In the Bible, “drew” often refers to the action of pulling, lifting, or extracting something towards oneself. It can denote physical actions, such as drawing water from a well (as seen in John 4:7) or spiritual implications, such as drawing nearer to God (as in James 4:8).
Scripture
23 Then Abraham drew near and said, “Will you indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?
24 Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city. Will you then sweep away the place and not spare it for the fifty righteous who are in it?
25 Far be it from you to do such a thing, to put the righteous to death with the wicked, so that the righteous fare as the wicked! Far be that from you! Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?”
26 And the Lord said, “If I find at Sodom fifty righteous in the city, I will spare the whole place for their sake.”
27 Abraham answered and said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord, I who am but dust and ashes.
28 Suppose five of the fifty righteous are lacking. Will you destroy the whole city for lack of five?” And he said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.”
29 He said to him, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there.”
30 Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak. Suppose thirty are found there.” He answered, “I will not do it, if I find thirty there.”
31 He said, “Behold, I have undertaken to speak to the Lord. Suppose twenty are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of twenty I will not destroy it.”
32 Then he said, “Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak again but this once. Suppose ten are found there.” He answered, “For the sake of ten I will not destroy it.”
33 And the Lord went his way, when he had finished speaking to Abraham, and Abraham returned to his place.
Meaning of “Drew” in the Bible
In the Bible, the term “drew” encapsulates both physical and spiritual dimensions of action, highlighting the interplay between the tangible and the intangible. When one “draws” water from a well, as in John 4:7 where Jesus encounters the Samaritan woman, it signifies both a literal need for sustenance and a deeper thirst for spiritual fulfillment. The act of drawing water serves as a metaphor for the divine grace and salvation that Jesus offers, fulfilling the innate human longing for connection with God. This multifaceted concept reinforces the idea that drawing isn’t solely an act of retrieval; it symbolizes the journey towards wholeness and understanding.
Spiritually, “drew” has profound implications in passages such as James 4:8, which encourages believers to “draw near to God” to experience His presence and guidance. This drawing near implies an active effort to cultivate a relationship with the divine, suggesting that such closeness requires intention and desire. The broader significance of “drew” thus embodies the human pursuit of spiritual nourishment and the reciprocal nature of divine engagement. Just as one may physically draw what they need to survive, believers are reminded of the importance of seeking out and drawing near to God for spiritual sustenance, echoing the biblical theme that while God invites us into His presence, we are called to respond actively.
The concept of “drew” within the scriptures frequently extends beyond mere physical actions to encompass spiritual resonance and responsive engagement with divine realities. For instance, when one considers the act of drawing lots or casting a die in various biblical contexts, this act symbolizes seeking divine wisdom or the guidance of God in decision-making. In this scenario, “drew” encapsulates an earnest desire to know God’s will, reflecting the human inclination to seek assurance in significant choices. This intersection of human action and divine sovereignty emphasizes the belief that even in our initiatives, we are called to trust in God’s overarching plan and purpose.
Moreover, “drew” can also refer to the act of drawing upon a community or fellowship within the body of believers. Instances where individuals “draw” from each other’s strengths and experiences reveal the importance of communal support in one’s spiritual journey. Such interactions are marked by encouragement and the sharing of wisdom gleaned from personal testimonies, suggesting a relational aspect that fosters growth and deeper understanding. In this way, the concept of drawing not only bridges the gap between individual and divine but also strengthens communal bonds within the faith, illustrating how believers are encouraged to rely on one another while collectively seeking a closer relationship with God. The act of drawing thus serves as both an individual quest for spiritual fulfillment and a communal journey towards shared faith, illustrating the richness of biblical engagement with the term.
The Act of Drawing Near
In biblical contexts, “drew” often signifies the act of coming closer to God or to others in a relational sense. This can represent a spiritual drawing near, where individuals seek a deeper connection with the divine through prayer, worship, or repentance. It emphasizes the importance of intimacy in one’s relationship with God, illustrating the desire to be in His presence and to experience His love and guidance.
The Concept of Extraction
The term “drew” can also refer to the act of extracting or taking something from a source. This is often seen in the context of drawing water from a well, which symbolizes the gathering of spiritual nourishment or wisdom. In a broader sense, it can represent the idea of drawing from one’s faith or experiences to find strength, comfort, or insight in times of need.
The Implication of Action
Additionally, “drew” can imply a sense of action or movement towards a goal or purpose. This can be interpreted as the active pursuit of one’s faith, where believers are encouraged to take steps towards spiritual growth, service, or community engagement. It highlights the dynamic nature of faith, where individuals are called to actively participate in their spiritual journey rather than remaining passive.
