The term "carriest" is an archaic form of the verb "carry," found in older English translations of the Bible. It is used to describe the act of bearing or transporting something from one place to another. In the context of Scripture, "carriest" often conveys the idea of bearing burdens, both physical and spiritual, and is associated with themes of responsibility, support, and divine assistance.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Physical Bearing: In the Old Testament, the concept of carrying is frequently associated with the transportation of the Ark of the Covenant, sacred objects, and offerings. The Levites were specifically tasked with carrying the Ark, as seen in passages like 1 Chronicles 15:2, where David says, "No one but the Levites may carry the ark of God, for the LORD has chosen them to carry the ark of the LORD and to minister before Him forever."

2. Spiritual and Symbolic Bearing: The act of carrying also holds significant spiritual symbolism. In Isaiah 46:4, God reassures His people of His sustaining power: "Even to your old age and gray hairs I am He, I am He who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you." Here, the term "carry" signifies God's enduring support and care for His people.

3. Bearing Burdens: The New Testament expands on the theme of carrying burdens, emphasizing the communal and supportive aspects of the Christian life. Galatians 6:2 instructs believers to "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." This reflects the call to mutual support and love within the body of Christ.

4. Christ's Sacrifice: The ultimate act of carrying in the New Testament is Christ bearing the cross. John 19:17 states, "Carrying His own cross, He went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha)." This act symbolizes the weight of sin that Christ bore on behalf of humanity, fulfilling the redemptive plan of God.

Theological Implications

The concept of "carriest" in the Bible underscores the themes of divine provision, human responsibility, and communal support. It highlights the importance of relying on God's strength to bear life's burdens and the call to support one another in the faith community. The imagery of carrying also points to the sacrificial love of Christ, who bore the ultimate burden for the salvation of mankind.

Practical Application

Believers are encouraged to reflect on the ways they can carry the burdens of others, following the example of Christ. This involves practical acts of service, prayer, and encouragement, fostering a spirit of unity and love within the church. Additionally, Christians are reminded of God's promise to carry them through life's challenges, providing comfort and strength in times of need.

Watch-Night Service
... "Thou carriest them away as with a flood.". ... "Thou carriest them away as with a flood;
they are as a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which groweth up. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/watch-night service.htm

And While the Saints Enoch and Elias were Thus Speaking...
... Who art thou? because thy appearance is that of a robber. And what is the
sign which thou carriest on thy shoulders? In answer to ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 10 26 and while.htm

And Again There came the Voice of the Son of the Father Most High. ...
... And all the saints saw him most clearly, and said to him forthwith: Thy appearance
is that of a robber. Tell us what it is that thou carriest on thy back. ...
/.../unknown/the gospel of nicodemus /chapter 7 23 and again.htm

The Feast of Ingathering in the End of the Year
... gone utterly. 'Thou carriest them away, as with a flood.' We speak of
it as irrevocable, unalterable, that dreadful past. It is ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the feast of ingathering in.htm

Twenty-Second Sunday after Trinity. Trust in the Lord with all ...
... Thine; The lamb, on whom none else discern Thy sign,. Thou carriest in Thy
bosom day by day. The common ways are trodden not of Thee,. ...
/.../lyra germanica the christian year/twenty-second sunday after trinity trust.htm

On the Feast of the Epiphany, I.
... evil? Thou gainest nothing and carriest out nothing by this intriguing. He
that was born voluntarily shall die of His own free will. ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon xxxi on the feast.htm

March 16 Morning
... They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the
prey."Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep . . . ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/march 16 morning.htm

Psalm LXVII.
... the coffer is emptied of gold; the heart is full of faith: without, poor thou art,
but within, rich thou art: thy riches with thee thou carriest, which thou ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxvii.htm

On Easter
... Hence re-seeking the tomb from the lower regions, [2142] having resumed Thy flesh,
as a warrior Thou carriest back ample trophies to the heavens. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/venantius/on easter/on easter.htm

Psalm XXXIV.
... thy infirmity; but consider Who sitteth upon thee. Thou art an ass's colt,
but thou carriest Christ. For even He on an ass's colt ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xxxiv.htm

Carriest (2 Occurrences)
...Carriest (2 Occurrences). ... Psalms 90:5 Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they
are as a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which groweth up. ...
/c/carriest.htm - 7k

Carrieth (10 Occurrences)

/c/carrieth.htm - 9k

Carries (27 Occurrences)

/c/carries.htm - 14k

Delivereth (49 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy 21:10 When thou goest forth to battle against thine enemies, and Jehovah
thy God delivereth them into thy hands, and thou carriest them away captive ...
/d/delivereth.htm - 19k

Groweth (29 Occurrences)
... (WBS). Psalms 90:5 Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep:
in the morning they are like grass which groweth up. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/g/groweth.htm - 15k

Flood (70 Occurrences)
... (See RSV NIV). Psalms 90:5 Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as
a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which groweth up. ...
/f/flood.htm - 31k

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