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Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary

Intro ← Index → ©

BACKSLIDING

To wane in religious commitment, to become less arduous in piety or less upright in morals. The principal Hebrew word for backsliding means “turning back” or “turning away.” The people of Israel repeatedly turned from God and engaged in the sin and idolatry of their pagan neighbors. In the language of the OT, backsliding Israel lusted after abominations and forsook the Lord and his commandments (Ezr 9:10; Is 1:4; Ez 11:21). They violated the sacred covenant by worshiping idols and practicing harlotry (Ps 78:10; Jer 2:11; Hos 4:10). The people forgot God’s mighty works on their behalf, ignored his counsel, and rejected his instruction (Pss 78:11; 107:11; Is 30:9). Hard-hearted and rebellious, they delighted themselves in all sorts of perversions (Jer 3:21). Religious leaders entrusted with the spiritual care of the nation were instrumental in leading the people astray (Is 9:16). The priests proved themselves faithless shepherds (Jer 50:6).

Show passage in OET: EZR 9:10

OET-RV EZR 9:10

10 “So now, our god, what can we say after that? We’ve abandoned your instructions

OET-LV EZR 9:10

10 And_now what will_we_say our_god_of_Oh after this if/because we_have_abandoned commands_of_your.
Show passage in OET: ISA 1:4

OET-RV ISA 1:4

 ⇔  4 This sinful nation won’t come to a good end.
 ⇔ ≈ these people who excel at disobeying.
 ⇔ Descendants of those in the habit of doing evil things.
 ⇔ ≈ Children who act corruptly.
 ⇔ They have abandoned Yahweh.
 ⇔ ≈ They have despised Yisrael’s holy one.
 ⇔ ≈ They have estranged themselves from him.

OET-LV ISA 1:4

4 Woe_to a_nation which_sins a_people heavy_of iniquity offspring_of evil-doers children who_behave_corruptly they_have_abandoned DOM YHWH they_have_spurned DOM the_holy_one_of Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) they_have_become_estranged back_part.
Show passage in OET: EZE 11:21

OET-RV EZE 11:21

21 But to those who would rather happily choose their detestable and disgusting ways, I’ll make their actions bounce back onto their own heads. That’s the master Yahweh’s declaration.”

OET-LV EZE 11:21

21 And_near/to the_heart_of their_detestable_things_of_their and_abominations_of_their heart_of_their is_going conduct_of_their on_their_own_of_head I_will_requite the_utterance_of my_master YHWH.
Show passage in OET: PSA 78:10

OET-RV PSA 78:10

10 They didn’t keep their agreement with God,
 ⇔ and they refused to obey his law.

OET-LV PSA 78:10

10 Not they_kept the_covenant_of god and_in_law_of_his they_refused to_walk.
Show passage in OET: JER 2:11

OET-RV JER 2:11

11 Has a country ever swapped out its gods (not that they were actual gods)?
 ⇔ But my people have exchanged their greatness for something of no benefit.

OET-LV JER 2:11

11 Has_ a_nation _it_exchanged gods and_they not are_gods and_people_of_my it_has_exchanged glory_of_its for_that_which_not it_profits.
Show passage in OET: HOS 4:10

OET-RV HOS 4:10

10 They’ll eat but never be full.
 ⇔ They’ll sleep around but not prosper,
 ⇔ because they’ve abandoned Yahweh as their protector.

OET-LV HOS 4:10

10 And_they_will_eat and_not they_will_be_satisfied they_will_prostitute_themselves and_not they_will_increase if/because DOM YHWH they_have_abandoned to_guard/protect.
Show passage in OET: PSA 78:11

OET-RV PSA 78:11

11 They forgot about what he’d done—
 ⇔ the wonderful things that he had shown them.

OET-LV PSA 78:11

11 And_they_forgot deeds_of_his and_wonders_of_his which he_had_shown_them.
Show passage in OET: PSA 107:11

OET-RV PSA 107:11

11 This was because they had rebelled against God’s messages
 ⇔ and rejected the highest one’s instructions.

OET-LV PSA 107:11

11 If/because they_had_rebelled_against the_words/messages_of god and_the_counsel_of the_Most_High they_had_spurned.
Show passage in OET: ISA 30:9

