In the biblical context, the concept of a "visitor" encompasses various dimensions, including hospitality, divine visitation, and the treatment of strangers. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that highlight the significance of how visitors are to be received and treated, reflecting broader themes of love, kindness, and divine presence.

Hospitality to Visitors

Hospitality is a recurring theme in the Bible, often associated with righteousness and obedience to God's commands. In the Old Testament, Abraham's reception of three visitors by the oaks of Mamre is a notable example. Genesis 18:1-5 describes how Abraham eagerly welcomed the visitors, offering them water, rest, and a meal: "Then the LORD appeared to Abraham by the Oaks of Mamre, while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. And Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. 'My lord,' said Abraham, 'if I have found favor in your sight, please do not pass your servant by. Let a little water be brought, that you may wash your feet and rest yourselves under the tree. And I will bring a piece of bread, so that you may refresh yourselves. After that, you may pass on, now that you have come to your servant.'"

This passage underscores the importance of hospitality as a reflection of one's faith and reverence for God. The New Testament echoes this sentiment, as seen in Hebrews 13:2 : "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."

Divine Visitation

The Bible also speaks of divine visitation, where God or His messengers visit individuals or communities. Such visitations often carry significant messages or bring about pivotal changes. In the New Testament, the birth of Jesus is described as a divine visitation. In Luke 1:68 , Zechariah proclaims, "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people."

Divine visitations serve as reminders of God's active involvement in the world and His desire to communicate with His people. They often bring blessings, guidance, or judgment, as seen in various biblical narratives.

Treatment of Strangers and Foreigners

The Bible consistently instructs believers to treat strangers and foreigners with kindness and respect. Leviticus 19:34 commands, "You must treat the foreigner living among you as native-born and love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God."

This directive is rooted in the Israelites' own experience as strangers in Egypt, emphasizing empathy and compassion. The New Testament reinforces this teaching, with Jesus Himself identifying with the stranger. In Matthew 25:35 , He states, "For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in."

Conclusion

The biblical portrayal of visitors encompasses a rich tapestry of themes, including hospitality, divine interaction, and the ethical treatment of strangers. These themes are interwoven with the broader biblical narrative, emphasizing the importance of love, compassion, and the recognition of God's presence in the lives of believers.1. (n.) One who visits; one who comes or goes to see another, as in civility or friendship.

2. (n.) A superior, or a person lawfully appointed for the purpose, who makes formal visits of inspection to a corporation or an institution. See Visit, v. t., 2, and Visitation, n., 2.

The Welcome visitor
... The Welcome Visitor. A Sermon (No.3461). Published on Thursday, June 3rd, 1915.
Delivered by. CH SPURGEON,. At the [5]Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/the welcome visitor.htm

1869-1870. Emigration of Families --A visitor's Impressions --The ...
... Emigration of families"A visitor's impressions"The great life-work "Emigration
of the young, begun 1870"First party of boys to Canada with Miss ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/lowe/gods answers/chapter ii 1869-1870 emigration of.htm

The Punishment of Atsu
... The visitor was old and tremulous from fatigue, and the stains of hard travel were
evident upon him. "Greeting, Atsu. ... "Nay," the visitor protested. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter viii the punishment of.htm

Brorson's Swan-Song
... A visitor in the bishop's palace, it is related, once remarked: "You speak so often
about sorrows and trials, Bishop Brorson, but you have your ample income ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter ten brorsons swan-song.htm

Letter vi. Associates and Friends.
... people. Here is one of the best tests of the true character of a young
girl: her conduct in the house where she is a visitor. If ...
/.../letter vi associates and friends.htm

The Right to Privacy
... The day had been a busy one. The first visitor had appeared before breakfast,
a precursor of a seemingly never-ending stream. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/williamson/have we no rights/chapter 5 the right to.htm

Pastor in Parish (ii. ).
... LET THE VISITOR BE A TEACHER, WATCHING FOR OPPORTUNITIES. One object which the visitor
will do well to keep steadily before him is, to be a teacher as he goes. ...
/.../moule/to my younger brethren/chapter viii pastor in parish.htm

Universalists.
... PERIODICALS."Gospel Banner and Christian Pilot, Augusta, Me.; EASTERN ROSE-BUD,
Portland, Me.; Universalist and Family Visitor, Contoocookville, NH ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/universalists 2.htm

May the Sixteenth the Details of Providence
... post. He knows every visitor who knocks at the door of my life, whether the
visitor come at the high noon or at the midnight. "There ...
/.../my daily meditation for the circling year/may the sixteenth the details.htm

From the End of the Third Continental Journey, in 1834, to the ...
... For many years he was a visitor at our Lancasterian School, where it was his
delight to impart knowledge to a numerous class of girls. ...
/.../chapter xiv from the end.htm

Visitor (2 Occurrences)
... corporation or an institution. See Visit, vt, 2, and Visitation, n., 2.
Multi-Version Concordance Visitor (2 Occurrences). Luke 24:18 One ...
/v/visitor.htm - 7k

Guest (24 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A visitor; a person received and entertained in
one's house or at one's table; a visitor entertained without pay. ...
/g/guest.htm - 15k

Welcome (31 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Received with gladness; admitted willingly
to the house, entertainment, or company; as, a welcome visitor. ...
/w/welcome.htm - 15k

Visiting (10 Occurrences)

/v/visiting.htm - 10k

Babel (3 Occurrences)
... number of eight. An ascent ran around these towers, with a stopping-place
about the middle where the visitor might rest. Upou the ...
/b/babel.htm - 63k

Visitors (1 Occurrence)

/v/visitors.htm - 6k

Usher (1 Occurrence)
... forerunner, or harbinger; to forerun; -- sometimes followed by in or forth; as,
to usher in a stranger; to usher forth the guests; to usher a visitor into the ...
/u/usher.htm - 7k

Jehu (63 Occurrences)
... and immediately retired and disappeared (2 Kings 9:5, 6). On being interrogated
by his companions as to the object of this mysterious visitor, he informed them ...
/j/jehu.htm - 47k

Laban (52 Occurrences)
... The man's eager hospitality (verse 31), coming immediately after his mental inventory
of the gifts bestowed by the visitor upon his sister (24:30), has usually ...
/l/laban.htm - 28k

Gethsemane (2 Occurrences)
... Sentiment, repelled by the artificiality of the modern garden, tempts the visitor
to look for a more suitable and less artificial spot farther up the valley. ...
/g/gethsemane.htm - 11k

What is the meaning of the Parable of the Friend in Need (Persistent Neighbor)? | GotQuestions.org

What is cultural translation? Is cultural translation needed to properly understand the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is a nomad? | GotQuestions.org

Visitor: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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