In biblical contexts, the concept of a "tour" is not explicitly mentioned as it is understood in modern terms. However, the idea of traveling or journeying for specific purposes is prevalent throughout the Scriptures. These journeys often had spiritual, exploratory, or mission-oriented objectives, aligning with the broader understanding of a tour.

Exploratory Journeys

One of the earliest examples of an exploratory journey in the Bible is found in the account of the twelve spies sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan. In Numbers 13:17-18 , Moses instructs them: "Go up through the Negev and into the hill country. See what the land is like and whether its people are strong or weak, few or many." This reconnaissance mission was a form of a tour to gather information about the Promised Land.

Spiritual Pilgrimages

Pilgrimages to sacred sites were common in biblical times. The Israelites were commanded to appear before the Lord at designated times and places, such as during the feasts in Jerusalem. In Deuteronomy 16:16 , it is stated: "Three times a year all your men must appear before the LORD your God at the place He will choose." These journeys were spiritual tours, undertaken to fulfill religious obligations and to worship God.

Missionary Journeys

The New Testament provides numerous examples of missionary journeys, particularly those of the Apostle Paul. His travels were extensive and aimed at spreading the Gospel. In Acts 13:2-3 , the Holy Spirit instructs the church at Antioch: "Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." This marks the beginning of Paul's first missionary journey, a tour with the purpose of evangelism and church planting.

Royal and Diplomatic Tours

Kings and leaders in the Bible also undertook tours for diplomatic and governance purposes. The visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon is a notable example. In 1 Kings 10:1-2 , it is recorded: "When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon and his relationship to the LORD, she came to test Solomon with hard questions." Her journey was a diplomatic tour to seek wisdom and establish relations.

Symbolic and Visionary Tours

Prophets in the Bible often experienced visionary tours, where they were shown symbolic representations of spiritual truths. Ezekiel's visions, for instance, included being taken on a tour of the future temple. In Ezekiel 40:2-4 , the prophet describes being brought to a high mountain and shown a city-like structure, where he is given detailed measurements and instructions.

Conclusion

While the term "tour" is not directly used in the Bible, the concept of traveling for exploration, spiritual purposes, missionary work, diplomacy, and visionary experiences is well-documented. These journeys were integral to the unfolding of God's plan and the spread of His message throughout the biblical narrative.1. (n.) A tower.

2. (n.) A going round; a circuit; hence, a journey in a circuit; a prolonged circuitous journey; a comprehensive excursion; as, the tour of Europe; the tour of France or England.

3. (n.) A turn; a revolution; as, the tours of the heavenly bodies.

4. (v. t.) anything done successively, or by regular order; a turn; as, a tour of duty.

5. (v. i.) To make a tour; as, to tour through a country.

Jesus Makes a Preaching Tour through Galilee.
... Passover. (Time: One Year.) XXXIII. Jesus Makes a Preaching Tour Through Galilee.
^A Matthew 4:23-25; ^B Mark 1:35-39; ^C Luke 4:42-44. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxxiii jesus makes a preaching.htm

The Ordination of Paul and Barnabas; their Missionary Tour in Asia ...
... CHAPTER V. THE ORDINATION OF PAUL AND BARNABAS; THEIR MISSIONARY TOUR IN
ASIA MINOR; AND THE COUNCIL OF JERUSALEM. AD44 TO AD51. ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter v the ordination of.htm

From the Birth to the Ascension of Jesus.
... son, and his settlement at Capernaum; (c) of the call of four fishermen and many
miracles wrought at Capernaum; (d) of his first brief tour of Galilee. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xviii from the birth.htm

Herodotus and Xenophon.
... entertainments."Herodotus's early love of knowledge."Intercourse of nations."Military
expeditions."Plan of Herodotus's tour."Herodotus visits Egypt ...
/.../abbott/cyrus the great/chapter i herodotus and xenophon.htm

From the Close of the General Conference in 1796, to the ...
... Though Bishop Asbury began the year with his wonted diligence, and set off upon
his annual tour of the continent, yet his physical strength was not equal to ...
/.../chapter 3 from the close.htm

Trip through Europe and the Holy Land
... places of interest in and around Jerusalem, Bethany, Bethlehem, on to Beirut, Damascus,
Baalbek, Nazareth, Tiberias and the Sea of Galilee, a tour much enjoyed ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/hoskins/clara a swain md/trip through europe and the.htm

Travel. A Personal Experience.
... Mr. Agassiz declined the gracious offer on the ground that he had just Planned a
summer's tour through his own back yard. What did Agassiz find on that tour? ...
/.../ix travel a personal experience.htm

"We must Increase, but I must Decrease. "
... And when the crowds of Passover pilgrims were dispersing homewards, He also left
the city with his disciples, and began a missionary tour throughout the land ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/ix we must increase but.htm

Come Rest Awhile
... On returning from their missionary tour, "the apostles gathered themselves together
unto Jesus, and told Him all things, both what they had done, and what they ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 38 come rest awhile.htm

Life at C??sarea; Baptism; and Adoption of Monastic Life.
... pope Athanasius. [66] Probably during this tour he began the friendship
with Eusebius of Samosata which lasted so long. To the same ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/iii life at caesarea baptism and.htm

Tour (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) A going round; a circuit; hence, a journey in a circuit; a prolonged circuitous
journey; a comprehensive excursion; as, the tour of Europe; the tour of ...
/t/tour.htm - 7k

Watch-tour
Watch-tour. Watchtour, Watch-tour. Watchtower . Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia WATCH-TOUR. woch'-tou-er (mitspeh (Isaiah ...
/w/watch-tour.htm - 7k

Evangelist (2 Occurrences)
... He is here when Paul comes back on his 3rd tour bound for Jerusalem (Acts 20:3-5).
He shows also a natural pride in the claims of Philippi to the primacy in ...
/e/evangelist.htm - 23k

Illyricum (1 Occurrence)
... Paul's travels beyond the confines of Macedonia, and since the phrase, "I have fully
preached," precludes a reference to a hurried or cursory tour in Illyricum ...
/i/illyricum.htm - 13k

Luke (4 Occurrences)
... He is here when Paul comes back on his 3rd tour bound for Jerusalem (Acts 20:3-5).
He shows also a natural pride in the claims of Philippi to the primacy in ...
/l/luke.htm - 55k

Watchtour
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia WATCH-TOUR. woch'-tou-er (mitspeh (Isaiah
21:8 2 Chronicles 20:24); bachan (Isaiah 32:14 the Revised ...
/w/watchtour.htm - 7k

Watchtower (9 Occurrences)

/w/watchtower.htm - 9k

Visiting (10 Occurrences)
... Acts 18:23 After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out on a tour, visiting
the whole of Galatia and Phrygia in order, and strengthening all the disciples ...
/v/visiting.htm - 10k

Joanna (3 Occurrences)
... ie Jesus, or "them" the Revised Version (British and American), ie Jesus and His
disciples) of their substance," on the occasion of Jesus' tour through Galilee ...
/j/joanna.htm - 8k

Lystra (6 Occurrences)
... there to steadfastness. He in all likelihood visited this city again on
his third missionary tour (Acts 18:23). Timothy, who was ...
/l/lystra.htm - 14k

What is the Ascension of Isaiah? | GotQuestions.org

What was/is the importance of the gates of Jerusalem? | GotQuestions.org

What is the New Age movement? | GotQuestions.org

Tour: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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