30 Bible Verses About Leaving (With Commentary)

The theme of leaving appears throughout the Bible in various forms—whether it’s leaving a physical place, parting ways with loved ones, or transitioning from one phase of life to another. Leaving often brings feelings of uncertainty, sadness, or anticipation, but Scripture offers comfort and guidance during these times of transition. These 30 Bible verses remind us that God is with us when we leave, providing strength, direction, and hope as we move forward in faith.

Bible Verses About Leaving

1. Genesis 12:1
“The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.’”

God sometimes calls us to leave behind the familiar to follow His plan and purpose for our lives.

2. Matthew 19:29
“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.”

Leaving for the sake of Christ promises eternal rewards far greater than what is left behind.

3. Hebrews 11:8
“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went.”

Faith leads us to step out and leave familiar places, trusting in God’s promises.

4. Deuteronomy 31:8
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Though we may leave places or people, God never leaves us—He goes with us.

5. Ruth 1:16
“But Ruth replied, ‘Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.’”

True loyalty sometimes means leaving behind old ties to embrace new relationships and new purposes.

6. Psalm 121:8
“The Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”

God watches over us when we leave, ensuring His protection and guidance in all transitions.

7. Exodus 13:21
“By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way.”

When we leave and journey forward, God’s presence goes ahead to guide and direct us.

8. Luke 5:11
“So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.”

The disciples left behind their old lives to follow Jesus, a reminder of the cost of discipleship.

9. Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Trusting God when we leave ensures that He directs our steps and leads us on the right path.

10. Mark 1:18
“At once they left their nets and followed him.”

Leaving behind the old to follow Jesus leads to a new purpose and calling in life.

11. Joshua 1:9
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

God encourages us to leave without fear, knowing His presence is with us wherever we go.

12. Genesis 28:15
“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land.”

Even in leaving, God promises His protection and a future return to the place of blessing.

13. Isaiah 43:2
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.”

When we leave challenging situations, God promises to be with us, protecting us through the transitions.

14. Acts 20:24
“However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task.”

Paul’s missionary journeys required leaving many places, driven by his dedication to completing God’s work.

15. John 14:27
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.”

Jesus leaves us with His peace, comforting us in times of departure or transition.

16. 2 Timothy 4:7
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Leaving behind this life, Paul reflects on a life well-lived for God’s glory.

17. Isaiah 52:12
“But you will not leave in haste or go in flight; for the Lord will go before you, the God of Israel will be your rear guard.”

God leads us when we leave and protects us from behind, ensuring safety on both sides.

18. Philippians 3:13-14
“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal.”

Leaving the past allows us to focus on the future that God has set before us.

19. Matthew 28:20
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Jesus promises to never leave us, even as we go through life’s transitions and changes.

20. Acts 13:2-3
“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, ‘Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.’”

God sometimes calls us to leave for a greater mission, as He did with Paul and Barnabas.

21. Ecclesiastes 3:1
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.”

Seasons of leaving and change are part of God’s perfect timing and plan for our lives.

22. Luke 9:62
“Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.’”

Leaving requires focus on the future, not looking back to the past or holding on to old things.

23. Acts 9:6
“Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

God sometimes calls us to leave places of comfort and move in faith toward the unknown.

24. Genesis 19:17
“As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, ‘Flee for your lives! Don’t look back.’”

When God calls us to leave, we must go without looking back at the things that could hold us back.

25. Matthew 4:19-20
“‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’ At once they left their nets and followed him.”

Leaving old ways behind allows us to pursue a higher calling and purpose in Christ.

26. 2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

In Christ, we leave behind the old and embrace the new creation He has made us to be.

27. Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you.”

God’s presence brings strength and courage when we leave places of fear or uncertainty.

28. Hebrews 13:5
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

Though we may experience many departures in life, God’s promise is that He will never leave us.

29. Acts 7:3
“‘Leave your country and your people,’ God said, ‘and go to the land I will show you.’”

God often calls us to leave the familiar, trusting Him to guide us into a new and better future.

30. Proverbs 27:10
“Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family.”

Even when we leave, we are reminded not to forsake relationships that are important and valuable to us.

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