Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "lengthen" in the Bible often carries both literal and metaphorical meanings, reflecting God's promises, commands, and the spiritual growth of His people. The term is frequently associated with the expansion of influence, the extension of life, and the broadening of spiritual capacity.
Biblical References:1.
Isaiah 54:2 · "Enlarge the site of your tent, stretch out the curtains of your dwellings, do not hold back; lengthen your ropes and drive your stakes deep." This verse is part of a prophetic message to Israel, symbolizing growth and expansion. It encourages the people to prepare for an increase in blessings and influence, suggesting that God's promises will lead to a significant enlargement of their territory and capacity.
2.
Deuteronomy 5:16 · "Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you." Here, the concept of lengthening is tied to the promise of a prolonged life as a reward for obedience and respect towards one's parents. This reflects the broader biblical principle that adherence to God's commandments brings about blessings, including the extension of life.
3.
Proverbs 3:1-2 · "My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; for they will add length to your days, years and peace to your life." This passage emphasizes the connection between wisdom, obedience, and the lengthening of life. It suggests that living according to God's wisdom not only extends one's lifespan but also enhances the quality of life with peace and fulfillment.
Theological Implications:The idea of lengthening in the Bible often symbolizes God's desire for His people to grow and expand in various dimensions of life. It reflects His blessings and the fulfillment of His promises. The call to "lengthen" is not merely about physical expansion but also about spiritual growth and maturity. It involves preparing oneself to receive more from God, whether it be in terms of influence, spiritual gifts, or understanding.
Practical Application:For believers, the concept of lengthening can be applied in several ways:
·
Spiritual Growth: Just as the Israelites were called to lengthen their tents, Christians are encouraged to expand their spiritual lives by deepening their relationship with God, increasing their knowledge of Scripture, and broadening their capacity to serve others.
·
Obedience and Blessing: The promise of a lengthened life through obedience, as seen in Deuteronomy and Proverbs, serves as a reminder of the blessings that come from living in accordance with God's will. It encourages believers to honor God's commandments as a pathway to a fulfilling and extended life.
·
Preparation for Increase: The call to lengthen one's tent ropes can be seen as a metaphor for preparing for the increase that God desires to bring into one's life. This involves being open to new opportunities, ready to embrace God's plans, and willing to step out in faith.
In summary, the biblical concept of "lengthen" encompasses both the physical and spiritual dimensions of life, urging believers to prepare for and embrace the growth and blessings that come from a faithful relationship with God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To extent in length; to make longer in extent or duration; as, to lengthen a line or a road; to lengthen life; -- sometimes followed by out.
2. (v. i.) To become longer.
Greek
3373. mekuno -- tolengthen, grow... to
lengthen, grow. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: mekuno Phonetic Spelling:
(may-koo'-no) Short Definition: I
lengthen Definition: I
lengthen, extend
...3170. megaluno -- to make or declare great
... Verb Transliteration: megaluno Phonetic Spelling: (meg-al-oo'-no) Short Definition:
I enlarge, magnify, extol Definition: (a) I enlarge,lengthen, (b) I...
Strong's Hebrew
748. arak -- to be long... root Definition to be long NASB Word Usage continue (1), delay (1), endure* (1),
endures (1),
lengthen (3), lengthened (1), lingered (2), live (2), long (5
...5186. natah -- to stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend
... 1), extend (1), extended (3), extends (2), followed* (2), held high (1), incline
(27), inclined (7), intended (1), leaning (1),lengthen (1), lengthened (1...
Library
When Day's ShadowsLengthen
... No. 140 When day's shadowslengthen. GENERAL, Evening Hymn When day's
shadowslengthen Mane nobiscum, quoniam ad vesperascit....
we Would See Jesus; for the ShadowsLengthen
... We would see Jesus; for the shadowslengthen. 11.10.11.10... We would see Jesus; for
the shadowslengthen. Across this little landscape of our life;...
Verbs, 15-33
... 22. Retention of Short Vowel in the Future. As a rule in Greek a and e
verbslengthen the vowel in forming the future. Exceptions...
A Continuation of Mr Bunyan's Life; Beginning Where He Left Off...
... taken upon me, from my knowledge, and the best account given by other of his friends,
to piece this to the thread too soon broke off, and solengthen it out to...
Eternal Life.
... ETERNAL LIFE. "Supposing that man, in some form, is permitted to remain on the earth
for a long series of years, we merelylengthen out the period, but we...
Dignity of the Scripture Language.
... With hymns divine the joyous banquet ends; The Peanslengthen'd till the sun
descends: The Greeks restor'd the grateful notes prolong;...
Cepistle of Clement to James.
... all, was commanded to enlighten the darker part of the world, namely the West, and
was enabled to accomplish it,"and to what extent do Ilengthen my discourse...
6Th Day. Restoring Grace.
... why increase by farther departures thine own distance from the fold?"whylengthen
the dreary road thy gracious Shepherd has to traverse in bringing thee back...
Conclusion by the Editor. Tokens of Love from Many. Keeps Writing....
... Still many were deterred from going to see him for fear it might disturb the quiet
which they hoped would contribute tolengthen out his days....
Colonization.
... LESSON XXXIII. COLONIZATION. "Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch
forth the curtains of thy habitations; spare not,lengthen thy cords, and...
Thesaurus
Lengthen (9 Occurrences)... 1. (vt) To extent in length; to make longer in extent or duration; as, to
lengthen a line or a road; to
lengthen life; -- sometimes followed by out.
...Extend (35 Occurrences)
... out further; as, to extend the capacities, the sphere of usefulness, or commerce;
to extend power or influence; to continue, as time; tolengthen; to prolong...
Length (135 Occurrences)
... subject to a great length. 6. (a.) Distance. 7. (vt) Tolengthen. Multi-Version
Concordance Length (135 Occurrences). Matthew 26:60 but...
Use (620 Occurrences)
... 9. (n.) A stab of iron welded to the side of a forging, as a shaft, near the end,
and afterward drawn down, by hammering, so as tolengthen the forging. 10....
Lengthened (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofLengthen. Multi-Version Concordance
Lengthened (4 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 25:15 But thou...
Increase (184 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To augment or make greater in bulk, quantity, extent, value, or amount,
etc.; to add to; to extend; tolengthen; to enhance; to aggravate; as, to...
Draw (212 Occurrences)
... to heave. 14. (vt) To extend in length; tolengthen; to protract; to stretch;
to extend, as a mass of metal into wire. 15. (vt) To...
Product (5 Occurrences)
... In general, the result of any kind of multiplication. 3. (vt) To produce; to bring
forward. 4. (vt) Tolengthen out; to extend. 5. (vt) To produce; to make....
Prolong (20 Occurrences)
... 2. (v.) Tolengthen in time; to extend the duration of; to draw out; to continue;
as, to prolong one's days. 3. (v.) To put off to a distant time; to postpone....
Produce (140 Occurrences)
... produces profit. 6. (vt) To draw out; to extend; tolengthen; to prolong;
as, to produce a man's life to threescore. 7. (vt) To...
Resources
Will the generation that saw Israel re-formed as a nation still be alive for the Second Coming? | GotQuestions.orgHow long was Jesus' ministry? | GotQuestions.orgHow did God respond when Solomon asked for wisdom? | GotQuestions.orgLengthen: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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