The term "departs" in the Bible often signifies a physical or spiritual movement away from a place, person, or state of being. It can denote both positive and negative connotations depending on the context in which it is used. The concept of departing is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating themes of obedience, disobedience, divine guidance, and human choice.

Old Testament Usage

In the Old Testament, "departs" frequently describes the physical movement of individuals or groups. For example, in Genesis 12:4, Abram departs from Haran in obedience to God's call: "So Abram departed, as the LORD had directed him, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran." Here, departure signifies obedience and faith in God's promises.

Conversely, departure can also indicate a turning away from God. In 1 Samuel 16:14, the departure of the Spirit of the LORD from Saul marks a significant spiritual decline: "Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him." This departure signifies divine judgment and the consequences of disobedience.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, "departs" often relates to the actions of Jesus and His disciples. In Matthew 4:12, Jesus departs to Galilee after hearing of John the Baptist's imprisonment: "When Jesus heard that John had been imprisoned, He withdrew to Galilee." This departure is strategic, aligning with God's plan for Jesus' ministry.

The term also appears in the context of spiritual departure. In 1 Timothy 4:1, Paul warns of a future apostasy: "Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will depart from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons." Here, departure signifies a falling away from true doctrine and faith.

Spiritual Implications

The concept of departing in a spiritual sense is significant in understanding the relationship between God and humanity. In Deuteronomy 31:6, God promises His presence to the Israelites, urging them not to fear: "Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you." This assurance highlights that while humans may depart from God, His faithfulness remains steadfast.

In the New Testament, the promise of the Holy Spirit as a constant presence for believers underscores the importance of remaining in Christ. John 14:16-17 states, "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you." This indwelling presence ensures that believers are never spiritually abandoned.

Moral and Ethical Considerations

The Bible frequently associates departure with moral and ethical choices. In Proverbs 3:7, believers are admonished to "Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil." This departure from evil is a conscious decision to align one's life with God's will and righteousness.

In the New Testament, the call to depart from sin is echoed in 2 Timothy 2:19: "Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal: 'The Lord knows those who are His,' and, 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.'" This departure is a hallmark of genuine faith and repentance.

Conclusion

The theme of departing in the Bible encompasses a wide range of meanings, from physical movement to spiritual and moral decisions. It serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience, the consequences of disobedience, and the assurance of God's unchanging presence for those who remain faithful.1980. halak -- to go, come, walk
... 1), continued (5), continues...along (1), continuing (1), continuing* (1), crawls
(1), darting back (1), depart (14), departed (55), departs (1), desires (1 ...
/hebrew/1980.htm - 8k

4185. mush -- to depart, remove
... root Definition to depart, remove NASB Word Usage cease (1), depart (6), departed
(1), departs (2), give way (1), left (1), move (2), remove (2), removed (2 ...
/hebrew/4185.htm - 6k

3318. yatsa -- to go or come out
... 1), comes (17), comes forth (4), coming (12), coming forth (2), defamed* (1), defames*
(1), depart (3), departed (12), departing (1), departs (1), departure (1 ...
/hebrew/3318.htm - 8k

The Ancient Law Departs
... THE CHRISTIAN YEAR Circumcision 88. The ancient law departs. SM [325]St. ... Compilers
of Hymns Ancient & Modern. The ancient law departs. And all its terrors cease; ...
/.../circumcision 88 the ancient law.htm

Peter Departs for Sidon.
... Homily VII. Chapter V."Peter Departs for Sidon. After Peter had spent a few days
in teaching them in this way, and in healing them, they were baptized. ...
/.../unknown/the clementine homilies/chapter v peter departs for sidon.htm

Of the Soul and the Body, and of their Union and Separation and ...
... For the body does not perish together with the soul; but when the soul departs it
remains entire for many days, and frequently by medical preparations it ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xii of the soul and.htm

As Concerning Purity of Body; Here Indeed a Very Honorable Regard ...
... But since each man departs from eternity just in so far as he departs from truth,
it is most absurd to say, that by departing therefrom it is possible for any ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on lying/section 10 as concerning purity.htm

Whether all Sins are Equal?
... For it matters much in sickness or deformity, whether one departs more
or less from the due commensuration of humors or members. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether all sins are equal.htm

Whether it is Lawful for the Accused to Escape Judgment by ...
... If the lower authority departs from the order of the higher, we ought not to submit
to it, for instance "if the proconsul order one thing and the emperor ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful for 8.htm

John Chapter i. 14-Jun
... in darkness, and the darkness comprehended it not." [31] Behold, both here He is
now, and here He was, and here He is always; and He never departs, departs no ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate ii john chapter i.htm

Whether There Should be Different Duties or States in the Church?
... various members are held together in unity by the power of the quickening spirit,
and are dissociated from one another as soon as that spirit departs, so too ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether there should be different.htm

That God's Love is to be Mingled with Ilk Time and Deed nor Fails ...
... I dread that that I love loves me not again; and yet if I dread not on this account
I should be fearful on account of death that departs ill lovers and wastes ...
//christianbookshelf.org/rolle/the fire of love/chapter x that gods love.htm

Early English Interpreters of Spiritual Religion: John Everard ...
... as a light in a dark place until the Day-star arises in the heart, and that then
man hath no more need to seeke that of the holy Scripture which departs of it ...
/.../chapter xiii early english interpreters.htm

Departs (16 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Departs (16 Occurrences). ... (WEB). 1 Corinthians
7:15 Yet if the unbeliever departs, let there be separation. ...
/d/departs.htm - 10k

Soul (554 Occurrences)
... (2) As the life-breath, it departs at death (Genesis 35:18 Jeremiah 15:2). Hence,
the desire among Old Testament saints to be delivered from Sheol (Psalm 16:10 ...
/s/soul.htm - 47k

Depart (211 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 7:11 (but if she departs, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled
to her husband), and that the husband not leave his wife. ...
/d/depart.htm - 36k

Departure (22 Occurrences)

/d/departure.htm - 13k

Unmarried (13 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 7:11 (but if she departs, let her remain unmarried, or else be reconciled
to her husband), and that the husband not leave his wife. ...
/u/unmarried.htm - 10k

Unbeliever (7 Occurrences)
... send him away; (See RSV). 1 Corinthians 7:15 Yet if the unbeliever departs,
let there be separation. The brother or the sister is ...
/u/unbeliever.htm - 9k

Leaves (55 Occurrences)
... Luke 9:39 Behold, a spirit takes him, he suddenly cries out, and it convulses him
so that he foams, and it hardly departs from him, bruising him severely. ...
/l/leaves.htm - 24k

Lifts (26 Occurrences)
... all diligence. (See NIV). Job 27:21 The east wind carries him away, and
he departs. It sweeps him out of his place. (See RSV). Job ...
/l/lifts.htm - 13k

Whirls (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Whirls (1 Occurrence). Job 27:21 The east wind carries
him away, and he departs. It sweeps him out of his place. (See NAS). ...
/w/whirls.htm - 6k

Foam (5 Occurrences)
... Luke 9:39 Behold, a spirit takes him, he suddenly cries out, and it convulses him
so that he foams, and it hardly departs from him, bruising him severely. ...
/f/foam.htm - 9k

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