Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "contain" in the Bible often relates to the idea of holding, restraining, or encompassing something within limits or boundaries. This term can be applied both in a physical sense and a metaphorical or spiritual sense, reflecting the multifaceted nature of biblical teachings.
1.
Physical Containment: In a literal sense, "contain" can refer to the physical act of holding or enclosing something. For example, in the construction of the Tabernacle and the Temple, specific measurements and materials were used to contain the sacred objects and the presence of God. The Ark of the Covenant, for instance, was a physical container for the stone tablets of the Law given to Moses (
Exodus 25:16).
2.
Divine Containment: The Bible also speaks of the heavens and the earth as unable to contain the fullness of God. In
1 Kings 8:27, during Solomon's dedication of the Temple, he acknowledges, "But will God indeed dwell on earth? Even the highest heavens cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built." This highlights the transcendence and omnipresence of God, who cannot be confined to any physical space.
3.
Spiritual and Emotional Containment: The concept of containment is also relevant in the spiritual and emotional realms. Believers are often called to contain or control their emotions and desires in accordance with God's will.
Proverbs 25:28 states, "Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control." This metaphor illustrates the importance of self-restraint and the dangers of failing to contain one's impulses.
4.
Containment of Sin and Evil: The Bible frequently addresses the need to contain sin and evil within the community of believers. In the New Testament, the church is instructed to maintain purity and holiness by addressing sin within its midst. In
1 Corinthians 5:6-7, Paul warns, "Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old yeast, that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are." This passage emphasizes the need to contain and remove sin to preserve the integrity of the church.
5.
Containment of God's Word: The Scriptures also speak of the containment of God's Word within the hearts of believers.
Psalm 119:11 declares, "I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You." This verse underscores the importance of internalizing and containing God's Word as a means of spiritual guidance and protection against sin.
6.
Eschatological Containment: In eschatological terms, the Bible describes a future containment of evil.
Revelation 20:1-3 speaks of Satan being bound and contained for a thousand years, symbolizing a period of peace and righteousness. This containment reflects God's ultimate authority and the eventual triumph over evil.
In summary, the concept of "contain" in the Bible encompasses a range of meanings, from the physical containment of sacred objects to the spiritual containment of sin and the divine presence. It serves as a reminder of the boundaries set by God for His creation and the call for believers to live within those boundaries in obedience and faith.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To hold within fixed limits; to comprise; to include; to enclose; to hold.
2. (v. t.) To have capacity for; to be able to hold; to hold; to be equivalent to; as, a bushel contains four pecks.
3. (v. t.) To put constraint upon; to restrain; to confine; to keep within bounds.
4. (v. i.) To restrain desire; to live in continence or chastity.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
CONTAINkon-tan'.
SeeCONTINENCY.
Greek
4023. periecho -- to surround... to surround. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: periecho Phonetic Spelling:
(per-ee-ekh'-o) Short Definition: I
contain, seize Definition: (a) I
contain (of
...5562. choreo -- to make room, advance, hold
... Phonetic Spelling: (kho-reh'-o) Short Definition: I make room, go, receive Definition:
(lit: I make room, hence) (a) I have room for, receive,contain, (b) I...
4632. skeuos -- a vessel, implement, pl. goods
... goods. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: skeuos Phonetic Spelling:
(skyoo'-os) Short Definition: a vessel tocontain liquid, utensil, tackle...
1467. egkrateuomai -- to exercise self-control
...contain, be temperate. Middle voice from egkrates; to exercise self-restraint (in
diet and chastity) -- can(-not)contain, be temperate. see GREEK egkrates....
3551. nomos -- that which is assigned, hence usage, law
... law; in NT: of law in general, plur: of divine laws; of a force or influence impelling
to action; of the Mosaic law; meton: of the books whichcontain the law...
Strong's Hebrew
3557. kul -- to comprehend,contain... 3556, 3557. kul. 3558 . to comprehend,
contain. Transliteration: kul Phonetic
Spelling: (kool) Short Definition: provided. Word Origin a prim.
...1004. bayith -- a house
... 1), within (3). court, door, dungeon, family, forth of, great as wouldcontain,
hangings,. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house...
5375. nasa -- to lift, carry, take
... 10), bring forth (1), bringing (7), brought (5), carried (45), carries (6), carry
(45), carry away (1), carry off (2), carrying (20),contain (1), continued* (1...
5845. atin -- probably a pail, bucket
... breast. From an unused root meaning apparently tocontain; a receptacle (for milk,
ie Pail; figuratively, breast) -- breast. 5844b, 5845. atin. 5846 ....
