Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of being "confined" in the Bible often relates to physical imprisonment, spiritual bondage, or a state of limitation imposed by circumstances or divine will. Throughout Scripture, confinement serves as both a literal and metaphorical theme, illustrating God's sovereignty, justice, and the potential for redemption and deliverance.
Physical ImprisonmentPhysical confinement is a recurring theme in the Bible, often involving key figures who are imprisoned for their faith or actions. Joseph, for example, was confined in an Egyptian prison after being falsely accused by Potiphar's wife (
Genesis 39:20). Despite his unjust imprisonment, Joseph's faithfulness led to his eventual rise to power, demonstrating God's providential care and the potential for divine intervention in times of confinement.
The Apostle Paul also experienced physical confinement, frequently imprisoned for preaching the Gospel. In his letter to the Philippians, written from prison, Paul expresses joy and contentment despite his circumstances, stating, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" (
Philippians 4:13). His letters from prison, including Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon, continue to encourage believers to remain steadfast in faith regardless of external limitations.
Spiritual BondageBeyond physical imprisonment, the Bible addresses spiritual confinement, often depicted as bondage to sin or spiritual forces. Jesus Christ's mission is portrayed as one of liberation from such bondage. In
Luke 4:18, Jesus declares, "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed" . This passage highlights the spiritual freedom offered through Christ, emphasizing His role as the ultimate liberator.
The Apostle Paul further elaborates on spiritual confinement in
Romans 6:6, stating, "We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin" . Through Christ's sacrifice, believers are freed from the bondage of sin, illustrating the transformative power of the Gospel.
Divine ConfinementAt times, God Himself imposes confinement as a form of judgment or discipline. The account of Jonah serves as a notable example, where Jonah is confined within the belly of a great fish for three days and nights (
Jonah 1:17). This period of confinement leads to Jonah's repentance and eventual obedience to God's command to preach to Nineveh. Such instances underscore the theme of divine correction and the opportunity for repentance and restoration.
Similarly, the Israelites experienced confinement during their Babylonian exile, a period of seventy years as prophesied by Jeremiah (
Jeremiah 25:11-12). This national confinement served as both punishment for their disobedience and a period of purification, ultimately leading to their return and the rebuilding of Jerusalem.
Metaphorical ConfinementThe Bible also uses confinement metaphorically to describe the limitations of human understanding and the need for reliance on God's wisdom.
Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight" . This passage encourages believers to recognize their own limitations and seek divine guidance.
In summary, the theme of confinement in the Bible encompasses physical imprisonment, spiritual bondage, divine discipline, and metaphorical limitations. Through these narratives, Scripture reveals God's power to deliver, redeem, and guide His people, offering hope and assurance of His presence in times of confinement.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Confine.
Greek
2346. thlibo -- to press, afflict... constrict (compress), ie together; (figuratively) afflict (distress), ie like when
circumstances "rub us the wrong way" that make us feel
confined (hemmed in
...442. anthropinos -- human
... 442 (from 444 , "mankind, relating to human nature") -- properly, ("of
mankind/human-kind"); (figuratively) what is (finite), ieconfined to effort (...
1537. ek -- from, from out of
... 1537 ("out of") is one of the most under-translated (and therefore mis-translated)
Greek propositions -- often beingconfined to the meaning "by." 1537 () has...
2347. thlipsis -- tribulation
... what constricts or rubs together), used of a narrow place that "hems someone in"; ,
especially that causes someone to feelconfined (restricted, "without...
5564. chorion -- a place, property
... 5564 (the grammatical diminutive of 5561 , "a field") -- a limited , a of a larger
area; aconfined piece of ground; "a definite portion of space that is...
488. antimetreo -- to measure in return
... 488 () is only used twice in the NT (), each time in relation to "law of
reciprocity" (Mt 7:2; Lk 6:38). [The isconfined to Lk 6:38.]....
1753. energeia -- mute, speechless
... Phonetic Spelling: (en-erg'-i-ah) Short Definition: working, activity Definition:
working, action, productive work, activity; in the NT,confined to superhuman...
4730. stenochoria -- narrowness of space, fig. difficulty
... 4730 (from 4728 , "narrow,confined" and 5561 , "space, territory, area") -- properly,
a narrow place; (figuratively) a circumstance -- which God always...
Strong's Hebrew
6113. atsar -- to restrain, retain... root Definition to restrain, retain NASB Word Usage able* (2), bond (5), checked
(3), closed fast (1),
confined (3), could (1), detain (2), detained (1), held
...8104. shamar -- to keep, watch, preserve
... Usage attend (4), being careful (1), beware (8), bodyguard* (1), careful (32), careful
to keep (1), cares (1), charge (4), confine (1),confined (1), defending...
