Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

The Hebrew word translated as "solitary" in this verse appears twelve times in the Bible. As an adjective, it is the same word (for example) that God used in Genesis 22:2 when He commanded Abraham to sacrifice his "only" son Isaac, and it is used in that same sense in the majority of other verses in which it appears, such as referring to the Israelite judge Jephthah's "only" child, whom Jephthah was forced to sacrifice as a result of a vow that he had made to God (Judges 11:29-40). 

As a substantive noun (such as, for example, in a reference to "the solitary", as in the verse cited in the question), it refers to those who are alone or lonely, with no one else in their lives.

April 04 2020 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What is meant by solitary? (Psalm 68:6 NKJV)

NKJV: 6 God sets the solitary in families; He brings out those who are bound into prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.

In other words, a person who lives alone or in solitude, or avoids the society of others.

A solitary life is a lifestyle centred on living alone, minimising social interaction, and embracing solitude for independence, reflection, or spiritual growth. It is characterised by self-sufficiency and intentional detachment from frequent social engagements, often chosen for introspection or peace, rather than solely due to loneliness. 

A solitary life is fundamentally about choosing to be and finding fulfilment in being in one's own company. 

On October 27, 1553, Michael Servetus was burned at the stake in Geneva, Switzerland. Guillaume Farel​—the executioner and vicar of John Calvin—​warned the onlookers: “[Servetus] is a wise man who doubtless thought he was teaching the truth, but he fell into the hands of the Devil.... Be careful the same thing does not happen to you!” 

At the age of 16, Servetus went to study law at the University of Toulouse in France. There, he saw a complete Bible for the first time. Although reading the Bible was strictly forbidden, Servetus did so in secret. After completing his first reading, he vowed to read it “a thousand times more.” Probably, the Bible that Servetus studied in Toulouse was the Complutensian Polyglot, a version that enabled him to read the Scriptures in the original languages (Hebrew and Greek) as well as the Latin translation.

Servetus discreetly left his employment with Quintana and began his solitary search for the truth. He believed that Christ’s message was not intended for theologians or philosophers but for common people who would grasp it and put it into practice. Thus, he resolved to consult the Bible text in the original languages and to reject any teaching at odds with the Scriptures. Interestingly, the word “truth” and its derivatives appear more often than any other word in his writings.

It was a solitary quest for the truth.

While in prison, Servetus signed his last letter with these words: “Michael Servetus, alone, but trusting in Christ's most sure protection.”

Sometimes we can go into solitude, which can also help us find the truth in scripture.

Just as Michael Servetus and many others pursued a life of self-discovery, creativity, and spiritual growth, we also can do the same:

15 hours ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report