The term "recede" generally means to move back or withdraw from a previous position. In a biblical context, the concept of receding can be applied both literally and metaphorically, illustrating themes of retreat, withdrawal, or diminishing presence. While the specific word "recede" may not frequently appear in the Bible, the idea is present in various narratives and teachings.

Literal Recession

1. Waters Receding: One of the most prominent examples of recession in the Bible is the receding of the floodwaters after the great deluge in the time of Noah. In Genesis 8:3 , it is written, "The waters receded steadily from the earth, and after 150 days the waters had gone down." This event marks a significant turning point in the narrative, symbolizing God's mercy and the restoration of the earth after judgment.

2. The Red Sea: Another instance of literal recession is the parting and subsequent receding of the Red Sea, allowing the Israelites to escape from the Egyptians. In Exodus 14:21-22 , "Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left." This miraculous event demonstrates God's power and deliverance.

Metaphorical Recession

1. Spiritual Withdrawal: The concept of receding can also be applied metaphorically to describe spiritual withdrawal or backsliding. In Revelation 2:4-5 , the church in Ephesus is admonished: "But I have this against you: You have abandoned your first love. Therefore, keep in mind how far you have fallen. Repent and perform the deeds you did at first." Here, the idea of receding is linked to a loss of fervor and devotion, urging believers to return to their initial commitment to Christ.

2. God's Presence: The Bible also speaks of times when God's presence seems to recede due to the disobedience or sin of His people. In 1 Samuel 4:21-22 , the birth of Ichabod is described: "She named the boy Ichabod, saying, 'The Glory has departed from Israel,' because the ark of God had been captured and because of her father-in-law and her husband." This reflects a spiritual recession, where the glory of God is perceived to have withdrawn from Israel.

Theological Implications

The theme of receding in the Bible often serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and disobedience, as well as the hope of restoration and renewal. It underscores the importance of remaining steadfast in faith and obedience to God. The receding of waters or divine presence can symbolize both judgment and the opportunity for a new beginning, emphasizing God's sovereignty and grace throughout biblical history.1. (v. i.) To move away; to retreat; to withdraw.

2. (v. i.) To withdraw a claim or pretension; to desist; to relinquish what had been proposed or asserted; as, to recede from a demand or proposition.

3. (v. i.) To cede back; to grant or yield again to a former possessor; as, to recede conquered territory.

7368. rachaq -- to be or become far or distant
... A primitive root; to widen (in any direction), ie (intransitively) recede or
(transitively) remove (literally or figuratively, of place or relation) -- (a-, ...
/hebrew/7368.htm - 6k

Whether the Rewards of the Beatitudes are Suitably Enumerated?
... Hence Our Lord assigns to these beatitudes rewards in correspondence with
the motives for which men recede from them. For there ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the rewards of the.htm

Psalm XCV.
... it meaneth, a bad life, bad habits; for if by good habits we approach God, by bad
habits we recede from God....If therefore by unlikeness we recede from God ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xcv.htm

The Difference of Aeviternity and Time
... Now some things recede from permanence of being, so that their being is subject
to change, or consists in change; and these things are measured by time, as are ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/the difference of aeviternity and.htm

Whether God is Altogether Immutable?
... 24). But God is wisdom itself; therefore God is movable. Objection 3: Further,
to approach and to recede signify movement. But these ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether god is altogether immutable.htm

Whether Some Part of the Food is Changed into True Human Nature?
... Objection 5: Further, if the food is changed into true human nature, there is nothing
in man which may not recede or be repaired: for what is generated in a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether some part of the.htm

Whether to Live Belongs to all Natural Things?
... movement, in accordance with the disposition of their nature, but not by approaching
thereto, or by receding from it, for in so far as they recede from such ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether to live belongs to.htm

Whether the Brave Man Makes Use of Anger in his Action?
... Because he that stands firm is so much the more praised, as he is more
strongly impelled to fall or recede. Now man is impelled ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the brave man makes.htm

Postscript. Meaning Op the Word Regeneration.
... great respect) had a very good excuse for this method of speaking: but whether they
were perfectly accurate in this, and whether they did not recede from the ...
/.../practical discourses on regeneration/postscript meaning op the word.htm

Of Lies are Many Sorts, which Indeed All...
... whoso believes shall perish, in order that we may catch the enemies of the same
doctrine, to the end we may bring them to the truth, while we recede from it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/against lying/section 4 of lies are.htm

Neither do they Confess that they are Awed by those Citations from ...
... For neither if the Jew should wish, where it would disturb no man, to recede from
Jewish observances, would he be prohibited by the Apostle, since the object ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on lying/section 7 neither do they.htm

Recede (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To withdraw a claim or pretension; to desist; to relinquish what had been
proposed or asserted; as, to recede from a demand or proposition. ...
/r/recede.htm - 7k

Vail (44 Occurrences)
... 7. (vi) To yield or recede; to give place; to show respect by yielding, uncovering,
or the like. 8. (n.) Submission; decline; descent. Int. ...
/v/vail.htm - 22k

Lessen (4 Occurrences)
... 2. (vi) To become less; to shrink; to contract; to decrease; to be diminished; as,
the apparent magnitude of objects lessens as we recede from them; his care ...
/l/lessen.htm - 7k

Give (13501 Occurrences)
... 16. (vi) To become soft or moist. 17. (vi) To move; to recede. 18. (vi) To shed
tears; to weep. 19. (vi) To have a misgiving. 20. (vi) To open; to lead. Int. ...
/g/give.htm - 16k

Receded (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Recede. Multi-Version Concordance
Receded (6 Occurrences). Revelation 6:14 The sky was removed ...
/r/receded.htm - 8k

Retire (6 Occurrences)
... 7. (vi) To recede; to fall or bend back; as, the shore of the sea retires in bays
and gulfs. 8. (vi) To go to bed; as, he usually retires early. ...
/r/retire.htm - 9k

Recaptured (1 Occurrence)

/r/recaptured.htm - 6k

Ebb (1 Occurrence)
... flow. 5. (vi) To return or fall back from a better to a worse state; to decline;
to decay; to recede. 6. (vt) To cause to flow back. ...
/e/ebb.htm - 7k

Diminish (22 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To take away; to subtract. 5. (vi) To become or appear less or smaller;
to lessen; as, the apparent size of an object diminishes as we recede from it. ...
/d/diminish.htm - 14k

Die (401 Occurrences)
... or to sin. 7. (vi) To recede and grow fainter; to become imperceptible;
to vanish; -- often with out or away. 8. (vi) To disappear ...
/d/die.htm - 42k

What is the meaning of the Hebrew word ruach? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Shem in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about forgiveness? What does it mean to forgive? | GotQuestions.org

Recede: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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