Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical terminology, the term "strait" is often used to describe a narrow or constricted path, both in a literal and metaphorical sense. The concept of a strait is significant in Scripture, symbolizing the challenges and discipline required to follow a righteous path in contrast to the broad and easy way that leads to destruction.
Biblical References:1.
Matthew 7:13-14 : "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it." In this passage, Jesus uses the imagery of a narrow gate and a strait path to illustrate the difficulty and commitment required to follow Him. The strait path represents the disciplined life of a believer, marked by obedience and faithfulness.
2.
Luke 13:24 : "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able." Here, the strait or narrow door signifies the urgency and effort needed to attain salvation. It emphasizes the importance of striving to live according to God's will, as not everyone who seeks will find entry.
Theological Significance:The concept of a strait path is deeply rooted in the Christian understanding of salvation and discipleship. It underscores the idea that following Christ is not without its challenges and requires a conscious decision to turn away from worldly temptations. The strait path is often associated with self-denial, perseverance, and a commitment to living a life that reflects the teachings of Jesus.
Symbolism:In a broader sense, the strait path symbolizes the Christian journey of sanctification. It is a path that demands vigilance, moral integrity, and spiritual growth. The narrowness of the path serves as a reminder that the Christian life is countercultural and often at odds with the prevailing norms of society.
Historical Context:In the ancient world, a strait or narrow path would have been understood as a difficult route, often requiring careful navigation. This imagery would have resonated with Jesus' audience, who were familiar with the challenges of travel in a rugged and often hostile landscape. The metaphor of a strait path would have vividly illustrated the spiritual journey of a believer.
Practical Application:For believers, the call to walk the strait path is a call to live a life of intentionality and purpose. It involves making choices that align with biblical principles and resisting the allure of the broader, easier path that leads away from God. The strait path is a journey of faith, requiring reliance on God's strength and guidance.
In summary, the biblical concept of a strait path serves as a powerful metaphor for the Christian life, emphasizing the need for dedication, discipline, and a steadfast commitment to following Christ.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A narrow passageway connecting two larger bodies of water.
2. (superl.) Narrow; not broad.
3. (superl.) Tight; close; closely fitting.
4. (superl.) Close; intimate; near; familiar.
5. (superl.) Strict; scrupulous; rigorous.
6. (superl.) Difficult; distressful; straited.
7. (superl.) Parsimonious; stingy; mean.
8. (adv.) Strictly; rigorously.
9. (n.) A narrow pass or passage.
10. (n.) A (comparatively) narrow passageway connecting two large bodies of water; -- often in the plural; as, the strait, or straits, of Gibraltar; the straits of Magellan; the strait, or straits, of Mackinaw.
11. (n.) A neck of land; an isthmus.
12. (a.) Fig.: A condition of narrowness or restriction; doubt; distress; difficulty; poverty; perplexity; -- sometimes in the plural; as, reduced to great straits.
13. (v. t.) To put to difficulties.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
STRAIT; STRAITEN; STRAITLYstrat, strat'-'-n, strat'-il: The word "strait" and its compounds are used in English Versions of the Bible in the literal sense of "narrow" (tsar,2 Kings 6:1Isaiah 49:20; mutsaq,Job 37:10; 'atsal,Ezekiel 42:6) and in the figurative sense of "strict" (shabha`,Exodus 13:19; caghar,Joshua 6:1; tsarar, "to be distressed,"2 Samuel 24:14 parallel; yatsar,Job 20:22; metsar,Lamentations 1:3). In Apocrypha the verb "straitened" occurs in Susanna verse 22. In the New Testament we have stenos (Matthew 7:13 f parallel, the Revised Version (British and American) "narrow"; polus, "much"; so the Revised Version (British and American)Mark 3:12;Mark 5:43; sunecho, "to urge," "hold together,"Luke 12:50Philippians 1:23). It occurs in its superlative form inActs 26:5, "After the straitest (akribestatos, "most exact," "scrupulous") sect of our religion," i.e. "the most precise and rigorous in interpreting the Mosaic Law, and in observing the more minute precepts of the Law and of tradition" (Thayer, Lexicon, under the word; compareActs 22:3).
See alsoSTRAIGHT, STRAIGHTWAY.
M. O. Evans
Greek
4728. stenos -- narrow... narrow. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: stenos Phonetic Spelling:
(sten-os') Short Definition: narrow Definition: narrow,
strait.
... narrow,
strait.
...4912. sunecho -- to hold together, to hold fast, pass. to be...
... arrest (a prisoner); figuratively, to compel, perplex, afflict, preoccupy -- constrain,
hold, keep in, press, lie sick of, stop, be in astrait, straiten, be...
