Topical Encyclopedia
The term "closely" in the context of the Bible often refers to the manner in which individuals or groups are to adhere to God's commandments, maintain relationships, or observe spiritual practices. It implies a sense of intimacy, precision, and dedication in one's actions and beliefs.
Adherence to God's CommandmentsIn the Scriptures, the concept of following God's commandments closely is emphasized as a sign of faithfulness and devotion.
Deuteronomy 5:32 states, "So be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you are not to turn aside to the right or to the left." This verse underscores the importance of adhering closely to God's instructions without deviation, reflecting a life committed to His will.
Intimacy in RelationshipsThe Bible also uses the idea of closeness to describe the intimacy expected in relationships, particularly within the family and the community of believers. In
Ephesians 5:31 , it is written, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This passage highlights the closeness and unity that should characterize the marital relationship, symbolizing the deep bond and commitment between husband and wife.
Spiritual PracticesClosely observing spiritual practices is another theme found in the Bible.
Acts 2:42 describes the early church: "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." The early Christians are depicted as closely adhering to the teachings and practices that fostered their spiritual growth and community life. This dedication serves as a model for believers to follow closely the disciplines that nurture their faith.
Guarding Against SinThe Bible warns believers to closely guard their hearts and actions against sin.
Proverbs 4:23 advises, "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life." This verse calls for a vigilant and close watch over one's inner life, recognizing that the heart is the source of one's actions and character. By closely monitoring their thoughts and intentions, believers can maintain purity and righteousness.
Community and AccountabilityThe concept of living closely with others in the faith community is also emphasized.
Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages believers, "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." This passage highlights the importance of close relationships within the church, where believers support and hold each other accountable in their spiritual journeys.
In summary, the term "closely" in the Bible encompasses a range of applications, from the precise observance of God's commandments to the intimate relationships within families and the faith community. It calls for a life of dedication, vigilance, and unity in the pursuit of holiness and obedience to God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
adv.) In a close manner.
2. (adv.) Secretly; privately.
Greek
3877. parakoloutheo -- to followclosely, to investigate... to follow
closely, to investigate. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: parakoloutheo
Phonetic Spelling: (par-ak-ol-oo-theh'-o) Short Definition: I accompany
...2614. katadioko -- to pursueclosely
... to pursueclosely. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: katadioko Phonetic Spelling:
(kat-ad-ee-o'-ko) Short Definition: I hunt down, followclosely Definition...
2684. kataskopeo -- to viewclosely, spy out
... to viewclosely, spy out. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: kataskopeo Phonetic
Spelling: (kat-as-kop-eh'-o) Short Definition: I spy out, plot against...
3906. paratereo -- to watchclosely, to observe scrupulously
... to watchclosely, to observe scrupulously. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
paratereo Phonetic Spelling: (par-at-ay-reh'-o) Short Definition: I watch...
1582. ekkremannumi -- to hang from, hang upon (the lips of a...
... to hang from, hang upon (the lips of a speaker), ie to listenclosely. Part of Speech:
Verb Transliteration: ekkremannumi Phonetic Spelling: (ek-krem'-am-ahee...
4722. stego -- to coverclosely (so as to keep water out)...
... to coverclosely (so as to keep water out), generally to bear up under. Part of
Speech: Verb Transliteration: stego Phonetic Spelling: (steg'-o) Short Definition...
1833. exetazo -- to examineclosely
... to examineclosely. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: exetazo Phonetic Spelling:
(ex-et-ad'-zo) Short Definition: I examine, question, search out Definition...
4943. sunupourgeo -- to help together
... 4943 (from 4862 , "closely identified " and , "cooperation") --closely cooperate
(a rare term, even in classical Greek, used only in 2 Cor 1:11)....
4780. sugkalupto -- to cover completely
... to cover completely. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: sugkalupto Phonetic Spelling:
(soong-kal-oop'-to) Short Definition: I concealclosely, cover up...
4347. proskollao -- to glue to, fig. to cleave to
... to cleave to. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: proskollao Phonetic Spelling:
(pros-kol-lah'-o) Short Definition: I joinclosely, cleave to Definition: (lit...
Strong's Hebrew
3874. lut -- to wrapclosely or tightly, enwrap, envelop... lut. 3875 . to wrap
closely or tightly, enwrap, envelop. Transliteration: lut
Phonetic Spelling: (loot) Short Definition: wrapped. Word Origin a prim.
...1692. dabaq -- to cling, cleave, keep close
... root Definition to cling, cleave, keep close NASB Word Usage cleaves (4), cling
(14), clings (3),closely pursued (1), closer (1), clung (4), deeply attracted...
241. ozen -- an ear
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition an ear NASB Word Usage attentive (1),
closely (1), ear (60), ears (58), hear* (2), hearing (39), inform* (1), known...
