Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Usage:In biblical terms, "binding" often refers to the act of securing, restraining, or obligating something or someone. This concept appears in various contexts throughout Scripture, including legal, spiritual, and metaphorical applications.
Old Testament Context:In the Old Testament, binding is frequently associated with legal obligations and vows. For instance, in
Numbers 30:2 , it is stated, "When a man makes a vow to the LORD or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he must not break his word; he must do everything he has promised." This highlights the seriousness of making vows and the binding nature of one's word before God.
Binding also appears in the context of physical restraint. In
Judges 16:21, Samson is bound by the Philistines after being betrayed by Delilah: "Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes, and took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding grain in the prison."
New Testament Context:In the New Testament, the concept of binding takes on a more spiritual dimension. Jesus speaks of binding and loosing in
Matthew 16:19 , saying to Peter, "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." This passage is often interpreted as granting authority to the apostles, particularly in matters of church discipline and doctrine.
Binding is also used in the context of spiritual warfare. In
Matthew 12:29 , Jesus explains, "Or how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and steal his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house." Here, binding is metaphorically used to describe the subduing of demonic forces.
Theological Implications:Theologically, binding is significant in understanding the authority given to believers, particularly in the context of prayer and spiritual authority. The act of binding and loosing is seen as a reflection of the church's authority to declare what is permitted or forbidden according to God's will.
Cultural and Historical Context:In ancient Jewish culture, binding was a common legal term used in the context of contracts and vows. The Pharisees and scribes were known for their intricate rules regarding what was considered binding or non-binding, often criticized by Jesus for their legalism (
Matthew 23:4).
Practical Application:For believers, the concept of binding serves as a reminder of the power of words and commitments. It underscores the importance of integrity and the spiritual authority entrusted to the church. In prayer, binding is often invoked as a means of exercising authority over spiritual forces, aligning with the belief in the power of Christ's name to overcome evil.
Related Concepts:·
Loosing: Often paired with binding, loosing refers to the act of releasing or permitting, particularly in spiritual and doctrinal contexts.
·
Vows and Oaths: Binding is closely related to the making and keeping of vows, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness and accountability.
·
Spiritual Authority: The authority to bind and loose is a key aspect of the believer's role in spiritual warfare and church governance.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Bind.
2. (a.) That binds; obligatory.
3. (n.) The act or process of one who, or that which, binds.
4. (n.) Anything that binds; a bandage; the cover of a book, or the cover with the sewing, etc.; something that secures the edge of cloth from raveling.
5. (pl.) The transoms, knees, beams, keelson, and other chief timbers used for connecting and strengthening the parts of a vessel.
Greek
1198. desmios --binding, bound...binding, bound. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: desmios Phonetic
Spelling: (des'-mee-os) Short Definition: one bound, a prisoner Definition
...2438. himas -- a thong, strap
... Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: himas Phonetic Spelling: (hee-mas') Short
Definition: a thong, strap Definition: a thong, strap, (a) forbinding a man...
1163. dei -- it is necessary
... active present of deo; also deon deh-on'; neuter active participle of the same;
both used impersonally; it is (was, etc.) Necessary (asbinding) -- behoved, be...
1195. desmeuo -- to bind together, to fetter
... together. Word Origin from desmos Definition to bind together, to fetter NASB
Word Usagebinding (1), bound (1), tie (1). bind together....
1189. deomai -- to want, entreat
... beseech, pray to, make request. Middle voice of deo; to beg (asbinding oneself),
ie Petition -- beseech, pray (to), make request. Compare punthanomai....
4577. seira -- chain.
... chain. Probably from suro through its congener eiro (to fasten; akin to haireomai);
a chain (asbinding or drawing) -- chain. see GREEK suro....
4676. soudarion -- a handkerchief, a head cloth (for the dead)
... Of Latin origin; a sudarium (sweat-cloth), ie Towel (for wiping the perspiration
from the face, orbinding the face of a corpse) -- handkerchief, napkin....
1299. diatasso -- to arrange thoroughly, ie to charge, appoint
... [Such an order also goes all the necessary proper "chain-of-command," which
further underlines itsbinding (authoritative) nature....
476. antidikos -- an opponent, adversary
... 476 () is a technical legal term used in antiquity of an adversary in a courtroom,
ie someone seeking official (formal,binding) damages....
1210. deo -- to tie, bind
... verb Definition to tie, bind NASB Word Usage bind (7),binding (1), binds (2), bound
(23), imprisoned (4), prisoners (1), put...in chains (1), tied (4)....
Strong's Hebrew
632. issar -- a bond,binding obligation... 631, 632. issar. 633 . a bond,
binding obligation. Transliteration: issar
Phonetic Spelling: (es-sawr') Short Definition: obligation.
...1044. Beth-eqed -- "house ofbinding," a place in Palestine
... Beth-eqed. 1045 . "house ofbinding," a place in Palestine. Transliteration:
Beth-eqed Phonetic Spelling: (bayth ay'-ked) Short Definition: Beth-eked....