OET-RV ISA 30:9

9 because this is a rebellious nation.
 ⇔ They’re lying children—unwilling to listen to Yahweh’s instructions,

OET-LV ISA 30:9

9 If/because is_a_people_of rebellion it children lying children who_not they_have_been_willing to_hear the_law_of YHWH.
Show passage in OET: JER 3:21

OET-RV JER 3:21

 ⇔  21 A sound of weeping is heard on the barren hilltops—
 ⇔ ≈ the Israeli people begging for mercy
 ⇔ because they’ve followed paths of disobedience
 ⇔ ≈ and they’ve forgotten their god, Yahweh.

OET-LV JER 3:21

21 A_sound on bare_heights the_weeping of_the_supplications_of of_the_people_of of_Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) is_heard if/because they_have_perverted DOM way_of_their they_have_forgotten DOM YHWH god_of_their.
Show passage in OET: ISA 9:16

OET-RV ISA 9:16

16 These people’s guides have led them the wrong way,
 ⇔ so the ones being guided were destroyed.

OET-LV ISA 9:15

15  And_ the_guides_of the_people the_this _they_were leading_astray and_those_of_who_were_guided_by_him were_confused.
Show passage in OET: JER 50:6

OET-RV JER 50:6

6 My people have been a lost flock.
 ⇔ Their shepherds have led them astray in the mountains.
 ⇔ They’ve gone from hill to hill.
 ⇔ They went—they’d forgotten the place where they’d lived.

OET-LV JER 50:6

6 sheep lost they_have_become people_of_my shepherds_of_their they_have_caused_them_to_wander mountains they_have_led_them_away from_hill to hill they_have_gone they_have_forgotten place_of_their_resting.

Jump to OET EZR 9:10 section.

Jump to OET ISA 1:4 section.

Jump to OET EZE 11:21 section.

Jump to OET PSA 78:10 section.

Jump to OET JER 2:11 section.

Jump to OET HOS 4:10 section.

Jump to OET PSA 78:11 section.

Jump to OET PSA 107:11 section.

Jump to OET ISA 30:9 section.

Jump to OET JER 3:21 section.

Jump to OET ISA 9:16 section.

Jump to OET JER 50:6 section.

Grieved by the spiritual defection of his chosen people, God declared that “backsliding Israel committed adultery” (Jer 3:8, KJB). Through Hosea, the Lord lamented the fact that “Israel slideth back as a backsliding heifer” (Hos 4:16, KJB). Jeremiah confessed, “Our backslidings are many, we have sinned against thee” (Jer 14:7, rsv).

Show passage in OET: JER 3:8

OET-RV JER 3:8

8 So I saw that because of all those situations where faithless Yisrael had committed adultery, I had given her divorce notice to her and sent her away. But her sister Yehudah, acting treacherously, wasn’t worried and she went out and also prostituted herself.

OET-LV JER 3:8

8 And_I_saw if/because_that on all_of causes that the_apostate_one Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) she_committed_adultery I_sent_her_away and_I_gave DOM the_document_of her_divorce(s)_of_her to_her/it and_not treacherous Yəhūdāh sister_of_her she_was_afraid and_she_went and_she_acted_as_a_prostitute also she.
Show passage in OET: HOS 4:16

OET-RV HOS 4:16

16 Yisrael is stubborn, like a stubborn heifer.
 ⇔ Can Yahweh now feed them like lambs in a large paddock?

OET-LV HOS 4:16

16 If/because like_a_heifer stubborn Yisrāʼēl/(Israel) it_is_stubborn now he_will_pasture_them YHWH like_a_lamb in_(the)_place.
Show passage in OET: JER 14:7

OET-RV JER 14:7

7 Even though our transgressions testify against us,
 ⇔ do something, Yahweh, for the sake of your reputation
 ⇔ because we sinned against you with our frequent rebellion.

OET-LV JER 14:7

7 Though iniquities_of_our they_have_testified against_us Oh_YHWH act for_the_sake_of your(ms)_name if/because apostasies_of_our they_are_many to/for_yourself(m) we_have_sinned.

Jump to OET JER 3:8 section.

Jump to OET HOS 4:16 section.