809. ashishah -- a raisin cake
... flagon. Feminine of 'ashiysh; somethingclosely pressed together, ie A cake of raisins
or other comfits -- flagon. see HEBREW 'ashiysh. 808, 809....
8085. shama -- to hear
... 33), heed (5), heeded (2), indeed obey (1), keep on listening (1), listen (226),
listen attentively (1), listen carefully (3), listenclosely (1), listen...
4307. mattara -- a guard, ward, prison, target, mark
... mark, prison. Or mattarah {mat-taw-raw'}; from natar; a jail (as a guard-house);
also an aim (as beingclosely watched) -- mark, prison. see HEBREW natar....
5459. segullah -- possession, property
... Feminine passive participle of an unused root meaning to shut up; wealth (asclosely
shut up) -- jewel, peculiar (treasure), proper good, special....
3966. meod -- muchness, force, abundance
... from an unused word Definition muchness, force, abundance NASB Word Usage abundantly
(1), all (1), almost (1), badly (3), carefully (1),closely (1), diligent...
Library
Would that I were MoreClosely Bound
... Would that I were moreclosely bound. LM "There is a friend that sticketh closer
than a brother." " Proverbs 18:24. Would that I were moreclosely bound....
Whether we Ought to do Good to those Rather who are MoreClosely...
... OF BENEFICENCE (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether we ought to do good to those rather
who are moreclosely united to us? Objection 1: It would...
Whether one Ought to Give Alms to those Rather who are More...
... OF ALMSDEEDS (TEN ARTICLES) Whether one ought to give alms to those rather
who are moreclosely united to us? Objection 1: It would...
Whether Man is More Shamefaced of those who are MoreClosely...
... OF SHAMEFACEDNESS (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether man is more shamefaced of those
who are moreclosely connected with him? Objection 1: It...
Whether we Ought to Love those who are Better More those who are...
... OF THE ORDER OF CHARITY (THIRTEEN ARTICLES) Whether we ought to love those
who are better more those who are moreclosely united us?...
Even Now, as the Matter Refers to Thy Opinion on a Point the More...
... Chapter IV. Even now, as the matter refers to thy opinion on a point the
moreclosely? Even now, as the matter refers to thy opinion...
That the Doctrine of Nestorius isClosely Connected with the Error...
... Book V. Chapter II. That the doctrine of Nestorius isclosely connected with the
error of the Pelagians. You say then that Christ was born a mere man....
How Love Effects the Union of the Soul with God in Prayer.
... and press together, a strong application must be made, which increases and augments
the union; so that to clasp together is to join strongly andclosely, as we...
The Pioneer's Influence Upon a Nation's Ideals.
... The differences in detail are in generalclosely parallel to those which the New
Testament student finds in the different accounts of the same events or...
The Survival of the Fittest.
... of duplicate versions of the same incidents point, some writers think, to two
originally distinct accounts of the flood which have beenclosely woven together...
Thesaurus
Closely (38 Occurrences)...Closely (38 Occurrences). Mark 3:2 They
closely watched Him to see whether He would
cure him on the Sabbath--so as to have a charge to bring against Him.
...Coptic
... The other four dialects are somewhat moreclosely allied to one another than
to Buchairic, which shows greater traces of Greek influence....
Sister (113 Occurrences)
... The correlative of brother. 2. (n.) A woman who isclosely allied to, or associated
with, another person, as in the same faith, society, order, or community....
Shave (19 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) to cut offclosely, as with a razor; as,
to shave the beard. 2. (vt) To cut or pare off from the...
Greece (15 Occurrences)
... a member of the hierarchy established in myth; moreover in myth the gods are treated
as universal, while the gods of worship are mostclosely attached, each to...
Knit (11 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To join; to cause to grow together. 5. (vt) To uniteclosely; to
connect; to engage; as, hearts knit together in love. 6...
Kinsfolk (13 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Relatives; kindred; kin; persons of the same family
orclosely orclosely related families. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia....
Narrowly (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (adv.) Without much extent; contractedly. 3. (adv.) With minute scrutiny;
closely; as, to look or watch narrowly; to search narrowly....
Near (3455 Occurrences)
... nigh. 2. (adv.) Nearly; almost; well-nigh. 3. (adv.)Closely; intimately.
4. (adv... nigh. 5. (adv.)Closely connected or related. 6. (adv...
Unbeliever (7 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. UNBELIEVER. un-be-lev'-er: This word followsclosely
the lines of "unbelief" (which see) in its relation to originals....
Resources
What is Hellenism, and how did it influence the early church? | GotQuestions.orgMonergism vs. synergism-which view is correct? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I keep the faith? | GotQuestions.orgClosely: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
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