The concept of being secluded, or in seclusion, is a recurring theme in the Bible, often associated with moments of divine encounter, spiritual reflection, and preparation for significant tasks. Seclusion can be both a physical and spiritual state, where individuals withdraw from the world to seek God’s presence, guidance, or strength.

Biblical Instances of Seclusion:

1. Moses on Mount Sinai:
Moses' time on Mount Sinai is a profound example of seclusion for divine revelation. In Exodus 24:18, Moses enters the cloud on the mountain and remains there for forty days and forty nights, receiving the Law from God. This period of isolation underscores the importance of withdrawing from daily life to receive divine instruction and guidance.

2. Elijah at Horeb:
After his victory over the prophets of Baal, Elijah flees to Mount Horeb, where he experiences a period of seclusion. In 1 Kings 19:9, Elijah enters a cave and spends the night. It is in this solitude that God speaks to him in a gentle whisper, providing direction and reassurance. Elijah’s seclusion highlights the need for quietness and withdrawal to hear God’s voice amidst turmoil.

3. Jesus in the Wilderness:
Before beginning His public ministry, Jesus spends forty days in the wilderness, as described in Matthew 4:1-2. This time of seclusion is marked by fasting and prayer, preparing Him for the challenges ahead. Jesus’ wilderness experience emphasizes the role of solitude in spiritual preparation and fortification against temptation.

4. Paul in Arabia:
After his conversion, the Apostle Paul retreats to Arabia for a period of reflection and revelation, as mentioned in Galatians 1:17. This time away from the immediate aftermath of his conversion allows Paul to deepen his understanding of the Gospel and prepare for his future ministry.

Spiritual Significance:

Seclusion in the Bible often serves as a precursor to significant spiritual breakthroughs or missions. It is a time when individuals are set apart to receive divine wisdom, strength, and clarity. The act of withdrawing from the world allows for a deeper communion with God, free from distractions and external influences.

Practical Application:

For believers, the biblical examples of seclusion encourage the practice of setting aside time for personal retreat and reflection. In a world filled with noise and busyness, intentional periods of solitude can foster spiritual growth and renewal. Whether through prayer, meditation on Scripture, or fasting, seclusion can be a powerful tool for drawing closer to God and discerning His will.

Related Scriptures:

· Psalm 46:10 : "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
· Mark 1:35 : "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and slipped out to a solitary place to pray."
· Luke 5:16 : "Yet He frequently withdrew to the wilderness to pray."

These passages underscore the value of seclusion as a means to deepen one's relationship with God and to seek His guidance and strength.(imp. & p. p.) of Seclude.2048. eremos -- solitary, desolate
... word Definition solitary, desolate NASB Word Usage desert (2), deserts (1), desolate
(6), open pasture (1), secluded (5), unpopulated (1), wilderness (32). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2048.htm - 8k910. badad -- isolation, separation
... Word Origin from badad Definition isolation, separation NASB Word Usage alone (6),
apart (1), isolated (1), itself (1), lonely (1), secluded (1). ...
/hebrew/910.htm - 6k

Strength of the Still Secluded Thought,
... Strength of the still secluded thought,. LM ... O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto
Thee for ever." " Psalm 30:11,12. Strength of the still secluded thought,. ...
/.../waring/hymns and meditations/strength of the still secluded.htm

The Flight of the Woman.
... assemblies, and worshipped apart. They retired from the observation of their
rulers and lived secluded for a long period. Some may inquire ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the flight of the woman.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... I did not intend to devote myself entirely to the wild people, but to visit the
villages and towns as well as the remote and secluded glens. ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 20.htm

First Withdrawal from Herod's Territory and Return.
... c and them that had need of healing he cured. [Jesus probably set sail from near
Capernaum, and from thence across the lake to the narrow, secluded plain of ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxiii first withdrawal from herods 2.htm

Smerdis the Magian.
... Smerdis, by living secluded, and devoting himself to retired and private pleasures,
was the more likely to escape public observation; while Patizithes, acting ...
/.../abbott/darius the great/chapter iii smerdis the magian.htm

The Classes and the Masses
... Such seclusion is not felt as imprisonment; a girl is trained to regard it as the
proper thing, and we never find any desire among those so secluded to break ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter ix the classes and.htm

The Mother of Xerxes.
... In the same manner he secluded from each other and from himself all who had known
Smerdis, in order to prevent their conferring with one another, or ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter i the mother of.htm

Byzantine Empresses Theodora ii. , Theophano, Zoe, Theodora iii.
... between the two queens: Irene finally expelled her son from his royal station, and
sent him to pass his life as a blinded monk in a secluded cell; Theodora ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/xiii byzantine empresses theodora ii.htm

Appendix.
... priesthood had not been gained without trials and perils which only the deepest
convictions could have nerved them to bear, met in that secluded unknown New ...
/.../various/the sermons and addresses at the seabury centenary/appendix.htm

The Preface
... A man secluded from company can have but the Devil and himself to tempt him; be
he that converses, has almost as many snares as he has companions. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/allestree/the government of the tongue/the preface.htm

Secluded (7 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Secluded (7 Occurrences). ... Luke 1:24 and in course of time
his wife Elizabeth conceived, and kept herself secluded five months. ...
/s/secluded.htm - 8k

Gethsemane (2 Occurrences)
... our Lord would scarcely have selected it for retirement on that dangerous and dismal
night...I am inclined to place the garden in the secluded vale several ...
/g/gethsemane.htm - 11k

Shiloh (34 Occurrences)
... "No spot in Central Palestine could be more secluded than this early sanctuary,
nothing more featureless than the landscape around; so featureless, indeed, the ...
/s/shiloh.htm - 27k

Uninhabited (8 Occurrences)
... Matthew 14:13 Upon receiving these tidings, Jesus went away by boat to an uninhabited
and secluded district; but the people heard of it and followed Him in ...
/u/uninhabited.htm - 8k

Glen (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) A secluded and narrow valley; a dale; a depression
between hills. Multi-Version Concordance Glen (1 Occurrence). ...
/g/glen.htm - 6k

Tidings (169 Occurrences)
... Matthew 14:13 Upon receiving these tidings, Jesus went away by boat to an uninhabited
and secluded district; but the people heard of it and followed Him in ...
/t/tidings.htm - 38k

Towns (450 Occurrences)
... Matthew 14:13 Upon receiving these tidings, Jesus went away by boat to an uninhabited
and secluded district; but the people heard of it and followed Him in ...
/t/towns.htm - 36k

Receiving (72 Occurrences)
... Matthew 14:13 Upon receiving these tidings, Jesus went away by boat to an uninhabited
and secluded district; but the people heard of it and followed Him in ...
/r/receiving.htm - 28k

Retired (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp. & pp) of Retire. 2. (a.) Private; secluded;
quiet; as, a retired life; a person of retired habits. ...
/r/retired.htm - 7k

Recessed (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (imp. & pp) of Recess. 2. (a.) Having a recess or recesses; as, a recessed arch
or wall. 3. (a.) Withdrawn; secluded. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/r/recessed.htm - 7k

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Secluded: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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