631. asar -- to tie, bind, imprison
... NASB Word Usage began (1), begin (1), bind (8), bind me tightly (1), bind you fast
(1), binds (3), bound (28), captivated (1), captured (1),confined (4), get...
5462. sagar -- to shut, close
... root Definition to shut, close NASB Word Usage battle-axe (1), close (2), closed
(9),confined (1), deliver (5), delivered (6), gave over (2), given (1), given...
Library
Nor is this an OpinionConfined to Ourselves Alone. ...
... Section III. Nor is this an opinionconfined to ourselves alone.? Nor is
this an opinionconfined to ourselves alone. For it was...
In the Last Chapter weConfined Ourself to the Old Testament, in...
... In the last chapter weconfined ourself to the Old Testament, in this and the
one that follows we shall treat mainly of Babylon in Rev......
JesusConfined in the Subterranean Prison.
... CHAPTER XII. Jesusconfined in the subterranean Prison. The... frightened. Our Divine
Lord wasconfined in this prison an hour, or thereabouts....
But Though Prayer is ProperlyConfined to Vows and Supplications.....
... Of Prayer. John Calvin Chapter 28 But though prayer is properlyconfined
to vows and supplications? But though prayer is properly...
Christ's Teaching notConfined to Parables, but Conveyed Also in...
... FORM. A. GENERAL PRINCIPLES. Section 70. Christ's Teaching notconfined
to Parables, but conveyed also in longer Discourses. It...
This is the Discourse Concerning Hades, Wherein the Souls of all...
... Section 5. This is the discourse concerning Hades, wherein the souls of
all men areconfined? 5. This is the discourse concerning...
Concerning the Opinions of Varro, Who, While Reprobating the...
... Chapter 31."Concerning the Opinions of Varro, Who, While Reprobating the Popular
Belief, Thought that Their Worship Should BeConfined to One God, Though He...
The Next Words Are, which Art in Heaven. ...
... HEAVEN. From this we are not to infer that he is enclosed andconfined within
the circumference of heaven, as by a kind of boundaries....
The Binding of Satan.
... pit," and "chain," symbolize the instruments of restraint and confinement to which
Satan is to be subjected; and his being bound andconfined symbolize his...
The Hardening of Nations.
... The Church now spread among the nations was hid in Israel. The hardening seldom
occurred among the heathen, and as a rule wasconfined to the Jews....
Thesaurus
Confined (18 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Confine. Multi-Version Concordance
Confined (18 Occurrences). Galatians 3:23 But before
...Prisoner (87 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) One who isconfined in a prison. 2. (n.)
A person under arrest, or in custody, whether in prison...
Prison (131 Occurrences)
... Prisons and prisoners are mentioned in the book of Psalms (69:33; 79:11; 142:7).
Samson wasconfined in a Philistine prison (Judges 16:21, 25)....
Galatia (6 Occurrences)
... 25. This province of Galatia, within the limits of which these Celtic tribes
wereconfined, was the central region of Asia Minor....
Wood (226 Occurrences)
... Exodus 25:5, 10, 13; Exodus 26:15, 26; 27:1, 6 Deuteronomy 10:3)): The word was
originally shinTah, derived from the Arabic sanT, now a nameconfined to one...
Theocracy
... The realization of the idea is not onlyconfined to Israel, but in the pre-exilic
history of Israel the realization of the idea wasconfined to the Southern...
Close (186 Occurrences)
... 17. (vt) Narrow;confined; as, a close alley; close quarters. 18.... 19. (vt) Strictly
confined; carefully guarded; as, a close prisoner. 20....
Shittah (2 Occurrences)
... Exodus 25:5, 10, 13; Exodus 26:15, 26; 27:1, 6 Deuteronomy 10:3)): The word was
originally shinTah, derived from the Arabic sanT, now a nameconfined to one...
Shittim (34 Occurrences)
... Exodus 25:5, 10, 13; Exodus 26:15, 26; 27:1, 6 Deuteronomy 10:3)): The word was
originally shinTah, derived from the Arabic sanT, now a nameconfined to one...
Omnipresence
... Hence, it is notconfined to one place; the altars built in recognition of it are
in patriarchal history erected in several places and coexist as each and all...
Resources
What does it mean that God is the God of the hills and valleys (1 Kings 20:28)? | GotQuestions.orgDoes the string theory have any connection with belief in God? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the bottomless pit (Revelation 9:1-12)? | GotQuestions.orgConfined: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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