How to Grow in Faith and Live Like Christ
Growing in faith and living like Christ is a beautiful journey that requires intentionality and openness to God’s guidance. Start by immersing yourself in Scripture; the Bible is not just a book but a living testament that reveals God’s heart and His desires for us. Make prayer a daily habit, not just as a ritual but as a heartfelt conversation with your Creator, sharing your struggles and joys. Surround yourself with a community of believers who can encourage and challenge you, as iron sharpens iron. Look for opportunities to serve others, reflecting Christ’s love through acts of kindness and compassion. Remember, it’s not about perfection but progress; embrace the grace that God offers and allow it to transform you from the inside out. As you take these steps, you’ll find that your faith deepens, and your life begins to mirror the love and humility of Christ.
Bible References to the Meaning of “Drew”:
Exodus 14:10-14: 10 When Pharaoh drew near, the people of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them, and they feared greatly. And the people of Israel cried out to the Lord.
11 They said to Moses, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us in bringing us out of Egypt?
12 Is not this what we said to you in Egypt: ‘Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians’? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”
13 And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again.
14 The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.
Joshua 8:18-26: 18 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Stretch out the javelin that is in your hand toward Ai, for I will give it into your hand.” And Joshua stretched out the javelin that was in his hand toward the city.
19 And the men in the ambush rose quickly out of their place, and as soon as he had stretched out his hand, they ran and entered the city and captured it.
20 So when the men of Ai looked back, behold, the smoke of the city went up to heaven, and they had no power to flee this way or that, for the people who fled to the wilderness turned back against the pursuers.
21 And when Joshua and all Israel saw that the ambush had captured the city, and that the smoke of the city went up, then they turned back and struck down the men of Ai.
22 And the others came out of the city against them, so they were in the midst of Israel, some on this side, and some on that side. And they struck them down, until there was left none that survived or escaped.
23 But they took about five thousand men and set them in ambush between Bethel and Ai, to the west of the city.
24 When Israel had finished killing all the inhabitants of Ai in the open wilderness where they pursued them, and all of them to the very last had fallen by the edge of the sword, all Israel returned to Ai and struck it down with the edge of the sword.
25 And twelve thousand men and women fell that day, all the people of Ai.
26 But Joshua did not draw back his hand with which he stretched out the javelin until he had devoted all the inhabitants of Ai to destruction.
Judges 20:34-48: 34 And ten thousand men, chosen from all Israel, came against Gibeah, and the battle was fierce, but the Benjaminites did not know that disaster was close upon them.
35 And the Lord defeated Benjamin before Israel, and the people of Israel destroyed 25,100 men of Benjamin that day.
36 So the people went to Bethel and sat there before God until evening, and they lifted up their voices and wept bitterly.
37 And the men in ambush rose quickly out of their place, and as soon as he had stretched out his hand, they ran and entered the city and captured it.
38 Now the appointed signal between the men of Israel and the men in the main ambush was that when they made a great cloud of smoke rise up out of the city,
39 And the men of Israel turned back against the people of Benjamin and struck them with the edge of the sword, the city, men and beasts and all that they found. And all the towns that they found they set on fire.
40 But when the signal began to rise out of the city in a column of smoke, the Benjaminites looked behind them, and behold, the whole of the city went up in smoke to heaven.
41 Then the men of Israel turned back, and the men of Benjamin were dismayed, for they saw that disaster was close upon them.
42 And about 22,000 men of Israel fell that day.
43 They surrounded Benjamin, pursued them, and trod them down from Noh as far as opposite Gibeah on the east.
44 And 18,000 men of Benjamin fell, all of them men of valor.
45 And they turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon. But 5,000 men of them were cut down on the highways. And they were pursued hard to Gidom, and 2,000 men of them were struck down.
46 So all who fell that day of Benjamin were 25,000 men who drew the sword, all of them men of valor.
47 But six hundred men turned and fled toward the wilderness to the rock of Rimmon and remained at the rock of Rimmon four months.
48 And the men of Israel turned back against the people of Benjamin and struck them with the edge of the sword, the city, men and beasts and all that they found. And all the towns that they found they set on fire.
1 Samuel 17:40-51: 40 Then he took his staff in his hand and chose five smooth stones from the brook and put them in his shepherd’s pouch. His sling was in his hand, and he approached the Philistine.
41 And the Philistine moved forward and came near to David, with his shield-bearer in front of him.
42 And when the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was but a youth, ruddy and handsome in appearance.
43 And the Philistine said to David, “Am I a dog, that you come to me with sticks?” And the Philistine cursed David by his gods.
