Dictionary entry

Going; Goings

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

go'-ing, go'-ingz: Besides, occasionally, forms of the common words for "go" (see Go), for "going" and "goings," the Hebrew has 'ashshur ('ashur, 'ashur), "step," motsa', totsa'oth, "goings out," "outgoings." The word "goings" is sometimes used literally, as inNu 33:2, "Moses wrote their goings out" (Hebrew motsa'). "Going up," ma`aleh, is in many passages rendered in the Revised Version (British and American) (as inNu 34:4;2Sa 15:30the King James Version) "ascent," as e.g.Jos 15:7;Jud 1:36;Ne 12:37(the American Standard Revised Version only). InEze 44:5, the American Standard Revised Version substitutes "egress" (way out or place of exit) for "going forth." "The goings out (place of exit; hence, boundary) of it" (Nu 34:4,5,9,12the King James Version) occurs frequently. The verbal forms bo', mabho', also me`al (Da 6:14), are used of the sunset, "the going down of the sun." ThusJos 8:29the Revised Version (British and American), the King James Version "as soon as the sun was down."

In the New Testament, the Revised Version (British and American) substitutes "going out" for "gone out" (sbennumi) (Mt 25:8); "going up" for "ascending" (Lu 19:28); "going in" for "coming in" (Ac 9:28); "going about" for "wandering" (1Ti 5:13); "seeking" for "going about" (Ro 10:3).

Metaphorically: "Goings" is used for a man's ways or conduct (Ps 17:5, the Revised Version (British and American) "steps";Ps 40:2;Pr 14:15, etc.). InPs 17:5"Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not" becomes in the Revised Version (British and American) "My steps have held fast to thy paths, my feet have not slipped";Pr 5:21, "He pondereth all his goings," is in the Revised Version (British and American) "He maketh level all his paths," in "weigheth carefully"; conversely, inPs 37:23, the Revised Version (British and American) has "goings" for "steps"; inJas 1:11"goings" for "ways." In the important prophetic passage,Mic 5:2, it is said of the Ruler from Bethlehem, "whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting," the Revised Version (British and American) "are from of old, from everlasting," margin "from ancient days." Of God it is said inHab 3:6"His ways are everlasting," the Revised Version (British and American) "His goings were as of old," margin "His ways are everlasting."

W. L. Walker