Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context:Guarding, in the biblical context, refers to the act of protecting, watching over, or keeping something or someone safe. This concept is prevalent throughout the Scriptures, both in a physical and spiritual sense. Guarding can involve the protection of people, possessions, or spiritual truths and principles.
Old Testament References:In the Old Testament, the concept of guarding is often associated with God's protection over His people. For instance, in
Psalm 121:7-8 , it is written, "The LORD will guard you from all evil; He will preserve your soul. The LORD will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore." Here, the psalmist emphasizes God's role as a divine guardian who watches over His people.
The role of a guard is also seen in the context of the Levitical priesthood. The Levites were tasked with guarding the tabernacle and later the temple, ensuring that it remained holy and undefiled (
Numbers 1:53). This duty highlights the importance of guarding sacred spaces and maintaining the sanctity of worship.
New Testament References:In the New Testament, the concept of guarding extends to spiritual truths and the Christian life. The Apostle Paul frequently exhorts believers to guard their faith and the teachings they have received. In
1 Timothy 6:20 , Paul instructs Timothy, "O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid irreverent, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of so-called 'knowledge.'"
Furthermore, believers are called to guard their hearts and minds.
Philippians 4:7 states, "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." This passage underscores the protective role of God's peace in the believer's life, safeguarding them from anxiety and spiritual turmoil.
Spiritual Warfare and Guarding:Guarding is also a crucial aspect of spiritual warfare.
Ephesians 6:11 urges believers to "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes." The imagery of armor suggests a proactive stance in guarding oneself against spiritual attacks. The believer is called to be vigilant and prepared, using the resources God provides to stand firm in faith.
Guarding the Heart:Proverbs 4:23 advises, "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life." This verse highlights the importance of protecting one's inner life, as the heart is the wellspring of thoughts, emotions, and actions. Guarding the heart involves being mindful of influences and maintaining a focus on godly values and principles.
Role of the Holy Spirit:The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in guarding believers. In
John 14:26 , Jesus promises, "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you." The Holy Spirit acts as a guide and protector, helping believers to discern truth and remain faithful to Christ's teachings.
Conclusion:The biblical concept of guarding encompasses both physical and spiritual dimensions, emphasizing the need for vigilance, protection, and faithfulness. Whether it is God guarding His people, believers guarding their hearts, or the church guarding the truth, the theme of guarding is integral to the life of faith.
Greek
5438. phulake -- aguarding, guard, watch... a
guarding, guard, watch. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: phulake
Phonetic Spelling: (foo-lak-ay') Short Definition: a watching, guard, prison
...5442. phulasso -- to guard, watch
... Thus 5442 () is often used in the NT in the Greek voice meaning, " be on guard
against," stressing the constant, involved with theguarding....
1200. desmophulax -- a prison keeper
... jailor, keeper of the prison. From desmon and phulax; a jailer (asguarding the
prisoners) -- jailor, keeper of the prison. see GREEK desmon. see GREEK phulax....
5432. phroureo -- to guard
... Word Origin from phrouros (a guard) Definition to guard NASB Word Usage guard (1),
guarding (1), kept in custody (1), protected (1). to guard, protect....
4165. poimaino -- to act as a shepherd
... 4165 () focuses on "" ("" 274), which includesguarding, guiding, and folding the
flock and is only provided (ultimately) by Jesus Christ -- Shepherd, who...
1314. diaphulasso -- to guard carefully
... 1314 (from 1223 , "thoroughly," which intensifies 5442 , "to guard") -- properly,
guard ("-guard," see Lk 4:10); "the preposition [] implies ,guarding" (, 151...
Strong's Hebrew
6793. tsinnah -- probably a hook, barb... Feminine of tsen; a hook (as pointed); also a (large) shield (as if
guarding by
prickliness); also cold (as piercing) -- buckler, cold, hook, shield, target.
...5341. natsar -- to watch, guard, keep
... root Definition to watch, guard, keep NASB Word Usage besieged (2), Besiegers (1),
cunning (1), guard (2),guarding (1), guards (2), hidden things (1), keep (7...
Library
And Upon this There came up one of the SoldiersGuarding the Tomb....
... Part I."The Acts of Pilate. Second Greek Form. Chapter 13. And upon this
there came up one of the soldiersguarding the tomb?...
Keeping and Kept
... I. Without ourguarding our hearts, no noble life is possible.... Thatguarding is plainly
imposed as necessary, by the very constitution of our manhood....
Invention of the Lyre; Allegorizing the Appearance and Position of...
... If, then, says (Aratus), Adam, acknowledging (his guilt) andguarding the head of
the Beast, according to the commandment of the Deity, will imitate Lyra, that...
The Apocalypse of the Holy Mother of God Concerning the...
... And the angelsguarding them answered and said: We have a command from the invisible
Father that they shall not see the light till thy blessed Son shall shine...
After Eutropius Having Been Found Outside the Church had Been...
... abide in full bloom; there is the breeze of the zephyr, but here the breath of the
Spirit: there is the hedge of thorns, but here is theguarding providence of...
At the Front or the Base
... distribution which was adopted as the standing law of Israel"that the soldiers who
were actually in the fight and those who stayed behindguarding the baggage...
Opinions of the Heretics Borrowed from Aratus.
... devoting their attention to these (astronomic systems), assert that Engonasis is
Adam, according to the commandment of God as Moses declared,guarding the head...
Letter Xlviii. (AD 398. )
... of pride and the whirlpool of indolence; as it is written, "declining neither to
the right hand nor to the left." [1684] For some, whileguarding too anxiously...
How to Make Use of Christ as the Truth, for Growth in Knowledge.
... xxv.5. Seventhly. There should be aguarding against every thing that may obstruct
this work, and grieve him in it; and therefore we would beware,....
Twenty-Third Day. Holiness and the Body.
... Or it is because he does not understand that theguarding and sanctifying of the
body in all its parts must be as distinctly a work of faith, and as directly...
Thesaurus
Guarding (16 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Guarding (16 Occurrences). Matthew 27:54 Now the
centurion, and those who were with him watching Jesus, when
...Ward (27 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) The act ofguarding; watch; guard; guardianship;
specifically, aguarding during the day. See the Note under Watch, n., 1....
Millo (9 Occurrences)
... In David's time it may have been an isolated and detached fortguarding the north
approach, but if it was originally a Jebusite high place (Winckler) partly of...
Nazareth (29 Occurrences)
... it, from which one of the finest prospects in Palestine is obtained, and accordingly
they derive it from the Hebrew notserah, ie, oneguarding or watching...
Unveiling (5 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 1:5 whom God in His power isguarding through faith for a salvation that
even now stands ready for unveiling at the End of the Age. (WEY)....
Joash (49 Occurrences)
... covenant with Jehoiada, and, by his direction, summoned the Levites from Judah
(2 Chronicles 23:2), and made the necessary arrangements forguarding the palace...
Guardians (5 Occurrences)
Guardroom (4 Occurrences)
Watchman (19 Occurrences)
... watcher" (being applied even to besiegers from outside: Jeremiah 4:16, "watchers"),
while shomer also embraces the idea of "defending" or "guarding." In Isaiah...
Watch (203 Occurrences)
... wakeful, vigilant, or constantly observant attention; close observation; guard;
preservative or preventive vigilance; formerly, a watching orguarding by night...
Resources
What does it mean to guard your heart? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did God have the cherubim guard just the east side of Eden (Genesis 3:24)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about diligence? | GotQuestions.orgGuarding: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