44 The Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field.”
45 Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword and with a spear and with a javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
46 This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head.
47 And that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hand.
48 When the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine.
49 And David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone and slung it and struck the Philistine on his forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell on his face to the ground.
50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and struck the Philistine and killed him. There was no sword in the hand of David.
51 Then David ran and stood over the Philistine and took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him and cut off his head with it. When the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.
2 Samuel 10:13-19: 13 So Joab and the people who were with him drew near to battle against the Syrians, and they fled before him.
14 And when the Ammonites saw that the Syrians fled, they likewise fled before Abishai and entered the city. Then Joab returned from fighting against the Ammonites and came to Jerusalem.
15 And when the Ammonites saw that the Syrians fled, they likewise fled before Abishai and entered the city. Then Joab returned from fighting against the Ammonites and came to Jerusalem.
16 And Hadadezer sent and brought out the Syrians who were beyond the Euphrates. They came to Helam, with Shobach the commander of the army of Hadadezer leading them.
17 And when it was told David, he gathered all Israel together and crossed the Jordan and came to Helam. The Syrians arrayed themselves against David and fought with him.
18 And the Syrians fled before Israel, and David killed of the Syrians the men of 700 chariots, and 40,000 horsemen, and wounded Shobach the commander of their army, so that he died there.
19 And when all the kings who were servants of Hadadezer saw that they had been defeated by Israel, they made peace with Israel and became subject to them. So the Syrians were afraid to save the Ammonites anymore.
1 Kings 18:30-39: 30 Then Elijah said to all the people, “Come near to me.” And all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the Lord that had been thrown down.
31 Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the Lord came, saying, “Israel shall be your name,”
32 And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the Lord.
33 And he put the wood in order and cut the bull in pieces and laid it on the wood. And he said, “Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.”
34 And he said, “Fill four jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.”
35 And the water ran around the altar and filled the trench also with water.
36 And at the time of the offering of the oblation, Elijah the prophet came near and said, “O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that you are God in Israel, and that I am your servant, and that I have done all these things at your word.
37 Answer me, O Lord, answer me, that this people may know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you have turned their hearts back.”
38 Then the fire of the Lord fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood and the stones and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.
39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces and said, “The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God.”
2 Kings 4:27-37: 27 And when she came to the mountain to the man of God, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came to push her away. But the man of God said, “Leave her alone, for she is in bitter distress, and the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me.”
28 Then she said, “Did I ask my lord for a son? Did I not say, ‘Do not deceive me’?”
29 He said to Gehazi, “Tie up your garment and take my staff in your hand and go. If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not reply. And lay my staff on the face of the child.”
30 Then the mother of the child said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So he arose and followed her.
31 Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the face of the child, but there was no sound or sign of life. So he returned to meet him and told him, “The child has not awakened.”
32 When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed.
33 So he went in and shut the door behind the two of them and prayed to the Lord.
34 Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm.
35 Then he got up again and walked once back and forth in the house, and went up and stretched himself upon him. The child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.
36 Then he summoned Gehazi and said, “Call this Shunammite.” So he called her. And when she came to him, he said, “Pick up your son.”
37 Then she went in and fell at his feet and bowed to the ground. Then she took up her son and went out.
Nehemiah 9:26-31: 26 “Nevertheless, they were disobedient and rebelled against you and cast your law behind their back and killed your prophets, who had warned them in order to turn them back to you, and they committed great blasphemies.”
27 Therefore you gave them into the hand of their enemies, who made them suffer. And in the time of their suffering they cried out to you and you heard them from heaven, and according to your great mercies you gave them saviors who saved them from the hand of their enemies.
28 But after they had rest, they did evil again before you, and you abandoned them to the hand of their enemies, so that they had dominion over them. Yet when they turned and cried to you, you heard from heaven, and many times you delivered them according to your mercies.
29 And you warned them in order to turn them back to your law. Yet they acted presumptuously and did not obey your commandments, but sinned against your rules, which if a person does them, he shall live by them, and they turned a stubborn shoulder and stiffened their neck and would not obey.
30 Many years you bore with them and warned them by your Spirit through your prophets. Yet they would not give ear. Therefore you gave them into the hand of the peoples of the lands.
31 Nevertheless, in your great mercies you did not make an end of them or forsake them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.
Job 33:21-30: 21 His flesh is so wasted away that it cannot be seen, and his bones that were not seen stick out.
22 His soul draws near to the pit,
and his life to those who bring death.
