The term "betake" is an archaic English word that means to commit oneself to a course of action or to go to a place for refuge or safety. While the specific word "betake" does not appear in the Berean Standard Bible , the concept it represents is prevalent throughout the Scriptures. The idea of seeking refuge, committing oneself to God, or turning to Him in times of need is a recurring theme in the Bible.

Biblical Context and Usage

1. Seeking Refuge in God: The Psalms frequently express the idea of seeking refuge in God, which aligns with the concept of "betaking" oneself to a place of safety. For instance, Psalm 46:1 states, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble." This verse encapsulates the act of turning to God for protection and support.

2. Commitment to God's Ways: The notion of committing oneself to God's path is another aspect of "betake." Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." Here, the believer is encouraged to commit their way to the Lord, trusting in His guidance.

3. Turning to God in Repentance: The act of turning to God, especially in repentance, is a form of "betaking" oneself to His mercy. In the New Testament, Acts 3:19 calls for repentance: "Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away." This turning back to God is a spiritual act of seeking His forgiveness and grace.

4. Finding Rest in God: Jesus invites those who are weary to come to Him for rest, which can be seen as a form of "betaking" oneself to His care. Matthew 11:28 records Jesus' words: "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." This invitation highlights the comfort and peace found in committing oneself to Christ.

Theological Implications

The concept of "betake" underscores the importance of reliance on God for protection, guidance, and salvation. It reflects a trust in God's sovereignty and a recognition of human dependence on divine grace. Throughout the Bible, believers are encouraged to turn to God in faith, acknowledging Him as their ultimate refuge and source of strength.

Practical Application

For contemporary believers, the principle of "betaking" oneself to God can be applied in daily life through prayer, worship, and obedience to His Word. In times of trouble or uncertainty, Christians are reminded to seek God's presence and trust in His promises. This act of turning to God is not only a response to immediate needs but also a lifelong commitment to walk in His ways.1. (v. t.) To take or seize.

2. (v. t.) To have recourse to; to apply; to resort; to go; -- with a reflexive pronoun.

3. (v. t.) To commend or entrust to; to commit to.

3332. metairo -- to remove, depart
... depart. From meta and airo; to betake oneself, ie Remove (locally) -- depart. see
GREEK meta. see GREEK airo. (meteren) -- 2 Occurrences. 3331, 3332. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3332.htm - 6k6737. tsayar -- to act as envoy
... make as if. A denominative from tsiyr in the sense of ambassador; to make an errand,
ie Betake oneself -- make as if...had been ambassador. see HEBREW tsiyr. ...
/hebrew/6737.htm - 6k

Epistle xxv. To John, Bishop of Constantinople, and the Other ...
... Again, when I betake myself to consider the works required of the pastor, I weigh
within myself what intent care is to be taken that he be "chief in action, to ...
/.../gregory/the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xxv to john bishop.htm

John viii. 48, 49
... For I seek not Mine own glory.' Wherefore I omit to punish you, and betake Myself
to exhortation, and counsel you so to act, that ye shall not only escape ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lv john viii 48.htm

"Not Far from the Desert, and Close to the Nile...
... If it so happens that any of them form in their minds a lofty ideal of virtue, so
as to wish to betake themselves to the desert to live a solitary life, they ...
/.../severus/life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter x not far from.htm

The Conclusion of the Things Before Spoken; and by what Means we ...
... intellects have expended themselves in vain on false subjects, lest any one by chance
being shut out by corrupt superstitions, should wish to betake himself to ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xxx the conclusion of the.htm

Self-Evidence of the Truth.
... For this is exactly what we see in the case of some who, abandoning the trades which
they learned in their youth, betake themselves to other performances, and ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xxxvi self-evidence of the truth.htm

But as He Afterwards Says that "The Teacher of Christianity Acts ...
... as we invite to come to the word of God." He indeed will make no answer, because
he cannot name the physicians; or else he will be obliged to betake himself to ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/chapter lxxv but as he.htm

After this Celsus Continues: "If These Meaning the Christians ...
... Shall they cast the dice, in order to divine whither they may betake themselves,
and whom they shall join?" Now we shall answer this objection in the following ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xi after this celsus.htm

Whether virginity is Unlawful?
... Wherefore sufficient provision is made for the human multitude, if some betake
themselves to carnal procreation, while others abstaining from this betake ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether virginity is unlawful.htm

John ix. 17, 18
... the cure, saying, "He doth not cast out devils save by Beelzebub." ( Matthew
12:24.) And here again, when they have nothing to say, they betake themselves to ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lviii john ix 17.htm

Import of the Great Commission.
... Let us commit to proxy that work which is pleasant and easy, and betake ourselves
in person to those kinds of labor that are more self-denying, and to those ...
/.../dibble/thoughts on missions/chapter vii import of the.htm

Betake (1 Occurrence)
...Betake (1 Occurrence). John 7:35 The Jews therefore said to one another, "Where
is he about to betake himself, so that we shall not find him? ...
/b/betake.htm - 6k

John (154 Occurrences)
... 49, 54). At the betrayal he and Peter follow Christ afar off, while the
others betake themselves to hasty flight (John 18:15). At ...
/j/john.htm - 101k

Get (2204 Occurrences)
... 10. (vt) To betake; to remove; -- in a reflexive use. 11. (vi) To make acquisition;
to gain; to profit; to receive accessions; to be increased. 12. ...
/g/get.htm - 13k

Take (11064 Occurrences)
... (vi) To move or direct the course; to resort; to betake one's self; to proceed;
to go; -- usually with to; as, the fox, being hard pressed, took to the hedge. ...
/t/take.htm - 15k

Repair (26 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vi) To return. 2. (vi) To go; to betake one's
self; to resort; ass, to repair to sanctuary for safety. ...
/r/repair.htm - 17k

Refer (4 Occurrences)
... electrical disturbances. 4. (vi) To have recourse; to apply; to appeal;
to betake one's self; as, to refer to a dictionary. 5. (vi ...
/r/refer.htm - 8k

Resort (14 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Active power or movement; spring. 2. (vi) To go;
to repair; to betake one's self. 3. (vi) To fall back; to revert. ...
/r/resort.htm - 11k

Mizpah (42 Occurrences)
... he was visited by the prophet Gad, here mentioned for the first time, who was probably
sent by Samuel to bid him leave the land of Moab and betake himself to ...
/m/mizpah.htm - 31k

Mark (182 Occurrences)
... fact, not only in its main features and grand results, but also in its most minute
and so to speak more graphic delineation, he must betake himself to Mark ...
/m/mark.htm - 93k

Betah (1 Occurrence)

/b/betah.htm - 7k

Who was Philo of Alexandria? | GotQuestions.org

Betake: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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