Jump to OET JER 14:7 section.

The Concept of Backsliding in the New Testament

In the NT, the term “backsliding” does not appear, but the concept is present in a number of ways. It is usually viewed from an individual more than from a group perspective. In a conversation on the Mt of Olives, Jesus observed that toward the end of the age, evil would abound and most people’s love would grow cold (Mt 24:12). Steadfastness and perseverance were the only reliable antidotes to backsliding. Paul likewise warned believers of the dangers of falling away. Israel’s idolatry in the wilderness and God’s judgment upon their waywardness should serve as a stern warning (1 Cor 10:1-11). Paul instructed his converts in Galatia against forsaking their freedom in Christ and an enslaving religion of works. He marveled that the new believers had so quickly been deceived (Gal 3:1) and were abandoning the gospel of Christ (1:6). The new Christians who had begun so well were failing to obey the truth (5:7). In correspondence with Timothy, Paul was grieved to learn that some believers had already turned aside after Satan (1 Tm 5:15). Love of money and philosophical speculation had precipitated their downfall (6:10, 20-21 OET TI1 6:10 · OET TI1 6:20–21). A Christian by the name of Demas turned back from serving God because he loved the world more than Christ (2 Tm 4:10). Finally, in Revelation, the risen Christ reproached the churches for the spiritual indifference and coldness of their backsliding (Rv 2:4; 3:16).

Show passage in OET: MAT 24:12

OET-RV MAT 24:12

12 and as a result, lawlessness will increase, and many people’s love will cool off,

OET-LV MAT 24:12

12 And because_of that the lawlessness to_be_multiplied, the love of_the many will_be_being_cooled.
Show passage in OET: CO1 10:1–11

OET-RV CO1 10:1

10 Now brothers and sisters, I don’t want you all to be ignorant about how our Jewish ancestors sheltered under the cloud and then they all passed through the sea,

OET-RV CO1 10:2

2 so they were all immersed ‘into Mosheh’ (Moses) in both the cloud and the sea.

OET-RV CO1 10:3

3 They all ate the same supernatural food

OET-RV CO1 10:4

4 and they all drank the same supernatural drink, because they drank from a supernatural rock that followed them, and that rock was the messiah.

OET-RV CO1 10:5

5 Despite that, God wasn’t very happy with most of them, and they ended up dying in the wilderness.

OET-RV CO1 10:6

6 Those things back then became examples for us, so that we wouldn’t be desiring evil things like they did.

OET-RV CO1 10:7

7 Don’t worship idols like some of them did, as it’s written: ‘The people sat down to eat and drink and then stood up to dance to the golden calf.’

OET-RV CO1 10:8

8 Nor should we commit sexual immorality like many of them did, and 23,000 people died in one day.

OET-RV CO1 10:9

9 And nor should we challenge the master like some of our Jewish ancestors did, and then they were killed by the snakes.

OET-RV CO1 10:10

10 Don’t grumble like many of them did, and then they were killed by the death angel.

OET-RV CO1 10:11

11 All of those things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us who are living at the ends of the ages.

OET-LV CO1 10:1

10 Not I_am_wanting for you_all to_be_not_knowing, brothers, that the fathers of_us all under the cloud were, and all through the sea passed_through,

OET-LV CO1 10:2

2 and all into the Mōsaʸs/(Mosheh) immersed in the cloud, and in the sea,

OET-LV CO1 10:3

3 and all the same spiritual food ate,

OET-LV CO1 10:4

4 and all the same spiritual drank drink, because/for they_were_drinking of a_spiritual following them rock, and the rock was the chosen_one/messiah.

OET-LV CO1 10:5

5 But not with the more of_them took_pleasure the god, because/for they_were_struck_down in the wilderness.

OET-LV CO1 10:6

6 And these things examples for_us were_become, in_order that not to_be us coveters of_evil, as also_those they_desired.

OET-LV CO1 10:7

7 Not idolaters be_becoming, as some of_them, as it_has_been_written:
Sat_down the people to_eat and to_drink, and they_stood_up to_be_playing.

OET-LV CO1 10:8

8 Not we_may_be_committing_sexual_immorality, as some of_them committed_sexual_immorality, and fell in_one day three twenty thousands.