23 If there be for him an angel, a mediator, one of the thousand, to declare to man what is right for him,
24 then God is gracious to him, and says, ‘Deliver him from going down into the pit; I have found a ransom;
25 his flesh becomes fresher than a child’s; he returns to the days of his youth.
26 then man prays to God, and he accepts him; he sees his face with a shout of joy, and he restores to man his righteousness.
27 He sings before men and says: ‘I sinned and perverted what was right, and it was not repaid to me.
28 He has redeemed my soul from going down into the pit, and my life shall look upon the light.
29 “Behold, God does all these things,
twice, three times, with a man,
30 to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be lighted with the light of life.
Psalm 73:27-28: 27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish; you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.
28 But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.
Isaiah 29:13-14: 13 And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men,
14 therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden.”
Jeremiah 30:21-24: 21 Their prince shall be one of themselves;
their ruler shall come out from their midst;
I will make him draw near, and he shall approach me,
for who would dare of himself to approach me?
declares the Lord.
22 And you shall be my people, and I will be your God.”
23 Behold the storm of the Lord!
Wrath has gone forth,
a whirling tempest;
it will burst upon the head of the wicked.
24 The fierce anger of the Lord will not turn back until he has executed and accomplished the intentions of his mind. In the latter days you will understand this.
Ezekiel 33:30-33: 30 “As for you, son of man, your people who talk together about you by the walls and at the doors of the houses, say to one another, each to his brother, ‘Come, and hear what the word is that comes from the Lord.’
32 And behold, you are to them like one who sings lustful songs with a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument, for they hear what you say, but they will not do it.
32 And behold, you are to them like one who sings lustful songs with a beautiful voice and plays well on an instrument, for they hear what you say, but they will not do it.
33 “And when this comes to pass, (behold, it will come), then they will know that a prophet has been among them.”
Daniel 6:16-23: 16 Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!”
17 And a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords, that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel.
18 Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no diversions were brought to him, and sleep fled from him.
19 Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions.
20 As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”
21 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever!
22 My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.”
23 Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
Hosea 11:3-4: 3 Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk; I took them up by their arms, but they did not know that I healed them.
4 I led them with cords of kindness,
with the bands of love,
and I became to them as one who eases the yoke on their jaws,
and I bent down to them and fed them.
Zechariah 14:1-5: 1 Behold, a day is coming for the Lord, when the spoil taken from you will be divided in your midst.
2 For I will gather all the nations against Jerusalem to battle, and the city shall be taken and the houses plundered and the women raped. Half of the city shall go out into exile, but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city.
3 Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on a day of battle.
4 On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward.
5 And you shall flee to the valley of my mountains, for the valley of the mountains shall reach to Azal. And you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the Lord my God will come, and all the holy ones with him.
Matthew 15:7-9: 7 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said:
8 “‘This people honors me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me;
9 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.
Mark 7:6-8: 6 And he said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me;
7 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.
8 You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.
Luke 22:47-53: 47 While he was still speaking, there came a crowd, and the man called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He drew near to Jesus to kiss him.
48 But Jesus said to him, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”
49 And when those who were around him saw what would follow, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?”
50 And one of them struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his right ear.
51 But Jesus said, “No more of this!” And he touched his ear and healed him.
52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders, who had come out against him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs?
53 When I was with you day after day in the temple, you did not lay hands on me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.
John 6:44-45: 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.
45 It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ So everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me—
Acts 7:23-29: 23 “When he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel.”
24 And seeing one of them being wronged, he defended the oppressed man and avenged him by striking down the Egyptian.
25 He supposed that his brothers would understand that God was giving them salvation by his hand, but they did not understand.
26 And on the following day he appeared to them as they were quarreling and tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brothers. Why do you wrong each other?’
27 But the man who was wronging his neighbor thrust him aside, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?
28 ‘Do you want to kill me as you killed the Egyptian yesterday?’
29 At this retort Moses fled and became an exile in the land of Midian, where he became the father of two sons.
James 4:7-10: 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
9 Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.
10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.
Hebrews 10:19-22: 19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus,
20 by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh,
21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God,
22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Revelation 12:3-4: 3 And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and on his heads seven diadems.
4 His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and cast them to the earth.
Rev. François Dupont is a dedicated church minister with a wealth of experience in serving spiritual communities. With a calm and serene demeanor, he has been devoted to sharing the message of love, compassion, and tolerance for over two decades. Through his thoughtful sermons, compassionate counseling, and unwavering support, Rev. Dupont has touched the lives of countless individuals, allowing them to find solace and strength during difficult times. His serene presence and deep understanding of the human condition make him a trusted guide for those seeking spiritual nourishment and guidance.