Strong's Hebrew
4712. metsar -- straits, distress... distress, pain,
strait. From qebah; something tight, ie (figuratively) trouble --
distress, pain,
strait. see HEBREW qebah. 4711, 4712. metsar. 4713 .
...6887. tsarar -- to bind, tie up, be restricted, narrow, scant, or...
... adversary, (be in) afflict(-ion), beseige, bind (up), (be in, bring) distress, enemy,
narrower, oppress, pangs, shut up, be in astrait (trouble), vex....
6862b. tsar -- straits, distress
... Definition straits, distress NASB Word Usage afflicted (1), affliction (1), anguish
(1), anguished (1), distress (17), privation (1),strait (1), trouble (7)....
6862. tsar -- narrow, tight
... an opponent (as crowding) -- adversary, afflicted(-tion), anguish, close, distress,
enemy, flint, foe, narrow, small, sorrow,strait, tribulation, trouble....
6695. tsowq -- constraint, distress
... anguish, troublous Or (feminine) tsuwqah {tsoo-kaw'}; from tsuwq; astrait, ie
(figuratively) distress -- anguish, X troublous. see HEBREW tsuwq. 6694, 6695....
Library
TheStrait Gate
... LUKE Chaps. XIII to XXIV THESTRAIT GATE.... Strive to enter in at thestrait gate:
for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not he able.25....
TheStrait Gate;
... THESTRAIT GATE; OR, GREAT DIFFICULTY OF GOING TO HEAVEN: PLAINLY PROVING,
BY THE SCRIPTURES, THAT NOT ONLY THE RUDE AND PROFANE...
Call to Entire Devotion. --TheStrait Gate and the Narrow Way....
... Section 216. Call to entire Devotion."TheStrait Gate and the Narrow Way."Heathen
admitted to the Kingdom of Heaven. (Luke, xiii., 24-28.)....
Thoughts Upon Striving to Enter at theStrait Gate.
... Thoughts upon Striving to enter at thestrait Gate. AS certainly as we are
here now, it is not long but we shall all be in another...
TheStrait Gate. Warned against Herod.
... From the Third Passover Until Our Lord's Arrival at Bethany. (Time: One Year Less
One Week.) LXXXIX. TheStrait Gate. Warned Against Herod. (Per??a.)...
Rule for Removing Ambiguity by Attending to Punctuation.
... It is where the apostle says: "What I shall choose I wot not: for I am in astrait
betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far...
But when Proper Words Make Scripture Ambiguous, we must See in the...
... What I shall choose I wot not: for I am in astrait betwixt two, having a desire
to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better: nevertheless to abide...
The Two Paths
... 'Enter ye in at thestrait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that
leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14....
Chapter xxiii.
... possessing, ie contemplating this wisdom, such an eye is led through all that precedes
to a point where there may now be seen the narrow way and thestrait gate...
Of the Praise and Might of Charity: and of Forsaking the World...
... We have heard truly that the way isstrait that leads to life. This is
the way of penance that few find, the which therefore is...
Thesaurus
Strait (14 Occurrences)... 10. (n.) A (comparatively) narrow passageway connecting two large bodies of water; --
often in the plural; as, the
strait, or straits
...STRAIT; STRAITEN; STRAITLY.
...Straiten (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To makestrait; to make narrow; hence, to contract;
to confine.... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.STRAIT; STRAITEN; STRAITLY....
Straight (196 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A variant ofStrait, a. 2. (superl.)
Right, in a mathematical sense; passing from one point to...
Straitly (12 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (adv.) In astrait manner; narrowly; strictly; rigorously....
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.STRAIT; STRAITEN; STRAITLY....
Narrow (21 Occurrences)
... 9. (n.) A narrow passage; esp., a contracted part of a stream, lake, or sea; astrait
connecting two bodies of water; -- usually in the plural; as, The Narrows...
Leadeth (42 Occurrences)
... Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at thestrait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is
the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat...
Leading (101 Occurrences)
... Matthew 7:13 Go ye in through thestrait gate, because wide 'is' the gate, and broad
the way that is leading to the destruction, and many are those going in...
Trogyllium (1 Occurrence)
... From the coast near Miletus the promontory projects into the sea toward the island
of Samos; thestrait separating the mainland from the island is scarcely a...
Rhegium (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Breach, a town in the south of Italy, on theStrait of
Messina, at which Paul touched on his way to Rome (Acts 28:13)....
Channel (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The deeper part of a river, harbor,strait, etc., where the main current
flows, or which affords the best and safest passage for vessels....
Resources
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