OET-LV CO1 10:9

9 Not we_may_be_testing the master, as some of_them tested him, and by the serpents were_being_destroyed.

OET-LV CO1 10:10

10 Not be_grumbling, just_as some of_them grumbled, and destroyed themselves by the destroyer.

OET-LV CO1 10:11

11 And these things typologically was_happening to_those, and it_was_written for the_admonition of_us, on whom the ends of_the ages has_arrived.
Show passage in OET: GAL 3:1

OET-RV GAL 3:1

3 You foolish Galatians, who tricked you into changing? You know that Yeshua the messiah was publicly known to have been executed by being nailed to a post.

OET-LV GAL 3:1

3 Oh foolish Galatikoss.
Who bewitched you_all, to_whom by your_eyes Yaʸsous/(Yəhōshūˊa) chosen_one/messiah was_publicly_portrayed having_been_executed_on_a_stake?
Show passage in OET: GAL 1:6

OET-RV GAL 1:6

6 I’m astounded that you people have so quickly replaced the good message that you heard from the one who called you to the messiah’s grace. You’ve replaced it with another narrative

OET-LV GAL 1:6

6 I_am_marvelling that thus quickly, you_all_are_replacing from the one having_called you_all in the_grace of_chosen_one/messiah, to another good_message,
Show passage in OET: GAL 5:7

OET-RV GAL 5:7

7 You people were running the race so well—who held you back from believing the truth?

OET-LV GAL 5:7

7 You_all_were_running well, who hindered you_all, to_ not _be_being_persuaded by_the_truth?
Show passage in OET: TI1 5:15

OET-RV TI1 5:15

15 In fact, some have already turned away to follow Satan.

OET-LV TI1 5:15

15 For/Because already some were_turned_away after the Satan/(Sāţān).
Show passage in OET: TI1 6:10; TI1 6:20–21

OET-RV TI1 6:10

10 because that desire for wealth is the root of all evil. Some who aspired to becoming wealthy wandered away from faith in Yeshua and wounded themselves with many disappointments.

OET-RV TI1 6:20

20 So Timotheos, guard what has been invested in you. Avoid useless and godless babbling and what others call knowledge but which opposes the true message

OET-RV TI1 6:21

21 and which some who were believers have turned away to.
 ¶ May God’s grace be with you all there.

OET-LV TI1 6:10

10 For/Because a_root of_all the evil is the fondness_of_silver, of_which some aspiring, have_wandered_away from the faith, and pierced themselves with_ many _sorrows.

OET-LV TI1 6:20

20 Oh Timotheos, guard the deposit, turning_away the profane empty_babblings and oppositions of_the falsely_called knowledge,

OET-LV TI1 6:21

21 which some professing concerning the faith deviated.
The grace be with you_all.
Show passage in OET: TI2 4:10

OET-RV TI2 4:10

10 because Demas was attracted back to worldly things, and so he left me and went to Thessalonikai. Kreskes has gone to Galatia, and Titos went to Dalmatia.

OET-LV TI2 4:10

10 For/Because Daʸmas was_abandoning me, having_loved the present age, and was_gone to Thessalonikaʸ, Kraʸskaʸs to Galatia, Titos to Dalmatia.
Show passage in OET: REV 2:4

OET-RV REV 2:4

4 However, I do have something against you: you’ve abandoned the love that you first had.

OET-LV REV 2:4

4 But I_am_having against you that the love of_you the first you_were_leaving.
Show passage in OET: REV 3:16

OET-RV REV 3:16

16 So because you’re lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I’ll spit you out of my mouth.

OET-LV REV 3:16

16 Thus, because lukewarm you_are, and neither hot nor cold, I_am_going you to_spit out_of the mouth of_me.

Jump to OET MAT 24:12 section.

Jump to OET CO1 10:1–11 section.

Jump to OET GAL 3:1 section.

Jump to OET GAL 1:6 section.

Jump to OET GAL 5:7 section.

Jump to OET TI1 5:15 section.

Jump to OET TI1 6:10 section. · OET TI1 6:20–21 section.

Jump to OET TI2 4:10 section.

Jump to OET REV 2:4 section.

Jump to OET REV 3:16 section.