In the context of the Bible, the concept of "retire" is not explicitly mentioned in the same way it is understood in contemporary society, where it often refers to the cessation of work upon reaching a certain age. However, the Scriptures do provide insights into rest, withdrawal from labor, and the transition of responsibilities, which can be related to the idea of retirement.

Rest and Withdrawal

The Bible frequently emphasizes the importance of rest, both physical and spiritual. The concept of the Sabbath, introduced in Genesis 2:2-3, where God rested on the seventh day, establishes a divine pattern for rest. Exodus 20:8-10 commands the observance of the Sabbath as a day of rest, not only for individuals but also for their households and servants. This principle underscores the value of periodic withdrawal from labor to rejuvenate and refocus on God.

In the New Testament, Jesus Himself exemplifies the need for withdrawal and rest. Mark 6:31 records Jesus inviting His disciples to "Come with Me privately to a solitary place, and let us rest for a while," recognizing the necessity of stepping back from the demands of ministry to recharge.

Transition of Responsibilities

The Bible also provides examples of the transition of responsibilities, which can be likened to retirement. In Numbers 8:24-26, the Levites were instructed to serve from the age of 25 to 50, after which they were to retire from regular service and assist their brothers in the tent of meeting. This directive acknowledges a time for stepping back from active duty while still contributing in a supportive role.

Similarly, the transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua (Deuteronomy 31:1-8) illustrates a divinely orchestrated shift in responsibilities. Moses, having led the Israelites for many years, was instructed by God to pass the mantle to Joshua, ensuring continuity in leadership and the fulfillment of God's promises.

Spiritual Retirement

While the Bible does not explicitly address retirement as a cessation of work, it does speak to the idea of spiritual rest and the ultimate retirement in the presence of God. Hebrews 4:9-11 speaks of a "Sabbath rest for the people of God," encouraging believers to strive to enter that rest, which is a metaphor for eternal peace and fulfillment in God's presence.

In summary, while the Bible does not directly address modern retirement, it provides principles of rest, withdrawal, and the transition of responsibilities that can inform a biblical understanding of this stage of life. Believers are encouraged to find rest in God, to wisely transition their roles, and to look forward to the ultimate rest in eternity.1. (v. t.) To withdraw; to take away; -- sometimes used reflexively.

2. (v. t.) To withdraw from circulation, or from the market; to take up and pay; as, to retire bonds; to retire a note.

3. (v. t.) To cause to retire; specifically, to designate as no longer qualified for active service; to place on the retired list; as, to retire a military or naval officer.

4. (v. i.) To go back or return; to draw back or away; to keep aloof; to withdraw or retreat, as from observation; to go into privacy; as, to retire to his home; to retire from the world, or from notice.

5. (v. i.) To retreat from action or danger; to withdraw for safety or pleasure; as, to retire from battle.

6. (v. i.) To withdraw from a public station, or from business; as, having made a large fortune, he retired.

7. (v. i.) To recede; to fall or bend back; as, the shore of the sea retires in bays and gulfs.

8. (v. i.) To go to bed; as, he usually retires early.

9. (n.) The act of retiring, or the state of being retired; also, a place to which one retires.

10. (n.) A call sounded on a bugle, announcing to skirmishers that they are to retire, or fall back.

5298. hupochoreo -- to go back, retire
... to go back, retire. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: hupochoreo Phonetic Spelling:
(hoop-okh-o-reh'-o) Short Definition: I withdraw, retire Definition: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5298.htm - 6k

5226. hupeiko -- to retire, withdraw, submit
... to retire, withdraw, submit. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: hupeiko Phonetic
Spelling: (hoop-i'-ko) Short Definition: I yield Definition: I yield, submit ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5226.htm - 6k

402. anachoreo -- to go back, withdraw
... to go back, withdraw. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: anachoreo Phonetic Spelling:
(an-akh-o-reh'-o) Short Definition: I return, retire, depart, withdraw ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/402.htm - 7k

645. apospao -- to draw off, draw away
... Word Origin from apo and spao Definition to draw off, draw away NASB Word Usage
draw away (1), drew (1), parted (1), withdrew (1). withdraw, retire. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/645.htm - 6k

1316. diachorizo -- to separate entirely
... depart. From dia and the middle voice of chorizo; to remove (oneself) wholly,
ie Retire -- depart. see GREEK dia. see GREEK chorizo. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1316.htm - 6k

5217. hupago -- to lead or bring under, to lead on slowly, to ...
... From hupo and ago; to lead (oneself) under, ie Withdraw or retire (as if sinking
out of sight), literally or figuratively -- depart, get hence, go (a-)way. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5217.htm - 8k

1593. ekneuo -- to bend the head away, to withdraw
... to bend the head away, to withdraw. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: ekneuo
Phonetic Spelling: (ek-nyoo'-o) Short Definition: I retire, withdraw Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1593.htm - 6k

5756. uz -- to take or seek refuge
... gather self, self to flee, retire. A primitive root; to be strong; causatively,
to stregthen, ie (figuratively) to save (by flight ...
/hebrew/5756.htm - 6k

