Safe-conduct refers to the assurance of protection and permission granted to an individual or group to travel through a particular territory without harm or hindrance. In biblical times, such guarantees were significant, especially given the dangers of travel and the potential for conflict between different tribes and nations.

Biblical Instances of Safe-conduct:

1. Nehemiah's Journey to Jerusalem:
One of the most notable examples of safe-conduct in the Bible is found in the book of Nehemiah. Nehemiah, a cupbearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia, sought permission to travel to Jerusalem to rebuild its walls. Nehemiah 2:7-8 records his request: "If it pleases the king, may letters be given to me for the governors beyond the River, so that they will grant me safe passage until I reach Judah. And may I have a letter to Asaph, the keeper of the king’s forest, so that he will give me timber to make beams for the gates of the citadel by the temple and for the city wall and for the house I will occupy." The king granted Nehemiah's request, providing him with letters of safe-conduct, which ensured his protection and facilitated his mission.

2. Paul's Protection:
The Apostle Paul also benefited from a form of safe-conduct during his ministry. In Acts 23, after a plot to kill Paul was discovered, the Roman commander in Jerusalem arranged for Paul to be escorted safely to Governor Felix in Caesarea. Acts 23:23-24 states, "Then he called two of his centurions and said, 'Prepare a detachment of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen, and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at the third hour of the night. Provide mounts for Paul to ride, and take him safely to Governor Felix.'" This military escort ensured Paul's safe passage, highlighting the importance of protection in fulfilling his mission.

3. Jacob and Laban:
In Genesis 31, Jacob's departure from Laban's household is another instance where safe-conduct is implied. Although Jacob fled secretly, God intervened to ensure his safety. Genesis 31:24 recounts, "But that night God came to Laban the Aramean in a dream and warned him, 'Be careful not to say anything to Jacob, either good or bad.'" This divine warning served as a form of safe-conduct, preventing Laban from harming Jacob.

Theological Significance:

Safe-conduct in the Bible underscores the providence and protection of God over His people. It illustrates how God uses both divine intervention and human authority to accomplish His purposes and safeguard His servants. The provision of safe-conduct also reflects the importance of lawful and peaceful interactions among different peoples and nations, aligning with the biblical principles of justice and righteousness.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient Near East, travel was fraught with danger due to bandits, wild animals, and hostile territories. Safe-conduct was often necessary to ensure the safety of travelers, especially those on official or religious missions. Letters of safe-conduct, like those given to Nehemiah, were formal documents that provided legal protection and facilitated cooperation between different regions and authorities.

In summary, the concept of safe-conduct in the Bible highlights the interplay between divine sovereignty and human agency, demonstrating God's care for His people and the importance of lawful protection in achieving His divine purposes.1. (n.) That which gives a safe passage

2. (n.) a convoy or guard to protect a person in an enemy's country or a foreign country

3. (n.) a writing, pass, or warrant of security, given to a person to enable him to travel with safety.

4. (v. t.) To conduct safely; to give safe-conduct to.

Security of Christians.
... He that is saved must, when this world can hold him no longer, have a safe conduct
to heaven; for that is the place where they that are saved must to the full ...
/.../bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xvi security of christians.htm

The Council of Constance (Ad 1414-1418)
... John Huss, the Bohemian reformer, had been summoned to Constance, that he might
give an account of himself, and had been furnished with a safe-conduct (as it ...
/.../chapter xxiv the council of.htm

Huss and Jerome.
... Notwithstanding he had obtained a safe-conduct from the king of Bohemia, and received
one also from the emperor Sigismund while on his journey, he made all his ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /6 huss and jerome.htm

Huss and Jerome
... Notwithstanding he had obtained a safe-conduct from the king of Bohemia, and received
one also from the emperor Sigismund while on his journey, he made all his ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 6 huss and jerome.htm

Luther Before the Diet.
... other person had shown that Luther's writings had been refuted;" therefore he requested
"that Doctor Luther should be furnished with a safe-conduct, so that he ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /8 luther before the diet.htm

Luther Before the Diet
... any other person had shown that Luther's writings had been refuted;" therefore he
requested "that Dr. Luther should be furnished with a safe-conduct, so that ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 8 luther before the.htm

The Life of John Campbel Earl of Loudon.
... But the marquis laying before him the odiousness of the fact, by the violation of
the safe conduct he had granted to that nobleman, and the putting him to ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of john campbel.htm

On Councils
... It ought to be a place secure from ambuscade or hostile surprise; and a safe conduct
is necessary for all persons, that they may arrive and depart again ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/disputation lviii on councils.htm

The Burning of Hus.
... As soon as he arrived in the city, he received from Sigismund that famous letter
of "safe conduct" on which whole volumes have been written. ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter ii the burning of.htm

Christ Hastening to the Cross
... He was as unsafe when He went up to Jerusalem as John Huss when he went to the Council
of Constance with the Emperor's safe-conduct in his belt; or as a ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/christ hastening to the cross.htm

Safe-conduct (1 Occurrence)
Safe-conduct. Safe, Safe-conduct. Safeguard . Noah Webster's Dictionary ... 4.
(vt) To conduct safely; to give safe-conduct to. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/s/safe-conduct.htm - 7k

Safeguard (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A convoy or guard to protect a traveler or property. 3. (n.) A pass;
a passport; a safe-conduct. 4. (vt) To guard; to protect. ...
/s/safeguard.htm - 7k

Protection (19 Occurrences)
... shield; a refuge. 3. (n.) A writing that protects or secures from molestation
or arrest; a pass; a safe-conduct; a passport. 4. (n.) A ...
/p/protection.htm - 12k

Safe (388 Occurrences)

/s/safe.htm - 37k

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