Discontinued Yachtsman220 Bible Study Blog: Aussie walkabout is found in the Bible

Aussie walkabout is found in the Bible

The Bible has "walkabout" as the Greek words ataktos peripatountos

translated "idly walking" in 2 Thes 3:6 with additional definition provided by

Strongs numbers 814 and 4043. 814 is defined as irregularly (morally) disorderly.[1]

4043 is defined as to tread all around, i.e. walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow (as a companion or votary);-go, be occupied with, walk (about).[2]

Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary – New Testament says this: The word περιπατέω [See Stg: <G4043>]

peripatéō; contracted peripató, fut. peripatésō, from perí <G4012>, about, and patéō <G3961>, to walk. To tread or walk about, generally to walk. Intrans.:

(I) Particularly and generally (Matt. 9:5; 11:5; Mark 2:9; 8:24; 16:12; Luke 24:17; John 1:36; Acts 3:8, 9; 1 Pet. 5:8; Rev. 9:20; Sept.: Prov. 6:22). With an adjunct of place or manner: with an adv. (Luke 11:44; John 21:18); with the adj. gumnós <G1131>, naked, used as an adv. (Rev. 16:15); so also with a prep. as en <G1722>, in, with the dat. of place (Mark 11:27; 12:38; John 10:23; Rev. 2:1; Sept.: Gen. 3:8). In John 7:1, periepátei in the imperf., meaning Jesus going about, remained in Galilee; and also, by implication, in John 11:54. En <G1722>, in, figuratively (John 8:12; 11:9, 10; 12:35; 1 John 1:6, 7; 2:11; Rev. 21:24); epí <G1909>, upon, with the gen. (Matt. 14:25, "upon the sea" [a.t.]; Mark 6:48, 49; John 6:19; Sept.: 2 Sam. 11:2); with the acc. (Matt. 14:26, 29); metá <G3326> with the gen. of person to accompany, associate with (John 6:66; Rev. 3:4 [cf. Job 34:8]); pará <G3844>, near, with the acc., "near the sea" (a.t. [Matt. 4:18; Mark 1:16]).

(II) Figuratively, to live or pass one's life, always with an adjunct of manner or circumstances, i.e., with an adv. (Rom. 13:13; 1 Cor. 7:17; Eph. 4:1, 17; 5:8, 15; Phil. 3:17; Col. 1:10; 2 Thess. 3:6, 11; Sept.: 2 Kings 20:3). Followed by the dat. of rule or manner (Acts 21:21; 2 Cor. 12:18; Gal. 5:16); with the prep. diá <G1223>, through, with the gen., "through faith" (a.t. [2 Cor. 5:7]); en <G1722>, in, with the dat., of state or condition, "in the flesh" (a.t. [2 Cor. 10:3]); also of rule or manner (Rom. 6:4, "in newness of life"; 2 Cor. 4:2; Eph. 2:2; Col. 2:6, i.e., in Christ; 3:7; Heb. 13:9; 2 John 1:4; 3 John 1:3, 4; see Sept.: Prov. 8:20; Eccl. 11:9). Katá <G2596>, according, with the acc. implying manner or rule (Mark 7:5; Rom. 8:1, 4; 14:15; 1 Cor. 3:3; Eph. 2:2; 2 John 1:6).

Deriv.: emperipatéō <G1704>, to walk about in or among.

Syn.: poreúomai <G4198>, to go, proceed on one's way; ágō <G71>, to lead; hupágō <G5217>, ápeimi <G548>, and apérchomai <G565>, to go away; proágō <G4254>, to lead forth; metabaínō <G3327>, to go from one place to another; anachōréō <G402>, to depart; hupochōréō <G5298>, to go back, retire; proérchomai <G4281>, to go before, precede; apobaínō <G576>, to go away or from; éxeimi <G1826>, to go out; diodeúō <G1353>, to travel throughout; paragínomai <G3854>, to come, arrive, be present; hodoiporéō <G3596>, to be on a journey; epistréphō <G1994>, to return; stoichéō <G4748>, to walk in line.

Ant.: káthēmai <G2521> and kathézomai <G2516>, to sit; anákeimai <G345>, to recline at a table; katákeimai <G2621>, to lie down; anaklínō <G347>, to cause to recline; kataklínō <G2625>, to make to recline; kathízō <G2523>, to make to sit down; epibaínō <G1910>, to ride.--Spiros Zodhiates [3]

The commentary Barnes Notes is relevant to this post, so here it is: 2 Thes 3:6. Now we command you, brethren. The apostle now 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12 turns to an important subject-the proper method of treating those who were idle and disorderly in the church. In the previous epistle he had adverted to this subject, but in the mild language of exhortation. When he wrote that epistle he was aware that there were some among them who were disposed to be idle, and he had tenderly exhorted them "to be quiet, and to mind their own business, and to work with their own hands," 1 Thessalonians 4:11. But it seems the exhortation, and the example of Paul himself when there, 1 Thessalonians 2:9, had not been effectual in inducing them to be industrious. It became, therefore, necessary to use the strong language of command, as he does here, and to require that if they would not work, the church should withdraw from them. What was the original cause of their idleness, is not known. There seems no reason, however, to doubt that it was much increased by their expectation that the Saviour would soon appear, and that the world would soon come to an end. If this was to be so, of what use would it be to labour? Why strive to accumulate property with reference to the wants of a family, or to a day of sickness, or old age? Why should a man build a house that was soon to be burnt up, or why buy a farm which he was so soon to leave? The effect of the expectation of the speedy appearing of the Lord Jesus has always been to induce men to neglect their worldly affairs, and to lead idle lives. Man, naturally disposed to be idle, wants the stimulus of hope that he is labouring for the future welfare of himself, for his family, or for society, nor will he labour if he believes that the Saviour is about to appear.--Barnes' Notes on the New Testament.[4]

The word disorderly (ataktos) is much more the topic of the paragraphs about this passage of scripture than the word walking (peripatountos) in the commentaries.

The context is negative, here is the Scripture paragraph that it is located in:

2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 (NKJV)
^{6 (NKJV)} But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.
⁷ For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you;
⁸ nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you,
⁹ not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.
¹⁰ For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
¹¹ For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.
¹² Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread.
¹³ But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.
¹⁴ And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.
¹⁵ Yet do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. --NKJV[5]

This is the conclusion of the blog about "walkabout".

Appendix / Bibliography

[1] & [2] Strong, James. Strong's Greek & Hebrew Dictionary. Austin, TX: WORDsearch Corp., 2007. WORDsearch CROSS e-book.

[3] Spiros Zodhiates, The Complete Word Study Dictionary – New Testament, (Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 1993), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 1148-1149.