Topical Encyclopedia
The term "seizes" in the Bible often refers to the act of taking hold of something or someone with force or authority. This concept appears in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, illustrating both physical and spiritual dimensions.
Old Testament UsageIn the Old Testament, the act of seizing is frequently associated with warfare and conquest. For example, in the book of Joshua, the Israelites are commanded to seize the land of Canaan as part of God's promise to Abraham.
Joshua 8:7 states, "You are to rise up from the ambush and seize the city, for the LORD your God will deliver it into your hand." Here, seizing is an act of obedience to God's command and a fulfillment of His covenant.
Seizing is also depicted in the context of divine judgment. In
1 Samuel 15:27-28 , when Samuel turns to leave, Saul seizes the hem of his robe, which tears. Samuel then declares, "The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to your neighbor who is better than you." This act symbolizes the transfer of authority and the consequences of disobedience to God.
New Testament UsageIn the New Testament, the concept of seizing often relates to the arrest and persecution of Jesus and His followers. In
John 7:30 , it is recorded, "So they tried to seize Him, but no one laid a hand on Him, because His hour had not yet come." This passage highlights the divine timing and protection over Jesus' life and mission.
The Apostle Paul also uses the term metaphorically to describe the Christian's pursuit of spiritual goals. In
Philippians 3:12 , Paul writes, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been perfected, but I press on to seize that for which Christ Jesus also seized me." Here, seizing is portrayed as an active and determined effort to fulfill one's divine calling and purpose.
Spiritual ImplicationsThe act of seizing in a spiritual sense can represent the believer's responsibility to take hold of the promises and truths of God. In
1 Timothy 6:12 , Paul exhorts Timothy, "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession before many witnesses." This encourages believers to actively engage in their faith journey, seizing the eternal life offered through Christ.
ConclusionThroughout the Bible, the concept of seizing is multifaceted, encompassing physical actions, spiritual pursuits, and divine interventions. It serves as a reminder of the power and authority of God, the responsibility of His people to act in faith, and the ultimate fulfillment of His promises.
Greek
2638. katalambano -- to lay hold of, seize... to lay hold of, seize NASB Word Usage attained (1), caught (2), comprehend (2),
found (1), laid hold (2), lay hold (1), overtake (2),
seizes (1), understand (1
...2983. lambano -- to take, receive
... 2), marry (2), obtained (1), occupy (1), overtaken (1), partial* (1), picked (2),
receive (63), received (48), receives (14), receiving (6),seizes (1), shows...
Strong's Hebrew
2388. chazaq -- to be or grow firm or strong, strengthen... 1), repair (12), repaired (14), repairers (1), repairing (1), resist (1), resolutely
(2), retain (1), retained (1), seize (4), seized (6),
seizes (2), severe (5
...8610. taphas -- to lay hold of, wield
... 1), handle (4), handled (1), hold (1), lay hold (1), lays hold (1), occupy (1),
overlaid (1), play (1), profane (1), seize (5), seized (13),seizes (1), surely...
270. achaz -- to grasp, take hold, take possession
... have possessions (1), held (4), held fast (1), hold (3), holding (1), inserted
(1), lay hold (1), obscures (1), possessed (1), seized (10),seizes (3), take...
Library
But Perhaps Some one is Alarmed at Hearing us Discourse of the...
... As, therefore, if a fishseizes a baited hook, it not only does not take the bait
off the hook, but is drawn out of the water to be itself food for others, so...
Conformity to Type
... [89]. What goes on then in the animal kingdom is this" he Bird-Lifeseizes upon
the bird-germ and builds it up into a bird, the image of itself....
The Unmerciful Servant.
... The formula, seventy times seven, while it serves to intimate that there is in the
law no limit to the exercise of a forgiving spirit,seizes upon Peter's...
John viii. 31, 32
... Dost thou then, where one whoseizes is punished, prefer that which is the more
valuable, but where one whoseizes is honored, give up what is the more valuable...
Foreword
... Herzog's Encyclopedia says: "Luther himself alreadyseizes every opportunity offered
by a text of the Divine Word in order to remind believers of the distress...
The Hold Fast
... It were well to give such a grip as a man gives to a plank when heseizes
hold upon it for his very life" that is a fast hold indeed....
The Imagination.
... trifles; a word, a look, a sign preoccupies and alarms it; it feasts on suspicion
and anxiety, fictitious hopes and deceitful reports; itseizes with avidity...
Introduction
... one phase of the subject; he grasps those points that harmonize with his experience
or with his power of perception and appreciation; anotherseizes upon a...
The Christian Struggling under Great and Heavy Affliction.
... 2. When at length your turn comes, as it certainly will, from the first hour in
which an afflictionseizes you, realize to yourself the hand of God in it, and...
The Object of the Following Treatise. ...
... By the consideration of time,"for seeing that timeseizes upon all things human,
we also in turn ought to snatch from it something which may profit us to...
Thesaurus
Seizes (16 Occurrences)...Seizes (16 Occurrences). Mark 9:18 and wherever it
seizes him, it throws him down,
and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth, and wastes away.
...Seize (91 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To take possession of by force. 3. (vt) To invade suddenly; to take sudden
hold of; to come upon suddenly; as, a feverseizes a patient....
Gnashes (4 Occurrences)
... Gnashes (4 Occurrences). Mark 9:18 and wheresoever itseizes him it tears him,
and he foams and gnashes his teeth, and he is withering away....
Grinds (1 Occurrence)
... Grinds (1 Occurrence). Mark 9:18 and wherever itseizes him, it throws him down,
and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth, and wastes away....
Weren't (25 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Mark 9:18 and wherever itseizes him, it throws him down, and he
foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth, and wastes away....
Well-nigh (5 Occurrences)
... (adv.) Almost; nearly. Multi-Version Concordance Well-nigh (5 Occurrences). Luke
9:39 At times a spiritseizes him and he suddenly cries out....
Withering (2 Occurrences)
... Withering (2 Occurrences). Mark 9:18 and wheresoever itseizes him it tears him,
and he foams and gnashes his teeth, and he is withering away....
Foams (3 Occurrences)
... Foams (3 Occurrences). Mark 9:18 and wherever itseizes him, it throws him down,
and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth, and wastes away....
Throws (8 Occurrences)
... Throws (8 Occurrences). Mark 9:18 and wherever itseizes him, it throws him down,
and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth, and wastes away....
Teeth (50 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). Mark 9:18 and wherever itseizes him, it throws him down, and he
foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth, and wastes away....
Resources
What does Psalm 137:9 mean when it says, “Happy is the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks”? | GotQuestions.orgDoes Deuteronomy 22:28-29 command a rape victim to marry her rapist? | GotQuestions.orgIs epilepsy mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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