Bible Dictionary
DELAY
To delay means to postpone, tarry, or stop for a time. In biblical narratives it may describe postponing action, waiting for a person, or wrongly assuming that a promised event will not occur soon.
Biblical Usage
The New Testament uses delay for postponement and for prolonging an expected event. Exodus uses it of not discontinuing a customary offering, while the account of Moses’ delay records the people’s disappointment and mistaken conclusions.