Bible Dictionary
Backslide
To backslide is to turn away from faithful obedience to God, whether doctrinally or morally. The prophets especially use the term for Israel’s unfaithfulness to the covenant.
Definition
To backslide is to turn back or away from faithful obedience to God, whether doctrinally or morally. The term may describe partial or complete religious apostasy, though one occurrence translated “backslider” can simply mean a person who does not adhere to what is right.
Biblical Usage
The prophets use backsliding especially of Israel’s forsaking Yahweh within the covenant relationship. Israel’s idolatry is portrayed as unfaithfulness to Yahweh, her husband. The New Testament also uses the language for departure from the faith.
Historical Background
The underlying expressions mean turning back, rebellion, stubbornness, or apostasy. The prophetic image compares Israel’s unfaithfulness with violation of a marriage bond.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
To draw back or apostatize in matters of religion (Acts 21:21; 2 Thess. 2:3; 1 Tim. 4:1). This may be either partial (Prov. 14:14) or complete (Heb. 6:4-6; 10:38, 39). The apostasy may be both doctrinal and moral.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>bak'-slid' (meshubhah; Ho 11:7; 14:4 and often in Ho and Jer, shobhabh; shobhebh, in Jer, 4 times: all meaning "turning back or away," "apostate," "rebellious." carar, in Ho 4:16 = "stubborn," "rebellious"; the Revised Version (British and American) "stubborn"): In all places the word is used of Israel forsaking Yahweh, and with a reference to the covenant relation between Yahweh and the nation, conceived as a marriage tie which Israel had violated. Yahweh was Israel's husband, and by her idolatries with other gods she had proved unfaithful (Jer 3:8,14; 14:7; Ho 14:4). It may be questioned whether Israel was guilty so much of apostasy and defection, as of failure to grow with the growing revelation of God. The prophets saw that their contemporaries fell far short of their own ideal, but they did not realize how far their predecessors also had fallen short of the rising prophetic standard in ideal and action. See APOSTASY.</p><p>Backslider bak'-slid-er cugh lebh: "The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways" (Pr 14:14). But the Revised Version (British and American) "backslider" conveys the wrong impression of an apostate. The Hebrew expression here implies simply non-adherence to the right, "The bad man reaps the fruits of his act" (Toy, Prov, in loc.).</p><p>T. Rees</p>