Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of "lengthened" in the Bible often refers to the extension of time, life, or influence, and is frequently associated with divine blessing or judgment. This term can be understood in various contexts, including the prolonging of life, the extension of a period of time, or the stretching out of God's mercy or judgment.
Lengthening of LifeOne of the most direct applications of "lengthened" in the Scriptures is the extension of life as a blessing from God. In the Old Testament, obedience to God's commandments is often linked with the promise of a long life. For instance, in
Deuteronomy 5:33 , it is written, "Walk in all the way that the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live and prosper and prolong your days in the land that you will possess." Here, the lengthening of days is a reward for faithfulness and adherence to God's laws.
Similarly, in
Proverbs 3:1-2 , the text states, "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 underscores the connection between wisdom, obedience, and the extension of life.
Lengthening of TimeThe Bible also speaks of the lengthening of time in the context of God's patience and mercy. In
2 Peter 3:9 , it is noted, "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." Here, the lengthening of time is an expression of God's desire for repentance and salvation, demonstrating His longsuffering nature.
Lengthening of Influence and ReignIn the context of leadership and influence, the Bible records instances where God lengthens the reign of kings as a sign of favor or judgment. For example, in
2 Kings 20:6 , God promises King Hezekiah, "I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for My sake and for the sake of My servant David." The lengthening of Hezekiah's life and reign is a direct result of his prayer and God's mercy.
Lengthening as JudgmentConversely, the concept of lengthening can also be associated with judgment. In the case of the Israelites, their time in the wilderness was lengthened due to disobedience and lack of faith.
Numbers 14:34 states, "For forty years—one year for each of the forty days you explored the land—you will suffer for your sins and know what it is like to have Me against you." Here, the lengthening of their journey serves as a period of correction and reflection.
ConclusionThe theme of "lengthened" in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing blessings of extended life and influence, as well as periods of divine patience and judgment. It reflects the broader biblical principles of obedience, repentance, and the sovereign will of God in the lives of individuals and nations.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Lengthen.
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), extended (3), extends (2), followed* (2), held high (1), incline (27), inclined
(7), intended (1), leaning (1), lengthen (1),lengthened (1), lengthens (1...
Library
The Chain of Circumstance hadLengthened by Several Links Round...
... XXXIII. The chain of circumstance hadlengthened by several links round
the radiant life of Sylvie? The chain of circumstance...
Of theLengthened Sermon Which, According to Matthew, He Delivered...
... The Prologue. Chapter XIX."Of theLengthened Sermon Which, According to
Matthew, He Delivered on the Mount. 43. Now, regarding...
Of the Calling of the Apostles as they were Fishing.
... But whereas Matthew introduces in this immediate context his account of thatlengthened
sermon which He delivered on the mount, after He cured a multitude, and...
Of the Figures and Limbs of Animals.
... be able easily to put themselves in motion for walking, and to turn themselves in
any direction; but from the highest part of the body Helengthened out the...
Celsus Next Makes Certain Observations of the Following Nature...
... next makes certain observations of the following nature: "Again, if God, like Jupiter
in the comedy, should, on awaking from alengthened slumber, desire to...
Courage, My Mind, and Press on Mightily. ...
... And yet we measure times; but yet neither those which are not yet, nor those which
no longer are, nor those which are notlengthened out by some pause, nor...
Christ Thanks the Father for Revealing to Babes what He had...
... If, indeed, it were only about alengthened life, such as is at the Creator's disposal,
that he inquired and Christ answered, and not about the eternal life...
Jesus Condemned to be Crucified.
... But Pilate was determined, and their words made no impression upon him; the cross
was therefore obliged to belengthened by a fresh bit of wood....
Refutation of what Libanius the Sophist Said Concerning Julian.
... When the winter,' says he, [547] hadlengthened the nights, the emperor made an
attack on those books which made the man of Palestine both God, and the Son of...
Again on the Calamity of the City of Antioch. ...
... But since many men, both when about to enter upon the fast, as if the belly were
on the point of being delivered over to a sort oflengthened seige, lay in...
Thesaurus
Lengthened (4 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Lengthened (4 Occurrences).
... (KJV WBS). Psalms 102:11 My
days are like a
lengthened-out shadow, and I, I am withered like grass.
...Lengthened-out (1 Occurrence)
Lengthened-out.Lengthened,Lengthened-out. Lengtheneth . Multi-Version
ConcordanceLengthened-out (1 Occurrence). Psalms...
Lengthen (9 Occurrences)
Lengtheneth (1 Occurrence)
Lampstand (38 Occurrences)
... over the other, and finally the whole surface was closed with only an orifice in
the center for receiving the oil, and at the same time the spout waslengthened...
Great (10383 Occurrences)
... series, etc. 3. (superl.) Long continued;lengthened in duration; prolonged
in time; as, a great while; a great interval. 4. (superl...
Trachonitis (1 Occurrence)
... The present writer has described this region as he saw it during two somewhat
lengthened visits: From Zor`a our course lay Northeast by East.......
Departeth (14 Occurrences)
... us go up at noon. Woe to us! for the day departeth, for the shadows of the
evening arelengthened. (WBS). Jeremiah 17:5 Thus saith...
Plow (11 Occurrences)
... The first plows were probably an adaptation of the ancient Egyptian hoe, where the
handle waslengthened in order that animals might be hitched to it....
Resources
Is it true that the sun stood still? | GotQuestions.orgLengthened: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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