nud -- to move to and fro, wander, flutter, show grief
... or (from tossing the head in scorn) taunt -- bemoan, flee, get, mourn, make to move,
take pity, remove, shake, skip for joy, be sorry, vagabond, way, wandering ...
/hebrew/5110.htm - 6k

Acts xix. 8, 9
... (d) "Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them
which had evil spirits ... Observe: vagabond, or, itinerant, Jewish exorcists. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xli acts xix 8.htm

George Borrow
... Israelitish civilisation sets before us again and again in Cain and Abel, Isaac
and Ishmael, Esau and Jacob"the contrast of the wild and vagabond hunter and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/beeching/george borrow/george borrow.htm

The Growth and Power of Sin
... her strength. A fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth. And ...
our heads. Every sinner is a fugitive and a vagabond. But ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the growth and power of.htm

The Voice of the Blood of Christ
... throne, summoned the culprit to his presence, questioned him, condemned him out
of his own mouth, and made him henceforth a fugitive and a vagabond, to wander ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the voice of the blood.htm

Conclusion.
... We have here not the real Christ, the Jew, the outcast and the vagabond. ... Against
him there was only this poor vagabond from Nazareth"and the Invisible. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/stead/king of the jews/chapter x conclusion.htm

The Life of Adam
... When thou shalt work and labor the earth it shall bring forth no fruit, but
thou shalt be fugitive, vagabond, and void on the earth. ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the life of adam.htm

Paul in Ephesus.
... "Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over ... The name
of Jesus was used by those vagabond Jews solely as a magical incantation. ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xxii paul in ephesus.htm

Demonstration v. --Of Wars.
... humbled. Cain gloried over Abel his brother and slew him. And he was cursed
and became a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth. Again ...
/.../aphrahat/aphrahat select demonstrations/demonstration v of wars.htm

He Does Battle for the Faith; He Restores Peace among those who ...
... panting and weary. A vagabond madman, arriving by chance at that place, came
upon the man and asked him what he did there. He replied ...
/.../chapter vii he does battle.htm

The Judgment.
... 1. Of all their bad. But mark, not under the consideration of vagabond slaves and
sinners, but as sons, stewards, and servants of the Lord Jesus. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xxvi the judgment.htm

Vagabond (4 Occurrences)
... 4. (a.) Being a vagabond; strolling and idle or vicious. 5. (vi) To play the
vagabond; to wander like a vagabond; to stroll. Int. ...VAGABOND. ...
/v/vagabond.htm - 9k

Vagrant (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) One who strolls idly from place to place; one who has no settled habitation;
an idle wanderer; a sturdy beggar; an incorrigible rogue; a vagabond. ...
/v/vagrant.htm - 7k

Rogue (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A vagrant; an idle, sturdy beggar; a vagabond;
a tramp. ... 6. (vi) To wander; to play the vagabond; to play knavish tricks. ...
/r/rogue.htm - 7k

Shack (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (vt) To wander as a vagabond or a tramp. ... 5. (n.) Liberty of winter pasturage.
6. (n.) A shiftless fellow; a low, itinerant beggar; a vagabond; a tramp. ...
/s/shack.htm - 7k

Vacillation (1 Occurrence)

/v/vacillation.htm - 6k

Vagabonds (1 Occurrence)

/v/vagabonds.htm - 6k

Outcast (6 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) One who is cast out or expelled; an exile; one driven from home, society,
or country; hence, often, a degraded person; a vagabond. ...
/o/outcast.htm - 9k

Ishmaelite (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) One at enmity with society; a wanderer; a vagabond; an outcast. 3. (n.)
See Ismaelian. Multi-Version Concordance Ishmaelite (3 Occurrences). ...
/i/ishmaelite.htm - 7k

Findeth (66 Occurrences)
... 4:14 Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from
thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the ...
/f/findeth.htm - 26k

Tillest (1 Occurrence)
... Genesis 4:12 When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee
her strength; a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth. ...
/t/tillest.htm - 6k

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