8193. saphah -- lip, speech, edge
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition lip, speech, edge NASB Word Usage babbling
(2), bank (10),binding (2), brim (9), edge (17), empty (2), gossip* (1...
4205. mazor -- a wound
... bound up, wound. Or mazor {maw-zore'}; from zuwr in the sense ofbinding up; a bandage,
ie Remedy; hence, a sore (as needing a compress) -- bound up, wound....
6961. qaveh -- a line
... line From qavah; a (measuring) cord (as if forbinding) -- line. see HEBREW
qavah. 6960b, 6961. qaveh. 6961a . Strong's Numbers.
6677. tsavvar -- neck, back of neck
... Song of Solomon 4:9) {tsav-vaw-rone'}; or (feminine) tsavva.rah (Micah 2:3)
{tsav-vaw-raw'}; intensively from tsuwr in the sense ofbinding; the back of the...
481. alam -- to bind
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition to bind NASB Word Usage became
speechless (1), become mute (1),binding (1), mute (4), silent (1), speechless (...
Library
TheBinding of Satan.
... EXPOSITION OF THE APOCALYPSE. TheBinding of Satan. "And I saw an angel descending
from heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand....
Whether all Vows areBinding?
... SERVICE BY PROMISE (Q ) Whether all vows arebinding? Objection 1: It would
seem that vows are not allbinding. For man needs things...
Of theBinding and Loosing of the Devil.
... Book XX. Chapter 8."Of theBinding and Loosing of the Devil. "After that,"
says John, "he must be loosed a little season." If...
Whether the Key is the Power ofBinding and Loosing, Etc. ?
... OF THE POWER OF THE KEYS (THREE ARTICLES) Whether the key is the power
ofbinding and loosing, etc.? Objection 1: It would seem...
Whether an Oath Has aBinding Force?
... OF OATHS (TEN ARTICLES) Whether an oath has abinding force? Objection 1:
It would seem that an oath has nobinding force. An oath...
Whether an Oath is MoreBinding than a Vow?
... OF OATHS (TEN ARTICLES) Whether an oath is morebinding than a vow? Objection
1: It would seem that an oath is morebinding than a vow....
Whether Restitution isBinding on those who have not Taken?
... OF RESTITUTION (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether restitution isbinding on those who
have not taken? Objection 1: It would seem that restitution...
We are notBinding Heavy Burdens and Laying them Upon Your...
... Section 37. We are notbinding heavy burdens and laying them upon your
shoulders? 37. We are notbinding heavy burdens and laying...
Whether the Judicial Precepts were those which Directed Man in...
... answer that, As is evident from what we have stated above ([2132]Q[95], A[2] ;[2133]
Q[99], A[4]), in every law, some precepts derive theirbinding force from...
Whether Matrimony Still Comes under a Precept?
... For a precept isbinding so long as it is not recalled.... Objection 2: Further,
the precepts of natural law arebinding in respect of all time....
Thesaurus
Binding (23 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Binding (23 Occurrences). Matthew 27:2 and
binding Him
they led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate the Governor. (WEY).
...Pinion (4 Occurrences)
... 7. (vt) To bind or confine the wings of; to confine bybinding the wings.... 9. (vt)
To disable or restrain, as a person, bybinding the arms, esp....
Bind (68 Occurrences)
... 6. (vt) To protect or strengthen by a band orbinding, as the edge of a carpet or
garment.... 14. (vi) To exert abinding or restraining influence. 15....
Keys (2 Occurrences)
... kez I. THE PROBLEMS INVOLVED 1. The Keys; and theBinding and Loosing 2. Meaning
of the Statements 3. How Peter Is Related to These Powers 4. Is the Primary...
Vow (49 Occurrences)
... find the making of vows regarded as a religious duty (Deuteronomy 23:22), but the
fulfilling of a vow was considered as a sacred andbinding duty (Deuteronomy...
Power (862 Occurrences)
... kez I. THE PROBLEMS INVOLVED 1. The Keys; and theBinding and Loosing 2. Meaning
of the Statements 3. How Peter Is Related to These Powers 4. Is the Primary...
Word (8118 Occurrences)
... sacred pages. Whatever the inspired writers here declare to be true and
binding upon us, God declares to be true andbinding. This...
Mail (11 Occurrences)
... Exodus 28:32 It shall have a hole for the head in its midst: it shall have abinding
of woven work around its hole, as it were the hole of a coat of mail, that...
Bound (175 Occurrences)
... & pp of Bind. 14. (pp & a.) Restrained by a hand, rope, chain, fetters, or the like.
15. (pp & a.) Enclosed in abinding or cover; as, a bound volume. 16....
Bundle (8 Occurrences)
... literally "bundle," just as the English word is derived from "bind" (Matthew
13:30); and plethos, properly "multitude." The custom ofbinding up precious...
Resources
What does the Bible mean by binding and loosing? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was betrothal in biblical times? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is spiritual mapping? | GotQuestions.orgBinding: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
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