662. aphaq -- to hold, be strong
... force oneself, restrain. A primitive root; tocontain, ie (reflex.) Abstain -- force
(oneself), restrain. 661, 662. aphaq. 663 . Strong's Numbers.
2833. choshen -- breastpiece, sacred pouch
... From an unused root probably meaning tocontain or sparkle; perhaps a pocket (as
holding the Urim and Thummim), or rich (as containing gems), used only of the...
Library
Whether the Sacraments of the New LawContain Grace?
... OF THE SACRAMENTS' PRINCIPAL EFFECT, WHICH IS GRACE (SIX ARTICLES) Whether
the sacraments of the New Lawcontain grace? Objection...
Why Does the New TestamentContain Four Gospels and not one Only?
... THE ORIGIN OF THE NEW TESTAMENT 3. Why does the New Testamentcontain Four
Gospels and not One only? The original title of the Gospels...
All Sects of PhilosophyContain a Germ of Truth.
... The Stromata, or Miscellanies: Book I Chapter XIII."All Sects of Philosophy
Contain a Germ of Truth. Since, therefore, truth is...
Do the Heaven and Earth ThenContain Thee, Since Thou Fillest Them...
... Book I Chapter III Do the heaven and earth thencontain Thee, since Thou fillest
them?... Do the heaven and earth thencontain Thee, since Thou fillest them?...
The New Year All-Embracing as the Greek Service Books Are...
... STILLING THE TEMPEST THE NEW YEAR All-embracing as the Greek service books are,
curiously enough theycontain, strictly speaking, no Thanksgiving services....
What is the Sum of the Six Commandments whichContain Our Duty to...
... Question 122: What is the sum of the six commandments whichcontain our
duty to man? Answer: The sum of the six commandments which...
Celsus Appears to Me to have Heard that There are Treatises in...
... Chapter LI. Celsus appears to me to have heard that there are treatises
in existence whichcontain? Celsus appears to me to have...
After This, Selecting from all the Treatises whichContain...
... Chapter LII. After this, selecting from all the treatises whichcontain
allegorical explanations and interpretations? After this...
Appendix (D). Some Account of victor of Antioch's Commentary on S....
... whichcontain Victor's Work. (Referred to at p.60.)... I conclude these notices of an
unjustly neglected Father, by specifying the MSS. whichcontain his Work....
How, I Ask, Can You, Seeing that Your CommentariesContain Such...
... How, I ask, can you, seeing that your Commentariescontain such doctrines, put them
forward to prove your soundness in the faith, and to confute those ideas...
Thesaurus
Contain (19 Occurrences)... chastity. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
CONTAIN. kon-tan'. See CONTINENCY.
Multi-Version Concordance
Contain (19 Occurrences). John
...Comprehend (9 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) Tocontain; to embrace; to include; as, the states comprehended in the Austrian
Empire.... (2) kul, "to measure" or "contain," as grain in a bushel....
Kings (350 Occurrences)
... Theycontain the annals of the Jewish commonwealth from the accession of Solomon
till the subjugation of the kingdom by Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonians...
Proverbs (11 Occurrences)
... This book is usually divided into three parts: (1.) Consisting of ch. 1-9, which
contain an exhibition of wisdom as the highest good. (2.) Consisting of ch....
Jeshurun (4 Occurrences)
... (2) Most moderns take it as a poetical or ideal title of Israel, derived from yashar,
"upright"; it is held tocontain a tacit reference to the word Israel...
Include (7 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To confine within; to hold; tocontain; to shut up; to enclose; as, the
shell of a nut includes the kernel; a pearl is included in a shell....
Contained (11 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofContain. Multi-Version Concordance
Contained (11 Occurrences). Romans 2:14 For when the...
Canon
... A book is said to be of canonical authority when it has a right to take a place
with the other books whichcontain a revelation of the Divine will....
Acid (2 Occurrences)
... They allcontain hydrogen, united with a more negative element or radical, either
alone, or more generally with oxygen, and take their names from this negative...
Surety (21 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 20:16 seems tocontain an exclamation of contemptuous rebuke for the man
who goes security. Proverbs 22:26; Proverbs 27:13contain like admonitions....
Resources
Does the Bible contain allegory? | GotQuestions.orgDoes the Bible contain errors, contradictions, or discrepancies? | GotQuestions.orgWhy does the Bible contain so much condemnation? | GotQuestions.orgContain: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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