Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5125 Parts of the body and clothing  »  5178 running

Scripture gives pictures of running in both its literal and metaphorical senses, the image of the Christian life as a race being particularly significant.

Running away

Fleeing in battle

Exodus 23:27 See also Leviticus 26:36-37; Joshua 7:12; Joshua 8:3-19; 1 Samuel 14:20-22

Escaping from danger

Proverbs 18:10 See also Genesis 19:12-22; Nehemiah 6:10-11; Isaiah 10:1-3; Jeremiah 17:16; Jeremiah 48:4-6; Jeremiah 51:6,44-45; Amos 2:14-16; John 10:12-13

Running away from individuals

1 Samuel 19:11-12 See also Genesis 16:6-8; Genesis 31:20-21; Genesis 39:11-15; John 10:2-5

Running away from God

Jonah 1:1-10

Running away from evil

2 Timothy 2:22 See also 1 Corinthians 6:18; Corinthians 10:14; 1 Timothy 6:11

Running after people or things

Psalm 16:4 See also Ruth 3:10; Isaiah 5:11; Jeremiah 2:23-25; Ezekiel 16:32-34; Matthew 6:28-34 pp Luke 12:27-31

Running in eagerness

John 20:1-4 See also 2 Chronicles 23:12; Mark 9:25; Luke 17:22-23; Acts 3:11; Acts 21:30

Running swiftly

Job 9:25 See also Job 39:13-18; Ecclesiastes 9:11; Jeremiah 12:5

Heralds running ahead of a dignitary

1 Samuel 8:11 See also 2 Samuel 15:1; 1 Kings 1:5; Kings 18:46

Messages carried by runners

2 Samuel 18:19 See also 2 Samuel 18:21-32; 2 Kings 4:25-31; Kings 5:20-23; Kings 9:1-3; Psalm 147:15; Jeremiah 23:21; Habakkuk 2:2; Zechariah 2:3-5

The life of the believer likened to running a race

Galatians 2:2 See also Psalm 119:32; Proverbs 4:10-12; Isaiah 40:30-31; Acts 20:24; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Galatians 5:7; Philippians 2:14-16; 2 Timothy 4:6-8; Hebrews 12:1; 2Jn 9

See also

5197  walking
5280  crown
5319  fugitives
5335  herald
5342  hunting
5408  messenger
8110  athletics
8140  prize