6327. puwts -- to be dispersed or scattered
... literally or figuratively (especially to disperse) -- break (dash, shake) in (to)
pieces, cast (abroad), disperse (selves), drive, retire, scatter (abroad ...
/hebrew/6327.htm - 5k

7725. shub -- to turn back, return
... 1), restitution which is made (1), restore (58), restored (17), restorer (2), restores
(7), restoring (1), restrain (2), restrained (2), retire (1), retreat (1 ...
/hebrew/7725.htm - 9k

3427. yashab -- to sit, remain, dwell
... 1), occupied (1), passed (1), peaceful (1), placed (1), remain (21), remained (27),
remaining (1), reposed (1), resettle (1), residents (1), retire (1), rule (1 ...
/hebrew/3427.htm - 7k

2015. haphak -- to turn, overturn
... to change, overturn, return, pervert -- X become, change, come, be converted, give,
make (a bed), overthrow (-turn), perverse, retire, tumble, turn (again ...
/hebrew/2015.htm - 6k

Whither Does the Soul Retire when it Quits the Body? Opinions of ...
... Chapter LIV."Whither Does the Soul Retire When It Quits the Body? Opinions
of Philosophers All More or Less Absurd. The Hades of Plato. ...
/.../tertullian/a treatise on the soul/chapter liv whither does the soul.htm

Of those who While Still Imperfect Retire into the Desert.
... The Conferences of John Cassian. Chapter X. Of those who while still imperfect
retire into the desert. But some are sometimes so ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter x of those who.htm

Of the Discreet Rule by which Every one must Retire to his Cell ...
... Of the discreet rule by which every one must retire to his cell after the close
of the prayers; and of the rebuke to which any one who does otherwise is subject ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xv of the discreet.htm

The Life of Robert Ker of Kersland, Esq.
... Kersland was after this, obliged to retire out of the way; and the next year he
was forfeited in his life and fortune, and his estate given to Lieut. ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of robert ker.htm

The Return of Xerxes to Persia.
... He accordingly sent for Artemisia, and, directing all the officers, as well as his
own attendants, to retire, he held a private consultation with her in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter xii the return of.htm

Of Rest in the Presence of God --Its Fruits --Inward Silence --God ...
... It has only one thing to do in order to find God, which is to retire within itself.
As soon as the eyes are closed, it finds itself in prayer. ...
/.../a short method of prayer and spiritual torrents/chapter xi of rest in.htm

A Call to Judgment
... almost with envy; but he began to drink, and at the end of a year the senior partner
called him in to say that he must change his conduct or retire from the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/a call to judgment.htm

Matt. I. 22, 23
... For we ought not as soon as we retire from the Communion, [225] to plunge into business
unsuited to the Communion, but as soon as ever we get home, to take our ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily v matt i 22.htm

Christ Appears to St. Martin.
... He did not, however, all at once, retire from military service, yielding to the
entreaties of his tribune, whom he admitted to be his familiar tent-companion. ...
/.../life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter iii christ appears to.htm

After Praising Judas' and Jonathan's Loftiness of Mind, the ...
... For he, after Nicanor, the general of King Demetrius, was defeated, boldly engaged
20,000 of the king's army with 900 men who were anxious to retire for fear ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xli after praising judas.htm

Retire (6 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To withdraw from circulation, or from the market; to take up and
pay; as, to retire bonds; to retire a note. 3. (vt) To ...
/r/retire.htm - 9k

Withdraw (52 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To take back or away, as what has been bestowed or enjoyed; to draw back;
to cause to move away or retire; as, to withdraw aid, favor, capital, or the ...
/w/withdraw.htm - 22k

Retinue (4 Occurrences)

/r/retinue.htm - 7k

Uri'ah (32 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 11:15 And he wrote in the letter, saying: 'Set ye Uriah in the forefront
of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die ...
/u/uri'ah.htm - 15k

Olves
... Here he gave them the beautiful parables of the ten virgins and the five talents
(25); here he was wont to retire on each evening for meditation, and prayer ...
/o/olves.htm - 9k

Layest (10 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 18:14 And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish,
saying, I have sinned; retire from me: I will bear what thou layest upon me. ...
/l/layest.htm - 9k

Gethsemane (2 Occurrences)
... Oil-press, the name of an olive-yard at the foot of the Mount of Olives, to which
Jesus was wont to retire (Luke 22:39) with his disciples, and which is ...
/g/gethsemane.htm - 11k

Retreat (10 Occurrences)
... 8. (vi) To make a retreat; to retire from any position or place; to withdraw; as,
the defeated army retreated from the field. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/r/retreat.htm - 10k

Rephaim (32 Occurrences)
... all Israel, the Philistines, judging that he would now become their uncompromising
enemy, made a sudden attack upon Hebron, compelling David to retire from it. ...
/r/rephaim.htm - 21k

Rise (417 Occurrences)
... sea. 9. (v.) To slope upward; as, a path, a line, or surface rises in this
direction. 10. (v.) To retire; to give up a siege. 11. (v ...
/r/rise.htm - 39k

What is the Christian view of retirement? | GotQuestions.org

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Retire: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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