Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the concept of "bundles" appears in various contexts, often symbolizing gathering, unity, or judgment. The term is used both literally and metaphorically throughout Scripture, reflecting the agrarian society of ancient Israel and the spiritual lessons derived from everyday life.
Agricultural ContextBundles are frequently mentioned in the context of agriculture, particularly in the gathering of crops. In the parable of the wheat and the tares, Jesus uses the imagery of bundles to illustrate the final judgment. The wheat and tares grow together until the harvest, at which time the reapers are instructed to "gather the weeds first and tie them in bundles to burn, but gather the wheat into my barn" (
Matthew 13:30). This parable underscores the separation of the righteous from the wicked, with the bundles representing the collected tares destined for destruction.
Symbol of Unity and StrengthBundles can also symbolize unity and strength. In
Ecclesiastes 4:12, the concept of a "threefold cord" is presented, which, while not explicitly mentioning bundles, conveys a similar idea of strength in unity. The passage states, "Though one may be overpowered, two can resist. Moreover, a cord of three strands is not quickly broken" . This principle can be applied to the idea of bundles, where individual elements, when gathered together, form a stronger, more resilient whole.
Judgment and ConsequenceThe imagery of bundles is also used to convey themes of judgment and consequence. In the prophetic literature, the gathering of people into bundles can symbolize impending judgment. For example, in
Micah 4:12, the nations are gathered as sheaves to the threshing floor, a metaphor for divine judgment: "But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD; they do not understand His plan, who has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor" . Here, the gathering into bundles signifies the preparation for judgment and the execution of God's justice.
Spiritual LessonsThe use of bundles in Scripture often carries spiritual lessons for believers. The act of gathering into bundles can serve as a reminder of the importance of community and fellowship among believers. Just as individual stalks of grain are gathered into bundles for strength and utility, Christians are encouraged to come together in unity, supporting one another in faith and purpose.
In summary, the concept of bundles in the Bible serves as a multifaceted symbol, representing agricultural practices, unity, judgment, and spiritual truths. Through these various uses, Scripture provides insight into the nature of God's kingdom and the principles by which believers are called to live.
Greek
1197. desme -- a bundle... Word Origin from deo Definition a bundle NASB Word Usage
bundles (1). bundle. From
desmeo; a bundle -- bundle. see GREEK desmeo. (desmas) -- 1 Occurrence.
...Strong's Hebrew
6653. tsebathim --bundles (of grain)... 6652, 6653. tsebathim. 6654 .
bundles (of grain). Transliteration: tsebathim
Phonetic Spelling: (tseh'-beth) Short Definition:
bundles.
...6872a. tseror -- a bundle, parcel, pouch, bag
... Word Origin from tsarar Definition a bundle, parcel, pouch, bag NASB Word Usage
bag (2), bundle (2),bundles (1), pouch (1), purse (1). 6872, 6872a....
Library
On Earthly Things
... [John 4:35; Matt.13:39]. Thebundles of hay are the fruit of righteousness;
in the psalm: carrying theirbundles of hay. [Ps.125(126):6]....
The Reaping of the vine.
... grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers,
Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them inbundles to burn them...
Of the Discourse of the Teacher in Regard to the Merits of his...
... and hanging on his lips, to go off to bed for a little, advising us to lie down
on the same mats on which we were sitting, and to put ourbundles [1159] under...
The Embalming of the Body of Jesus.
... They then placed beneath his hips a sheet which was a yard in width and three in
length, laid upon his lapbundles of sweet-scented herbs, and shook over the...
Mrs. Hsi's Gift
... At the back of her cave were large painted cupboards which contained the whole of
her worldly possessions:bundles of handsome silk, satin, and embroidered...
Matt. xiii. 24-30.
... What then, if the tares should remain until the end? "Then I will say to the reapers,
Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them inbundles to burn them...
Mingled in Growth, Separated in Maturity
... grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers,
Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them inbundles to burn them...
A Description of Some Parts of Ancient Jerusalem.
... They had also somebundles of herbs in bags made of parchment or leather, and Joseph
carried a box of ointment; but I do not know what this box was made of....
The Circumcision of Jesus
... away. Today crowds of dirty, swarthy beggars went past the cave, carrying
bundles, coming from the Valley of the Shepherds. They...
The Origin of Species.
... But living bodies may be regarded as nothing but extremely complexbundles of forces
held in a mass of matter, as the complex forces of a magnet are held in...
Thesaurus
Bundles (4 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Bundles (4 Occurrences). Matthew 13:30 Let both
grow together until the harvest, and in the harvest time
...Bundle (8 Occurrences)
... the English word is derived from "bind" (Matthew 13:30); and plethos, properly
"multitude." The custom of binding up precious things inbundles (compare Songs...
Nerve (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) One of the whitish and elasticbundles of fibers, with the accompanying
tissues, which transmit nervous impulses between nerve centers and various...
Rahab (14 Occurrences)
... The fact of her covering the spies withbundles of flax which lay on her house-roof
(2:6) is an `undesigned coincidence' which strictly corroborates the...
Arisen (24 Occurrences)
... Genesis 37:7 that, lo, we are bindingbundles in the midst of the field, and lo,
my bundle hath arisen, and hath also stood up, and lo, yourbundles are round...
Bind (68 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To tie, or confine with a cord, band, ligature, chain, etc.; to fetter;
to make fast; as, to bind grain inbundles; to bind a prisoner....
Money (284 Occurrences)
... Thebundles of money carried by the sons of Jacob to Egpyt for the purchase of grain
(Genesis 42:35) were probably silver rings tied together inbundles....
Bunni (3 Occurrences)
Midst (657 Occurrences)
... Genesis 37:7 that, lo, we are bindingbundles in the midst of the field, and lo,
my bundle hath arisen, and hath also stood up, and lo, yourbundles are round...
Leave (341 Occurrences)
... 30 Leave both to grow together until the harvest, and at harvest-time I will direct
the reapers, Collect the darnel first, and make it up intobundles to burn...
Resources
What does the Bible say about smudging? | GotQuestions.orgCan a Christian burn incense? What does the Bible say about burning incense? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of the Greek word kairos? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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