Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context:Prolonging refers to the act of extending the duration or length of something. In a biblical context, it often pertains to the extension of life, blessings, or consequences. The concept of prolonging is frequently associated with obedience to God's commandments, wisdom, and the fulfillment of divine promises.
Biblical References:1.
Prolonging Life through Obedience: The Bible often links the prolonging of life with adherence to God's laws and commandments. 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." This verse underscores the belief that obedience to God results in a longer, more prosperous life.
2.
Wisdom and Prolonging Days: Proverbs frequently associates wisdom with the prolonging of life.
Proverbs 3:1-2 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." Here, wisdom and adherence to divine instruction are seen as means to extend one's lifespan.
3.
Prolonging of Kingship and Legacy: The Bible also speaks of the prolonging of a king's reign or a person's legacy through righteousness and justice. In
1 Kings 3:14 , God promises Solomon, "And if you walk in My ways and keep My statutes and commandments, just as your father David did, I will prolong your days." This promise highlights the connection between righteous leadership and the extension of one's rule and influence.
4.
Prolonging of Consequences: Conversely, the Bible also warns of the prolonging of negative consequences due to disobedience. In
Jeremiah 17:4 , it is written, "And you yourself will relinquish the inheritance that I gave you. I will enslave you to your enemies in a land you do not know, for you have kindled My anger, and it will burn forever." This passage illustrates how disobedience can lead to prolonged suffering and exile.
5.
Prolonging in the Context of God's Patience: The concept of prolonging is also evident in God's patience and mercy.
2 Peter 3:9 states, "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, God's delay in judgment is seen as an opportunity for repentance and salvation, reflecting His desire to prolong the time for individuals to turn to Him.
Theological Implications:The theme of prolonging in the Bible emphasizes the relationship between human actions and divine response. It suggests that obedience, wisdom, and righteousness can lead to the extension of life and blessings, while disobedience can result in prolonged consequences. This concept reinforces the biblical principle of sowing and reaping, where the choices individuals make have a direct impact on their lives and legacies.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Prolong.
Strong's Hebrew
755b. arkah -- a lengthening,prolonging.... 755a, 755b. arkah. 756 . a lengthening,
prolonging.
... Word Origin (Aramaic) of
uncertain derivation Definition a lengthening,
prolonging. 755a, 755b.
...754. arka -- lengthening, prolonged
... Short Definition: extension. Word Origin see arkah NASB Word Usage extension
(1),prolonging (1). lengthening, prolonged. (Aramaic) or...
Library
And when Jesus Entered the Temple, they Brought unto Him Blind And...
... cloaks, [35] [2755] and love that they should be called by men, My master, [2756]
and devour widows' houses, because [2757] of theirprolonging their prayers...
Connection of Gluttony and Lust. Grounds of Psychical Objections...
... They charge us with keeping fasts of our own; withprolonging our Stations generally
into the evening; with observing xerophagies likewise, keeping our food...
Bunsen's Biblical Researches.
... Faith and Prayer (and great marvels answering to them), do not pass away: but, in
prolonging their range as a whole, we make their parts less exceptional....
For Eighteen Years, New Sects, Or, Rather, Posthumous Sects...
... end; purely sensual gratifications for a paradise; this world for the sole scene
of existence; the body for the only condition of being; theprolonging of life...
Chapter twenty
... Chapter Twenty. "But I amprolonging this letter, possibly to your weariness.
I am unable to avoid the feeling of fascination which...
Appendix I.
... that hour a cloud should rise to refract the sun's rays for a time, because in that
hour the Lord's armies would need the interference, theprolonging of the...
'Time for Thee to Work'
... Science, leaping the hedge beyond which she at all events is a trespasser,"or in
finer language, 'prolonging its gaze backwards beyond the boundary of...
Internal Exercises Weaken the Body, yet Oft Prolong Life. ...
... superfluous and afford matter of temptations; yet, on the other side, it makes amends,
even to nature itself, in contributing much to theprolonging of life by...
Of the Life of Bishop Aidan. [635 AD ]
... At that time, many religious men and women, led by his example, adopted the custom
ofprolonging their fast on Wednesdays and Fridays, till the ninth hour...
Letter ix. --The Love of Creatures and of God.
... I can only bless God forprolonging your trial, and for renewing those interior
sufferings that you experienced in prayer because I find you are acquiring so...
Thesaurus
Prolonging (5 Occurrences)...Prolonging (5 Occurrences).
... There is a righteous one perishing in his righteousness,
and there is a wrong-doer
prolonging 'himself' in his wrong. (YLT).
...Itself (203 Occurrences)
... Numbers 9:19 And in the cloudprolonging itself over the tabernacle many days, then
have the sons of Israel kept the charge of Jehovah, and journey not, (YLT)....
Wrong-doer (5 Occurrences)
... vanity. There is a righteous one perishing in his righteousness, and there
is a wrong-doerprolonging 'himself' in his wrong. (YLT)....
Prolongeth (6 Occurrences)
Paint (3 Occurrences)
... the eye, and also increases its apparent size, the effect being increased by a line
of stain drawn from the corner, and by a similar lineprolonging the eyebrow...
Prolongs (4 Occurrences)
Prolong (20 Occurrences)
... Version reverses text and margin); of 'arekhah (Aramaic) (Daniel 7:12, "Yet their
lives were prolonged," the King James Version margin "Aprolonging in life...
Perishing (24 Occurrences)
... There is a righteous one perishing in his righteousness, and there is a
wrong-doerprolonging 'himself' in his wrong. (YLT NIV)....
Considered (80 Occurrences)
... vanity. There is a righteous one perishing in his righteousness, and there
is a wrong-doerprolonging 'himself' in his wrong. (YLT)....
Fearing (107 Occurrences)
... Ecclesiastes 8:12 Though a sinner is doing evil a hundred 'times', andprolonging
'himself' for it, surely also I know that there is good to those fearing God...
Resources
What does the Bible say about a person who is in a coma / comatose? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about having a living will? | GotQuestions.orgWho is really “playing God”'the doctor who euthanizes a dying patient, or the doctor who extends the life of a terminally ill patient? | GotQuestions.orgProlonging: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
